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| Brand: Etymotic Research
Category: CE
List Price: $299.99
Buy New: $169.99
You Save: $130.00 (43%)
New (55) Used (3) from $135.00
Rating:  116 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 6.3 x 6.3 x 1.5
Legal Disclaimer: Warranty does not cover misuse of product.
MPN: ER4P
Model: ER4P
UPC: 898234000411
EAN: 0898234000817
ASIN: B0007WZLDC
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Fantastic, but Expensive September 9, 2006
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
I purchased these earphones for listening to music on an iPod and--because of the sound isolation--for monitoring video recordings for my job. I generally rip music at 192Kbit, if that reference is important to you.
The Sound quality of these headphones is amazing. I'm hearing things in the music I haven't heard before. And since these are the models with "enhanced bass response," I'm definitely getting enough bass--a complaint I've read in a few reviews.
I don't have a problem with the fit or comfort of the earbuds. They felt fine the first time I used them. This doesn't mean that they'll feel as good in everyone's ear.
The microphonic cord is a bit of a pain, but even when walking, strategic use of the clothes clip minimizes the noise to where I don't often notice it. If I wanted to hear every nuance of the music, I wouldn't be listening while I'm walking around, anyway.
The cord is a bit stiff and takes some getting used to to manage. For fellow guitarists, they're similar to George L cables. A little unweildy, but worth it for the improvement in sound quality.
My earphones are black, not blue and red. I wanted the blue and red--now I have to squint to see the tiny R and L.
Comes with a plastic case with extra earpieces, filters (keeps earwax and dirt out of the innards) and a tool to replace the filters. There's also an OK soft case that fits nicely in a shirt pocket.
I paid $159. Despite the excellent sound quality, that's still a lot of money for a pair of earbuds. That's the biggest reason I deducted a star.
 Easy, comfortable fit, great sound isolation and clarity September 7, 2006
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I was using a pair of Sony MDR-EX71 before I bought these. The Sony has strong bass emphasis but the high frequency sounds are muffled. The sound isolation is good (I could keep the volume unchanged while cooking with the ventilation fan going full speed). But I always wondered if there is something better, because I have yet to take any of these q-tips onto an airplane. Now that I tried both, I could say that the ER-4P is much better in both sound isolation and sound clarity.
In terms of fit, the ER-4 feels like it's going into the ear much deeper, but it's actually easier than the Sony to get a seal based on my experience. With the Sony, I had to push and twist several times, and still it wasn't evident that it was properly done. Now I just open my jaws slightly, lift up my ear, and put the tip in. If there is any feeling of pressure when I pull slightly, that means a good seal is achieved. This is much easier than before, and can be done in less than five seconds on each side. The pressure can be initially startling because it's a much stronger effect than in the Sony, but now I am used to it. Because of the deeper and better seal, the sound blocking effect is an order of magnitude better as well. With so many eartips included in the package, I had thought that finding the perfect fit would be a painstaking process, but I got a very comfortable fit using the rubber tip on first try, and I have not used the foam tips yet and may not ever need to.
The ER-4P sounds more balanced, without the artificial deep bass in the Sony. I like this, especially because I am mostly listening to classical or light music. The strings sound clean and clear if you are listening to something like Heifetz or Paul Mauriat.
Overall, a great product that looks to last a long time.
One tip: Use the included clip because it relieves some of the pressure on the ears generated by the weight of the cord. It also reduces noise caused by the cord rubbing against your clothes.
Only downside: The version shipped by Amazon is not red and blue as in the picture.
Sounds Great!! August 22, 2006
The Etymotic earphones sound great and I love the fact that Etymotic includes extra triple flange earphone tips with their product. I have been comparing the ER-4P with the Shure E5c. The sound is comparable and the price difference closes the deal!
Music Producer in Love August 2, 2006
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
Well, i have tried Shure e3c's and UE super.fi 5s and have settled into my new ER4Ps happily. These are the ticket. About me, I am a music [roducer and audio engineer and scrutinize every speaker, headphones mercilessly. The Shures I found to have well defined mid range but a weak low end. The ER4Ps have the most fat, well rounded sound out of any earbud I have ever tried. The entire frequency range is well defined with none overshadowing the others. You will definitely hear the subtleties in music. The attack is very impressive. When paying close attention to vocals, I can hear the room the singer was in. (Listen to some Queen and hear Freddie like you've never heard him before!) The natural reverbs really come out like never before. I compare all headphones to Sony MDR-7506's, the over-the-ear studio standard. These run with them just fine and are portable so as to go with your ipod nicely. The background noise reduction is great requiring less volume to enjoy your tunes (aka longer battery life). The three flange earpieces are a bit uncomfortable but the foam inserts offer great noise reduction and are comfortable too. I could keep going on. Finally an earbud for the pro's. I purchased mine here through Blue Proton for $153.95. They responded quickly and I had my order within three days of placing it. I would highly recommend going thru them for the best price with great service.
Comparison to ER-6i July 22, 2006
17 out of 18 found this review helpful
I had ER-6i's for a year. Now I have the ER-4P. Summary for both: they sound great. They block out almost all noise. If you want to know about isolation and sound quality, I have a review of the ER-6i.
There are significant differences between the 6i and 4P, though sound quality isn't one. The ER-4P is simply a better-built set of earphones. Here's my comparison:
1. The pictures of the ER-4P show differently-colored earphones. A brilliant idea, if amazon had sent them instead of the black ones. Why brilliant? If you are middle aged, wearing non-bifocal sunglasses, it can be a pain to tell which earplug is left and right by reading a 1mm label on the plug. If you have differently colored earplugs, you immediately know "Red is right" or whatever it is.
2. The flanges on the 6i started coming off in my ears (I probably needed to replace them). It is not a funny matter to have ear flanges stuck deep in your ears. Or maybe it is amusing to see somebody digging in their ear with a pen to get the flange out. In any case, the ER-4P ear flanges are held on much more securely than the 6i's flanges.
3. The ER-6i's are cute and tiny. Unfortunately, they are tiny enough that you can't easily get them out of your ear when seated properly, unless you either carry needle nosed pliers or pull on the wires. Pulling on the wires is not A Good Thing because there is no strain relief. It seems inevitable you will end up damaging the wires. The ER-4P has beautifully done strain relief and little handles that look odd sticking out of your ear. Easy to grasp.
4. And speaking of strain relief, the 4P mini jack has a right angle outlet for the wire, vs. the 6i which is straight. The 4P jack is tougher and more convenient.
5. The wires on the 4P are heavier. Seemingly more durable. Never had problems with the 6i (except where it connects to the earphone), but it's a point.
6. The ER-4P comes with six ear flanges and a bunch of those foamy things I never use. The 6i comes with a pair of each. More, in that sense, for your money.
7. The warranty is longer for the ER-4P than the 6i. Given the more delicate nature of the 6i, I can see how Etmymotic can do that.
So is paying twice the price worth it for about the same sound and isolation? I can rationalize it because my 6i's broke due to pulling on the wires after a year (I tried not, but it's tough) and I think the 4ps will last twice as long. You need to consider your usage pattern, your spousal relationship, and your bank account before deciding.
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