One thing he forgot is that this is one of the FIRST production in-ear headphones ever made. They have been around for more than 20 years and still sounded awesome by today's standards. That's how good the ER4's are
Dangit Rab! I was going to make that comment, then I was like "Nawww, that's just childish." But then I scroll down, AND GUESS WHAT I SEE! we think alike :)
"Lube up because you ain't going to like it much otherwise" I had hoped there would never be a product on this channel for which Linus had to utter those words ...
I've been using the lower end etymotic in ear buds since 2008 and can't live with out them. It took about 2 weeks for me to get used to having them in my ears. I can leave them in my ears all day and even sleep in them with no problems. The isolation is incredible from outside noise is incredible. I can listen to podcasts with the volume all the way down even with a lot of ambient noise: operating a lawn mower, riding the subway, and etc.
I solved both issues of telling which L and R. I just put yellow heat shrink on the L. For comfort, I use Comply heat activated ear foams. I clip the barrel onto my shirt. I also devised a L+R cable tensioner that snugs under my chin. Works perfect and I can wear it all day as it is super comfortable. ER4PT (includes the add-on higher impedance barrel to further flatten the response) and ER4S are the most accurate IEM's at any price. It's accurate response is uncanny. Not only that, once you get the taste of what masterful sound reproduction through these IEM's you will not be satisfied with anything else!
I prefer, as a musician, the flats one cuz they give me all the sounds i want using a proper amp. But they must be comfortable all the way if i'll use them for hours and hours. Good video as always Linus!
I own a pair of HF5 which sounds relatively similar to the ER-4, with a little more bass and warmth to the sound. Made the switch to comply eartips and it's comfortable enough to use as a daily driver :D
@@erdincylmaz2842 This is why they made the xr series I think. They have more bass response so you get the accurancy and some fun bass. Got the ER2XRs myself.
Oddly I find the large triflanges to be extremely comfortable, like disappear after 5 minutes comfortable. And, they do have a frequency response issue; taking down the 3khz with a wide Q by 7-10dB (to taste) makes them muuuuuuch more neutral. (assuming a good EQ that won't mangle the sound) Without the EQ, they're too tizzy and bright. If you want to get more clinical with the EQ, Tyll has measurements for the ER4Pt on InnerFidelity. (use the raw plot)
I have these for several years now and never had problems with these 3-flanged tips (but yes, I lube up). To be honest it took some getting used to them but these are still my favourites. I also used them a lot on my motorcycle because they go deep into your ears and isolate as much or even better as earplugs and you can enjoy your music. I never felt sorry for spending the money on these IEM's and I will surely buy new ones when they die.
Absolutely love my HF-5s, actually had them in watching this.. Fantastic for home use, but I use Klipsch S3s any time I leave the house. A great way to tell left from right is by putting an MX Cherry keycap o-ring on one of them :D fits perfectly!
A very fine and accurate review. The Etymotic ER-4PT are my go-to headphones and have been, for years. I love them dearly, even thought they make bad recordings or worse: bad DACs, sound so terrible, that I can't listen to it at all. But with every other headphone, I feel cheated, thinking they are trying to sell me something that I didn't order.
+josh Subet Worth is subjective, but as I said: I love them and their super precise natural neutral sound. Try to feel them for a few hours to see if you can get used to their fit. Myself, i even got a backup pair because i so depend on these.
***** i'll try to see if i can try them out. Isolation is very valuable to me, as i am a student who does a decent amount of flying. Sound signature is too, I have a EQ for my M50x to completely flatten them out, and I like it a lot more than stock.
I've got a lower end set of Etymotics. The foam tips are the most comfortable buds I've ever used. Been using them about 6 hours a week for the last 4 - 5 months. No sign of wear yet. They pretty much go back to their normal shape every time I put them away.
Great review, I can see how they would be uncomfortable, but I prefer the "deep insertion" IEMs because I have small ear canals and other types just don't seal we'll for me, and I also prefer the flatter sound signature. The biggest hurdle for me was the initial soreness from insertion and removal, it went away for me after a couple weeks use, as for sleeping, they go so far into my ear canal that the outside does not contact my pillow at all.
Professional Unboxer... That takes me back xD I was just starting to get into computers around that time been subbed ever since (between different accounts)
I had the HF2, which broke after 6 months, but they were awesome. I didnt find them uncomfortable at all. They go DEEP into your ear canal, which can only be a good thing. They offer easily the best isolation and the one of the best sound quality there is. They were the most comfortable just because you never needed to adjust them. These silicone tip regular IEM's always, no matter what eventually pop out slightly when you move or yawn or turn your head and the sound quality and isolation is immediately altered. I dont want to be tweaking them all the time. With Etymotics you never need to. Might buy another pair if they only sold them in finland...
I'm using SHURE SE 846, and as for the sound stage, I don't think it could get any better with any other IEM. Speaking of "hearing the music the way they are intended to be heard" I did some tests on different music players/mods and iRiver AK-120 just blew me away. Looking forward to get a RedWine mod (RWAK120) and considering an (RWAK120-B with RX MKIII-B+ and balanced cable) whenever I have enough money. Maybe Sennheiser HD800? not sure yet, but i think that is what it takes to get as close as possible to "hearing the music the way they are intended to be heard". Nevertheless, SHURE is an outstanding IEM for everyday use, despite being bulky and troublesome to fit to the ears right away. Keep it up Linus!
Just bought the E4RS and I had to use the larger triple flange and when I put them in it created a suction and when I took them off a whole wack of wax came out with them. I found also being at 100 ohms impedance I needed an amp. For sound they were very clear and I agree no soundstage. I think the sound is based on fit. I have never had a better fit which makes me wonder if the triple flanges would work well on my w40's. I also agree the cable is heavy. Got these on sale but still at 200+ think they are overpriced. I am going to try the tips with my w40's and see what happens. I have the Senn ie 80's as well and agree ETY's are not as engaging but probably are better for all genres and longer listening. I like ie80's but you can get tired of that constant in your face presentation. The Ety's I don't think will ever make you fatigued unless its the fit but for sound they do a very good job.
