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Etymotic Research ER2SE IEM
01 / 07
Etymotic Research ER2SE IEM
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Product Description
Etymotic Research’s ER Series of IEMs is renowned for its accurate sound reproduction—and the ER2SE model takes that excellent reputation to a lower price point. A great entry to the company’s acclaimed house sound, this IEM is tuned with very tight tolerances to remain true to the experience of a live performance Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downFenriz
88
Feb 16, 2019
Given that the ER3XR it's $140 right now on amazon, with immediate stock, What's the point of this? Is this supposed to be better, worse or different?
I seriously was thinking of getting the ER3XR, thought the apparently shy bass makes me doubt, even when I'm not a basshead by any means, but I do like a nice low end.
OpasTanti
110
Feb 16, 2019
@GiantHeadphoneSquid @Lildave sorry for misinformation, the post is now edited.
(Edited)
dgt5
245
Feb 17, 2019
FenrizI used to feel same way about Amazon. Still do much of my shopping there because pricing and delivery speed hard to beat. Now that they have a near monopoly on internet shopping, I have been less than impressed with customer service more recently. I try to support local or smaller business when I can. Massdrop's customer service hasn't always been the best but they have made phenomenal improvement lately. It used to take a long time to get an email response but service is top notch now. Massdrop customer service has always exceeded my expectations. So when I can wait, happy to shop here.
Forgive my off-topic rant. It's easy to make comparison to Amazon, but I have more fun and get better service here. Just my two bits.
MLSensai
79
Apr 12, 2019
Short Review
I was very excited seeing the ER2 anounced at Massdrop. One step away ordering them I got loaners directly in Germany. Because of missing reviews I decided to share my impressions in a short way.
The ER2 fit insanely as good as the ER3 or ER4. Passive noise reduction is impressive. Etymotic goes dynamic, wow... very interesting. I like the ER3SE a lot but never bought them because the Balanced Armature gives me not enough natural bass feeling. In this case in my opinion the ER2SE is a game changer. The bass gets more lively beeing as dynamic and punchy as known from the ER3 and ER4. The amount of deep bass is a little bit higher as with the ER3SE. Over all the ER2SE is absolutely well balanced, very natural and unexeggerated in the best meaning. The resolution comes near the ER3SE but the ER4SE is more refined in the upper mids and highs. In my ears the ER2SE gives the absolutely best compromise of all this three if it comes to natural and refined sound with deep, punchy and organic bass, clear vocals and soft and at the same time shining highs.
With one word the ER2SE are "amazing".
A little shadow may be the only 96dB/mW what means that e.g. used with an iPhone 6S the come to a loudness like listening to music in a living room. High volumes I only get in combination with an xCAN or Hiby R6. Oh, by the way... the ER2 with a dynamic driver is not as sensitiv to higher output impedances of e.g. DAPs as Balanced Armature driver are. It means that a Hiby R6 - an absolut great DAP with 6 ohm output impedance - gives an ER3 or ER4 a less bass. This little problem does not exist with the ER2. :)
Normally I like a little bit emphazised bass so the ER2XR should be fitting better my taste of sound signature. But I have to say: go with the SE because the more of bass of the XR bleeds to much in the mids and the highs are not as refined as with the SE.
Listening to Jeff Cascaro and Gregory Porter is a ceremony!
Additional Soulpersona, Michael Jackson, Classic Rock, so all genres I listen to are absolutely fantastic presented by the ER2SE in the best boring natural way I can find. ;)
Added the measurements of ER2SE & XR compared to iBasso iT04, compensated aprox. free field
(Edited)
achelgeson
73
Apr 25, 2019
MLSensaiHi, thank you for the review and measurements! Do you have the ER4SR on hand, and if you do, would you be able to measure it so we can compare to the ER2SE and ER2XR?
Davestef
239
Feb 19, 2019
if You could get one of either the er2se/xr, er3se/xr, and er4sr/xr which would you get?
i KNow the er3xr is still on sale for $140. Er3se is $179. Any maybe I could find a deal on an er4 on eBay.
(Edited)
Davestef
239
Feb 21, 2019
I got a 4sr 🤗
do you use an amp with yours?
i was looking at the little bear b4 because I love tube amps. And I have a burson v5i opamp in my little dot 1+ that I can swap into the b4. Either that or A topping nx1s because it seems like an upgrade from my fiio e6. Or maybe both.
GiantHeadphoneSquid
639
Feb 21, 2019
DavestefCongrats! Ety are an awesome company, and I think the measurements and American manufacturing make the 4 worth the price of admission :)
The current gen etys are super easy to drive. One of the improvements that Ety made on the model was a reduction from 100 ohms to 50 ohms. While I have tried them out on my different amps, I wouldn't say they are particularly demanding either way. Not thirsty enough to require much amplification, but also not super low impedance like the T2 etc, so they likely won't draw your amp into over-saturation either (I'd still take it easy on peak power, if it's mainly for the etys). Just make sure it's got low output impedance (as always for headphones) - I would think the fiio would be fine in the respect.
