[jasonb]

So at least for now, the Aful Performer 8 has taken the top step on the podium for me. I really like what I’m hearing with them, but it’s only been 3 days, so it’s still the honeymoon phase. I have no plans to sell my ER4SR though. The Hexa and Timeless AE might go though.

 

[Sinocelt]

Just curious, where are you ordering your filters from? Are you ordering all the way from the US? If so, there should be a supplier closer to you that carries replacement filters.

I was looking at Amazon. I should be able to buy closer, yes, but probably for more money (for the filters; not for the shipping). Americans get the best prices.

Note that Amazon offers free shipping to Taiwan for orders totaling $60 or more, but the Ety filters aren't included in this "Amazon Global" scheme. You might want to look into that.

As far as the frequency of change, that does vary significantly from user to user. Some folks change them once a month (although that seems to be rare), while others can go a year or two (or more) before changes are required.

Having to pay 36 USD/year (i.e., a filter failing every two months) to keep using a pair or earphones is a little steep. Also, as several Amazon reviewers complained, the only option is to buy four filters with a tool. So if you change both filters each month, you end up paying 72 USD/year to keep using your Etys, and you end up with 6 tools you don't need but had to pay for.

I am still perplexed why it's different for you now than it was before. I'm looking into any changes in the mesh itself, but my contact person doesn't believe that there have been any material changes. I'll confirm once I've got the final answer.

Note that "before" here means long before: I bought the HF5 in 2009, and yes, it lasted for years of use and abuse, and when it failed, it was at the cable; the filters were still working perfectly.

 

[magicalmouse]

For test purposes, I'd place a thin layer of cotton wool inside the tips (as a moisture barrier), directly in front of the nozzle and see if that changes things

Hi can anyone post pictures of this cotton wool barrier as i cannot see how it would fit?

thanks

d

 

[Bret Halford]

Well, it took some time, but Lucid Audio did right by me in the end: I've got a new ER4SR! (Lucid Audio even found someone I could send my defective ER4SR to locally, and didn't require that I send back the whole box, so shipping was cheap.) My thanks go to Gary and Ann (in Taiwan) and Jeff LaRico (director of sales for Lucid Audio).

After much, much, much, much tip rolling, I returned to my old favorite: the EarFills (L) from Future Sonics. I shortened the stem, though.

BEWARE: Shortening the stem isn't easy, due to how flexible the material is. I tried using a cut Q-tip inside the stem and a cutter to cut the stem around the Q-tip, but didn't get very good results. In the end I just used a pair of very good scissors and trimmed little bit by litte bit until both IEM mouths were at the same distance of their respective eartip mouths.

Are you still using these or similar shortened stem tips? I note the filter bore aperture is almost flush with the tip end. This will make the filter face the brunt of debris accumulation in your ear, whereas with Ety designed tip bore length, there is quite a stretch of 'tip tube' that accumulates wax first and can easily be cleared off after usage... Did you use the exact same tips, cut short when you were getting longer usage out of your old HF5?

You may want to explore tips like the Azla Sedna Max that contain a builtin mesh guard (they have an adaptor included to fit to ety).

 

[EtyDave]

I was looking at Amazon. I should be able to buy closer, yes, but probably for more money (for the filters; not for the shipping). Americans get the best prices.

Note that Amazon offers free shipping to Taiwan for orders totaling $60 or more, but the Ety filters aren't included in this "Amazon Global" scheme. You might want to look into that.




Having to pay 36 USD/year (i.e., a filter failing every two months) to keep using a pair or earphones is a little steep. Also, as several Amazon reviewers complained, the only option is to buy four filters with a tool. So if you change both filters each month, you end up paying 72 USD/year to keep using your Etys, and you end up with 6 tools you don't need but had to pay for.




Note that "before" here means long before: I bought the HF5 in 2009, and yes, it lasted for years of use and abuse, and when it failed, it was at the cable; the filters were still working perfectly.