I got the newer ER4SR and IE80s, the ER4SR are better all around, just the fit could be an issue, but I also have the Shure SE535, which is not as clear or accurate as the Etymotic, still sounds pretty balanced and way better than the Sennheiser, plus the Shure as super comfortable and you can sleep on with those. The only thing that the Sennheiser had is that they had a big soundstage, like if they were full over the ear headphones or close to that. Get the Shures.
I was surprised you didn't mention what is, IMO, the most significant flaw of the ER4P and indeed most of the Etymotic Research line up; the cables are extremely "microphonic" - they transmit even the slightist vibration directly into your ears. Walking in these can be maddening as every tap of the wire against my shirt collar is transmitted into my ears at a volume louder than most any other external noise. Perhaps your hack of looping the headphones over your ears solved this problem, hence why you didn't notice it. I'll have to try that with my own set.
I like to listen to a song with the flattest sound that I can get, (Which are currently my studio monitors) and then adjust after listening to the music. I'm usually too lazy to adjust the EQ though.
In your review of the ie80's didn't you mention you had the bass tuner on it on full? Because I have got it around the second notch from the bottom and I wouldn't say they are bass heavy.
I tried these at my local shop this week and was blown away by the sound. If not for the fact that these IEM's look so unaesthetic, i would definitely have bought it on the spot. Westone 4 fans will love this.
Martin Romero i just tried them. you weren't kidding, they really sound a lot like the ER4's, unfortunately though the comfort of the IEM is a real issue because I work out with my earphones a lot.
I make music so obviously, i have used reference headphones, speakers etc.. Saying that it is the way the artist intended is often not true with reference earphones/headphones. Personally, although the bass is accurate, it still lacks an essential feature and that IS that boomy sound that you get from consumer grade headphones. Using reference speakers with a correctly adjusted subwoofer is the only way to really hear it the way it is intended.. deep, rich bass that really rips the room apart an certain frequencies.. So, IMO you cannot say that it is the way the artist intended (in most cases) because ALL reference headphones lack what reference speakers give you in the low end. With that said, I think jazz music sounds awesome on reference headphones :P
I have the Etymotic MC-5, their more entry level pair, and they sound really good for everything but bass heavy music. Superb clarity. With Shure Olive tips, isolation and comfort are terrific. Also have some higher end JVC HA-FXT90, a dual driver model that are the best IEM that I've ever heard. Deep, punchy bass and very good clarity. But I've read great things about the ER-4.
I actually own the triple driver version of these and would recommend them to anyone doing live performance that requires feedback ei live production or djing. I personally love the heft to them as it reminds me they are performance tools, not made to have a dance party with.
You mean that requires foldback right? Feedback is the painful ringing when a system overloads. Foldback is audio being folded back to the artist so they can hear themselves. Know the difference, it can save your life.
@05:42 Oops there goes my phone , oh gosh now it is like a Linus Watermark where brands and scripts are already written in history forever made about being "Linus Proof" and omg the quality today is amazing when I compare this dated video to today's standards. Some goosebumps watching old videos. #staysafestayhome
I know this is a super late comment, but i didn't see anyone else mention it. Etymotic's site looks like a site selling hearing aids because they are a site selling hearing aids. Maybe you were just trolling us, but look it up, true story. BTW I've had a pair of ER-4Ps (running on a bithead amp) for over a decade now and have never heard anything better.
I absolutely prefer having a "flat" sound signature and a deep in-ear fit. I used to use the 3-flange eartips on my Klipsh S3 and made them go as deep as they could because I could block out the entire world. I would love a pair of these but the dual cords on the upper part of the "Y" shape look a little too flimsy for my taste. I like Kevlar-reinforced cables.
***** Thanks man! I have had my eyes on the HF5 since I saw this review. Hopefully I can scrape up enough cash in order to buy them. I like the included two year warranty if you buy from Etymotic's website. The only thing that I have a problem with is that the reviews of these IEM's have a reputation for being somewhat fragile and easy to break, and I have a very bad reputation of breaking my IEM's within a month of having them.
I have HF5s, and I'm strongly considering getting some custom molded ear tips. They go so deep and are really uncomfortable unless I get them just right, and the slightest bump usually moves them just enough to make them uncomfortable again. They isolate amazingly well though, and have great clarity.
Have you tried comply foam tips? They are SO much better than the standard foam tips that come with it. I've done a while with the triple flanges but in the end I bought a package of 5 medium sets for like 25 euro's and wore out the first set in 6 months. These things have massively improved both comfort and isolation for me, and they just stay in place very well. Especially on colder days. LINUS! I hope you read this, I think that if you tried the comply tips your experience may have been a lot better as they are not comparable to the foam tips that come with it!
As a drummer that practices drum covers quite a bit, there is a time for you to here the bass and a time to just here the music, in example if I'm trying to teach myself a very complex bass rhythm I wanna here the bass, but when it gets to the point when I practically know the beat inside and out, and I want to experiment with the song and the beat, I want straight music. I honestly couldn't say anything about these headphones, without using them myself, and that wont happen any time soon because of the price lol.
Overall I enjoyed the review. I was curious what others thought of these headphones. I have owned ER-4pts for about 15 years (on my second set now and yes they were about $300 bucks back then ). I use them daily and don't find the clip that big of a deal. When my first set broke, I looked at pricier head sets wanting to see if there was something better available. In the end I decided to go with the ER-4pts again because the combination of sound quality and noise isolation simply could not be beat. I am considering buying a second set of high-end, in-ear head phones for use around the house but haven't yet decided if it's worth the money.
the UniqueMelody Mentors are the best iEM i've every listened to , it's new and it has 10 balanced armatures on each ear . which means they have 20 BA drivers in total , leaving this etymotic in the dirt . but , the UM Mentors have a colourful fun sound signature which is superbly pleasant at a cost .
