What's an upgrade from ER4S's?

[swduncan]

I've got a pair of Etymotic ER4S earphones, and mostly I love them. My only issues are a minor lack of bass (which I compensate for with EQ, the absolute need for an amp, and the noisy cables.

For $50 Ety will upgrade the cables to newer ones (mine are 10 years old) that should be quieter, but that will mean giving them up for 2 weeks give or take.

I'll need to get something to use while they're away...

What will give me the same resolution and flat response with perhaps a bit more bass? Budget's about $400 max.

 

[Mr. Tadashi]

From what people are saying the q-JAY's may be what you are looking for.(I haven't herd them myself but there is a lot of info and discussion that can be found with a search on the forum.)

 

[smeggy]

Ety detail, clarity and flatness with bigger bass? Not sure you'll find it. If it were me, I would send them off and use the KSC75 or some cheap bud until they returned and save the cash until you've had time to audition other gear properly. $400 is a lot to potentially throw away for a 2 week wait.

 

[antonyfirst]

Universal: Triple Fi 10 Pro.
Custom: UE10, UE11

 

[uppis]

What about cable upgrade, seems to fit your situation.
APureSound - Where The Music Is Always Pure
They say that it improves sound, and also gives better bass, but I haven't heard them..

 

[Spyro]

For the price Triple Fi Pro 10 are great and a logical step up from Ety.

ER4S detail is still crisper but TFP's are much fuller and bassier. It's almost like Etys with an amp for those people that don't want to get the amp.

 

[antonyfirst]

It's like an Ety with a GREAT amp, and well tuned bass.
But also the high end gets better, not as crisp as Etymotic, but not so harsh and sibilant, as well.

 

[khbaur330162]

How 'bout the Stax in ear speaker?

 

[Chickenman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeggy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ety detail, clarity and flatness with bigger bass? Not sure you'll find it. If it were me, I would send them off and use the KSC75 or some cheap bud until they returned and save the cash until you've had time to audition other gear properly. $400 is a lot to potentially throw away for a 2 week wait.

X2. This sounds like a good solution. Also with the money saved, you could buy an amp for your er4s.

 

[swduncan]

Actually, I already have an amp - a Tomahawk. I'm looking for a way to be happy without it, though. While the Tomahawk sounds good and is a necessity for the ER4S's, it's not as easy to carry an ipod+amp as just an ipod.

 

[Happy Camper]

Don't Etys unplug? Have the cable sent.

 

[Robster1958]

actually....i have the same issue. sorta.

my Ety 4p cable is bad.

why can't the company just ship a cable. it's very plug and play...no?

i ordered the Q-jays, but i may re-cable the ety's with aPure to check that out...altho a fairly steep expense.

 

[OptionTrader]

If you think that the Etys are light on bass, try some different tips. I have found that the vast majority of bass issues are solved by proper fit.

 

[SonicDawg]

ditto.

Though I have the iM716s instead of ER-4S, my initial impression was that they are thin and lack bass. But after I JAMMED the foamies tip in my ears the sound became much thicker and fuller. Of course I have the Shure black foams now which are perfect

 

[swduncan]

Thanks to everyone for very logical and sensible advice. In the end I decided to do something a bit illogical - I got a pair of SE530's. After thinking about it for a while, I figured if I was going to use the recabling of the ER4's as an excuse to try something else, I should try something that would be different rather than just getting something that would just be close to what I already had.

Since Headroom had a great price on them, I decided to give them a try. I haven't had too much time on them yet, but my first impression is pretty much in line with what I've read here: More bass, less highs, somewhat thicker almost muddy mids. I suspect I'm used to the pretty crispy ER4S's, and after a few more albums on the SE530's I'll hear them differently.

They are way comfy, regardless, and less need for an amp is nice.