Etymotic ER4-S Micro Pro Earphones Discussions | Drop

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Etymotic ER4-S Micro Pro Earphones

Audiophile

FULL DISCUSSION

Dreyka

Jul 17, 2015

Why the hell is Etymotic selling the ER-4S version when the ER-4PT is the one that doesn't have the 75Ω resistor embedded in the barrel. At least then you'd be able to use it with your smartphone. It's not like it makes any difference in cost and is probably actually cheaper for Etymotic but I expect they are probably Scrooge McDuck'n or hopefully it was just a mistake and they meant the ER-4PT. I would hope that it is the latter.
After all these are the people that will sell a cable adapter with a 75Ω resistor in series for $55 to convert your PT to S. Rip off is an understatement and others sell these adapters on ebay for $15.
The green filters from Etymotic are also really expensive considering how cheap you can get them on mouser. Considering that in the lifespan of an IEM you'll be buying replacement tips you'll certainly be charged quite a lot for them by Etymotic. Etymotic are certainly happy to take you for a ride for their overpriced accessories.
The cable it comes with is also awful and hasn't been updated in 20 years. Super thick rubber below the split and microphonic as hell above. The cable is simply awful for portable use which is how the majority of buyers will use it considering that it's an IEM with excellent noise attenuation. You will have to buy an aftermarket cable to get something sensible and they are pretty damn expensive because Etymotic use their own proprietary connector that nobody else uses. You can get adapters that convert the Etymotic conector to a MMCX or standard 2 pin but these adapters are pretty bulky and stick out the ear.
You start to get the picture of how much Etymotic cares. Still as an IEM goes they are pretty damn good though most people prefer some bass boost for enjoyable listening.
You can also use a 75Ω with the HF series: http://rinchoi.blogspot.com/2013/04/etymotic-research-hf-3-er-4-equivalent.html
However, the treble isn't boosted as much and the HF5 that Rin Choi tested appeared to have more bass roll off than the ER4 they tested.
I would recommend getting foam tips for comfort and better noise attenuation. The foam tips that Etymotic IEMs come with is a pretty rough and abrasive foam. Comply foam is good but SO EXPENSIVE.
You can change the filters to change frequency response as well: http://rinchoi.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-effect-of-acoustic-dampers-on-iems.html
Etymotic only provide green. Many like orange/red/yellow which reduces the mids for a bassier sound.
You can find them for sale here: https://mouser.com/search/refine.aspx?Keyword=knowles+dampers&FS=True
You can work out which is which from the impedance.
@EdinNJ
Custom tips certainly are more comfortable but the shallow insertion will mean that it will change the frequency response and increase the higher frequencies due to the occlusion effect. For the reference frequency response they need to be inserted to the 'reference plane' which is around the second bend in the ear canal and I think it's defined as a certain volume of air... I think it is 0.5cc (0.5ml).
It is explained here: http://rinchoi.blogspot.com/2010/05/how-deep-do-you-insert-you-er4.html
You can see in the graph that with a shallow insertion you'll get a spike in frequency response at 10Khz.
Personally, if you don't care about the reference sound I'd just buy the HF2/3/5 which is more than $100 cheaper. Buy a 75Ω P to S adapter from ebay if you want to boost the treble a bit. Buy some acoustic filters and have fun. The HF series is only very slightly worse but has an inline mic and a nicer (certainly not the best) cable.

Jul 17, 2015

symphoria1

Jul 17, 2015

DreykaBest review ever. Thank you!

Jul 17, 2015

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Floor-mica

Jul 18, 2015

DreykaThanks for the links, I didn't know about the filter color coding. As a longtime 4P owner, I tend to agree with your overall sentiment....especially about the stock cable. It's a flat-out POS. Hook up these: http://www.null-audio.com/collections/iem-headphone-cable/products/lune-series-mkiii-premium-upgrade-cable-for-earphones
and you will be blown away by the difference (I have no affiliation with that particular brand). One major negative of the Ety 4's, which is an overall "thinness" of sound, was completely fixed by re-cabling.