Depending on the music genre you listen to (especially rap, hip-hop, and pop), now that the uninformed masses (including many artists) are thinking that Beats or Bose are the end-all-be-all of high end audio, the "fun" sound signature may very well be the way the artist intended.
I have to disagree a little with the comment that these are not meant to be "daily drivers". I use them exactly as that and have done for about 3 years now. Part of what makes them so easy to use in that fashion is my ACS custom molds that I ordered up after I got tired of the supplied squeeze foam tips. I never liked the flange tips from day one. Go for custom molds and your only regret will be that you cannot let your friends test drive them. Beware, that after about 3 years of heavy use, the cord started to malfunction and now I need to send in the entire unit to have the cord replaced. Etymotic will apparently test the drivers for their frequency curves again just to make sure all is as it should be, and they will not simply sell the cord by itself, despite the fact that it detaches easily. As you say, the sound quality is absolute. The seems to be the opinion of everyone, nearly to the man, who listens with them. There's no coloration, no strange amplification, no nothing. Whatever you hear is whatever you're feeding it. And whatever tips you're using, you're unlikely to be hearing much else, even in loud environments. Perhaps this is why you always see U2's The Edge with them when they play live. The other thing that often gets lost in these conversations is the subtlety of IEM's in regular use situations. Imagine mowing your lawn or trying to exercise with large over the ear headphones or bright white Beats. It's a little ridiculous. Ever lug those kinds of things on to an airplane with their large case and cheap, breakable headbands? Unless you're Lebron James, you don't look half as cool as you think. Myself, I have a little black pouch with my custom earphones that I can keep in a pocket. Watching all those other folks struggle with their inferior, overpriced, cumbersome and visually obnoxious headsets makes me wonder why everyone isn't ditching those for IEM's in one form or another. Maybe they all know something I don't ... maybe not. And if you're going to make the leap into IEM's, you're going to have a difficult time doing much better than these, especially with the custom tips.
The only thing I have to say about this is, if the music was intended to be light and electronic dance/ house would that mean with those flat sound but other wise accurate earphones would you be getting the music not intended because a lot of those types of genre's have a bigger emphasis on happy base than accurate listening to an orchestral performance just saying.....
The thing is: elctronic/dance music is mixed with more bass, so you usually still get enough bass out of neutral phones when listening to bass-heavy stuff. If you want to multiply that, then you need more bass from EQ or headphones. Eg I have UE 900, which are pretty much flat, but im blown away by the base more often than not.
The HF-5's are a similar story. Extremely crisp sounds (hearing a bell in a song sounds so real that you jump sometimes) I have a pair of the HF-5's and many audiophile reviewers classify them as best in class by a lot
I bought myself the HF-5's last June. You're correct, they are an absolute joy to use, it convinces me to visit the gym more often! With that said, I want to see how Linus' own words about them, given their slight price point difference ;)
I've tried the ER-4's (a guy in my dad's band bought them) and they are EXTREMELY crisp sounding compared to even the HF-5's. So much in fact that i prefer the HF-5's because i do still like at least some additional base rather than the extremely crisp sounding base from the ER-4's. They do, as linus said, sound too boring if you are listening to anything that isn't very percice like jazz or some of the calmer forms of music. anything like rock, hip hop, and so on is kinda lost on the ER4's due to just those forms of music not being recorded in the same manner as say a lot of jazz n such. Personal preference of course, but i enjoy my HF-5's
As an owner of a pair of Unique Melody Miracles, I'm all about a neutral sound signature that's as detailed as possible, but I'm not about to sacrifice comfort to get it (even my Shure SE535's were uncomfortable at times). Custom molded earphones are expensive, yes, but THEY ARE SO FUCKING WORTH IT
***** This is where I decided to buy my UM Miracles, probably the best IEM comparison you will ever find www.head-fi.org/t/478568/multi-iem-review-309-iems-compared-ces-impressions-part-4-added-01-27-14-p-852 Having only owned one pair of customs I can't make any recommendations, but Joker (the guy who made this post) definitely can
Please try to get your hands on the In Ear Stage Diver 3. They are made by a small German company for professionals and use Custom technology in a universal shell. In the German Hifi-Forum they are quite hyped since they are the probably the best bass-heavy universal In-Ears on the market. Availability in the US is not that good, but that´s the same with be Quiet! stuff.
Personally, I believe in earphones with a flatter response graph. Those that want their music with an emphasis on a certain part of their music can use eqs to color the sound, but it is hard to 'uncolor' earphones that arent flat.
Can you recommend in-ear earbuds that also have a good microphone on a boom? Purpose is to have a telephone conference in the airport lobby - should be lightweight, and robust to the loud announcements. Ideal would be something like Etyblu2 but handling a2dp and two-sided. Any ideas??
It's for sound engineers and bands... Gigs are extremely loud and most of the time cause sound distortion because our ears cant take that much volume and you can distinguish whos playing what part. with this you save your hearing and you can hear crystal clear what you sing/play and the rest of your band. :) It's not meant for daily use. It's called "in ear monitor" for a reason instead of headphones. My band doesn't have in ear monitors but we are using good ear plugs which lower the decibel of the sound and leave it unmuffled. :)
I prefer different sound signatures depending on what I'm doing. Whenever I'm at my computer, I'm using my Audio Technica ATH-M50s, which have a flat sound signature. During that time that I'm listening to music, I'm also doing something that needs my close attention (homework, coding, etc.). Whenever I'm on the go and using IEMs, I prefer a more bass heavy experience, because I only have my IEMs in when I want to listen to music, and listen to music only. More bass will provide me more of an enjoyable music listening experience.
Actually ER4S is way better than the PT version which is meant more for mobile and more accurate/neutral than this. Its tone signature sounds like my Yamaha HS5 studio monitor, which is designed to be neutral enough for mixing stuff, so you know.
