What is Etymotic's DNA if not: First, its insistence of the original Etymotic FR curve that should be both (1) function over form and (2) above and beyond the number of drivers' number. Secondly, its lasting build quality and iconic design and lastly, its top notch customer service? For many years, Etymotic doesn't see itself as much as an IEM company than it is an hearing aid company and so it can up hold what the company's name means: 'True to Sound'. I can see the reasoning behind the XR line as they are trying to please the market trend but it is nonetheless a deviation of its core house FR curve. With the company sold to Lucid and the factory seems to have moved completely to Vietnam, what we have seen here are reports of general drop in build quality and much worst, degradation of its once legendary customer service. I have also seen postings floating around the internet on ex-employees complained about change of its more family style management to a more profit orienting management. So it lets me wonder just how much has changed since Lucid takes over Etymotic - are we simply looking at the old Etymotic trying to re-invent itself at the new era or are we really looking at Lucid trying to maximize the Etymotic' 'brand power' while fundamentally changing what used to make Etymotic great in the first place? Well, I don't have an answer - not yet. But I am not optimistic about it either. Meanwhile, I think I am going to order another pair of custom ER4S because that's the sound that makes me fall in love with Etymotic in the first place.
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