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Drop + Etymotic ERX In-Ear Monitors

$229

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Drop + Etymotic ERX In-Ear Monitors

Name: Drop + Etymotic ERX In-Ear Monitors
Brand: Drop
SKU: drop-etymotic-erx
Price: 229 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.583333 (27 reviews)

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purr1n

342

Aug 2, 2022

Drop + Etymotic ERX review

Etymotic needs no introduction when it comes to IEMs. They were around during the early days (before most of you kids in 2022 obtained sentience) and a proponent of their "diffuse field" target. The ER-4S can arguably be called the HD600 of the IEM world. If you didn't own one, you at least heard one, most likely being able to borrow a friend's ER4S for an extended period of the time. The ER-4S was finicky. Most complaints revolved around it sounding too thin, having too much emphasis around the pinna gain region 2-3kHz, and having a small spike in the treble. The secret to using the ER-4S was super deep insertion, usually with the treble flange penetrator tips. Naturally, most people did not like the feeling of having their ear holes penetrated so deeply. Now what seems like 15 or more years later, the folks at Drop have collaborated with Etymotic to make a new version called the ERX for people who did not want their ear holes assaulted. There's now a normal IEM body instead of a phallic tube. In addition, a set of tips is included that provides a good seal with a good tonal signature (that is not lean or spiky in the highs). At least for me it did. FWIW, I did try the triple flange tip and could not get it to work properly because the body of the IEM prevents deep insertion. Anyway, why did it take so long?

I would have to say that this is the most agreeable Ety yet to my ears. There's a good amount of bass that extends low. It's not overdone. Of course tastes and gear references vary, thus I can see many IEM users wanting moar bass, moar upper-mids, more treble, a la the Harmon Curve. However, for those who want something more natural and relaxed sounding, the ERX is it. It would say, take the stock ER-4S tuning, lift the bass a bit, lower the highs a bit, and keep the 2-3kHz bump. The 2-3kHz bump is slightly too much for my ears, probably because my pinna amplify this region more than what Ety expected. IEMs bypass pinna, so inverse HRTF curves will never be perfect. However, things were not so far off that I wasn't able to acclimate after a few songs. Drop + Etymotic ERX IEM Ety ER4SR (grey) Frequency Response

Drop + Etymotic ERX IEM Impedance (GRN) and Electrical Phase (GRY)

Nominal impedance is 45-ohms, rising to 60-ohms at 10kHz. Higher output impedance will lift the highs slightly, not much. FWIW, one thing I really like about the Etys is that they are NOT super sensitive. This allows us to use tube amps or high-gain (which usually sounds better). I had no problems with a Vali 2+ on high-gain. More detailed discussion can be found here: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/drop-etymotic-erx-iem-review-and-measurements.12536/

Recommends this product? Yes

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JustWindowShopping

Aug 5, 2022

I'm confused but for a different reason. Wouldn't it actually be the case that purr1n experiences less pinna gain than normal in the 2-3 kHz region? This way the inverse HRTF overcompensates and amplifies that region, which explains the sensitivity to the 2-3kHz bump once the IEM bypasses the pinna. Anyone reading these comments please feel free to correct me!!

purr1n

342

Aug 21, 2022

It doesn't. IEMs have no pinna gain so IEMs need to have some tuned in. It's just that in my case, there's just a bit too much tuned in. Close enough though and really a nitpick. But yes you are correct. My pinna have less gain.

(Edited)

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peterlask

114

Aug 6, 2022

This review was first published in Head-Fi where you can read the full version. (https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/drop-etymotic-erx.25983/review/28981/)

Build quality, appearance and fit The ear-shells are made from stainless steel with excellent build quality and a smooth, black matte finish that feels good to the touch and looks quite durable. This is definitely one of the best made Drop+ products ever and it is very beautiful looking too. The ERX is anatomically shaped with contoured surfaces and edges that add to a modern and slightly industrial appearance. The compact ear-shells follow the natural curves of the ear and thanks to the in-concha, deep insertion build they offer a secure but very comfortable fit without an extra bulky protrusion outside the ear. Of special note is the Etymotic’s signature deep-insertion system which is one of the best IEM fit systems that I have ever tried. The ERX achieves a deep, stable and snug fit with excellent noise attenuation while at the same time it manages to stay comfortable without causing pain to the ear. The only downsides I can think of is that you have to use the specially designed ear-tips so If you like to experiment with different kinds of ear-tips, you will have a problem finding something suitable and that some people will find the fit system quite annoying. Cable The ERX features a 1.2m detachable cable with the Estron T2 connectors which are not so commonly available but all major after-market cable manufacturers can build a cable with them. The cable is nothing special to talk about, it is a generic one with an average build quality. For $300 a better cable should definitely have been included not to mention the lack of a balanced one. Now that almost every single USB DAC dongle comes with a balanced output, a balanced cable is a necessity and I can't understand how some manufacturers keep making IEMs without one or at least the option to choose a balanced plug while placing the order.