LinusTechTips Nah the difference between pt and the s version is not only impedance. A well known fact is that ER4PT, which is essentially ER4P, has slight bass boost than ER4S(some experience warmer sounds through listening the P version in comparison). The adapter is just pure resistors which does nothing to drivers that is tuned to a specific tone which is measured by graph scientificlly(but not real life listening experience, yours may vary).
James Jin The claim that the adapter cable turns it into an S is directly from Etymotic Research. As far as I'm aware the "well known fact" you mention is conjecture based on subjective experience and group think in various headfi forums. So it comes down to do we believe the manufacturer or do we believe internet forums? Considering Etymotic is not a company who makes grandiose dubious claims on the level of other similarly positioned headphone companies I tend to believe them over the forums. Having said that I have had the opportunity to compare a well broken in ER4P set (my own) with the adapter cable to a brand new straight of the box ER4S set and to my ears the ER4P sounded ever so slightly warmer. However they had different style tips on them with the ER4P using after market foams and the ER4S with the soft rubber three flange OEMs. The sound difference could easily have been attributed to the different tips, the 4 years of use my ER4P set had, that the filters on the ER4P were at least 11 months old, or even the "psycho-acoustic" (placebo) factor. It was an extremely subtle difference, on par with comparing different CD transports. While your logic is sound it hinges on the ER4P having a bass boost which is by no means an objectively proven fact that I'm aware of. This is a very old debate though and it's been years since I researched it; if you have lab tests or other objective measurements indicating a bass boost for the ER4P's please do pass it along. I am always open to new information changing my opinion.
this is one of the best IEM's that i have heard, i own one and its been my daily driver for 2+ years, and it still sound very good. its neutral, slightly warn with a crystal clear smooth treble. oh and they didn't call it ER(Ear Rape) 4 PT for no reason either. but its fine with me anyway, YMMV
It's true that these are uncomfortable at first, but I've been using triple flanges for over 6 months now and I don't think I'll ever go back to silly single flange IEM's.
I really got used to wear them with the triflange that were confy for me and greatvfor noise isolation. But for me their only downside for me is the ear filters i had go replace every 6 months (especially the left one)...and the Rubber tips are notre as good
best out there for audiophile with a hi fi player.Used them over 10 years.Want the next ones XR. Technology(since 80s!!) and materials (like gold) says for itself. Im a happy customer.The minuses: Price and its not for everyday use. IT is studio headphones for some kinds of famous musicians
Nice earphone for audiophile. Make sure you get the B version, not P or S. B version sound a little bit smoother than others (i used to review the B version btw)...
I always heard how the er4 is considered to be the hd25 of iem,uncomfortable to wear without modification,great sounding headphone market toward their own audience
One thing he forgot is that this is one of the FIRST production in-ear headphones ever made. They have been around for more than 20 years and still sounded awesome by today's standards. That's how good the ER4's are
I can already hear the headphones, "bite a pillow. I'm going in dry"
This is such a good comment for being 9 years old 😂
"Lube up because you ain't gonna like it much."
Dangit Rab! I was going to make that comment, then I was like "Nawww, that's just childish."
But then I scroll down, AND GUESS WHAT I SEE!
we think alike :)
69th Like
I need that shirt Linus :P
theintunity
Nerdgasm, the source for all my barnacles!
Hey Barnacules!!!
Why does every TH-camr I know watch Linus, lmao
+Ethan Salkic because linus watches them.
Did you ever get it?
"Lube up because you ain't going to like it much otherwise" I had hoped there would never be a product on this channel for which Linus had to utter those words ...
#USBButtPlug
"Lube up, because you won't be liking it much if you don't." -Linus, 2015
MU_YosH11 2014*
Right, didn't spot the upload date.
Yoshii Jebaited
BTW, Etymotic has a video about inserting the tips. Also, they offer custom molded tips if you plan on wearing them a lot.
I've been using the lower end etymotic in ear buds since 2008 and can't live with out them. It took about 2 weeks for me to get used to having them in my ears. I can leave them in my ears all day and even sleep in them with no problems. The isolation is incredible from outside noise is incredible. I can listen to podcasts with the volume all the way down even with a lot of ambient noise: operating a lawn mower, riding the subway, and etc.
Are they more comfortable with the foamcoating?
I solved both issues of telling which L and R. I just put yellow heat shrink on the L. For comfort, I use Comply heat activated ear foams. I clip the barrel onto my shirt. I also devised a L+R cable tensioner that snugs under my chin. Works perfect and I can wear it all day as it is super comfortable.
ER4PT (includes the add-on higher impedance barrel to further flatten the response) and ER4S are the most accurate IEM's at any price. It's accurate response is uncanny. Not only that, once you get the taste of what masterful sound reproduction through these IEM's you will not be satisfied with anything else!
I prefer, as a musician, the flats one cuz they give me all the sounds i want using a proper amp. But they must be comfortable all the way if i'll use them for hours and hours. Good video as always Linus!
I own a pair of HF5 which sounds relatively similar to the ER-4, with a little more bass and warmth to the sound. Made the switch to comply eartips and it's comfortable enough to use as a daily driver :D
I'd go with flat. It allows MUCH more flexibility when you're messing with the EQ.
i know im late but FACTS
Big facts
Sound accuracy > heavy bass everyday.
Fun sound > analitic sound everyday.
@@erdincylmaz2842 This is why they made the xr series I think. They have more bass response so you get the accurancy and some fun bass. Got the ER2XRs myself.
@@erdincylmaz2842 If your music doesn't sound fun when accurately reproduced, you're listening to the wrong music.
As a bass head I would disagree but, to each is own.
@@EssenceofPureFlavor who are you to say what music is right? “Are you having a good time?” is the most important question
Listening to this on the Etymotic ER4SR
Oddly I find the large triflanges to be extremely comfortable, like disappear after 5 minutes comfortable. And, they do have a frequency response issue; taking down the 3khz with a wide Q by 7-10dB (to taste) makes them muuuuuuch more neutral. (assuming a good EQ that won't mangle the sound) Without the EQ, they're too tizzy and bright. If you want to get more clinical with the EQ, Tyll has measurements for the ER4Pt on InnerFidelity. (use the raw plot)
I have these for several years now and never had problems with these 3-flanged tips (but yes, I lube up).