Jul 18, 2015

EdinNJ

271

Jul 18, 2015

DreykaYour conclusion about the custom tips not being as deep in is wrong, at least for the three sets I have. Both my full concha and compact custom tips release the sound in deeper than the stock tips. The sound tube goes a bit over a half inch farther than the Ety earphone tip, with a bend. The same length and shape as my Westone, 1964, and ACS CIEMs, and the back of the Ety earphone piece is as flush to the ear as with the generic tips. The overall geometry and measurements put the BA driver just about where they are in my CIEMs relative to the end of the sound tube, and it really improved bass and overall sound, not quite as dry. Much, much better isolation too because I've got a solid hunk of silicone (except for the sound tube) from the outer ear in to the second bend. ACS Custom did mine. My co-workers' custom tips also are long with a bend. If yours aren't you might want to get a set from ACS.

Jul 18, 2015

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Dreyka

Jul 19, 2015

EdinNJTake some pictures of them please.

Jul 19, 2015

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Dreyka

Jul 20, 2015

Floor-micaIt's still a $100+ cable for an IEM selling at $230 and no the cable doesn't make a difference to the sound.

Jul 20, 2015

Floor-mica

Jul 21, 2015

Dreyka"no the cable doesn't make a difference to the sound."
Are you serious? I own the 2 cables and could easily blind A/B them with 100% accuracy. The difference is not subtle!

Jul 21, 2015

raz528

Jul 21, 2015

DreykaPerhaps, and perhaps not. Everyone perceives sound differently.
It will definitely improve microphonics. One of the biggest issues with the stock cable is that sound will transfer through the cable if it rubs on something (aka Cable Noise)
I already own a pair of ER4-PT Micro Pro Headphones, but I ordered one of these cables because they are my daily driver and I hate the sound transference. YMMV.
Thanks, Floor-mica!

Jul 21, 2015

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Nyck

Jul 21, 2015

DreykaI thought the cable thing was snake oil also until I tried it. I got the cheaper ARETE series one and it did sound better over stock. The ergonimics and almost 0 microphonics is a plus as well.

Jul 21, 2015

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Floor-mica

Jul 22, 2015

raz528Right, I already had 12+ years on my 4P's, so the extra investment in the premium cable didn't hit me financially like someone buying this drop and replacement cable at the same time.
If you do actually get those Null Audio's, I would love to hear your impressions. Yes, the horrible micro-phonics of the stock cable go bye-bye, but the upgrade is much more than that. To me, the combo (along with my custom molded tips) literally takes the 4P to a different level.

Jul 22, 2015

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raz528

Jul 22, 2015

Floor-micaPurchased. I anticipate a big upgrade, like you said. There's a long lead time and I'll probably get it in about a month at the minimum, but I'll let you know.
I also need to re-shell my Unique Melody Miracles, and I know Null can do it, but for some reason I feel compelled to use UM themselves. Any input?

Jul 22, 2015

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Floor-mica

Jul 23, 2015

raz528Sorry, I don't. For my custom earpieces I've been happy with these guys [http://www.averysound.com/as.etymotic.html] but re-shelling is a whole different ballgame.
When you replace that cable, be ready for a fuller bass and thicker midrange that you didn't think the Ety 4s could have. Be advised that it will lose a little of the 3D "twinkliness" in the treble. Not really lose it...more like it takes a little getting used to hearing more weight across all other parts of the audio spectrum.
Happy listening, -Max M.

Jul 23, 2015

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raz528

Aug 5, 2015

Floor-micaJust got the Null Lune cable yesterday. You were right - fuller bass and thicker midrange, with just a tad of the highs lost. I opted with a microphone on mine, so I ended up keeping the microphonics. However, using a clip reduces it greatly. On the flipside, I can make and take phone calls now, so that's good.
I'm enjoying it tremendously. Thanks for the suggestion!

Aug 5, 2015

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