Power requirements The ERX with 47Ω of rated impedance and a sensitivity of 98dB/0.1Vrms, is quite difficult to drive and the use of a powerful USB DAC dongle is a must. To include some real examples, the iBasso DC05 which is already powerful for the size is not sufficient enough for properly driving the ERX. With classical music it easily reaches its upper clipping limits with the result of a harsh and piercing sound. Since the ERX came without a balanced cable, I wasn't able to use more powerful balanced DAC dongles like the FiiO KA3 or the Shanling UA3 and I had to rely on single ended gear. From USB DAC dongles, the iFi Go bar (from the single ended output) was powerful enough but still not perfect so I ended with battery powered or stationary gear like the EarMen TR-Amp or FiiO K5 Pro ESS. I have also listened a lot with the iBasso DX320/AMP13. The ERX was burned for more than 50 hours before evaluation. Listening impressions Utterly balanced, this is the first impression that comes to mind after listening to the ERX and it doesn't fade away but it gets even stronger as you keep listening. Actually the ERX is one of the best tuned earphones that I have ever tested with great tonal accuracy and coherence throughout the whole frequency band. The tonality is near perfect, at least when listening to real instruments and voices, which all sound tonally correct with natural timbre.

The ERX tuning is not about personal preferences like whether you like your mids forward or your bass elevated because ultimate transparency and accuracy are the ruling principles. What you hear is an exact mirroring of the recording and the gear behind the ERX, this is a crystal clear mirror that reflects everything into your ears with the utmost honesty. The tuning is masterfully balanced, every part of the frequency range has the right amount of gravity and nothing gets too boosted or subdued. It seems that the engineers goal was to make every instrument sound with the correct pitch and they have surely succeeded. Some of you are going to be rather disappointed because the ERX doesn't offer extreme sub-bass or elevated bass or forward mids or cozy warmth or sizzling treble or an analytical sound signature or anything else that deviates from the reference norm. Looking into the specs and reading about the single full range balanced armature driver that is used inside the ERX, I bet that your first thought was something like, "hey there is no way that it can do real bass". Wrong, think twice, because the ERX extends well deep into the lows with ample sub-bass and bass quantity without unnecessary boosting it nor elevating the mid-bass. The only difference from a dynamic driver is lying in the bass texture which is not that visceral, it is on the lean side but not that much as to call it dry. While the whole presentation is very persuasive thanks to the excellent dynamic contrast which covers all the volume gradients, it is not that physically impactful and muscular as with a dynamic driver. Technicalities are superb, layering and definition are out of this world, the bass is extra tight and controlled with exemplary clarity without a single trace of mid-bass masking or bleeding into the mids. The mids are reproduced with exemplary fidelity, true to the original mix without being moved backwards or forward. Of course this doesn't mean that they lack in presence and weight while they are heard with the finest articulation and plenty of harmonic expression. As said earlier the timbre is not warm nor cold, nor lush nor dry but it rather sits in the middle, you could name it natural and lifelike while it is absent of the usual balanced armature artificially metallic flavor. The treble is sparkling, luminous and vivid with first class detail retrieval but without sounding analytical, bright, etched or fatiguing. Great high frequency tuning which balances the high quality resolution, excellent extension and airy presentation with a touch of smoothness and the lack of harshness. The texture is rather delicate and not that weighty but the interesting part is that decaying time is kept under control and is not that hasty so despite the lack of relative body the high pitched instruments, including percussion like high-huts, don't sound too thin and lifeless. The same high level of technical performance applies into the soundstage which is naturally extended, wide and airy with pinpoint accuracy and the most correct positioning with plenty of space around the performers. The ambience is well communicated but the balanced armature driver seems to be rather limited when it comes to depth layering and holography, the stage is rather two-dimensional and not that grand in scale.

The best part is saved for the last, the actual achievement of the ERX design is that despite the high transparency and accuracy, it is not by any means a boring, clinical or artificial sounding earphone. On the contrary it is rather musical and engaging with foot tapping qualities and an engaging character. With a wealth of overtones and a colorful harmonic palette, combined with the natural tonality, the ERX sounds realistic and emotional albeit not too full bodied. The ERX is at home with all kinds of music, as long as you don't have special tuning preferences, but it is impossible not to overemphasize how a perfect match is with classical or acoustic music. The ERX is the classical music listener's dream and from solo piano, to quarters and symphonic works or opera seria, everything sounded delightfully convincing and enjoyable. In the end The Drop+ Etymotic ERX is destined for great success and I can see thousands of it being sold over the years. Not by chance but because it is masterfully tuned with a reference-like sound signature that stays true to the legendary Etymotic heritage. With an exceptional tonal balance, excellent transparency and master class technicalities for the category, it is a critical listening earphone that manages to stay very musical and engaging. Add the top notch build quality, the comfortable fit and the outstanding passive noise attenuation and the Drop+ Etymotic ERX is a clear winner with the only thing really missing a better quality cable with interchangeable plugs.

Recommends this product? Yes

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frontsidebus

Dec 15, 2022

peterlaskCounter point the chord mojo and mojo 2 are among the best dac/amps and they don't have balanced it's also pretty much not needed for IEMs.

toastnbutter

Apr 19, 2023

Verified Buyer

Sidegrade to ER2SE — an Ety lover's perspective

Maybe my expectations were too high, but I was pretty sure these would replace my ER2SE — instead, they're more of a sidegrade than an upgrade. ERX have a certain characteristic in their timbre, especially in the mids, that I don't particularly enjoy (could call it a "harshness"), like a mid-range equivalent to sibilants. This clearly improved with Comply P-series foam tips, however. I wonder whether that's a BA feature, or perhaps the shells aren't well suited for ER4's drivers that well? Wish I had a pair of ER4XRs to know for sure. They could also use some more sparkle in the high-end, but that's inherent to ER4s as well. Either way, these are technically fantastic. Well made, and comfortable. But the value, even when on sale, isn't that great given the street price of ER2SEs (or XR), which almost always go for $70. And you would probably be better off with ER4XRs at ERX's full price, since the bigger and heavier shells aren't that convenient, with a worse fit (at least in my case).

