I've been enjoying them too for a few months but the more I read about the Andromeda/Vega, the more I'd like to try them. Is the Prophile-8 very close to Andromeda with the bass switches on or are there other differences of note? I know the Vega is a different beast altogether.
Andromeda is a little U shaped with it's emphasis in deep/sub bass. So the PP8 with switches on will have a fuller, more impactful bass versus the more emphasized deeper rumble of Andromeda. PP8 and Andromeda are just different enough for me to keep both. Andromeda sounds wider and airier, providing a more speaker like presentation. While it's treble is slightly enhanced, it's rendered beautifully and is one of my favorite treble presentations. Andromeda can get fairly close to a neutral presentation with the right source and output impedance but the PP8 is flatter still and much more reference. The PP8 excels in resolution and micro-dynamics compared to Andromeda. Small details are more easily deciphered and instruments are better defined within in their space.
The Vega is really more for an audiophile basshead presentation. It has gobs of deep/sub bass. I had to place strips of silicone under the tips to create a makeshift front vent to tame the bass. Also it has a very sibilant peak that makes regular silicone tips a no go for many users. Foam tips are a must for many, myself included.
Ah! Those two IEMs are the exact two I'm contempting over.
In your opinion, how far would put place the ER4XR from the Prophile 8?
I'm looking for a neutral sound signature and improvement over my Weston's W40 and others but I'm not entirely sure the ER4XR would out resolve them.
On the other hand, the Prophile 8s are 4 times the price of the ER4XR...
Signature/FR wise they are fairly close. The ER4XR has more diffuse field 2.5k presence and the PP8 shifts that more to 3.5k, so the Ety sounds a little smaller and more midcentric. IMO the ER4XR sounds closer to real life neutral than the ER4SR or older ER-4S, which sound more like neutral in an anechoic chamber (no reflections, no body gain, etc). However, while I like the signature of the ER4XR more, it doesn't quite have the same midrange clarity of it's Ety brothers, which is due to a higher midrange distortion profile around 1 or 2k. Also keep in mind that the Ety fit sucks. It's second bend fit that requires you to hold the top of your ear up and insert them very deep in the canal. Ety triple flange tips itched me way to much and comply P-Series gave the most comfort, which is still greatly lacking in comfort to me. The PP8 is worlds apart in terms of comfort- it fits much more shallowly and is easy to insert and remove quickly.
I say all that to say, while signature wise the two will remind me of each other, the PP8 is really in a different league when it comes to separation, clarity, resolution, etc. However the ER4XR is excellent for the price point. PP8 is really, really expensive and I would never have bought it completely blind. Luckily I had a friend, who knows my preferences to a 'T', and he was able to get a listen and compare it to the UERM, which we both enjoy. He immediately thought the PP8 would be perfect for me. Perhaps the ER4XR is worth trying in your case, and if you vastly prefer it to the Westone but want better fit and improved performance, you could sell both to fund a PP8 purchase?
