Bcool06
Now known as Origin89
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2012
- Posts
- 143
- Likes
- 14
Ahh, makes sense now that I'm listening to them. I'd prefer the "airy" adjective over calling it "thin." I think it describes the HF5 better, so I agree..
Yeah I forgot just how accurate these are and I like them a little more than my PFE112 because they're more musical and not so analytical.
Having owned the ER4Ps for a couple of years now and having had them repaired once already, the recent problems (cable seems to have disconnected from the driver on the right side again) made me re-think about the ER4Ps. I just couldn't justify the cost if they needed repairs regularly.
I was also never a fan of the way the cables jutted out away from the driver on the ER4P. I think that may have even contributed to the repeated problems I've had during storage as pressure is applied at an odd angle. Anyway, after reading through the ratings of all current IEMs posted on headfi.org, I realised that the HF5 were right up there in bang for buck. And I get to keep the beloved Ety sound.
@PlanX - Your review is spot on - I've done some side by sides over the last couple of days and the HF5s are definitely a fuller overall sound, with a slightly fuller bass but losing almost nothing of the gobs of detail you get from the ER4Ps.
Some more plusses for the HF5:
- Much less microphonics from the cable;
- Better cable - it's slightly stiffer and lighter so much more practical for everyday/commuter use - I know all about twisted cables and capacitance effects but the milliwatts involved in an IEM make it more black magic than good science;
- Much nicer structural design - worn down, the cable sits nicely down the chinline. No more "hey mate - why's that wire sticking out your ear??!!"
- Longevity - I think with the cables coming out of the side of the driver tube at right angles makes them less likely to have problems during storage. My ER4Ps broke twice in 5 years - the same problem each time.
- Sound is damn near as good as the ER4Ps for half the price. And they have a more engaging sound.
Some negatives:
- I loved the fact that the ER4Ps were designed and built in the US. I think the Etys lose something by doing so. But if you're gonna copy the ER4Ps as much as possible, at a lower price, then the country famous for its copies and knock-offs is your only option.
- The drivers aren't tuned like the ER4Ps are. Again, something about the human element involved in the finishing stage of production that I loved about the ER4Ps.
hi guys! i have a quick question about the er-4p in-ears
so here's the thing: recently, my sennheiser cx880 broke. that being said, now i'm looking for some new in-ears and i'm quite willing to perhaps spend a little more money on those if that means that i can REALLY enjoy the music. so lately i've stumbled across the etymotic er-4p and all its positive reviews. however, many seem to be a bit unhappy with the bass so i'd just like to ask you if it really is THAT weak. see, i don't listen to techno or hiphop or whatnot and i'm by no means a bass-addict, but listening to, say, nine inch nails or thom yorke does require a certain minimum amount of...don't know...'bass impact' or whatever you call it (sorry for the non-technical terms, i'm really not an expert^^). however, apart from that, i listen a lot to classical music as well, so i'm really trying to find a nice pair of in-ears that can handle both types of music as well as possible. with that in mind, would you still recommend the er-4p?
I would highly recommend them.
Those that say it has no bass, have either an improper fit or are bassheads who cannot appreciate the true reproduction of music. The bass is very realistic, not inflated.
But, If you would like to turn the bass up a notch... Look up the NRB Mod in my Sig.
Cheers, Jim
So, if we listened to Grand Funk Railroad, the bass will sound just like Mel Schacter played it?