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shotgunshane

127

Aug 14, 2022

Drop + Etymotic ERX Review MSRP $299 Pre-Order $249 Etymotic, hot on the heals of their 2021 first in-concha, over-the-ear wear style, multi-driver EVO, is now ready, in collaboration with Drop, to release a stripped down version of the EVO. Or is it a hot-rodded version of the ER4XR? The ERX utilizes the stainless steel housing of the EVO, with a matte black finish and dueling logos (Drop and ETY) on right and left faceplates. Inside is the single armature of the ER4XR but juiced up in tuning for a more fun, more dynamic, yet more-so easy to-get-along-with signature. That’s a whole lotta more. The fit of the EVO shell is so much more (that word again) comfortable than the barrel, brain-tickling style fit of the old school Etys. Combined with the newer medium dual-flanged tips Ety provides, I can insert and remove the ERX much quicker and easier than the old school barrel Etys. The cable is a version the Linum BaX with T2 connector. As far as I know, this connector is proprietary to Linum, however more manufacturers are starting to use it ( including Westone and Ultimate Ears). I prefer the Super BaX version, which comes on the EVO, as it is more supple and pliable but unfortunately costs double the regular BaX. The BaX version for the ERX is somewhat springy feeling and has a bit too aggressive preformed ear-hooks for my tastes but never-the-less is fairly friendly to the glasses wearer. The ERX comes with some of the elongated Westone style single flange tips, as well as Ety dual and triple flange tips. For the me, the new duals in medium are so much more comfortable than any previous Ety tip; they are also slightly shorter, so perhaps this is part of the reason for that extra comfort. Rounding out the accessories are a couple of extra filters, a tool to remove the old ones and Drop branded, oval zipper case. Simple and utilitarian. As mentioned before, the ERX tuning is somewhat of a juiced up or hot-rodded ER4XR. Drop bills it as a tuning somewhere between the ER4XR and the EVO and I’d have to agree. While the ERX begins to stray a little more consumer than the ER4XR, it still doesn’t get too far removed from a reference and neutral-ish signature. The ERX is a downward sloping frequency response. Bass is full and pleasing, yet well controlled and nicely textured. The midrange is a little fuller and richer than the ER4XR, yet still maintains the trademark Ety clarity and transparency. Treble, on the ERX, is relaxed, smooth and a little dark. Overall it is a warm-neutral, yet musical presentation. Comparisons via Mac Mini >> Pi2AES (via AES) >> RME ADI-2 PRO FS R Vs ER4XR The ERX bass is fuller and denser. It also comes across warmer and deeper sounding than the ER4XR. Even though I expect extension is similar, it's just that the boost just feels more palpable down low. Even though the ERX boost is fuller and richer, it isn’t necessarily better textured than the ER4XR. The ERX controls its bass boost well and doesn’t feel looser than the ER4XR. Overall I’d say the bass boost of the ERX is bit more pleasing and satisfying. The midrange is plenty clear on both models, however the ERX is richer and fuller with both male and female vocals. On the ER4XR they all leaner with more energy and greater sense of transparency. This leaner midrange is also more nuanced and resolving of lower level detail, for better or worse. In contrast the ERX is just the next level smoother and more forgiving. Where the ER4XR can present recorded sibilants more forward, the ERX tends to smooth them over, for an easier going, albeit somewhat less resolving presentation. The trend continues with rock distortion guitars. They are noticeably fuller sound on the ERX, as well as smoother, with comparatively more rounded transients. The ER4XR has greater bite and attack, giving rock guitars more crunch. The ER4XR is brighter in lower treble, where the upper mid transitions into treble. The ERX sounds somewhat duller and darker here. Cymbals have less splash and sparkle and seem further back in the presentation. There’s not a whole lot of difference in staging; both are pretty much in-head, like most Etys, but the ERX feels more dynamic with a bit better portrayal of depth. Overall the ERX comes across as a slightly safer, slightly more consumer oriented tuning compared to the more reference ER4XR tuning. While slightly less resolving and nuanced than the ER4XR, the ERX is easier to get along with, easier to just get lost in the music without concentrating quite so hard on the detail. Vs ER2XR The ER2XR bass is fuller and more robust. It also lingers longer with more overt texturing. While extension seems ultimately similar, the ER2XR rumbles a good bit louder and longer, and the dynamic driver bass of the ER2XR has a bit more natural roundedness to it. In contrast, the ERX sounds much better controlled, and more tastefully restrained in its level of boost. The ER2XR bass is certainly fun but is obviously much more removed from a reference signature. The ER2XR places both male and female vocals much more forward and considerably richer, whereas the ERX is feels more neutrally balanced and natural in comparison. The ER2XR also pushed natural sibilants more forward and was overall less smooth throughout the midrange. Rock guitars are thicker, yet more aggressive on the ER2XR, while acoustic guitar reverberations, if mic’d a bit hot, can be somewhat overwhelming on the ER2XR. The ERX maintains a more balanced composure that is both smoother and better nuanced of low level detail. Both of the Ety’s are bit more forgiving in treble, compared to the more reference tunings in the ER4 series. Cymbals and hi-hats have a bit more more presence in the ER2XR, making the ERX sound just a bit too smoothed over in comparison. Both, again, present a mostly in-head presentations. Perhaps the ER2XR sounds a little deeper front to back while staging everything much closer to the listener. The ERX places you a few rows further way, as well as sounding a little wider left to right. End Note Drop and Ety have successfully pulled off their Frankensteined project. The ERX is different enough from either of its progenitors to be a unique and compelling offering. It looks good, its pretty comfortable for an Ety, and best of all, it sounds really good. Well done. On the Drop rating 1-5 scale and considering all the Etys I've heard, I'd give the ERX a 4.75.

