[insular]

Really annoying, because I really loved them. I love and need the best isolation and I thought these were pretty good at it. The sound was great and I was happy with them until I lost them somewhere (probably at the beach).
 
Anyway, I need replacements, and even though I threw up the idea of getting them again, they are more expensive now and I can't bare to pay $30 more than I did before for the same product over a year ago.
 
I've been looking at alternatives, and SQ wise, there's the Hifiman RE-Zero and the RE0 (difference?), and the Audeo PFE121. How well do these isolate in comparison, and can the ER4 tri-flange tips fit on either? I liked these tips and they gave me the best isolation.
 
Are there any canals that I'm missing here that I haven't considered?
 
Music is mostly vocal, some dance, pop folk style. To me, heavy bass is not desired, but a little bass is important as long as its not overwhelming. I know bugger all about sound stages and stuff so I don't really know how to describe what I want/need there.
 
I was happy with the ER4P's, just wanting to know if theres a better step up in terms of SQ that provides at least the same isolation or better.
 
cheers!

 

[GreatDane]

The Hifiman are claimed by some users to be as good or better than ER4 SQ wise but I disagree (RE0 is what I compared). The isolation will not be as good as ER4. I think the ER4 tips work for PFE but don't remember about RE0. Isolation with PFE is poor, especially if you're used to ER4.
 
The specific sound signature of ER4 combined with its isolation ability will be very difficult to replace.
 
You will get some info on this if you do a search for "ER4 isolation"

 

[rroseperry]

If isolation is the most important thing to you, then nothing is going to be able to match the ER4, seriously.
 
I've had both the RE0 and ER4P. If you liked the ER4P sound, then I don't think you'll find the RE0 that satisfying. It's accurate enough, but doesn't have anywhere near the detail of the ER4P.It's definitely not a step up, sideways and a little down maybe.
 
Finally the ety tips tend to be on the small side and the RE0 has a pretty wide nozzle.

 

[insular]

thnx guys, im leaning towards getting the hf5's, as they are cheaper and at b&h with a gift card the cost will be under $100 this time, compared with $190 for replacement er4p's.
 
some of the multi-iem reviews do agree with you and say they have the best isolation, but SQ wise aren't anything special, but still rate highly. so i was looking at other options. the hf5's are almost the same as the 4p's, so i dont think i will even notice the different if its that slight!
 
i cant see anything else that isnt <$200, and even though i can spend more, i dont think i will, no amp and just an iphone 4 driving them.
 
ill get some olives as well, and see how they fair, theyre raved about a lot.