To be honest it took some getting used to them but these are still my favourites.
I also used them a lot on my motorcycle because they go deep into your ears and isolate as much or even better as earplugs and you can enjoy your music.
I never felt sorry for spending the money on these IEM's and I will surely buy new ones when they die.
This guy is always funny! I like to watch his reviews.
I like this video because it has more info and less BS. The comparison with ie80 is another PLUS. Nice Review
oh Linus man... warm > flat any day of the week, but as always with audio it is all in the ear of the beholder.
Sorry, disagree. Flat is always best.
Absolutely love my HF-5s, actually had them in watching this.. Fantastic for home use, but I use Klipsch S3s any time I leave the house. A great way to tell left from right is by putting an MX Cherry keycap o-ring on one of them :D fits perfectly!
The first thing I looked at after you knocked your phone off the table was your "Professional Unboxer" shirt. Oh how I love you Linus
A very fine and accurate review. The Etymotic ER-4PT are my go-to headphones and have been, for years. I love them dearly, even thought they make bad recordings or worse: bad DACs, sound so terrible, that I can't listen to it at all. But with every other headphone, I feel cheated, thinking they are trying to sell me something that I didn't order.
rune naljoss
I'm planning to get these, they run for $260 dollars on Amazon. Are they worth it (as a guy who owns the ATH-M50x)?
+josh Subet Worth is subjective, but as I said: I love them and their super precise natural neutral sound. Try to feel them for a few hours to see if you can get used to their fit. Myself, i even got a backup pair because i so depend on these.
*****
i'll try to see if i can try them out.
Isolation is very valuable to me, as i am a student who does a decent amount of flying. Sound signature is too, I have a EQ for my M50x to completely flatten them out, and I like it a lot more than stock.
rune naljoss
Ordered the ER4XR, arrives on the 26-29th :)
+josh Subet Neato! If you enjoy them half as much as i do mine, you'll be in for a treat.
I bought the IE80s because of your video on them and I love them :)
I've got a lower end set of Etymotics. The foam tips are the most comfortable buds I've ever used. Been using them about 6 hours a week for the last 4 - 5 months. No sign of wear yet. They pretty much go back to their normal shape every time I put them away.
Great review, I can see how they would be uncomfortable, but I prefer the "deep insertion" IEMs because I have small ear canals and other types just don't seal we'll for me, and I also prefer the flatter sound signature. The biggest hurdle for me was the initial soreness from insertion and removal, it went away for me after a couple weeks use, as for sleeping, they go so far into my ear canal that the outside does not contact my pillow at all.
Very nice review as usual linus! Please make the hifiman re-400 your next IEM review
Best review of any audio equipment hands down
Professional Unboxer... That takes me back xD I was just starting to get into computers around that time been subbed ever since (between different accounts)
I had the HF2, which broke after 6 months, but they were awesome. I didnt find them uncomfortable at all. They go DEEP into your ear canal, which can only be a good thing. They offer easily the best isolation and the one of the best sound quality there is.
They were the most comfortable just because you never needed to adjust them. These silicone tip regular IEM's always, no matter what eventually pop out slightly when you move or yawn or turn your head and the sound quality and isolation is immediately altered. I dont want to be tweaking them all the time. With Etymotics you never need to.
Might buy another pair if they only sold them in finland...
Might be time for an update on these- Ety has a new version with the bass turned up a bit!
Is the audio on this vid slightyly(ironically)distorted?
Someone or something was rubbing against the microphone at some parts of the video, it seemed. And good on you for using 'ironically' properly.
I love audio gear, thanks for this video Linus.
I'm using SHURE SE 846, and as for the sound stage, I don't think it could get any better with any other IEM. Speaking of "hearing the music the way they are intended to be heard" I did some tests on different music players/mods and iRiver AK-120 just blew me away. Looking forward to get a RedWine mod (RWAK120) and considering an (RWAK120-B with RX MKIII-B+ and balanced cable) whenever I have enough money. Maybe Sennheiser HD800? not sure yet, but i think that is what it takes to get as close as possible to "hearing the music the way they are intended to be heard". Nevertheless, SHURE is an outstanding IEM for everyday use, despite being bulky and troublesome to fit to the ears right away.
Keep it up Linus!
Just bought the E4RS and I had to use the larger triple flange and when I put them in it created a suction and when I took them off a whole wack of wax came out with them. I found also being at 100 ohms impedance I needed an amp. For sound they were very clear and I agree no soundstage. I think the sound is based on fit. I have never had a better fit which makes me wonder if the triple flanges would work well on my w40's. I also agree the cable is heavy. Got these on sale but still at 200+ think they are overpriced. I am going to try the tips with my w40's and see what happens. I have the Senn ie 80's as well and agree ETY's are not as engaging but probably are better for all genres and longer listening. I like ie80's but you can get tired of that constant in your face presentation. The Ety's I don't think will ever make you fatigued unless its the fit but for sound they do a very good job.
You are one of the biggest influences in my life
I got the newer ER4SR and IE80s, the ER4SR are better all around, just the fit could be an issue, but I also have the Shure SE535, which is not as clear or accurate as the Etymotic, still sounds pretty balanced and way better than the Sennheiser, plus the Shure as super comfortable and you can sleep on with those. The only thing that the Sennheiser had is that they had a big soundstage, like if they were full over the ear headphones or close to that. Get the Shures.
I was surprised you didn't mention what is, IMO, the most significant flaw of the ER4P and indeed most of the Etymotic Research line up; the cables are extremely "microphonic" - they transmit even the slightist vibration directly into your ears. Walking in these can be maddening as every tap of the wire against my shirt collar is transmitted into my ears at a volume louder than most any other external noise.