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Jk458

Aug 26, 2022

Dontcha love self-important people?

•

Motorrad

2898

Oct 20, 2022

Bro...bro...broooooo, literally take your entire comment, write it backwards then punch yourself in the face. Seriously, bro, BRO!

sdentremont

Aug 5, 2022

I've been listening to the ERX for a few days, so I'll give some thoughts from someone who is very familiar with Etymotic IEMs. Just as a preface to the review, I have owned or heard most Etymotic IEMs - HF5, ER4P, ER4S, ER4B, ER3SE, ER3XR, ER4SR, ER4XR, ER2SR, ER2XR, EVO... and now ERX. When I heard about a modified ER4XR in an EVO type shell, frankly I wasn't very optimistic. Why make it bigger? Why yet another slight variant? So I was pleasantly surprised in two ways. First, the sound, while similar to ER4XR in some ways, is more laid back. And second, they have introduced a new eartip I haven't personally seen before... and it's awesome. If you're familiar with the EVO, the shell of the ERX is identical but black (as far as my memory serves). It's at least essentially the same. This does give the benfit of a more secure fit for me. The old barrel design of previous models fits very deep (I probably wear it deeper than most), but the barrel can be torqued and it can be uncomfortable if that happens. The new shell design - for me at least - provides a bit better security from movement as it sits in the mold of my ear better preventing lateral movement. The cable is the oddly not common Estron T2 style. A good 4 feet or so in length. I feel like MMCX is fairly unanimously preferred by everyone I've seen comment about this. Nonetheless, I personally find the cable to be decent quality and styling. The cable is easily removed but feels pretty firmly connected. The center split section is small, the right angle 3.5 connector is compact, and the earpiece connectors also compact. The cable is average/thin in style. I personally like the sold sheath design, and it works well with the included cord neck cinch. It has a medium amount of springyness. Nothing objectionable, but sort a soft feeling touch with a slight memory springyness. The accessories are also nice, It comes with a much preferred semi hard case that sits between the old soft pouch and the newer ER4 chonky cases. It is pocket-able to some degree but not too small that it's hard to fit the earphone and a bag of tips in the case together. I'm a fan. The eartips are a bit more sparse than previous inclusions - 2 sizes of bi-flang silicone, 1 tri-flange silicone, 3 sizes of the new tip (reminiscent of shure star tips i think). The foam tips are missing altogether, which is a shame. However, the new tips are a very welcome addition. They are my new favorite tip. They may isolate just a touch less than the other tips, however, the are incredibly easy to insert very deeply and provide the expected sound. Lastly, there is a set of spare green filters and filter removal tool. So how do they sound?... They are very reminiscent of the ER4XR with a more subdued treble region. Frankly, on graph this looks very unappealing to me. The Etymotic treble is sacred in it's neutrality in most ways. However, I'm pleasantly surprised that it is nowhere near the effect I expected. It honestly has more extension and clarity than I expected, but just at a more relaxed level. I believe it is the way that the treble is still very linear and smooth, but just slightly tilted downward. This has the effect of making them sound a little bit more laid back and perhaps warm to some degree. But they still retrieve a lot of detail and nuance in Etymotic fashion. The ERX treble is a little more dry and laid back in a sense. The ERX might have improved stereo imaging (just a tad) providing a slight increase in spaciousness, but it's honestly not a drastic change. I feel the EVO shared this quality but to an even stronger degree. The old barrel style Etymotics all seem to have a more "wall in front of you" sort of sound field. The new shell styles somehow seem to improve that to be a bit more spacious. Perhaps it's just the difference in tuning? I'm not sure. Despite the lower treble compared to other Ety models, the response is still very well balanced between bass, mids, and treble... Just at a slightly more relaxed angle. The treble still maintains a precise sound and a smooth quality. The mids are very neutral and transparent, and the bass has a nice clarity and presence for a BA. No dynamic punch here, but if you are familiar with Etymotic earphones you should have a general idea of what to expect. Similar to ER4XR but slightly "drier" sounding to my ears. That might be influenced by the treble shape and texture as bass instruments naturally still have high frequency content and will be affected by the difference in treble. Technicalities seem a step behind EVO, but are still very good. The background is black and clean and the imaging is precise. Let's look at some graphs. You can find these on my site http://dent.reviews . These are measured on an IEC711 coupler. Resonance peak is typically targeted at 10khz, but can vary with tips. Please note this when comparing. Let me know if you have any questions on my measurement methods. Here is the overall response. Looks pretty nice, but a bit recessed in the treble. This is my personal target based on my years of audio engineering using reference studio monitors in treated mixing rooms. I don't claim it's perfect, but to my ears this sounds very close to a studio monitor neutrality. The treble is very similar to the IEF target, but the bass has a tilt towards low/sub bass boost a bit.

