Headphones
Etymotic MC5
The 
Etymotic MC5 are true 'Ety quality' in-ear headphones featuring moving-coil transducer drivers for an intensely clear sound and defined musical detail from any portable audio source. 98% blocking of ambient noise along with a comfortable earplug-like fit delivers outstanding listening privacy even in very noisy environs. The MC5 wallet-friendly price belies the advanced technology girding Etymotic Research products, the originators of audiophile in-ear headphones. Choose your coolest color.
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Product Features:
- High-end Etymotic audio performance at incredible price
- Superb mobile music fidelity and accuracy with complete isolation
- Low impedance perfect for iPad, iPhone, iPod and all MP3 players
- Audiologist-customized in-ear molds for MC5 easily available via Etymotic voucher!
- Choose from four cool colors
What's In The Box:
- 4 eartips sizes/types
- Travel/storage pouch
- Extra set of earpiece filters
- Filter removal tool
Applications:
Led by acclaimed audio engineer and jazz musician Dr.Mead Killian, the world's first 'in-ear monitors' were created by Etymotic Research for clinical audiometry auditory evaluations and later converted by Etymotic designers into the original high-fidelity noise-isolating stereo earphones, the ER-4S, way back at the dawn of in-ear headphones (1991). Etymotic now holds over 100 patents in the in-ear category and their latest MC5 model brings decades of audiology research and exacting design to an affordably priced earphone suitable for use with any portable audio source. The traditional Etymotic detail resolution, tonal precision and crystalline sound quality remains clearly present in the MC5 along with a slightly fuller bass response than in their past models near this pricepoint. The isolation properties of the MC5 in-ear 'earplug' fit is superb; listeners can expect nearly total noise-blocking from environmental sounds -- a whopping 98% ambient noise reduction is claimed by Etymotic -- which means blissful listening for commuters on planes, trains and automobiles, for private workouts when hitting the gym, or just for peaceful isolation when studying, reading or enjoying some tunes without the din of the world intruding on your fun. Fans of seminal Detroit heavy-rock legends The MC5 may also need a pair of these.
The Etymotic MC5 packaging is easy to open (you won't need a jackhammer to pry the clamshell box apart!) and includes 4 different proprietary Etymotic eartip types & sizes; remember to try them all for the best personalized fit and sound quality. Also provided is a nifty travel/storage pouch, an extra set of user-replaceable earpiece filters plus the Etymotic dedicated filter removal tool. An extremely efficient 16 Ohm impedance rating means the MC5 do not require a headphone amp for maximum audio performance direct from your portable player or computer of choice. As a very cool extra, optional custom audiologist in-ear molds for the MC5 are available via Etymotic. Any customer purchasing an Etymotic product can register their product at Etymotic.com; after registering, you'll print a voucher from the Etymotic site, then schedule an appointment with an audiologist in the Etymotic network (which can be located through the Etymotic website by entering your zip code). Then take the voucher to the audiologist appointment, the audiologist takes impressions of your inner ears and sends the impressions -- along with the voucher -- to the Ety labs. Customer pays nothing to the audiologist; the lab will contact you for credit card payment ($100usd); the lab then produces the molds and ships them to the customer with the lab compensating the audiologist. BAM! It's a really easy way to get into 'master-level' sound quality performance and great wearing comfort at a very reasonable expense.
Specifications:
- Microphone: No
- Sensitivity: 100dB
- Manufacturer Warranty: 2 years
- Headphone Type: In-Ear
- Connector Type: 1/8
- Isolation: -20dB ~ -38dB
- Impedance @ 1kHz: 16 Ohms
- Detachable Cable: No
- Cord Length: 4 ft
- Cord Type: Straight Y
- Ear Coupler Type: IEM
- Driver Type: Moving Coil
Additional Resources:
- Product Reviews
- Steve Guttenberg September 2010
Average Rating
Posted by gabriel-dan from Dubai, uae on 2012-10-28
Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: clear sound, deep bass, good isolation
Cons: none so far
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Did you?
Posted by Animal Chin from Prague on 2012-09-15
Recommend Product: No
Pros: Great noise isolation, Good build quality.
Cons: Uncomfortable after 20 minutes. Horrible sound quality.
6 out of 11 people found this review unhelpful. Did you?
Posted by QuarkMuon from Sewanee, TN on 2012-05-01
Recommend Product: No
Pros: Great noise isolation
Cons: Lackluster sound, uncomfortable
I got my replacement earbuds within a week. Instead of the soft case that comes with the 'phones, I've started using the hard case that came with my old Super.fi Ultimate Ears, which I'm hoping will reduce the wear and tear somewhat.
EDIT:
I finally started warming up to the sound - quite a bit, actually. So I'll boost the rating up to four stars.
Unfortunately, the cable connection at the base of the Y-splitter seems to have worn out, and now the left driver is fizzling out. I only bought them five months ago. I suppose I'm about to find out of Etymotic's customer service is all it's cracked up to be.
***
I bought these because I needed something that I could take on airplanes or long car rides. The noise blocking is indeed as advertised, so in that sense they do succeed.
Unfortunately, that's about all these Etys have going for them. The sound is fairly well detailed, but, in my opinion, neutral to a fault: there is no warmth, no kick to the sound; I'm not exactly into big, booming bass, but the low frequency response in these earphones is just pathetic, even when I have a good seal. In short, they sound extraordinarily flat and lifeless. The midrange, too, is not as clear as I had been led to believe.
As for comfort: I guess you can take it or leave it. They are IEMs, after all. I have trouble wearing them for long periods of time; it's murder. Perhaps getting some Comply or Olive Foam tips would help alleviate this, but I'm not sure I like these Etys enough to invest the money in them.
The build is so-so. I love the angled plug, but the cable seems flimsy to me.
Unless (like me) you really need good noise isolation and aren't ready to pluck down the cash for the HF5 (which I now wish I had done), I recommend looking elsewhere.
7 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Did you?
