When To Change Ety Filter?

[KUNFUCHOPSTICKS]

This question probably would benefit all ety owners. I want to know when i should change the filter in my ety IEM wheter 6i or 4p. Official document says to replace filters when volume decreases or SQ declines. BUT SQ declining- that would be over a LONG period of time. I'm no audiophile, i'm sure i won't be able to just say "the SQ of my 4ps are not what they were, i need to replace filter." I'm not sure even trained ears can tell a gradual reduction in SQ over time.

So how do i know when to replace filter? So far i'm just going my visual inspection.

Thanks

 

[Jon118]

You'll know. They (or often one side) will suddenly be a lot more quiet. It's pretty noticeable. There have been a good number of threads by people who thought their headphones were broken, but once they changed the filter all was well.

 

[synaesthetic]

My ER6i haven't had filters in them for quite some time now. I have no idea what happened to them.

 

[navmau]

depends...some people change after a couple of months, I changed mine every 6 months (although I dont think i needed to!!!), I know someone who is on their first pair after 18 months!!!

 

[GreatDane]

Quote:

Originally Posted by synaesthetic /img/forum/go_quote.gif My ER6i haven't had filters in them for quite some time now. I have no idea what happened to them.

Wouldn't having no filters make them sound overly bright? I once tried my E4 with no filters and they sounded whacked out.lol Unbalanced and wrong.

I've been using my ER4P for 15 months with the original filters and I can't detect any loss of SQ. I do agree that it would be very difficult to discern any slow degradation in SQ.

 

[pez]

usually people do when one side goes out. But I figured out a trick: If you can be careful enough (for the ER-6i's) you can get some pliers and get them out and just use some compressed air and some water to clean it and let it dry for a day or two, then it's clean

. The ER-4 IEMs look like it's embedded, so good luck on those . I asked etymotic once and they said every 6 months is recommended...which is oddly how long the warranty is on the er-6i and that's just enough to cover the warranty. (those sneaky bastards) jk, but the customer service from ety is great.

 

[pez]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatDane /img/forum/go_quote.gif Wouldn't having no filters make them sound overly bright? I once tried my E4 with no filters and they sounded whacked out.lol Unbalanced and wrong. I've been using my ER4P for 15 months with the original filters and I can't detect any loss of SQ. I do agree that it would be very difficult to discern any slow degradation in SQ.

The filters came out of my ER-6i's once from pulling the foams off a little harsh, and I decided to see what it sounded like filter-less and it sounded the exact same to me. IMO, if you keep your ears clean, you don't need filters. It has just as big of an opening as Ultimate Ears IEM's have.

 

[GreatDane]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pez /img/forum/go_quote.gif The filters came out of my ER-6i's once from pulling the foams off a little harsh, and I decided to see what it sounded like filter-less and it sounded the exact same to me. IMO, if you keep your ears clean, you don't need filters. It has just as big of an opening as Ultimate Ears IEM's have.

I can't argue that because I've never had the filters out of my ER6 either. With my E4 there was a very noticeable difference. I experimented with no filters with my E4 because one of them failed so I decided to play around. I've always thought that the filters not only protect the armature but also serve as a tuning device. I also experienced this effect with my JVC 'mallows.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Etymotic Research, Inc. - ER-4 Filters
Quote:

ER•4 MicroPro Earphones have special filters that shape the frequency response and prevent earwax from entering the earphones.

 

[GreatDane]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew_WOT /img/forum/go_quote.gif Etymotic Research, Inc. - ER-4 Filters

AH-HA!

 

[mrarroyo]

The key to long filter life is in keeping your ears clean.

Also you should periodically (at least weekly) wash the tri-flanges to assist in keeping the filters for a long time.

Since we all produce varying quantities of ear wax it is not possible to have a rule of thumb.

 

[melomaniac]

it's easy to forget about changing filters, I changed mine after the ER4P dropped into a puddle (yuck) and the improvement after cleaning was definitely audible (not trying to bait the placebo trolls here, really) although I would not have known it before changing.

 

[flargosa]

Should you be able to tell if the filter is dirty by comparing the color against a new filter? Mine looks to have the same color, brightesh green, I have had it for 10 months.

 

[tstarn06]

Some have discussed replacing the filters with some foam plucked from old Grado pads or some such. In other words, replace the filters with a material that might dampen the highs, but would cost practically nothing. Removing the foam might be tough, but you could do it with the small cleaning tool Ety provides.

 

[ClieOS]

I clean my ear quite regularly so I am still using the same original 6i filter after almost 4 years. I could tell they are not clotted as I will A/B them with new filter once in a while.

In any case, 6i filter can be washed in some H2O2 solution and cleaned easily. No real need to get new filter.