So you can see the bass doesn't fully meet my target, but this area is personally less critical than the treble for me and bass is very decent for a BA driver. The 3-11khz region is definitely lower than I would prefer, however, since it is smooth and not a single drastic dip or dips, it doesn't sound objectionable, but rather just more laid back. Here is a comparison to the EVO. You can see the EVO has a slightly nicer bass shape for my preference, tilting upwards down low. Treble is also a bit more linear.

Here is the ERX with added 75ohm Etymotic adapter. This is my preferred way to listen to them. It does take a large hit on volume due to the added impedance, but my JDS Element has zero issues driving them and the treble shape is ever so slightly more neutral. I'm curious to hear these with even more impedance or a less strong filter (white/brown).

Here is the ER4XR for comparison. You can see almost identical bass shape and treble shape, with just less presence between 2-8khz.

Here is the ER4S (still my personal favorite) for comparison. The ER4S is noticeably more "tilted" towards a brighter, less bassy tonality. It almost looks like the ERX takes the ER4S frequency line and just rotates it clockwise pivoting around 1k...

Same comparison with the resonance peak shifted to match the ER4S measurement I had.

So to conclude my impressions about the overall sound, I'm pleasantly surprised that it is a more relaxed ER4XR in sound without sounding inferior. I feel as though this might be an excellent entry point into the higher end ER series for newcomers to Etymotic. The relaxed sound might be easier to get along with than say the ER4S/R. The new eartip style makes them much more approachable in my opinion as well, as they feel much easier to insert and have less pressure discomfort. But you can still move to the other tip styles if you prefer. They appear to still be compatible with all the ER4 tips and filters, so that's good too. For me, It's a very welcome "relaxed" ER4 that I actually like more than I thought I would. I can easily recommend it as a very competent ER series earphone. I would steer those looking for a more laid back experience to this model. It provides the Etymotic experience while remaining an "easier" experience overall. Great build quality and comfort in a more modern styling to boot. In an ideal world for the user, the price would probably be closer to $200 and include MMCX and all the eartips. Heck, why not throw in a filter kit for people to experiment with too? This would be the best "all around" Etymotic model out there and more approachable. But as it stands, frankly, I think the sound is worth the price in many ways. The market is very competitive, but no other brand has the deep fitting style that provides isolation and superb response consistency backed by a company that tends to stand behind their products. I give it 5/5 for typical Etymotic sound and quality and 4/5 for price value. Stay tuned for a video review soon as well. If you read this far I applaud your patience and sanity...

(Edited)

Recommends this product? Yes

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sdentremont

Aug 21, 2022

In the written review I was primarily comparing it to etymotic iems, because those familiar with etymotic are very likely to be considering these. And it gives a bit of insight into the differences. Perhaps I should have mentioned other iems, yes. In terms of the price, it isn't very similar to the SR sound as it is the XR, and most online stores have the er4xr for 250-350. Amazon does currently have the er4xr for 200, and I did mention that the erx would be better priced lower for sure. Nonetheless, it is different in multiple ways, so that value is up to the opinion of the purchaser. Regarding b2 and timeless, I like both of those for certain reasons, but I would argue the erx with brown filters is more accurate in a strictly response sense. However, b2 and timeless are shallow fit and different driver tech. So that will mean different people will either prefer those or prefer something like the etymotic. None stand out as clearly better in every way, but each has its strengths. From a price standpoint, whether you think the erx is overpriced or not, I think it does compete with other iems even at 250-300. Is it the best for the price? Probably not, as I mentioned in the review. It has steep competition for sure. Including etymotic's own er2xr. But fans of etymotic may prefer it over those other options. I was trying mostly to give an indication of where I believe it sits in the etymotic lineup. I'm glad to answer any questions, and please check out the video review for more details.

Ivabign

138

Nov 20, 2022

sdentremontInteresting - the new tips look a lot like the Westone silicone tips included with so many of their IEMs over the years - I have always liked them.

Animagus

Aug 29, 2022

Verified Buyer

The review was originally published on our website - Twister6. Direct link to the ERX review - DROP + Etymotic ERX review.

PROS: Good VFM proposition in its price segment, excellent craftsmanship, build and finish, snug and deep fit, very well-tuned fun take on Etymotic style of reference tuning, good accurate tonality of instruments, good clarity and resolution for the price. CONS: Not the best upper-treble extension, proprietary nozzle and Estron T2 cable connector not the best for people who like using their favourite eartips and premium 3rd party cables, need a good snug and deep fit to sound its true self.

About ERX Collaboration. DROP state that their goal was simple - take the community’s most sought-after features from past Etymotic releases and put them into one pair of earphones. The result was a blend of two Etymotic all-timers: the ER4XR and the EVO. From the ER4XR, they took the expressive, ultra-consistent single-balanced-armature design and from the EVO, the in-concha form factor which features Etymotic’s signature deep-insertion build, with a natural shape and next to no protrusion outside of the ear. Tuned together with Etymotic, they say that it has got a sound that sits somewhere between its two predecessors but like to think that its sound is greater than the sum of its parts.

Technical Specifications.

Drop + Etymotic
Frequency Response: 20Hz - 16KHz
Transducers: Single high-performance balanced armature per channel
Nominal Impedance: 45 Ohms @ 1kHz
Sensitivity: 98 dB SPL for a 0.1Vrms input into IEC60318-4 ear simulator @1KHz
Maximum Output: 120dB SPL
Cable: 4 ft length, user-replaceable, with Estron T2 connectors

Included in the box.