Perhaps your hack of looping the headphones over your ears solved this problem, hence why you didn't notice it. I'll have to try that with my own set.
+Jason Michael Griffin I use the shirt clip and find, if positioned properly, it virtually eliminates this problem.
They look like 1 dollar earbuds
I personally own the IE 800 and enjoyed it, looking forward to a review of it.
great headphones
+1000000
I like to listen to a song with the flattest sound that I can get, (Which are currently my studio monitors) and then adjust after listening to the music. I'm usually too lazy to adjust the EQ though.
@Linus
Actually the way that you put them on that is the correct way to use them.
For Live music you want the phones to be hidden and not on your way.
In your review of the ie80's didn't you mention you had the bass tuner on it on full? Because I have got it around the second notch from the bottom and I wouldn't say they are bass heavy.
I tried them at 5, but normally I keep them at 2 like you.
LinusTechTips The profit responded to me... :o
+TheShizzleCopter The ie80s are bass heavy even at the lowest setting.
+TheShizzleCopter Yeah look at the frequency response graph of it. Damn bass heavier than the Shure SE 215... and 215 is bloated for me!
+TheShizzleCopter I think you meant prophet?
Very useful review !
I tried these at my local shop this week and was blown away by the sound. If not for the fact that these IEM's look so unaesthetic, i would definitely have bought it on the spot. Westone 4 fans will love this.
ATH-IM02. You won't regret it.
Martin Romero
i just tried them. you weren't kidding, they really sound a lot like the ER4's, unfortunately though the comfort of the IEM is a real issue because I work out with my earphones a lot.
I make music so obviously, i have used reference headphones, speakers etc.. Saying that it is the way the artist intended is often not true with reference earphones/headphones. Personally, although the bass is accurate, it still lacks an essential feature and that IS that boomy sound that you get from consumer grade headphones. Using reference speakers with a correctly adjusted subwoofer is the only way to really hear it the way it is intended.. deep, rich bass that really rips the room apart an certain frequencies.. So, IMO you cannot say that it is the way the artist intended (in most cases) because ALL reference headphones lack what reference speakers give you in the low end.
With that said, I think jazz music sounds awesome on reference headphones :P
I have the Etymotic MC-5, their more entry level pair, and they sound really good for everything but bass heavy music. Superb clarity. With Shure Olive tips, isolation and comfort are terrific.
Also have some higher end JVC HA-FXT90, a dual driver model that are the best IEM that I've ever heard. Deep, punchy bass and very good clarity. But I've read great things about the ER-4.
I personally find, that biting the pillow helps make the insertion easier.
I actually own the triple driver version of these and would recommend them to anyone doing live performance that requires feedback ei live production or djing. I personally love the heft to them as it reminds me they are performance tools, not made to have a dance party with.
You mean that requires foldback right?
Feedback is the painful ringing when a system overloads.
Foldback is audio being folded back to the artist so they can hear themselves.
Know the difference, it can save your life.
@05:42 Oops there goes my phone , oh gosh now it is like a Linus Watermark where brands and scripts are already written in history forever made about being "Linus Proof" and omg the quality today is amazing when I compare this dated video to today's standards. Some goosebumps watching old videos. #staysafestayhome
absolutely the most sonic earphones i have ever used. Get these and you will not be disappointed.
I know this is a super late comment, but i didn't see anyone else mention it. Etymotic's site looks like a site selling hearing aids because they are a site selling hearing aids. Maybe you were just trolling us, but look it up, true story. BTW I've had a pair of ER-4Ps (running on a bithead amp) for over a decade now and have never heard anything better.
Custom ear molds for $100 is a steal. I paid more for that for custom ear plugs.
I absolutely prefer having a "flat" sound signature and a deep in-ear fit. I used to use the 3-flange eartips on my Klipsh S3 and made them go as deep as they could because I could block out the entire world. I would love a pair of these but the dual cords on the upper part of the "Y" shape look a little too flimsy for my taste. I like Kevlar-reinforced cables.
***** That is the next pair of IEMs that I am buying.
***** Thanks man! I have had my eyes on the HF5 since I saw this review. Hopefully I can scrape up enough cash in order to buy them. I like the included two year warranty if you buy from Etymotic's website. The only thing that I have a problem with is that the reviews of these IEM's have a reputation for being somewhat fragile and easy to break, and I have a very bad reputation of breaking my IEM's within a month of having them.
I have HF5s, and I'm strongly considering getting some custom molded ear tips. They go so deep and are really uncomfortable unless I get them just right, and the slightest bump usually moves them just enough to make them uncomfortable again. They isolate amazingly well though, and have great clarity.
Have you tried comply foam tips? They are SO much better than the standard foam tips that come with it. I've done a while with the triple flanges but in the end I bought a package of 5 medium sets for like 25 euro's and wore out the first set in 6 months. These things have massively improved both comfort and isolation for me, and they just stay in place very well. Especially on colder days.
LINUS! I hope you read this, I think that if you tried the comply tips your experience may have been a lot better as they are not comparable to the foam tips that come with it!
As a drummer that practices drum covers quite a bit, there is a time for you to here the bass and a time to just here the music, in example if I'm trying to teach myself a very complex bass rhythm I wanna here the bass, but when it gets to the point when I practically know the beat inside and out, and I want to experiment with the song and the beat, I want straight music. I honestly couldn't say anything about these headphones, without using them myself, and that wont happen any time soon because of the price lol.
If you haven’t got a chance to try the ER4 because of its price tag, you should do it now with the ER2SE, somehow even better at an affordable price
Overall I enjoyed the review. I was curious what others thought of these headphones. I have owned ER-4pts for about 15 years (on my second set now and yes they were about $300 bucks back then ). I use them daily and don't find the clip that big of a deal. When my first set broke, I looked at pricier head sets wanting to see if there was something better available. In the end I decided to go with the ER-4pts again because the combination of sound quality and noise isolation simply could not be beat. I am considering buying a second set of high-end, in-ear head phones for use around the house but haven't yet decided if it's worth the money.
the UniqueMelody Mentors are the best iEM i've every listened to , it's new and it has 10 balanced armatures on each ear . which means they have 20 BA drivers in total , leaving this etymotic in the dirt . but , the UM Mentors have a colourful fun sound signature which is superbly pleasant at a cost .
