Etymotic ER-6i Black

The iPod has probably done more for great portable audio than anything since the original WalkMan player. Etymotic has kindly returned the favor and made a headphone specifically for the iPod. Slightly 'warmer' tonally compared to the standard ER6 model, the ER6i is an excellent earphone; well-balanced and coherent-sounding, punchy and articulate, these tiny little cans deliver great sound at a very nice price, especially in the upper mids & highs. Although the ER6i are naturally lean in the bass response for some bass-lovin' listeners, any quality dedicated [portable] headphone amp will improve the bass texture audibly. And you don't necessarily need an iPod to use them; this ER-6i model is designed with a lower impedance rating and is a much more efficient earphone than the ER6 so it can easily be used with any portable Mp3 player, DiscMan, or PC / laptop computer with great listening satisfaction.

Although the ER-6i looks something like normal earbuds, they're way better sounding than what lowly 'earbud' designs can ever deliver. They are basically miniaturized headphones that seal within the ear canal thereby providing major noise-blocking ability ("isolation") along with clean sound quality. The small eartip sleeves (either a triple-flanged flex-silicon 'X-mas tree' design or a squishy expanding foam -- try both!) are inserted fairly deeply into the ear canal, thoroughly sealing it off and providing AT VERY LEAST minus -20dB of isolation from ambient sounds, if not even more. In other words, nearly total attenuation of external noise. The earpiece on the ER6i is quite small and slim-profile, excellent for wearing under helmets or other headgear or for folks with smaller ear canals. The ER-6i 'Y-cable' non-detachable cord is also a black color like the earpieces & measures about 4 feet long with equal lengths connected to each earpiece. The input impedance of these micro-cans is an ultra-efficient 16 Ohms and the sensitivity is 108dB/0.126V, which means they are really easy-to-drive from any portable audio player or computer. We've found that they significantly improve sonically, especially in the bottom-end/bass response, when used with a portable head-amp like one of our HeadRoom Mobile, Micro, or even our audiophile-grade Desktop series amplifiers!

Obtaining a good ear canal seal with the Etymotics -- or with ANY in-ear earphone -- is critically important for best sound quality. Please watch the Etymotic Insertion Video to learn more about proper in-ear earphone insertion techniques.

Please check our official HeadRoom 'B-stock' webpage for a GREAT deal on an open-box model!