ERX Earphone Pair
ER T2 Cable with Earhook
2 Dampers
Filter Tool
Eartips - Single Flange (S, M & L) Double Flange (M & L), Triple Flange (L)
Carry Pouch

Build Quality, Fit and Comfort. ERX has EVO's shells but are made of stainless steel instead of aluminium that the EVO shells were made of. They are very well built and have DROP's logo on the left faceplate and Etymotic's on the right. They have a snug and deep fitting fit and form factor like most Etymotics but one that is much better than the violating fit of the tubular Etymotic IEMs. Sadly, ERX too has the proprietary long and slender nozzle of the EVO, which restricts everyone from using and tip rolling their favourite tips since it can only fit the proprietary Etymotic tips. However, you do get single, double and triple flange tips in the package to customise the fit and comfort as per your preference. All in all, ERX is an IEM that has a very secure fit, one that remains comfortable for long hours and can even fit under your helmet without any discomfort.

Cable - I can appreciate Etymotic for designing a better rubber cable than most, one that doesn't entangle as easily and isn't too microphonic but I wish they had gone with 2-pin/MMCX connectors over the less popular Estron T2 connectors. I actually like T2 as a connector more than MMCX but it's more about T2 not being widely adopted and mainly the inability to use the several 2-pin/MMCX premium cables audiophiles generally already own. Otherwise, T2 is actually a better design than MMCX; is highly durable, has no intermittence problem, there is minimal socket wear to last a long time (unlike MMCX), has a stable pull force, has an IP-67 rating and is highly reliable (enough to be used in medical industry). Luckily, some brands like Effect Audio, PlusSound and Satin Audio already offer T2 (IPX) connector as an option on custom cables. Effect Audio have also now started offering the T2 (IPX) connector in their excellent ConX system (swappable connectors). So, if you own ConX cables from Effect Audio, maybe you already have an IPX (T2) connector in the box or can order just the connector for yourself instead of a new cable.

About Etymotic. I'm sure most of you don't need an introduction into the world of Etymotic but for those who have been living under a rock - Etymotic is one of the foremost R&D based IEM manufacturers who have been in the industry for close to four decades now. It was established in 1983 with an emphasis on auditory research and engineering-driven product design. Etymotic turned heads just one year later by inventing the first insert earphones for audiological research—the ER1, ER2, and ER3, which are still used in the field today. In 1991, the brand released its first consumer Hi-Fi insert earphone - the ER4, which was the first earphone of its kind to use balanced armature drivers, previously used only in hearing aids. After many years and ER4 iterations, Etymotic released the EVO in 2021, branching out with a multi-driver in-concha design. Through all of these innovations, the brand has stayed true to one signature that’s undeniably Etymotic: earphones that sit deep in the ear canal. It’s an unmistakable, some would say superior design choice and listening experience.

Sounds Analysis.
Summary - ERX is a slight fun take on Etymotic reference tuning and can be categorised as warm-neutral. It has a tastefully tuned 3dB bass shelf, neutral lower-midrange, ~8dB forward upper-midrange pinna gain, smoother lower-treble, a peak around 10kHz that introduces good sparkle and warmer upper-treble post 12.5kHz. All in all, ERX comes across as a very well balanced neutral-warm IEM that will definitely please the hardcore Etymotic fans as well as people who prefer a warm-ish reference sound signature.

Graphs are measured using an IEC711 coupler setup.

I can clearly see the ER4XR and EVO inspiration and all they’ve taken and tweaked from both of them. It has around 3dB less of a bass shelf than EVO, fairly neutral lower-midrange like the ER4XR, 2dB less pinna gain (1k-5kHz) than both ER4XR and EVO, and treble that is more like the ER4XR but slightly more in quantity and better balanced in comparison. I’m sure Etymotic fans and people who like reference tuning will see the ERX graphing as an ideal mix of reference, fun and musical. Drivability (Heads up) - ERX has an impedance of 45Ω and sensitivity of 98dB which makes for an IEM that likes some juice. It can be driven by the average smartphone and laptop but reaches good levels by almost maxing the volume - 80% on OnePlus 7 Pro and 75% on my MacBook Pro. Let's dig in deeper... Bass - 3dB of bass shelf might not seem like a lot but with a reference-ish signature with fairly smooth treble presentation, bass is actually presented extremely cleanly and is quite well balanced. It certainly goes for bass accuracy than quantity but definitely isn't lacking in any way. Sure, this is balanced armature bass and not a boosted dynamic driver in design, so don't expect to hear big in your face rumble or slam. If you know what Etymotic generally goes for, you'll know that this a very tasteful take on neutral bass tuning that favours staying true to the song than boosting and making the bass sound massive and larger than life. It is still a fun take on reference and you'll definitely be bobbing your head to stuff like Dua Lipa's 'Future Nostalgia' album and other records which have extremely well played dynamic bass lines. Mids - Midrange is the strongest suite of Etymotic tuning and ERX is no different. It has fairly neutral lower-midrange and a pinna gain peak of 8dB which presents a really good forward upper-midrange with really good tonality of instruments. There is no muddiness in the lower-midrange and that very slightly contour around 500-600 Hz makes sure of it. Vocals and instruments have excellent presence, bite, definition and crunch because of the well executed pinna gain rise and peak. Treble - ERX's treble presentation is on the warm side but one that comes off well balanced and makes for good clarity and detail retrieval. Its lower-treble and upper-treble are slightly warmer than what I personally prefer but it is otherwise so well done that you can't fault it much. Being a single balanced armature, it of course does not have the best upper-treble extension (as you can see in the graph), which was the same case with the ER4XR too. If you've heard ER4XR, expect ERX to be fairly similar but with slightly better treble presence in comparison. Technical performance - ERX has really good clarity and detail retrieval for a single BA and fairly good imaging and soundstage. It is actually quite impressive, unless you compare it to the segment leader - Moondrop Blessing2, another popular reference IEM in this price segment. It falls short particularly in the left to right separation as well as the size and openness of soundstage when compared to the Blessing2, but is still better than 80-90% of other IEMs I've tried in this segment.

