Headphones
Etymotic ER-4P
One of the first, and still one of the very best in-ear headphones, the ER-4P delivers outstanding sonic performance for the cost. With tightly controlled bass definition and articulate, extremely well-extended highs, these little in-ear headphones deliver serious audio goods. High efficiency and low impedance makes the Etymotic Research ER-4P earphones a great earphone to plug directly into any portable device like iPods and MP3 players without needing an amp. However, their outstanding musical performance will continue to delight if you ever decide to add a portable headphone amp to your laptop computer rig or your SendStation line-out 'hot-rodded' iPod.
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Product Features:
- Excellent price/performance ratio with these great sounding earphones.
- Ear canal headphones provide the best isolation of any can.
- Wide variety of tips ensure you'll find a good fit.
- Surprisingly durable with replaceable filters for long use life.
What's In The Box:
- storage pouch
- 1/4" adaptor
- 3 pair silicon tips
- 5 pair foam tips
- 2 pair replacement filters
- filter removal tool
- shirt clip
Applications:
The earphone & audiology research gurus over at Etymotic Research in Illinois, USA have performed some loving sonic voodoo to re-vamp the ER-4P, a low-impedance, highly-efficient version of their amplifier-only ER-4S model. Ostensibly similar to the ER-4S model in every way but impedance rating, the ER-4P have attracted some serious interest in the in ear headphone world because of Ety's recent enhancement of the bass response and because of the ER-4P's ability to achieve fully expanded musical dynamics and robust volume levels out of portable players (and other weak-amped audio sources) without demanding the use of a dedicated outboard headphone amplifier. Their acceptably punchy bass response combined with truly excellent treble range extension has proven to be a pleasantly engaging listening experience for many oft-traveling audiophiles who seek neutrality and true transparency in the upper highs. Huge bassheads should probably look elsewhere, however, since the ER-4P bottom-end is tightly extended but perhaps a tad lean for extra-funk rap & hip-hop styles. So, what does all this mean? If you want to use reference high-performance earphones directly out of portable audio sources like iPods, Mp3 players, and PC/laptop computers sans amplifier without breaking the bank, the ER4P could be precisely what you're after!
This low-impedance, single-microdriver earphone is the perfect portable audio player buddy and rates at a highly efficent 27 ohms impedance. The ER-4P's earphone cabling is made out of a softer rubber material than the ER-4S type which very slightly reduces the problematic microphonic cable noise effect (the 'cord just hit me' thump that echoes through your skull), which tends to be a common phenomenon with many in ear headphones. As far as other features go, the ER-4P look like, are the same size, weigh the same, have the same earpieces/accessories, and come in basically the same package as the venerable ER-4S model. The ER-4 come with several different eartip types and sizes--flanged silicon, rubber-flex, and squishy foam types--plus 2 pairs of earphone nozzle filter replacements within the box. Although not necessary to drive the ER-4P to cleanly dynamic audio performance, the additional clarity, impact, and musical detail resolution provided by a portable head-amp, as well as the soundstage cohesion and openness delivered by our HeadRoom amps' superb "crossfeed" processor, will further improve upon the sound of these excellent earphones.
Obtaining a good ear canal seal/fit with the Etymotics--or with ANY in ear headphone--is critically important for best sound quality. Please watch the Etymotic Insertion Video to learn more about proper in-ear insertion techniques.
Specifications:
- Manufacturer Warranty: 2 years
- Cord Type: Straight Y
- Coupler Size: Small
- Cord Length: 5 ft. (1.5 m)
- Weight: 1 oz.
- Detachable Cable: No
- Ear Coupler Type: IEM
- Noise Cancelling: No
- Wireless: No
- Microphone: No
- Connector Type: 1/8"
- Sensitivity: 106 dB/mW
- Headphone Type: In-Ear
Additional Resources:
- Manufacturer's Website
- http://www.etymotic.com/
- Product Manuals
- ER-4P Manual
- Product Info
- Inserting your Etymotics Video
- Product Reviews
- thestreet.com Jonathan Blum June 2006
- Customer Comments
- Playlist Review
- Gundeep Hora Oct 04
- Hardware Pacers Oct. 2004
- Stuart Brown June 2003
- Corey Greenberg April 2003
- David Ranada December 1999
- Bruce and Jenny Bartlett October 1997
- Edward M. Long December 1993
- On Hifi Wes Phillips February 2004
- techradar.com, Richard Black
Average Rating
Posted by Spiceman from Washington, DC on 2010-08-15
Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Beautiful sound, noise isloation, perfect for planes
Cons: Wax build up and durability
I compared them with the 6's, as well as with several Shure models, including the 2's and 5's. Hands down, better sound. The upper end Shure has two speakers, which I thought would make better sound. I found the sound not nearly as natural -- and the weight of the double speaker made it fall out of my ear.
I listen to jazz, soul, Brazilian, salsa, classical--nothing with a heavy bass. If you want a booming bass, you will find better alternatives. If you want an incredibly natural, clean sound, these are for you.
I use them primarily for traveling. They are not the best gym headphones because they actually isolate too much -- so you hear your foot stomping. But for airplanes, wow. Beautiful sound, great noise isolation, fit in a shirt pocket--and you don't need batteries.
Two negatives: If you are prone to a wax build up in your ears, the filters get clogged quickly. Always keep spares and the changing tool on hand. For some reason, it happens more with the flanges. With the foam tips, I can clean them out before it ruins the filter. I also find them more comfortable.
In addition, I've had the tip break off twice and had the speaker come off once. When it breaks, there is nothing you can do except send them in. It costs about $100 to repair. If it is just the speaker separating, you can push it back on.
When they break, Etymotic service has been terrific. I talked to a real person and, once when I needed them right away, I had them fixed and sent back to me in two days. That's rare service and one of the reasons I like Etymotic.
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Posted by Perdido34 from Ohio on 2010-04-22
Recommend Product: No
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Posted by Walt from Portage Indiana on 2010-03-11
Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Crystal clear and clean
Cons: Bass could use a little bump
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Did you?
