Can anybody who has heard BOTH the Savant and the etymotic er-4s comment on how their sound differentiate? Based on what ive heard with the er-4s and from what i read of the savant they both seem to be uber detailed. ![Headphone Smile :) :)](https://cdn.head-fi.org/e/headfi/smily_headphones1.gif)
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K10 vs Savant vs Katana - which one is the best for pop music?
K10 vs Savant vs Katana - which one is the best for pop music?
Can anybody who has heard BOTH the Savant and the etymotic er-4s comment on how their sound differentiate? Based on what ive heard with the er-4s and from what i read of the savant they both seem to be uber detailed.![]()
I own both the Ety ER-4S and the original plastic shell Savant.
I just listened to them side by side on a PONO player.
Both are about the high end and lots of detail, as you stated.
Next to the Savant, the Ety sounds to me like the high end is really elevated, to the point of being a little strident and sibilant. Yes, you can hear a lot of detail, but I think a lot of that is because the highs are artificially boosted. Maybe also because there's a severe lack of bass and even mid-bass that is making the highs sound to elevated.
The Savant by contrast is much more balanced. Yes, it's also about the highs and tons of detail, but because there are actually mid-bass and a decent amount of bass, it sounds much more full. The highs are still slightly elevated, but nothing like the Ety's. The highs are not strident or sibilant at all. They are not bass head IEM's by any stretch, but at least it has good, tight, detailed bass. The Ety's just don't go anywhere near as low. And what low frequencies the Ety does have, they are at a really low level. (Yes, I inserted the triple flange silicone tips VERY far into the ear canal to hear any bass.)
Overall, if you are looking for the detail like the Ety's are known for, but with smoother highs and a MUCH more balanced sound signature, the Savant wins hands down.
I have the K10 and the Savant and I'm drooling over the Katana while my credit card is curled up in the corner in the fetal position, muttering "no, no, no" over and over again.
But for pop, the K10 is King. You get a detailed presentation that still tolerates bad mastering or compressed files and when the track has bass, it'll kick like a mule.
I own both the Ety ER-4S and the original plastic shell Savant.
I just listened to them side by side on a PONO player.
Both are about the high end and lots of detail, as you stated.
Next to the Savant, the Ety sounds to me like the high end is really elevated, to the point of being a little strident and sibilant. Yes, you can hear a lot of detail, but I think a lot of that is because the highs are artificially boosted. Maybe also because there's a severe lack of bass and even mid-bass that is making the highs sound to elevated.
The Savant by contrast is much more balanced. Yes, it's also about the highs and tons of detail, but because there are actually mid-bass and a decent amount of bass, it sounds much more full. The highs are still slightly elevated, but nothing like the Ety's. The highs are not strident or sibilant at all. They are not bass head IEM's by any stretch, but at least it has good, tight, detailed bass. The Ety's just don't go anywhere near as low. And what low frequencies the Ety does have, they are at a really low level. (Yes, I inserted the triple flange silicone tips VERY far into the ear canal to hear any bass.)
Overall, if you are looking for the detail like the Ety's are known for, but with smoother highs and a MUCH more balanced sound signature, the Savant wins hands down.
Thanks. How do they differ when it comes to soundstage?
Have you had a chance to compare the Savant to the new Etymotic ER4XR? Should address some of the concerns, but curious to see if that closes your perceived gap with the Savant.
To be honest, I don't really hear soundstage with any headphones or IEMs. I always use our Out Of Your Head software to get "real" speaker soundstage.
For me, even my HD800's sound like the sound is coming from between my ears.
Yes, if there is a lot of detail and speed in the highs, I hear the ambient audio from the recording environment if it's there in a recording, but to me, that doesn't translate to sound coming from anywhere outside of my head.
When people talk about soundstage with headphones, I don't hear it. I am used to speaker soundstage.
To be honest, I don't really hear soundstage with any headphones or IEMs. I always use our Out Of Your Head software to get "real" speaker soundstage.
For me, even my HD800's sound like the sound is coming from between my ears.
Yes, if there is a lot of detail and speed in the highs, I hear the ambient audio from the recording environment if it's there in a recording, but to me, that doesn't translate to sound coming from anywhere outside of my head.
When people talk about soundstage with headphones, I don't hear it. I am used to speaker soundstage.