Depending on the music genre you listen to (especially rap, hip-hop, and pop), now that the uninformed masses (including many artists) are thinking that Beats or Bose are the end-all-be-all of high end audio, the "fun" sound signature may very well be the way the artist intended.
I have to disagree a little with the comment that these are not meant to be "daily drivers". I use them exactly as that and have done for about 3 years now. Part of what makes them so easy to use in that fashion is my ACS custom molds that I ordered up after I got tired of the supplied squeeze foam tips. I never liked the flange tips from day one. Go for custom molds and your only regret will be that you cannot let your friends test drive them.
Beware, that after about 3 years of heavy use, the cord started to malfunction and now I need to send in the entire unit to have the cord replaced. Etymotic will apparently test the drivers for their frequency curves again just to make sure all is as it should be, and they will not simply sell the cord by itself, despite the fact that it detaches easily.
As you say, the sound quality is absolute. The seems to be the opinion of everyone, nearly to the man, who listens with them. There's no coloration, no strange amplification, no nothing. Whatever you hear is whatever you're feeding it. And whatever tips you're using, you're unlikely to be hearing much else, even in loud environments. Perhaps this is why you always see U2's The Edge with them when they play live.
The other thing that often gets lost in these conversations is the subtlety of IEM's in regular use situations. Imagine mowing your lawn or trying to exercise with large over the ear headphones or bright white Beats. It's a little ridiculous. Ever lug those kinds of things on to an airplane with their large case and cheap, breakable headbands? Unless you're Lebron James, you don't look half as cool as you think. Myself, I have a little black pouch with my custom earphones that I can keep in a pocket. Watching all those other folks struggle with their inferior, overpriced, cumbersome and visually obnoxious headsets makes me wonder why everyone isn't ditching those for IEM's in one form or another. Maybe they all know something I don't ... maybe not.
And if you're going to make the leap into IEM's, you're going to have a difficult time doing much better than these, especially with the custom tips.
mfort is a key factor for a professional sound review cause it takes time.
Have a look at the Westone 4Rs, they blow my mind every time I use them.
Suppose the artist intended strong bass?
The only thing I have to say about this is, if the music was intended to be light and electronic dance/ house would that mean with those flat sound but other wise accurate earphones would you be getting the music not intended because a lot of those types of genre's have a bigger emphasis on happy base than accurate listening to an orchestral performance just saying.....
I'm with you on this one.
The thing is: elctronic/dance music is mixed with more bass, so you usually still get enough bass out of neutral phones when listening to bass-heavy stuff. If you want to multiply that, then you need more bass from EQ or headphones.
Eg I have UE 900, which are pretty much flat, but im blown away by the base more often than not.
Thanks for looking at the ER-4's. I still want to hear how you think of the consumer-level friendly HF-5's!
The HF-5's are a similar story. Extremely crisp sounds (hearing a bell in a song sounds so real that you jump sometimes) I have a pair of the HF-5's and many audiophile reviewers classify them as best in class by a lot
I bought myself the HF-5's last June. You're correct, they are an absolute joy to use, it convinces me to visit the gym more often!
With that said, I want to see how Linus' own words about them, given their slight price point difference ;)
I've tried the ER-4's (a guy in my dad's band bought them) and they are EXTREMELY crisp sounding compared to even the HF-5's. So much in fact that i prefer the HF-5's because i do still like at least some additional base rather than the extremely crisp sounding base from the ER-4's. They do, as linus said, sound too boring if you are listening to anything that isn't very percice like jazz or some of the calmer forms of music. anything like rock, hip hop, and so on is kinda lost on the ER4's due to just those forms of music not being recorded in the same manner as say a lot of jazz n such. Personal preference of course, but i enjoy my HF-5's
As an owner of a pair of Unique Melody Miracles, I'm all about a neutral sound signature that's as detailed as possible, but I'm not about to sacrifice comfort to get it (even my Shure SE535's were uncomfortable at times). Custom molded earphones are expensive, yes, but THEY ARE SO FUCKING WORTH IT
***** This is where I decided to buy my UM Miracles, probably the best IEM comparison you will ever find
www.head-fi.org/t/478568/multi-iem-review-309-iems-compared-ces-impressions-part-4-added-01-27-14-p-852
Having only owned one pair of customs I can't make any recommendations, but Joker (the guy who made this post) definitely can
Please try to get your hands on the In Ear Stage Diver 3. They are made by a small German company for professionals and use Custom technology in a universal shell. In the German Hifi-Forum they are quite hyped since they are the probably the best bass-heavy universal In-Ears on the market. Availability in the US is not that good, but that´s the same with be Quiet! stuff.
Great vid guys!
Personally, I believe in earphones with a flatter response graph. Those that want their music with an emphasis on a certain part of their music can use eqs to color the sound, but it is hard to 'uncolor' earphones that arent flat.
it is very useful for u to share the wearing opinions. Great cuz I really looking for a comfortable one
Linus, I think you should try out the Klipsch Image X10i headphones, I'm curious to see what you'd think of them!
Can you recommend in-ear earbuds that also have a good microphone on a boom? Purpose is to have a telephone conference in the airport lobby - should be lightweight, and robust to the loud announcements. Ideal would be something like Etyblu2 but handling a2dp and two-sided. Any ideas??
Many artists actually record their music with equalizers and sound signatures in mind.
Woah, £199 for these? I think I'll save some money and buy a new mansion instead.