Comparisons.

- Etymotic ER4XR.

Graphs matched at 500Hz instead of the standard 1kHz for better comparison.

They are fairly similar sounding IEMs but with some key differences. ERX comes across warmer and less shoutier than ER4XR because of lesser pinna gain (less forward 1k-6kHz). So, instrument bite and definition is slightly pulled back in the ERX, which makes it sound slightly fuller in comparison. Because of this the focus moves towards the bass a bit more and it is the ERX that sounds like it has more bass quantity. The graph comparison was particularly matched at 500Hz to show this more clearly. ERX sounds ever so slightly brighter in treble overall and because of that, ERX sounds slightly airier and better extended than ER4XR, which in turn helps balancing the extra bass quantity and also a bit with better detail retrieval. But on the other hand, ER4XR has more bite and crunch because of the extra pinna gain, so guitars and vocals will come off slightly more forward and stronger on the ER4XR than the ERX. Overall, ERX ends up sounding like a slightly V-shaped, fun and musical take on the ER4XR and that is exactly what DROP and Etymotic had set out to do as per their marketing material. - Moondrop Blessing2.

Blessing2 is hybrid with 1DD+4BA whereas ERX is a 1BA IEM. Blessing2 follows Moondrop VDSF target of reference tuning, which actually takes inspiration from the Harman Target research. Even though ERX is being offered at an introductory price of $249 at the moment, Blessing2 will be ERX's strongest competition at its actual pricing of $300. Sound wise, Blessing2 with its Harman-ish sound signature comes from the other school of reference tuning, which can be seen as more V-shaped when compared to Etymotic's ER4SR/XR as the reference. Blessing2 has 3-4db more of a bass shelf, a more forward upper-midrange and also brighter treble, with better treble extension up top in comparison. ERX comes off warmer and slightly fuller in the lower-midrange in comparison because of lesser upper-midrange and treble quantity. ERX is less shoutier in the upper-midrange as a result too. Blessing2 has slightly better technical performance out of the two, with a more open, wider and deeper soundstage, better left to right separation and also better detail retrieval. With that said, just know that ERX is no slouch and is quite a capable performer itself, just that it loses against the Blessing2 in my opinion. ERX style of tuning could be more preferable to fans of Etymotic style of reference tuning, whereas the Blessing2 can come off a bit bright in comparison. Another advantage that ERX has over the Blessing2 at the moment is its current pricing of $249, which makes $80 cheaper and that could be a deciding factor for many. Conclusion. Do I think this collaboration between DROP and Etymotic is a success - yes, definitely! ERX is a very well tuned product that takes the good stuff from EVO and ER4XR, resulting in an IEM that sounds like a fun and musical take on the ER4XR but with EVO style excellent stainless steel shells that have a more comfortable fit and form factor than the regular Etymotic IEMs. What works even more in its favour is that it is cheaper than both the ER4XR and the EVO (significantly). It does face some good competition from reference IEMs from the Moondrop camp but it will definitely impress and work for fans of the Etymotic school of reference tuning. If only DROP could've convinced Etymotic to 'drop' the proprietary nozzle and Estron T2 connector cable design, it would've been an even bigger win for audiophiles, especially those who like cable and tip rolling with premium offerings they already own. Still, ERX is a very good sounding, well rounded product that gets a recommendation from my side!

Gear used for testing and review.

DAPs – iBasso DX240 & DX170 | HiBy R5ii | Lotoo PAW6000
Laptop – Apple Macbook Pro 15″
Phone – OnePlus 7 Pro

Artists I like and listen to.

Rock - Foo Fighters, Linkin Park, Switchfoot, Imagine Dragons, Daughtry, Green Day, MuteMath, X Ambassadors, Dave Matthews Band, Vertical Horizon, Our Lady Peace, Lifehouse, Fall Out Boy, Breaking Benjamin, Muse, ACDC, Audioslave, Rage Against the Machine, Biffy Clyro, I Am Giant, Normandie, Paramore, Slash & Guns N Roses, 3 Doors Down.
Pop Rock - John Mayer, Coldplay, Paul McCartney, James Bay, Hunter Hayes, Niall Horan, Keith Urban, The Bros Landreth, Bryan Adams.
Progressive Rock/Metal - Porcupine Tree/Steven Wilson, Karnivool, Tool, Dead Letter Circus, Periphery, Lamb of God.
Pop/Soft Rock - Ed Sheeran, Adele, Taylor Swift, OneRepublic, The Script, Gavin James, Magic Man, Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, Charlie Puth, Dua Lipa, The Weeknd, Oasis, Panic! At the Disco, TwentyOne Pilots.
EDM - Chainsmokers, Zedd.

