I used my Etymotic ER-4Ps for many years and was very happy with them. I used them with the tri-flanges and could never listen to them for more than a couple of hours before pain set in. After four hours they had to come out. I was always sad about that. The sound was very nice, but a bit lacking in bottom unless they were really planted deep. Of course that made them more painful, sooner. The Shure E500s that I first bought were much warmer, and with the yellow foam tips much more comfortable. When they failed and were replaced with the 530s they came with the olive style tips. That was a nice plus. I no longer dreaded taking them off to speak to someone as I could very easily put them back in and get a decent seal. After two years of using the midsized olives I recently switched to the smallest sized olives. Whoa, what a difference! I did not stick the smallest sized olives very far onto the stems, and now I can plant them deeper and still have comfort. The seal is tenuous at best, but the high end really comes alive. I use the 530s in this way when I am at the gym and I am slightly annoyed that I went two years before trying the smallest tips.
Now my 535s are here and they came with the mid-sized olives on. I have left them on so far and I think the 535's are a tad less comfortable than the 530s with small tips. But for now, I'm going to stay where I am at. Has anyone here tried the 530s or 535s with the tri-flange tips, similar to what the Etys use? I am afraid to try it....
Now my 535s are here and they came with the mid-sized olives on. I have left them on so far and I think the 535's are a tad less comfortable than the 530s with small tips. But for now, I'm going to stay where I am at. Has anyone here tried the 530s or 535s with the tri-flange tips, similar to what the Etys use? I am afraid to try it....