It's for sound engineers and bands... Gigs are extremely loud and most of the time cause sound distortion because our ears cant take that much volume and you can distinguish whos playing what part. with this you save your hearing and you can hear crystal clear what you sing/play and the rest of your band. :) It's not meant for daily use. It's called "in ear monitor" for a reason instead of headphones. My band doesn't have in ear monitors but we are using good ear plugs which lower the decibel of the sound and leave it unmuffled. :)
CDXXIX
Wrong video man, no one plays Xbox here.
if you find a mansion for 199 I need to please upload a link to the location so that we all may live lavish the rest of our live long days
Linus you are my Teacher,, thx man ,, i love you !
Sensaphonics sells custom sleeves for these that I bet improve comfort substantially.
Dat hair :O!! Linus had a wilde night before shooting this video :P!!
I prefer different sound signatures depending on what I'm doing. Whenever I'm at my computer, I'm using my Audio Technica ATH-M50s, which have a flat sound signature. During that time that I'm listening to music, I'm also doing something that needs my close attention (homework, coding, etc.). Whenever I'm on the go and using IEMs, I prefer a more bass heavy experience, because I only have my IEMs in when I want to listen to music, and listen to music only. More bass will provide me more of an enjoyable music listening experience.
still love the intro and outro :3
Actually ER4S is way better than the PT version which is meant more for mobile and more accurate/neutral than this. Its tone signature sounds like my Yamaha HS5 studio monitor, which is designed to be neutral enough for mixing stuff, so you know.
The PT comes with an adapter cable to turn it into the S which means you get the best of both worlds.
LinusTechTips Nah the difference between pt and the s version is not only impedance. A well known fact is that ER4PT, which is essentially ER4P, has slight bass boost than ER4S(some experience warmer sounds through listening the P version in comparison). The adapter is just pure resistors which does nothing to drivers that is tuned to a specific tone which is measured by graph scientificlly(but not real life listening experience, yours may vary).
James Jin The claim that the adapter cable turns it into an S is directly from Etymotic Research. As far as I'm aware the "well known fact" you mention is conjecture based on subjective experience and group think in various headfi forums. So it comes down to do we believe the manufacturer or do we believe internet forums? Considering Etymotic is not a company who makes grandiose dubious claims on the level of other similarly positioned headphone companies I tend to believe them over the forums.
Having said that I have had the opportunity to compare a well broken in ER4P set (my own) with the adapter cable to a brand new straight of the box ER4S set and to my ears the ER4P sounded ever so slightly warmer. However they had different style tips on them with the ER4P using after market foams and the ER4S with the soft rubber three flange OEMs. The sound difference could easily have been attributed to the different tips, the 4 years of use my ER4P set had, that the filters on the ER4P were at least 11 months old, or even the "psycho-acoustic" (placebo) factor. It was an extremely subtle difference, on par with comparing different CD transports.
While your logic is sound it hinges on the ER4P having a bass boost which is by no means an objectively proven fact that I'm aware of. This is a very old debate though and it's been years since I researched it; if you have lab tests or other objective measurements indicating a bass boost for the ER4P's please do pass it along. I am always open to new information changing my opinion.
James Jin s is almost equal to pt with the ptos adapter. I recommend hf5 with ptoa adapter or er4s or sr.
John Yang nah you need to look at the time. That's Long before I wrapped er4 to my parents and sport a pair of jh13v2.
A pc building video with a budget of 900 and Micro-ATX would be really nice to see :D
Shure SE series has IEMS from 90$ to 1000$, you should try those out
this is one of the best IEM's that i have heard, i own one and its been my daily driver for 2+ years, and it still sound very good.
its neutral, slightly warn with a crystal clear smooth treble.
oh and they didn't call it ER(Ear Rape) 4 PT for no reason either. but its fine with me anyway, YMMV
It's true that these are uncomfortable at first, but I've been using triple flanges for over 6 months now and I don't think I'll ever go back to silly single flange IEM's.
I bought two pairs of IEMs, one for flat response and one for bass.
"lube up because you aint gonna like it much otherwise" I can't think of anything worse you could have said to be taken out of context lol
I have an Etymotic pair of IEM's (two actually), and they are the most comfortable earbuds I've ever worn. Guess it depends on the user.
linus should be a poet with his ski lodge comment
LinusTechTips Hey man, you should do a video on what to look for when picking up a pair of in-ears.
I really got used to wear them with the triflange that were confy for me and greatvfor noise isolation.
But for me their only downside for me is the ear filters i had go replace every 6 months (especially the left one)...and the Rubber tips are notre as good
Linus, you should make a review on the Sony XBA-3 or 4. I am thinking on buying either of them and would love to know your opinion
"lube up, cause you aint gunna like it otherwise"
best out there for audiophile with a hi fi player.Used them over 10 years.Want the next ones XR. Technology(since 80s!!) and materials (like gold) says for itself. Im a happy customer.The minuses: Price and its not for everyday use. IT is studio headphones for some kinds of famous musicians
"Lube up because you're not gonna like it much otherwise."
Ha... haha... hahahahahaha!!!
Watch out I'm going in dry! XD sorry your comment made me.
I love my HF5, you should review them :P
I definitely prefer flat for the vast majority of music I lsten to. If im looking for more bass or 'fun' I can do that woth software.
Why don't you put the earphones up to the mic so we can hear how they sound??
uhhhhh dude you will just hear what your own speakers sound like....
of course I'm trolling guys. Please. I shouldn't have to tell you this.
TheHawk425 LoL. Damn you sure about that?
Chocolate Wizard He said "I can't tell". Do you really need to ask whether he is sure or not?
*****
I didn't ask him anything. I asked "thehawk". And he said nothing about not being able to tell. Sorry but your correction stands corrected.
can you please get the razer adaro in ears soon? :D
They're a little old now, but I'd like to hear your opinion on the Shure SE215.
Nice earphone for audiophile. Make sure you get the B version, not P or S. B version sound a little bit smoother than others (i used to review the B version btw)...
I always heard how the er4 is considered to be the hd25 of iem,uncomfortable to wear without modification,great sounding headphone market toward their own audience