[dnullify]

Quote:

 
Oh no.  I was referring to the high gain amp mode not the bass boost.  The differences I hear are subtle but good.  The bass boost is enormous!    It's like 6-8db so you can't miss it. haha

Haha,
 
I didn't think so, but i've done that before. Plugged in some IEMs after loaning my amp to my brother and noticing more bass than normal, only to realize he left the switch on.

 

[gnarlsagan]

Quote:

 
I just ran a blind a/b tester on my mac with a 256aac and lossless file of one song ('ll be doing more later) and I got 50% consistently.  So it seems I can't really tell the difference with my er4s/c5 combo.  I know I've been able to tell in the past with a double blind test, but I can never pinpoint "how" I can tell, I just know that one sounds better.  Anyhow, therefore I don't think the lossless is the reason.  I'm guessing it's the amp somehow.  But that was one song testing multiple times with multiple passes.  Perhaps a more "high fi" song would be different.  Either way, I think it is more the amp or source or something technical in the hardware...

 
Yeah it definitely shouldn't be the lossless files. One explanation is that it's more likely for you to listen slightly louder on the amp versus the Fuze. Even a very small difference in loudness would affect perceived bass levels, especially at the level you're describing. 
 
And actually I just read that the output impedance of the C421 is 10.5 ohms. This was stated by JDS labs here. This could slightly affect the sound of the ER4S, but by raising the treble a very slight amount, just like how adding impedance to the ER4P adds treble to make it an ER4S. 
 
So I'm thinking it's the first scenario, but there could be more going on with the amp that's beyond my knowledge.
 
Edit: Unless you have a C421 from ~Oct. 2012 or later when it seems they reduced the OI to ~2ohms. 

 

[luisdent]

Quote:

 
Yeah it definitely shouldn't be the lossless files. One explanation is that it's more likely for you to listen slightly louder on the amp versus the Fuze. Even a very small difference in loudness would affect perceived bass levels, especially at the level you're describing. 
 
And actually I just read that the output impedance of the C421 is 10.5 ohms. This was stated by JDS labs here. This could slightly affect the sound of the ER4S, but by raising the treble a very slight amount, just like how adding impedance to the ER4P adds treble to make it an ER4S. 
 
So I'm thinking it's the first scenario, but there could be more going on with the amp that's beyond my knowledge.
 
Edit: Unless you have a C421 from ~Oct. 2012 or later when it seems they reduced the OI to ~2ohms. 

 
I have the c5, which is 2ohms or less.  I've tried very hard to volume match, but I don't think it's that, because it's consistently every time I'm on the c5 and not even thinking about it I realize sooner or later "hey wait, i'm not using eq"  or "hey wait why does this sound better". Just in general during a listening session...  odd.

 

[palmfish]

I have the c5, which is 2ohms or less.  I've tried very hard to volume match, but I don't think it's that, because it's consistently every time I'm on the c5 and not even thinking about it I realize sooner or later "hey wait, i'm not using eq"  or "hey wait why does this sound better". Just in general during a listening session...  odd.

It could very well be volume difference. Failure to volume match has probably cost countless audiophiles to spend thousands of dollars on gear that doesnt sound any different than what they already have...lol

 

[luisdent]

It could very well be volume difference. Failure to volume match has probably cost countless audiophiles to spend thousands of dollars on gear that doesnt sound any different than what they already have...lol

I could see that . But this is when i'm not comparing. It doesn't really make sense to me that every time i listen to the c5 i just happen to have it at a slight louder volume. In fact, i listen soft sometimes and loud sometimes with both. But with the c5 i just don't ever think about the sound as "lacking" much no matter what the situation. That's all.

 

[palmfish]

Thats a tough one. Smetimes it can be hard to define, and yet there is an explanation.

