[Patrickhat2001]

In my growing anxiety over wether I will like Etymotic ER-4 P/S phones I'm wondering what else I would consider if I did not choose them. The Ety ER-4s seem to be very high maintenance and I've been wondering lately if I may be better off choosing another phone (like most people, I am somewhat lazy). But I can't seem to find anything besides the Ultrasone 650 Trackmaster that would fit my requirements. From what I've read the Ultrasone sounds like a great product but not quite up to the highest audiophile standards (although it is supposed to come very close and is a great deal for its price).

In a phone I desire isolation, doesn't have to be as much as the Etys but it must at least enough to block outside noise of an open window or a fan, but the more isolation, the better. From what I've read the Sony CD3000 would likely not isolate enough for my considerations.

Secondly I desire low impedance, something below 100ohms. This is so I will be able to drive said phones to a satisfying level using a maxed-out Meta, which is the most powerful amp I can afford. The higher-end closed Beyerdynamics would then fail for this criteria.

Thirdly I desire a phone that can be used for all types of music meaing it has a realatively neutral presentation and none of the areas of its frequency response are accentuated or deaccentuated too much. Many phones, especially closed ones, would also fail for this criteria (like the high-end Beyerdynamics). They have either way too much boomy bass or not enough bass.

So I'm stuck, wondering what other options I have. Besides the Ultrasone I can't think of any other phone beside the Audio-Technicas and the Shures that might meet my criteria. And from what I have read they would likely be iffy on isolation and neutrality-balanced frequency response.

Anyone know of some phones I should look into? Or just reassure me about the Etys, either-or.

 

[john_jcb]

Nothing I have tried comes anywhere close to the Etys with respect to isolation and musical qualities. You can loose yourself in the music almost feeling like you are there. Nothing else bothers you.

I think you may be over thinking how much trouble the Etys are. They are simply earplugs that need to be inserted in your ears. Nothing too difficult about that. Keeping your ears relatively clean is something everyone should do anyway. I think the only real concern is comfort. If you are not use to wearing earplugs it takes a short time to become accustomed to them. The filter change when you need to do it takes a few minutes. Give them a chance and you will find them indispensable.

 

[Hiker]

Quote:

Originally posted by Patrickhat2001 The Ety ER-4s seem to be very high maintenance and I've been wondering lately if I may be better off choosing another phone (like most people, I am somewhat lazy).

What do you mean when you speak of high maintanence. I have owned the ER-4P for half a year and have performed absolutely no maintanence. Unless you count changing the foamies once because the first pair I was using was getting that used feeling. I have never needed to replace the filters yet . . . and yes I use the etys quite a bit (between 1-4 hours a day).

Quote:

Originally posted by Patrickhat2001 Secondly I desire low impedance, something below 100ohms. This is so I will be able to drive said phones to a satisfying level using a maxed-out Meta, which is the most powerful amp I can afford. The higher-end closed Beyerdynamics would then fail for this criteria.

From what I am aware of, a maxed out Meta should have no problem driving cans in excess of 100 ohms. 250 ohm "high-end beyers" can be driven by a Meta as well as the 300 ohm HD-600. In general, most cans below 100 ohms DO NOT require an amp in order to drive them to satisfying levels or even ear splitting levels. Most cans above 100 ohms do require an amp such as the Meta.

Quote:

Originally posted by Patrickhat2001 Thirdly I desire a phone that can be used for all types of music meaing it has a realatively neutral presentation and none of the areas of its frequency response are accentuated or deaccentuated too much.

The etys are considered by many to the one of the most, if not THE most neutral headphones out there (with exception to maybe the HP-1s).

I hope I was able to help. I greatly enjoy my etys with many types of music from classic rock to classical. They tend to be analytical but are nonetheless very musical to my ears. And if anyone ever tells you that microphonics with the etys are a big issue, take it with a grain of salt. You have to experience them for yourself. I guarantee you that the microphonics issue is greatly exaggerated by many. Now go out and get yourself some etys. You should be throughly satisfied.

Hiker

 

[Fastjack]

Quote:

Originally posted by Hiker What do you mean when you speak of high maintanence. I have owned the ER-4P for half a year and have performed absolutely no maintanence. Unless you count changing the foamies once because the first pair I was using was getting that used feeling. I have never needed to replace the filters yet . . . and yes I use the etys quite a bit (between 1-4 hours a day).

NO maintenance??? Yuk....

I for one wash the foam-tips about every two days. Even though my ears are clean the foamies would probably soon start a live of their own without regular cleaning.

So the Etys do need a bit more attention than regular phones. But a few minutes every second day isn't that much trouble.

 

[Patrickhat2001]

Hiker--
Okay, high maintenance wasn't the best choice of words but from my research it seems as if they would be more difficult to live with than most other phones. For one they do require you to clean your ears out daily. Most people aren't used to this and were told in their childhood (I know I was) that they shouldn't clean their ears with Q-tips. Secondly, they can't be used right after you get out of the shower because the water could clog the filter. You could get most of the water out by cleaning your ears with a Q-tip after you get out of the shower, but even this wouldn't get all of the water ( I think, anyway). Besides that they take longer to put on (actually insert would be more accurate) and remove than other cans. This could be really annoying if you have to take them in and out quite often. They also don't have a headband so if you do have to remove them for short periods of time (like to talk to someone) you must either hold them in your hand or leave one or both dangling from you shirt (that's if you tuck headphone cords under your shirt). Another thing is that you can't just leave them sitting out for long periods of time since dust and such can clog the filters. You must store them in some kind of case or pouch if you won't be using them for awhile. Another thing is that they may isolate you too much leaving you unable to hear the telephone or an alarm (even if they are both right next to you). Still another is the microphonics issue which most people suffer from. This leads many Ety users to loop the phones around their ears and/or use the shirt clip. Both of these increase the time it takes to insert and remove these phones and decreases comfort. Besides that is the comfort issue of getting used to sticking things into your ears for long periods of time. Most Ety users do get used to this, but still it is a short term inconvenance. Another thing is cleaning/replacing the plugs which some Ety users do and some don't. It mostly depends on whether they use the foam or rubber plugs. The foam ones must usually be replaced (although Fastjack appears to wash his) while the rubber ones can usually just be cleaned.

