[Max Choiral]

   
Now this is what I am talking about.
* for better placement and seperation
** in order to improve soundstage

I don't get it. Better placement and separation? What kind of music are you listening to? ER4S grinds mostly any type

Just one added armature driver will not give you better soundstage. It needs tons of it, at least, ten overall

 

[H20Fidelity]

there are crazy amount of it already, no?

 

Yes, definitely! That's the point of the joke.

 

[Young Spade]

  True, but we are allowed to hope aren't we...

 
I do understand the ER4s is more recording and rig depended than some other iems.
But on the other hand there are inherent shortcomings to the single BA design and the ergonomics which can't be denied.
 
I personally am looking at something akin to the UERM in overall presentation. Not saying that a future evolution/upgrade to the ER4s should directly rival the UERM, but it could use it as a reference (no pun intended) for improvements. (+ a touch more warmth?)

 
In response to the limitations of the single BA, look at the Grado GR10. Amazing IEM showing that a single armature can deliver top grade sound. 
 
Ultimately I agree with you though; at the moment, we have mid-priced IEMs like AT's IM02 giving the ER4S's a run for their money and they could definitely improve in a few areas. 
 
i would love for a new Ety IEM to come out. 

 

[ArmAndHammer]

So what's the next step for someone that loves the ER4S but wants a little better comfort and maybe a slight boost in the low end? And not something that will cost $500+.

 

[Hutnicks]

  So what's the next step for someone that loves the ER4S but wants a little better comfort and maybe a slight boost in the low end? And not something that will cost $500+.

I am a little ambigous on that one. A large part of me says to stick with the Ety's and use a source or amp that allows tuning of the sound sig to your desire.

 

[zowki]

Here are my impressions of the UERM compared to the ER4S. My Etymotic ER4S cable is broken so I can only do comparison from memory.

1. Sounds somewhat warm without EQ. Emphasized lower mids and peak at 10KHz.
2. Thicker bass texture than ER4S but similar emphasis and bass extension
3. Treble extension not as good as ER4S. About the same treble extension as ER4P.
4. Similar soundstage as ER4S
5. Mids are better than ER4S, less resonances and no 3KHz peak.
6. ER4S might have slightly better detail, mainly in the treble and upper mids (will need to do side by side comparison to confirm)
7. Perfect fit and comfort. Most comfortable IEM ever.
8. Similar isolation as the ER4S with small triflange tips
9. I think I should have ordered the JH13 FreqPhase instead. Details and soundstage are better than both the ER4S and UERM (from what I recall from the universal demo). The JH13 is not neutral but if I'm going to use EQ anyway, might as well go for the more detailed IEM.

 
Conclusion:
Overall, the sound quality is almost on par with the ER4S. It's better than the ER4S in some areas (thicker bass, less peaks, no 3K resonance), but worse in other areas (treble extension, treble and upper mids detail). Isolation is the same but the UERM has far better comfort.
 

 

 
EQ I'm currently using with the UERM:

 

[ArmAndHammer]

Yeah, I don't know that I plan to get something else, more curious at this point. I do love everything about my Ety's except the comfort which isn't bad but for long listening sessions my ears do tend to get a bit sore. And a little more bass without EQing wouldn't be a bad thing.

 

[ArmAndHammer]

  Here are my impressions of the UERM compared to the ER4S. My Etymotic ER4S cable is broken so I can only do comparison from memory.

1. Sounds somewhat warm without EQ. Emphasized lower mids and peak at 10KHz.
2. Thicker bass texture than ER4S but similar emphasis and bass extension
3. Treble extension not as good as ER4S. About the same treble extension as ER4P.
4. Similar soundstage as ER4S
5. Mids are better than ER4S, less resonances and no 3KHz peak.
6. ER4S might have slightly better detail, mainly in the treble and upper mids (will need to do side by side comparison to confirm)
7. Perfect fit and comfort. Most comfortable IEM ever.
8. Similar isolation as the ER4S with small triflange tips
9. I think I should have ordered the JH13 FreqPhase instead. Details and soundstage are better than both the ER4S and UERM (from what I recall from the universal demo). The JH13 is not neutral but if I'm going to use EQ anyway, might as well go for the more detailed IEM.

 
Conclusion:
Overall, the sound quality is almost on par with the ER4S. It's better than the ER4S in some areas (thicker bass, less peaks, no 3K resonance), but worse in other areas (treble extension, treble and upper mids detail). Isolation is the same but the UERM has far better comfort.
 

 

 
EQ I'm currently using with the UERM:

 
Those look awesome but those prices are just....kinda....stupid....lol

 

[Hutnicks]

  Yeah, I don't know that I plan to get something else, more curious at this point. I do love everything about my Ety's except the comfort which isn't bad but for long listening sessions my ears do tend to get a bit sore. And a little more bass without EQing wouldn't be a bad thing.

Are you running the comply tips?
 
I have had the ER4S since the first year of production and thats the only tip I swear by.

 

[ArmAndHammer]

 
Are you running the comply tips?
 
I have had the ER4S since the first year of production and thats the only tip I swear by.

What size? I have some for another IEM that I have but never use. Pretty sure the ones I have won't work but I didn't care for them on the other IEM's I used them with. Never felt like a really good fit. Might fit differently with the Etys though. I really really like that deep in the ear fit and that second to none isolation...but like I said, after a while, my ears get sore. That's with the gray tri-flange tips that came with the IEMs.

 

[Hutnicks]

  What size? I have some for another IEM that I have but never use. Pretty sure the ones I have won't work but I didn't care for them on the other IEM's I used them with. Never felt like a really good fit. Might fit differently with the Etys though. I really really like that deep in the ear fit and that second to none isolation...but like I said, after a while, my ears get sore. That's with the gray tri-flange tips that came with the IEMs.

I actually don't know the Comply model number. I picked up a bunch of em at a thrift shop for next to nothing years ago. The trick with the Complys is to soak them in Hydrogen Peroxide for about a half a minute and then get them out and rinse with water. When they have dried they become a lot softer yet and easier to compress for insertion.
 
The tri flanges I like, but can only tolerate them for about an hour.

 

[ArmAndHammer]

Looks like the ER4S uses the 100 series. I have some 400's. I might have to order some and try. Either the isolation or the pro version. They look like they'd have the deepest insertion. 

 

[Mooses9]

how long is the life you are getting with them? just the usual from the comply?

 

[Max Choiral]

   
Those look awesome but those prices are just....kinda....stupid....lol

Yep, even so, people splash out crazy amount of money in order to get desirable SQ. If we take into consideration nowadays' market, the price on ER4S could be 500-600 bucks, but thanks to the policy of Etymotic company, it has reasonable price

 

[castleofargh]

  Looks like the ER4S uses the 100 series. I have some 400's. I might have to order some and try. Either the isolation or the pro version. They look like they'd have the deepest insertion. 

I don't recommend the pro foam on the er4. they are longer tips and the inside tube also extends further, so in effect you have a really hard time getting the er4 as deep in the ear canal. I use the pro version on IEMs that I can't fit deep because of a big shell, so I still get good isolation thanks to the foam being longer.