Thanks for the response. My comments are below:

1.) Amazon shipping. I don't think that Amazon US can be setup for Amazon Global as they are not really supposed to be shipping outside of the US market. We have various distributors across the world and they get a bit frustrated when things are shipped from other markets into theirs.

2.) I can certainly understand it being frustrated with both the cost and ending up with a bunch of extra tools. I have dozens of unnecessary allen wrenches at home that have bundled with furniture, headphone stands, etc. This one kind of cuts both ways as a lot of folks lose their damper changing tool and get frustrated if they don't get one with their dampers. Perhaps a middle ground would be an option of a higher quantity damper pack (12 or so) with a tool.

3.) Thanks for the info of the HF5. I wish I had a good explanation as to why you never had to change the dampers before and now you have to change them more frequently. I will follow-up when I get a more definitive answer regarding the mesh.

 

[InvisibleInk]

Hey Dave,

I'm dying to know if you guys are planning a follow up to the outstanding ERX and the EVO?

 

[EtyDave]

Hey Dave,

I'm dying to know if you guys are planning a follow up to the outstanding ERX and the EVO?

I'm generally pretty cagey about future releases unless they are imminent.

I will say, without exactly confirming it, it is probable that we will do something in that realm.

 

[james444]

.

Hi can anyone post pictures of this cotton wool barrier as i cannot see how it would fit?

thanks

d

I only have the older ER4S, but going by pics of the ER4SR there should be some space between filter and tip opening. Just cut a tiny piece of cotton wool off a q-tip and stuff it in there. If you use only a small amount and don't compress the cotton too much, the effect on frequency response should be negligible.

Note that this isn't meant as permanent solution, but rather just as a test to see whether it might be moisture condensation that's clogging the filter. If it lasts significantly longer with cotton wool in front, then there's reason to believe that the filter itself is insufficiently protected from moisture.

 

[EtyDave]

.


I only have the older ER4S, but going by pics of the ER4SR there should be some space between filter and tip opening. Just cut a tiny piece of cotton wool off a q-tip and stuff it in there. If you use only a small amount and don't compress the cotton too much, the effect on frequency response should be negligible.



Note that this isn't meant as permanent solution, but rather just as a test to see whether it might be moisture condensation that's clogging the filter. If it lasts significantly longer with cotton wool in front, then there's reason to believe that the filter itself is insufficiently protected from moisture.

One of the things to keep in mind is that ear wax tends to sublimate when the earphone is inserted in the ear. It's not just about wax impaction. It's probable that the cotton would catch some of the wax that way. My primary concern (other than frequency response) would be the bit of cotton working its way out of the earphone and coming out into the ear canal, so I won't recommend it. But if I were to try it on myself, I would make absolutely sure it's secure before each insertion.

 

[Sinocelt]

Are you still using these or similar shortened stem tips? I note the filter bore aperture is almost flush with the tip end. This will make the filter face the brunt of debris accumulation in your ear, whereas with Ety designed tip bore length, there is quite a stretch of 'tip tube' that accumulates wax first and can easily be cleared off after usage... Did you use the exact same tips, cut short when you were getting longer usage out of your old HF5?

I didn't, but also I used other tips than the shortened ones with the ER4SR -- tips that didn't have such a short bore. Also, I looked with a magnifying lens, and there never was a spek of wax. (I do clean my ears daily.)

One of the things to keep in mind is that ear wax tends to sublimate when the earphone is inserted in the ear. It's not just about wax impaction.

Hm, interesting. Maybe the nature of my wax changed since I got the HF5. It wouldn't be the only aspect of my body that has.

1.) Amazon shipping. I don't think that Amazon US can be setup for Amazon Global as they are not really supposed to be shipping outside of the US market. We have various distributors across the world and they get a bit frustrated when things are shipped from other markets into theirs.

I understand, but that does make filters even more expensive for your customers outside the States.

2.) I can certainly understand it being frustrated with both the cost and ending up with a bunch of extra tools. I have dozens of unnecessary allen wrenches at home that have bundled with furniture, headphone stands, etc. This one kind of cuts both ways as a lot of folks lose their damper changing tool and get frustrated if they don't get one with their dampers. Perhaps a middle ground would be an option of a higher quantity damper pack (12 or so) with a tool.