I generally listen to the 4SR from either my LG V20 directly, or an ifi nano. When I want an ety for heavier amps, I go to the 100 ohm 4S classic, which do scale a bit with power.
GiantHeadphoneSquid
639
May 21, 2019
Picked up the ER2SE for $138 on Amazon with same day shipping, will be interesting to compare with the 2XR and 4SE/4S.
FloofyBuffalo
1
Jun 4, 2019
GiantHeadphoneSquidInterested I’m hearing your thoughts on how they compare now that you’ve had them for a little while.
GiantHeadphoneSquid
639
Jun 6, 2019
FloofyBuffaloI have really enjoyed both ER2s... I initially struggled to understand their positioning, given how close the price is to ER3 (and how close the ER3 sound to the 4!).
While the 3 are a cheaper alternative to the 4, I would say the 2 is more a COMPLIMENTARY device to the 3/4.
The dynamic drivers certainly have a different texture, while maintaining the overall Ety profile. The ER4 has tighter refinement, the sounds are sharper more dileneated, whereas the 2 is softer and blended. I overall prefer the transparency of the BA myself, but it is a lovely contrast between the two (and certainly a good choice for those that prefer dynamic!).
The other big difference is the 2's are a little harder to drive (still very easy!), and also are both a little more sensitive to seal. The ER2XR is the bassiest Ety but also with the venting is trickier for me to get a good seal - I ended up switching to the larger tripple flange in my left ear to compensate.
If you are looking to experience Ety on a budget, I still feel the ER3 is more representative. Those who dislike BA, or want to add some variety to their Ety stable will be VERY happy with either ER2.
Frogmeat
562
Aug 15, 2020
If you can't get them from Amazon, then yeah, they were worth it. And they do sound great.
Clemulus
32
Feb 16, 2019
Is this ER2 version the Massdrop version of their ER3? I doubt it is a version of their ER4. Thanks.
GiantHeadphoneSquid
639
Feb 16, 2019
ClemulusThe cord and housing look like the ER3, just blue - the ER4 body is a bit smaller and the cord is braided above the barrel. The MSRP listed here is $20 below the ER3, so it could be - like the recent T3 - these are an exclusive debut of a new model from Ety. . .
We need to get the response accuracy spec for these. The ER3 is within 85% whereas the 4 is within 92% (and includes unit measurements).
Edit: It looks like these are using a dynamic driver rather than balanced armature (MD refers to this as a single moving coil transducer, whereas they refer to ER3/4 correctly as balanced armature). I guess this is more like the old HF/mk series than the classic ER4.
(Edited)
zombywoof
121
Jul 5, 2020
The ER2SE are quite good for the price. I would say better than Shure SE215 which are in this price neighborhood. If you have not used a deep insertion IEM, it may take a bit of acclimation, but the isolation is truly excellent. I use these when moving the lawn, etc., and the level of isolation provided by the ER2SE allows you to listen to music at a safe volume level. I found that the Shure foam ear tips (medium) are ideal for me. (The added benefit of the Shure foams is the wax gaurd incorporated into the tip.) If you like thumping bass, look elsewhere, though, you won't find it with either of these models. If you are looking for huge sound stage, not happening with these, either. Check the pricing with other dealers before joining the drop. At the time of the last drop of these models I was able to get them for $99 with two day delivery.
zombywoof
121
Jul 5, 2020
GeneralLienAt the price I paid, I would say +/- $20 is "in the neighborhood." How about giving a guy a break?
Edwin_H
21
Mar 27, 2019
I just received my pair (XR) today and I have to say that I love them. The very high end isn't quite as crisp as the ER3XRs, but they have a similar smoothness in the midrange and seem a bit more present in the lows and mids. I don't see the fact that they have a dynamic drivers as liability. Definitely a much stronger low end. My primary use for IEMs is as a bass player on stage. I have spent thousands on custom IEMs from Sensaphonics, Future Sonics, etc., but can't really use them once I got use to the great isolation and superior fidelity of the Etymotic series. I look forward to bringing them on stage with me.
I can't wait to hear how they will sound after a good break in period. I'll report back then.
Edwin_H
21
Apr 23, 2019
BloosI think I like them. It's hard to tell but there might be a bit of peak around 8 kHz or so that triggers my tinnitus a bit, but the lows are pretty nice. Hopefully I'll have time at a gig to do a direct comparison.
Life is too crazy when you are an immigration attorney by day and a bass player by night. How to go broke and insane all at once.
Darth_Faded
12
Apr 1, 2020
Someone please help me find a new cable that fits the ER2XR. I absolutely love the sound of these IEMs, but I absolutely hate the cable.
Darth_Faded
12
Apr 13, 2020
I actually just bought this cable that should work with the ER2! I guess I'll see if it does.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000266012594.html?spm=2114.12057483.0.0.247849dfvjuoyu
Joel.Kana
7
Jun 2, 2020
Darth_FadedThese are my absolute favourite aftermarket Etymotic cable, ESPECIALLY if you want to wear them over ear.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32855428262.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.596c4c4dmhUw1P
With this cable I even use Ety's at the gym!
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