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REVIEW: Etymotic Research ER-4s Headphones

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Model: ER-4s
Category: Headphones
Suggested Retail Price: $330
Description: In-ear earphone designs
Manufacturer URL: Etymotic Research
Model Picture: View

Review by tubetunes ( A ) on April 15, 2004 at 15:38:11
IP Address: 216.69.90.174
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for the ER-4s


As a musiclover, I have a number of headphones for music at work, Grado SR-60, Sennheiser HD-600, etc. I use them with my CD portable and an Airhead amp. Never thought of owning an mp3 player before. Then one day, I need tunes to ease out my jogging session.

Bought my little iRiver MP3 player, then went on the search for a more portable than my HD-600. Music keeps you as happy as a treadmill runner could be. But think about last time you see a dude with full size headphones in the gym.. giggle.. Of course, my new pair couldn't be less than an audiophile quality phones. A lot of R&D, lots of phones.

Then I luckily found Etymotic ER-4s. ~$220 on Ebay. Amazing that these tiny ear-canal phones step up closely to my HD-600. Even better considering using them in the noisy environment. Yes, good enough to make me want to try an iPod with them. I bought a 30GB the day before they released the 40GB iPod. So I exchanged for a 40GB. 90% of my music were ripped at 320Kbit/sec Fraunhofer IIS MPEG Layer-3 Codec, at slowest speed as it could be, with minimum other CPU activities to ensure as good MP3 file an audiophile can get, on the go.

Funny looking compact design in-style, but how does it sound?
Like nothing I have heard before. Not that many chances that you found yourself in a dedicated well acousticly designed room, with isolation says 20-25 db. New figures from the manufacturer website say "33 dB with 3-flange eartips, 41 dB with foam eartips". I don't know which one to trust but it surely sounds quiet to me.

The only thing that differentiate the ER-4s from good earplugs is that you will here music from them too. Contrary to what most people believe about earphones listening, layering is what intrigues me the most. I found myself immerse in this flow of music, with inner details bring up in focus from having so low noise floor.

Bass extension is both deep and tight, might not sound like a lot of them like what typical cheap cans give out. With a good seal, you will find it tuneful, rhythmic in linear fashion. High frequency presentation is well controlled with lots of details, a tad on the lively side. Fast dynamic transient. Female vocal from the recordings I most familiar with form up predominant focus, might not have the tube warmth but they can accompany me with ease to the next track spacing.

The ER-4s in their provided carrying pouch make one compact package. Combined with the iPod, the experience is almost like having your big rig audiophile system on the go, and that says a lot. Bonus is that my noisy 20 hour flight SF-Tokyo (transit in Taipei) unexpectedly turned into some 14 hour quality listening time.

Tubetunes@Tokyo_business_trip


Product Weakness: Cons:
- Microphonic effect when the cords rub your shirt. Work around, I attached two custom made clips just for jogging use.
- For some people, it might be difficult to get used to.
- With ~23db ambient noise shielding, you'll hear yourself breathing and that's not a good time for snacks :)
Product Strengths: Pros:
- A great gift for your ears. On the flight, almost the same volume level as at home.
- Flat response throughout. Real unboosted defined bass. Impressive soundstage for an earphone. Well layering of instruments.
- An iPod is a great match DAP for the ER-4s, vice versa. IMHO, they work quite well as partners.


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Krell
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Bottlehead Foreplay w/ mods.
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Philips SACD1000, JVC XL-R5000BK
Speakers: Totem, Sound Dynamics
Cables/Interconnects: Audioquest Diamond, Topaz, Cardas Hexlink Golden 5c, MIT, Headroom mini-mini, Monster mini-rca, DIY
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Vocal, Jazz, Blues, Classical, Folk, Pop, Rock, New Age, Oldies
Room Comments/Treatments: Roomtune, Corner tune, Echo tune
Time Period/Length of Audition: 1.5 years.
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): DIY Power cable based on Belden, Asylum Cable, Chris VenHaus Power cable, Home Brew Ero Cable Type 2
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): iPod 40GB. Headroom Airhead.
Grado SR-60, Sennheiser HD-600




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Topic - REVIEW: Etymotic Research ER-4s Headphones - tubetunes 15:38:11 04/15/04 ( 6)