My first ever pair of ER-4 arrived Monday. I'm a longtime Ety user - and fan - but hadn't tried these before. Got them via Ety's out of warranty program - sent in a very old pair of ER-6i.
I'm coming from mainly listening to Ety mc3 (that replaced broken hf2s awhile back) during commuting and running and, more recently, PSB M4U-1's I got for use at work. Started a new job 3 months ago and we have an open office plan, so desktop speakers aren't an option if I want to stay on my officemates' good sides!
My source material is FLAC and Spotify 320k streaming from iPhone 6/6S and a MacBook Air. No headphone amp or external DAC at this point. A lot of rock, funk/hip-hop, and jazz, and also some acoustic guitar type stuff. I'm not a "basshead," so to speak - I like clarity in the bass more than big thump, and don't EQ the music much these days.
I got the ER-4PT and my first impressions were a little underwhelming, but I didn't get to spend too much time with them on Monday. They certainly didn't sound bad, but I was a little hard pressed to hear a big difference between them and the mc3. I use the smaller (clear) triple flange, and also noticed that the tips supplied with the ER-4s didn't fit as well.
Then I swapped tips to the slightly larger clears from my mc3s and spent more time listening, doing some A/B testing (swapping tips back and forth). And also plugged in the adapter to get the ER-4S impedance.
And now I think I'm starting to see the light.
Even straight into my Macbook, I can use the 4S adapter and get plenty of volume. And the clarity - particularly in treble-land - is noticeably better to my ears than without the adapter (ER-4PT mode). And certainly as compared to the mc3. I actually like the ER-4 signature better than the M4Us, though the over-ear cans yield a wider soundstage. (at least I think so - I'm no expert audiophile)
What I don't like, however, is the lack of mic/remote on the ER-4 cord and the microphonics and overall length/heft of the cable. I'm going to use these a lot while walking and am thinking I'll need a third party cable replacement or else they just won't work. (I'll keep the mc3s for running) I'm used to some microphonics, but it's much worse with the ER-4s than on the mc3s or PSBs, for that matter.
I'm kind of thinking I should just exchange them for hf3s. Might be worth losing a little resolution in exchange for saving ~$150 and time/hassle to wind up with ER-4 + aftermarket new cable. I
found one on eBay - anybody have experience with it and/or know of another with inline remote/mic? Going the Shure adapter + cable route is another possibility.
Any wisdom for me beyond what I've already read here and elsewhere on the forums? I'm also game to try non-Ety IEMs if they'll take the Ety triple flanges or a similar tip. I love the isolation and am used to the "comfort."
Thanks!