Sounds like a good idea, or you could simply sell the tool separately.

I'm dying to know if you guys are planning a follow up to the outstanding ERX and the EVO?

I don't think that's a good idea. I prefer the form factor of the ER4, and I think we can agree that what I prefer should be prioritized, when it comes to making improvement.

 

[castleofargh]

IMO, the most important aspect would be to make absolutely sure that it's about the filter itself. Like maybe take one that apparently get clogged/wet when it does, take it out without breaking it(gently with the dedicated tool not going all the way in, or with the tip of a knife gently pulling out against the plastic side of the filter), quickly try another filter or even no filter at all to see how that sounds. If it's fine, repeat the process and quickly put the previous filter back to check that it's still the same issue with it.
The point is to confirm that the state of the filter changed in a way that does make it easier for the volume change to occur.

I never had that issue with the ER4SR or any older etys(I still have 2 hf5, but the plastic on the shell has become sticky and soft in a way that is fairly repulsive), but I did notice way more water accumulation in other IEMs with metal shells parts(more so with vented models TBH). So I'm wondering if maybe the 4SR's metal portion could be the main actor in your trouble compared to other etys, instead of the filters being different.
For humidity, I'm guessing you're the main source of it, not the outside air, so air conditioning might actually make things worse, by keeping the metal part of the shell fresh while the air inside is at body temperature and full of humidity, increasing condensation inside the IEM? But then, what does the filter have to do with anything?

I have a lot of imagination but zero answer.

 

[Sinocelt]

IMO, the most important aspect would be to make absolutely sure that it's about the filter itself.

I have. I posted a slew of messages in that thread about everything I tried, but linking you to this one should suffice.

 

[991 Carrera 4S]

@EtyDave

Could you please explain what the differences are between all these different variations of earplugs?

ER20XS High Fidelity Earplugs
ER20XS Motorsports HD Earplugs
ETY Plugs HD Safety Earplugs
ETY Plugs High Fidelity Earplugs
ETY Plugs Motorsport

Which ones have the flattest/most neutral attenuation?

 

[IKADDI]

Hello guys I have a weird experience with the seal. I have er3se and when it seals perfectly and isolates everything, bass reduces with the volume overall and treble loses it's definition and becomes harsh. When I insert it slightly lose , bass becomes boomy but treble gets it's good shape. Any recommendations ?

 

[EtyDave]

@EtyDave

Could you please explain what the differences are between all these different variations of earplugs?

ER20XS High Fidelity Earplugs
ER20XS Motorsports HD Earplugs
ETY Plugs HD Safety Earplugs
ETY Plugs High Fidelity Earplugs
ETY Plugs Motorsport

Which ones have the flattest/most neutral attenuation?

So, the first thing is that there is a lot of different packaging of the same (or similar items there). When you boil it down, there are two basic form factors:

ER20 - (ETY Plugs) - These are the original Etymotic hi-fi earplugs that most folks are familiar with.
ER20XS - This is a lower-profile hi-fi earplug.

As far as flat attenuation, they are actually both fairly similar, so if that is your primary criteria, each one will work.

The real fundamental differences are:

1.) ER20XS is easier to swap the eartips on and can be purchased in a universal pack that comes with multiple eartips for the user to swap out. The universal pack includes a pair of foam eartips, which are not available on the ER20 ETY Plugs.
2.) ER20 (ETY Plugs) have a fixed eartip size, which may or may not matter to you. They are also less expensive.
3.) ER20 (ETY Plugs) have a longer stem and stick further out of the ear. Because of this, they aren't as low profile and may interfere with motorcycle helmets, or other headgear.
4.) ER20XS are lower profile but slightly wider at the base, so there are some instances where the narrow, longer ER20 ETY Plugs may fit better.

TL;DR - Both designs are flat reponse, but the ER20XS is lower profile and allows you to change eartips.