(Edited)

Recommends this product? Yes

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Akmax57

Apr 22, 2023

AnimagusGood to see the improvement in comfort and microphonics. I bought the original version in the early 90's. Great sound, but not very comfortable. Even with that, I would have used them much more than I did if not for the horrible microphonics. Durable though- had them for 15 years before a cable finally broke. Too bad they didn't make detachable cables back then.

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ScrumpyTungus

Nov 28, 2022

Verified Buyer

Amazing Isolation and Great Tuning

The ERX are great IEMs if you're looking for something with a detailed, mostly neutral tuning, and amazing isolation. I will mention though, I like how deep in my ears Etymotic products sit as that's something that allows them to block so much noise. If you're reading this and don't like deep seated IEMs, you should probably look for something else. With that said, these are really comfortable Etymotics. They included plenty of tips, and the use of the sturdy EVO shell design is welcome as they conform to my ears unlike the barrel shaped shell used in the normal ER series. The new shell also allows for the cable to loop over my ears instead of sticking straight out, which was a huge reason why I bought these despite having another pair of Etymotic IEMs. In terms of structure and fit actually, the ERX fixes all the issues I had with my ER2se (including the noisy cable those had). Now, for sound: I love how these are tuned. I generally like neutral/bright sound signatures, hence why I opted for ER2se before this, and these are just a touch warm of neutral. They're well balanced. The midrange is detailed, and the slight bump in bass adds just a little bit of extra life to songs without being distracting or overly coloring the sound. The treble doesn't disappoint either; cymbals still shine like they should. The main reason I got Etymotic IEMs is for isolation and for their neutral tuning, and these are the most isolating IEMs I have ever used. I originally got my ER2se for use while playing drums, and while those did a great job, the ERX is even better. The isolation they provide allows me to hear my bandmates and myself in the mix, without having to turn up the headphone volume, even if I'm playing really loud. I love these for that. Even outside that specific use case though, the ERX is fast becoming my favorite IEM, even just for casual listening. They're comfortable, well isolating, and sound great. I don't think I can ask for more.

Recommends this product? Yes

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ScrumpyTungus

Nov 28, 2022

Sure thing, I'm using the medium double flanged tips. I've listened to the ERX through my phone, my DAPs (Activo ct10 and Fiio m5), my schiit modi/magni, and through my Tascam model 12 mixer. They sound great on all of them.

Musicguy50

Dec 14, 2022

Complyfoam t-100’s. Sources- iPhone and MacBook Air

euzaurus

Dec 5, 2022

Verified Buyer

Favorite Etymotic

The barrel type ER's are easier to seat in my ears, and the ERX requires more finagling to get it right, but are more comfortable once seated. Sound wise, they're pretty great. They may be my favorite Ety's.

Recommends this product? Yes

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Mimimouto

Dec 16, 2022

Verified Buyer

Good for ASMR

I'm not much of an IEM guy, but wanted to give it another chance seeing how these seemed rather well received. (spoiler: it hasn't changed) My main use for these is in bed where I need to use something that doesn't leak sound, and it is there to stay. When out I'm either using the Apple Airpods Pro (1st Gen) or Massdrop Plus. I'm happy to say that the ERXs sound better than either of those, but there are some reasons why I choose not to pocket them outside:

The Massdrop Plus, at least for me, have a better fit than the ERXs. They are also a lot less heavy with how the ERXs' housing is made of steel.
The external noise and my own movements alone are enough to ruin the sound experience for me, in which case I have found the Airpods Pros with noise cancellation to do a better job of mitigating these factors.

Thankfully though, the ERXs are great for what I am using them for mainly: ASMR. Neither the Airpods Pro or Massdrop Plus provide a satisfactory experience in that regard, nor did a pair of Shure SE215s I owned before. Meanwhile the ERXs are impactful, in the sense that the sound actually feels like it is physically touching your ear canals. I did like the Koss KSC75 for this purpose too, but those leak sound (they're earclip headphones) and I already broke 2 of them :'D (I also tried the KSC35 bluetooth version but the wireless experience was awful). When it comes to simply listening to music, I can't say I prefer the ERXs because I'm not a fan of the tonality and "lack of spark" if that makes any sense. Perhaps this can be changed with some EQ, but in the end I'm more comfortable just grabbing my headphones (HD8xxs) that sound *and* feel good. (after some EQ too *ehem*) I think it's fair to say that while I might not be the best audience for this product, it is still very well made and stands out from the IEMs I've tried before. Good job!

Recommends this product? Yes

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jordosh

Jul 26, 2023

Activities:Casual Listening, Critical Listening

Music Genres:Classical, Country, Electronic, Jazz, Pop, R&B, Rock, World

Verified Buyer

Great for my train commute.

I bought them during a sale for $169. At that price, they are an incredible deal. Build quality is exceptional. These just feel substantial in your hand--they look plastic, but once you feel the metal, you know they're serious IEMs. I know some people have expressed dissatisfaction with the cable, but I haven't had any problems in the first few months of use. The sound is classic Etymotic: exceptionally neutral and clear. I'm using it with the iFi Go Link, which combines a high quality dac with a amp that drives these well, at a low price...and a small enough package that I can just keep the dongle connected to the headphones all the time. As with all Etymotic headphones, the deep insertion creates great isolation; in fact, I think it's better than ANC for canceling train noise. One of my favorite Drop purchases of all time.