Headphones
Etymotic ER-6i White
New to headphone upgrades? Don't be surprised if this little headphone plugs your ears and delivers the best sound you've ever heard. Made by a worldwide leader in audiology, Etymotic Research has really delivered with this entry-level, in ear headphone. The perfect upgrade to get the best out of your portable player and known widely by motorcyclists as the choice for comfort in the helmet, you'll find blissful listening with a headful of music no matter how much noise is going on outside.
Product Features:
- xcellent price/performance ratio with these great sounding earphones.
- In-Ear headphones provide the best isolation of any can.
- Deep In-Ear Seat for Maximum Noise Blocking Ability
- Surprisingly durable for long use life.
- Also available in black.
Applications:
The iPod and its various brethren digital storage hard-disk players have probably done more for great portable audio than anything since the original WalkMan. Etymotic has kindly returned the favor and designed an earphone specifically for iPods & Mp3 players. Slightly 'warmer' tonally than the standard ER6, the ER6i model is an excellent earphone at this nice price. Well-balanced and coherent-sounding, punchy and articulate, these cans provide good sonics for the money. And just because the cable is white doesn't mean you must have an iPod to use them; the ER6i model has a lower impedance rating and is more efficient than the previous Etymotic ER6 editions so this in ear headphone very easily delivers clean, authoritative output from any portable player device or PC/laptop computer with great listening satisfaction especially in the upper mids & highs. Although the ER6i are naturally very lean in the bass response for bass-lovin' listeners, we've found their sonic detail and musical punch improve significantly, especially in the bass texture, when used with any portable headphone amp like one of our Mobile, Micro, or even our superb Portable Desktop series of HeadRoom head-amps.
Although the ER-6i looks something like the basic earbuds given away free with portable udio devices, they're WAY better-sounding than what lowly 'earbud' designs can ever provide. These are basically miniaturized headphones that seal the ear canal thereby providing tremendous noise-blocking ability (isolation) along with excellent sound quality. The provided replaceable/disposable eartip sleeves (either a pliable 3-flanged silicon rubber 'x-mas tree' type or small expanding squishy foamies--try both!) are inserted fairly deeply into the ear canal, thoroughly sealing it off and providing AT VERY LEAST minus -20dB of isolation from external noise. The earpiece armature on the ER6i is quite small and slim-profile, excellent for wearing under helmets or other headgear. The ER6i 'Y-cable' cord is about 4 feet long with equal lengths connected to each earpiece. The input impedance of these tiny micro-cans is an ultra-low 16 Ohms and the sensitivity is 108dB/0.126V, which means they are really easy to power properly from just about any portable player or computer source.
Obtaining an intact ear canal seal with the Etymotics--or with ANY earphone---is crucially important. Please watch the Etymotic Insertion Video to learn more about proper in-ear headphone insertion techniques.
Specifications:
- Sensitivity: 107 dB/mW
- Microphone: No
- Cord Type: Straight Y
- Coupler Size: Small
- Manufacturer Warranty: 1yr
- Weight: 1 oz.
- Cord Length: 5 ft. (1.5 m)
- Detachable Cable: No
- Driver Type: Balanced Armature
- Isolation: -20dB
- Ear Coupler Type: IEM
- Noise Cancelling: No
- Impedance @ 1kHz: 16 ohms
- Wireless: No
- Connector Type: 1/8"
- Headphone Type: In-Ear
- Warranty: 1 Year
Additional Resources:
- Manufacturer's Website
- Etymotic
- Product Info
- Inserting your Etymotics Video
- Product Reviews
- Gundeep Hora Oct 04
- Playlist Review
- Customer Comments
Average Customer Rating: by A HeadRoom Fan from washington, dc on 2010-01-27
Would you recommend this product: No
I think these IEMs have seen better days. They appear to have once cornered the market on "mid-priced" IEMs, but are now faced with intense competition in this sector. The big complaint that many people have about these headphones is one that I would echo: no low end. I say this as someone who is almost entirely uninterested in bass. It's just that there is so little bass in these IEMs that it makes the highs seem a little unanchored and unsatisfying. With the supplied tips, these are almost among the most uncomfortable IEMs I have tried. I have heard that other tips may improve the situation, but I refuse to pay Etymotic $20 more to get a more comfortable fit, when that represents a significant portion of the cost of the headphones in the first place. In my opinion, there is no reason to buy these when the Maximo iM-590 is available.
Did you find this review helpful?
by The ABQ guy from ABQ NM on 2010-01-16
Pros: Maybe good seal
Cons: Sounds Screetchy
Would you recommend this product: No
I am not sure why you recommended these headset. I returned them as they have a high pitch screetchy sound
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Did you?
by VinnieVidi from NYC on 2010-01-15
Pros: Sound, fit, isolation, durability
Cons: bass can be weak for some people
Would you recommend this product: Yes
I have owned the ER6is for over 3 years and after much abuse they are still going strong.
It's hard to say bad things about these. For their price point they can't be beat. They are crystal clear and have good, natural sounding bass. Some may think that the bass is too lean for their tastes and I can totally see where that would be a bother. At times it bothers me as well and I go out and buy different pairs of IEMs, but I always seem to come back to the ER6is.
The one thing that I have noticed over the years is that they can be described as source dependent. Through an iPhone/iPod the ER6is can be a little cold sounding, but through my MacBook Pro and stereo preamp they are more than capable of producing a jaw-dropping deep, low bass. I haven't been able to reproduce such bass on any other source or with any of my other IEMs... very strange.
When listening to the ER6is through an iPhone/iPod, I would recommend using Etymotic's black foam tips or Shure's "olive" tips. They both are very comfortable and do a good job at adding some warmth to the ER6i's sound.
Did you find this review helpful?
by randebay from Salt Lake City, UT on 2010-01-15
Pros: Great value. Incredible sound. Very handy case. BEST STAFF HELP!!
Cons: Clothing clip is a little cumbersome but removable. Wire is discoloring.
Would you recommend this product: Yes
This is the 3rd set of the ER-6i I have bought. All from HEADROOM!!! I gave 2 sets for presents this year. Yes they're a great value. If you're disappointed, work with the HEADROOM staff to figure it out. When my first set arrived I thought they were horrid. Now they live up to the excellent rating they receive.
I worked with the HEADROOM staff via email (my preference) to get the best out of my ER-6i set. They're the greatest to work with!! You might find these a little cheaper someplace else but the HEADROOM staff more than make up any difference in price. They really define customer service!! Thanks guys! You have my business!
Did you find this review helpful?
by iHelp from head-fi.org on 2010-01-11
Pros: Price, Comfort, many tips,
Cons: Cable is thin/fragile
Would you recommend this product: Yes
This is the same review as the ER6i (black) one. Love these. These isolate WAY more than ~20 decibels. I'm guessing 28 and up. The ER6i has a "cold" signature, or based in treble and lacking in bass. The bass is there, but I wish there was more. In fact, some people can't even listen to them because of their "cold" signature. Definitely use EQ settings, or upgrade to another IEM. Try them out here, if you don't like, return them! The ER6i is detailed. The only problem I have is the cord. After 8 months, the right channel only works if I loop the cord around my ear. I plan to send it back to Etymotic Research soon. Great entry level IEM (In Ear Monitor). I use the Shure olive tips (bought at this great site) and it improved bass response and comfort. If you only have the Apple buds, you WILL be astonished by the potential of your iPod. Buy it now.
Did you find this review helpful?