 

[pacman46]

I could see that . But this is when i'm not comparing. It doesn't really make sense to me that every time i listen to the c5 i just happen to have it at a slight louder volume. In fact, i listen soft sometimes and loud sometimes with both. But with the c5 i just don't ever think about the sound as "lacking" much no matter what the situation. That's all.

These are really hard sometimes to get that PERFECT seal. Sometimes they aren't seated rite. Sometimes I will moisten them a little too much and they will slip out of that perfect seal ya know. Maybe that day you had the perfect storm. Lol. Where they were seated just in the rite spot and you had the PERFECT seal. ??? Maybe?? Lol just suggestions. Lol cause I know if they aren't sealed perfectly there is less bass them with that PERFECT seal. Just a thought

 

[Wildblue]

  Got me some new toys.  And these are not all-encompassing.  More coming...
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 

[MalibuMagnum]

Nice pics. I'd like to chime in here too and share my love for er4p/s. The p is a brilliant sounding iem but the s adapter turns them into imo the best sound I've ever heard in a phone be it cans or iem's! Just pure audio bliss.
I love mine to bits.
Also I find that using the future sonic ear fills it gives the sound a real meaty boost in the bass while not sacrificing the mids and treble. Either way I love them

 

[wafflezz]

Ok, so I'm starting to become an etymotic fan. I've never tried the er-4p but I recently bought its little brother, the ek5. This thing is incredible for the price! The sound is *slightly* on the thin side and the bass is very modest but always present. These things are midcentric beasts, and are actually kinda reminiscent of the MUCH more expensive hd650. The detail is sweet, and it effortlessly produces hidden things like they're a main part of the track. It's funny because noises I usually heard in a song being prevalent became the background and tiny little whispers I had trouble hearing are now shining through. It's an...interesting change. 

I don't want to go on a hype train or anything but these measure very well, and this particular reviewer gave them a favorable score to the re400 overall. These are 20$ right now, regardless of how well they perform compared to these giants these are a huge value imo.
http://en.goldenears.net/11246

 

[luisdent]

Quote:

Ok, so I'm starting to become an etymotic fan. I've never tried the er-4p but I recently bought its little brother, the ek5. This thing is incredible for the price! The sound is *slightly* on the thin side and the bass is very modest but always present. These things are midcentric beasts, and are actually kinda reminiscent of the MUCH more expensive hd650. The detail is sweet, and it effortlessly produces hidden things like they're a main part of the track. It's funny because noises I usually heard in a song being prevalent became the background and tiny little whispers I had trouble hearing are now shining through. It's an...interesting change. 

I don't want to go on a hype train or anything but these measure very well, and this particular reviewer gave them a favorable score to the re400 overall. These are 20$ right now, regardless of how well they perform compared to these giants these are a huge value imo.
http://en.goldenears.net/11246

 
Are you kidding me?  Those are like TWICE the quality of most earphones.  I don't care what the price is.    The er4p smooths out the mid/treble peaks a bit, and the er4s takes that and extends the treble further and flatter.  But compared to most earphones out there the kids version is excellent quality.  The only downfall is the impedance changing characteristic. I don't know how often you might run into volume problems...  But that's probably good for most people anyway to have a safe volume

 

[wafflezz]

The great thing is their phase and impedance is perfectly flat so it won't really change their sound signature no matter what output their is.

 

[HiFiGuy528]

The ER4s paired with Meridian Explorer DAC is IMO the in-ear version of HD800 on a good amp.

 

[luisdent]

Quote:

The great thing is their phase and impedance is perfectly flat so it won't really change their sound signature no matter what output their is.

 
Impressively flat impedance.  Also, the sub bass is better than the er4s, but the treble is worse.  I wonder if you could put a red or orange filter in the ety kids?  Do they accept the knowles filters?  That might help the treble, I'd have to check the frequency areas they affect again.  But that would be funny if it neutralized the treble more while preserving the better sub bass...

 

[Wildblue]

Another pic of my office system head stack, sometimes used with my Etys.