Whew! None of these points alone would distract anyone from using the Etys but taken together they make me wonder if Etys would be the right choice for me. To me they just seem to be more trouble than other phones.

And I don't meen to bash the Etys. Like my signature says I dream about them and have no doubt that they are one of (likely even the best) bargains in the headphone world when it comes to sound quality. But I worry alot about my purchases which leads to rants like these. Perhaps I just have cold feet. It happens to most guys before a life changing event, right?

 

[Rizumu]

HEADROOM HAS 30 DAY TRIAL - GO BUY NOW.

If they're not for you, we can talk about those Ultrasones

 

[Wodgy]

I understand your situation. Lately I've been slowing moving away from my Etymotic ER-4S and listening more and more to my Beyerdynamic DT250-250s. They're not a bad Ety substitute, but they need a good amp to sound their best. I own two different Metas and neither one can really drive them to their best. Lately I've been using a NAD C320BEE to drive them (almost heresy here!

) and they really shine. The Etys are much more refined phones, of course, but they lack bass slam, which makes listening to some types of music hard.

 

[LTUCCI1924]

HI: Shure E2c

 

[waffenschmidt]

Patrickhat:

Whew! Mellow out, you're worrying way too much about this.

Of course, everything you say is true, but most of it isn't that big a deal. I use/like the silicone tips, and haven't had to clean them or replace filters in the 6 months or so I've had them (using a few times a week). I do use Q-tips to clean the water out of my ears after a shower, but do so whether or not I'm going to use the Etys. Once you get used to it, putting them in is not a problem and not time-consuming, at least with the silicone tips. The key (for me, anyway) is to insert them normally and then ease them out until they're comfortable, but without losing the seal. Don't stuff them in until they hurt!

Everyone makes a big deal of the microphonics, but to be truthful I wear them moving around a lot, and unless I focus on the cord noise I don't even notice it. If I'm listening critically, I'm not going to be moving around anyway, so it's not an issue.

That said, I wouldn't wear them at work. Taking them in and out constantly would be a pain, although I can carry on a brief conversation with them in by turning off the music.

Like Rizumu said, why not order from Headroom & give them a try. Just take the full 30 days to figure out what sort of fitting tricks work for you. I almost gave up, but once I got the hang of it I find they're very comfortable.

 

[Entropic]

Hey Patrickhat2001.

I'm going to stop "dreaming of Etys" next week when I will pick up a pair in Zurich, Switzerland.

Like you I am wondering whether the maintainence will be an issue (as well as the microphonics)

A small voice in my head is telling me to get a pair of Shure e2c/e1c/e5c instead. They are also canal phones but I'm having trouble comparing these and the Etys (and therefore still trying to justify the cost to myself when I'm not 100% sure!!!)

Entropic

 

[acs236]

Quote:

Originally posted by Fastjack NO maintenance??? Yuk.... I for one wash the foam-tips about every two days. .

How do you clean the foamies?

 

[Fastjack]

Quote:

Originally posted by acs236 How do you clean the foamies?

Under running warm (not too hot) water I press them out (that the right expression?) and let them expand again. Just like you would with a sponge. Afterwards I let them dry out for a day or two while I use a different set.

I haven't had them for long yet and can't really say how long they will last with this treatment but it shouldn't be any shorter than without maintenance.

Another question is whether the Etys themselfes will survive the frequent tip-changes. Sure hope so

 

[Hiker]

Quote:

Originally posted by Entropic Like you I am wondering whether the maintainence will be an issue (as well as the microphonics)

My experience with ety microphonics is if you are constantly smacking the cord to try and see if you can hear the microphonics and you are constantly, critically listening for the microphonics while you walk around, of course you will hear the microphonics. Like anything, if you worry about it too much, it will bug the **** out of you. I feel that the microphonics issue is constantly being blown way out of porportion on these boards. Try them. Listen to the highly detailed and musical sounds that they produce. Get lost in the music and enjoy what you are listening to, and guess what. You won't notice the microphonics, merely because they are not that big of a deal at all.

As for the maintenence issue, the other models you mention are canalphones as well and will produce the same maintenence issues.

Hiker

 

[waffenschmidt]

I wholeheartedly second what Hiker wrote. If you listen for microphonics you'll hear microphonics. If you listen to the music you'll hear the music (quite beautifully, I might add).

The mind is a wonderful thing.

--------------------------

As a side note, one simple thing one can do to reduce the occurence of microphonics is to twist the earpieces such that the cords are angled toward the front, not down. Keeps the cords from bouncing against your shirt.

 

[Fastjack]

Quote:

Originally posted by waffenschmidt I wholeheartedly second what Hiker wrote. If you listen for microphonics you'll hear microphonics.

If that's the only time you hear them you're lucky. Most of the time I listen at a very moderate volume and can hear the microphonics as a constant background-noise caused by breathing, small movements etc.. That is annoying.

But you can of course do something about it and get it mostly under control. I just use a clip that attaches the cord to the collar. So if you're looking for excuses not to buy Etys

that might be another point that makes the use of them more work than other phones.