Which ER4?

[Hunter_Killer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirosia Just to state, the er-4p cable is less microphonic than that of th er-4s. This makes a big difference if you plan on using them on-the-go.

I have the ER4Ps and the cables produce massive microphonics. I basically have to keep my head still even when using a shirt clip. I cant imagine the ER4S having much worse microphonics than that.

 

[WSLam]

That's bad news! So much for all that isolation hype. if it picks up so much sound, kinda defeats the purpose! Why are they so microphonic?

 

[Bunnyears]

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSLam That's bad news! So much for all that isolation hype. if it picks up so much sound, kinda defeats the purpose! Why are they so microphonic?

the explanation that was given to me is this:

the cables to the ears can pick up vibrational energy and, because the earpieces are in the ear, the frequencies are easily heard. This is the same thing that happens with a stethoscope. The lines transmit sound as well as the diaphragm of the horn. This microphonic problem is easily remedied by wrapping the wires around your ear. Contact with skin stops the wire from vibrating, via a mechanical damping action; and voila, no microphonics.

Far more difficult to deal with are the occlusion sounds that accompany any iem. When you have most of the sound that you hear through your outer ear blocked out, you become aware of other sounds that are usually drowned out by external sounds: your footsteps as you walk, for instance, which are actually be conducted by your skeleton! Those sounds are the most annoying for me. You can put on thick rubber soles to dampen the sound of your feet on the ground, but you can't completely eliminate the sounds of your bones vibrating as you walk or especially, jog. That's why I got some sennheiser px100s for the gym. They don't isolate, and they sound nowhere near as good as the etys, but it doesn't annoy me so much on the treadmill.

 

[Elec]

I'd just like to add that not everyone has the same annoyance factor when it comes to microphonics. It bugs the heck out of some while others just shrug and wonder what the big deal is. I'm in the latter camp, and I don't mind the occlusion effects of hearing my heartbeat, breathing, or footsteps. I don't really have a big problem with "cable thump" either. One thing that is annoying is if you're walking around with the Etys on a windy day, the wind noise buffeting the cable is transmitted to your ears. This is easily fixed though if you run the cable up under your jacket (if wearing one). I've used my Etys to mow the lawn and shovel snow and they worked out just fine there. Though I did once get the cable pushed up against the mower handle which sent the engine noise into my ears. It wasn't loud enough to do any damage, but I still don't recommend it because music sounds better than a lawnmower engine (hence the use of the Etys for mowing in the first place)

 

[Kirosia]

Microphonics/occlusion doesn't bother me personally either, it's not that big a deal. Unless you plan on running or something. Just use the clip, and wrap the cable around your ears. The look bothered me a bit more . . .