[pataburd]

I just bought another pair of ER-4S last week, having previously owned them about 5-6 years ago. One thing that struck me was the cable: is it just me, or has the cable gotten thinner?

Anyway, I auditioned them with the three-flanged plugs (not my favorite, by the way), driven by the "Fitz-Maxxed Bada PH-12 ULTRA". Wow! Midrange, especially with vocals, was wonderfully open and expressive, rivaling--perhaps bettering--the K501. Just exceptional with acoustic venues.

On a period recording: "1492, Music from the Age of Discovery", the spatial/room cues were unbelievable; plucked strings sounded completely unfettered/unrestrained and the soundstage seemed to easily fill the listening room I was in (read: went way outside my head and sounded free-floating in big 3-D space). Vocals were breathtaking: open, deep and expresive. On other recordings, like "Sinatra, the Reprise Years", the space was more constrained. The DT880/2003 sounded somewhat muddy by comparison.

Tonight, I want to a/b the ER-4S with the D5000. My gut feeling now is that I'll sell the D5000. : )

 

[KLS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pataburd /img/forum/go_quote.gif I just bought another pair of ER-4S last week, having previously owned them about 5-6 years ago. One thing that struck me was the cable: is it just me, or has the cable gotten thinner? Anyway, I auditioned them with the three-flanged plugs (not my favorite, by the way), driven by the "Fitz-Maxxed Bada PH-12 ULTRA". Wow! Midrange, especially with vocals, was wonderfully open and expressive, rivaling--perhaps bettering--the K501. Just exceptional with acoustic venues. On a period recording: "1492, Music from the Age of Discovery", the spatial/room cues were unbelievable; plucked strings sounded completely unfettered/unrestrained and the soundstage seemed to easily fill the listening room I was in (read: went way outside my head and sounded free-floating in big 3-D space). Vocals were breathtaking: open, deep and expresive. On other recordings, like "Sinatra, the Reprise Years", the space was more constrained. The DT880/2003 sounded somewhat muddy by comparison. Tonight, I want to a/b the ER-4S with the D5000. My gut feeling now is that I'll sell the D5000. : )

I am following this

 

[DeTrun]

Me too, as I'll be an ER4P/S owner soon.

 

[D_4_Dog]

amazing how this old chap continues to impress huh

I'm thinkin about it too..... would you say the soundstage is on par with IE-8?

 

[nc8000]

Feed it well and will challenge any phone on the market provided that you like it's soundsig.

 

[shigzeo]

it remains to this day one of my favourite phones for electronic music, losing out only to the equally as accurate but not sibilant CK10 from audio technica. isolation: superb. instrument placement? the same. speed? wonderful. Bass? could be better, but with good fit, quite nice indeed. Inherent sound from the housing? none.

ER4S is a great phone, but its comfort and looks along with a uniquely awkward cable get me down quite a bit.

 

[GreatDane]

ER4...18 years and still going strong.

...makes me want to break mine out tonight.

 

[blessingx]

Phones I've owned the longest - 3x any other.
As they say, "the poor-mans Stax."

 

[tbonner1]

Hi Pat,

Looking forward to your experienced review. Glad to see you still having fun and enjoying this hobby and music.

Once one gets used to the different perspective of the ER-4S soundstage, they become keepers for many trained ears on this site.

As with many IEM's, I think they are hyper critical of the source and amp. More so than a more forgiving full size headphone such as the Senn 650.

 

[pataburd]

Formal comparisons will have to wait, I'm afraid. The ER-4S I bought came with only a pair of triple flange tips and a pair of small foamies. I need medium foamies to get a decent seal. With the triple flanges and the small foam tips I know the bass is not what it can/should be. Anyway, since I lost my job and need to cut financial corners, the D5000 will probably have to go anyway, but not without first going a round or two with the ER-4S. : )

 

[AudioDwebe]

I do agree that the ER4S is a great, great monitor. And, if not for the fact that they've been around forever, would have this forum a-buzzin' about all the normal aspects of sound quality folks here get worked up about.

And to think, a single driver per side. Multiple drivers?!?!? I don't need no stinkin' multiple drivers. Who needs three, four or even (gulp) six drivers per side?

But...if my cash flow wasn't so, how shall I say it?...f&$#, I'd love to give the six driver IEMs a whirl.

But in the meantime, I think the 4S is a quality IEM that's stood the test of time. I love the fact Etymotic has decided to stay the course with these, as opposed to coming up with the latest and greatest each and every year.

They're a CLASSIC.

Love mine!

 

[RASeymour]

Tips are critical for the ER4s. I tried them all (except for the new gliders) and until I started using the Complys, I never really liked/loved the 4s. The short Complys finally made them into v. comfortable IEM's.

 

[Spyro]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nc8000 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Feed it well and will challenge any phone on the market provided that you like it's soundsig.

This is good advice. ER4's are a fine IEM but with improper amplification, when the music passages get busy, it has a difficult time reproducing all the dynamics and bass takes a back seat and this is where an unamped multi-driver has an advantage IMHO. But if I could only have one IEM in the under $200 range it would be ER4P.

 

[kugino]

i still believe these are the best-sounding IEMs i've ever heard...have not listened to the top-tier customs that are quite common these days...but the er4s are fantastic. i'd still have mine if i carried around a portable amp, because these are one of the few IEMs that require one.

 

[Happy Camper]

Finally got the perfect LOD today to use my p. amp again and was rewarded with stunning sound. The 4s are a true reference standard regardless of type. The Xin amp was made for these.