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Etymotic ER3SE & ER3XR IEMs
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Etymotic ER3SE & ER3XR IEMs
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keyboard_arrow_downHynek
7
Feb 22, 2019
Wait, do these NOT feature the tragic two-wire cable I have with my both pairs of ER4? That thing is like it was designed to make the maximum amount of cable noise technologically possible. That alone seems like a great upgrade.
Hynek
7
Mar 6, 2019
I'm with you. I enjoy the isolation as well. It does take some extra neck turning though to make absolutely sure I have visual contact with the trafic. BTW good nick name to discuss that particular aspect! haha
lexs
117
Oct 5, 2021
It just makes zero sense that they cant bring these up to at least the [alleged] minimum 20 kHz of a human hearing range - Why leave off 4kHz ?
Its great they can isolate and bring audio right into my ear but if they cannot give me at a bare minimum 20kHz (in terms of work) these are a no - go. Such a shame as their tonality can actually be useful at times :/
a_name
4
May 4, 2022
Full audio range is 10 octaves. The last octave, or 1/10 of the audio range as perceived, is 10kHz to 20kHz.
Since the scale is logarythmic, 4kHz is actually less than 2/5 of that last octave. Look at a log scale, it's actually closer to 1/3.
Use a DSP tool of some sort to sharply filter out audio below 10kHz to see what the last octave is. It's swishy hissy sounds. It's the least important octave. So above 16kHz, if you can even hear it, is a fraction of the least important octave of the audio spectrum.
Also it can be fatiguing and annoying so it is often EQ'd down in music production and live sound systems.
There's nothing important up there, the last octave is trash.
JaegerD
190
Jun 25, 2022
a_nameThe thought of listening to just that range is enough to give me a headache
SephHaley
222
Jun 12, 2018
I recieved the ER3-SE’s for a graduation present, and I can honestly say I love these headphones. The midrange is very clean and smooth, and the highs are detailed without sibilance. The only thing about getting the SE version is the lack of bass, but this can be solved using an EQ to achieve a nice bass slam. Isolation is crazy good, I was using these on a flight and on my iPhone 7, I barely turned it past a quarter volume to block out all outside noise.
For those deciding between the SE and XR versions, I did my own listening tests between the two and found that: the XR has better bass quantity and bass slam, but suffers slight midrange clarity. The SE has very little bass quantity and almost no bass slam without some sort of EQ, but the midrange is super clean. As you can see, there’s a bit of trade off between the two, bass quantity and slam, or slight midrange clarity (let me note that it is a pretty slight difference in clarity, but it was enough for me to not want the XR version). I went with the SE version because I found that you could EQ the bass up to achieve an enjoyable slam and still retain the clarity of the stock SE.
Hope this helps with any decisions!
For those deciding between the SE and XR versions, I did my own listening tests between the two and found that: the XR has better bass quantity and bass slam, but suffers slight midrange clarity. The SE has very little bass quantity and almost no bass slam without some sort of EQ, but the midrange is super clean. As you can see, there’s a bit of trade off between the two, bass quantity and slam, or slight midrange clarity (let me note that it is a pretty slight difference in clarity, but it was enough for me to not want the XR version). I went with the SE version because I found that you could EQ the bass up to achieve an enjoyable slam and still retain the clarity of the stock SE.
Hope this helps with any decisions!
SephHaley
222
Jul 3, 2018
Either I use the software Foobar2000‘s built-in EQ on my computer, or just Spotify’s on my iPhone 7.
Rosiebar
126
May 9, 2018
Personal experience with the ER4SR as apparently they are tuned the same as this offering. SR vs. XR = picked up the SR after feedback emphasizing lower frequency response curve may impede upper frequencies (XR). These are single driver IEM so good luck in expecting balanced frequencies on both ends of the curve with these. Armature excel at high frequency so I decided to commit to the best offering a best case armature could provide. I found the ER4SR on sale new for $270 and consider this a good buy as I appreciate the aluminum housings. Plastic housing on these tiny buds would feel very cheap and scratch very easy I presume.
The sound the ER4SR gives is articulate. This is where the love comes from for Etymotic buds. I use a very good Amp / DAC to accommodate the buds although not required but in doing so I know just how articulate the sound these IEMs can provide. It can be a very intimate listening experience with good source music. Key is good source music. Argue the difference in compression, bit, DSD, Flaq, Wave, etc. but I would not want to listen to any source using cheap compression as these are a very revealing IEM. Using Tidal Hifi I can immediately tell when a track is either old analog, old analog remastered or new high definition or simply a bad recording. There is a dramatic difference. Again, once you plug into a long familiar song at 1411kbps remastered these buds are a personal, intimate connection with that track. It can be intoxicating as is the draw on any high quality music listening experience.
These IEMs isolate well. This was my primary purpose in purchasing Etymotic. I wanted isolation and detail. I can't see the reason anyone would settle for noise cancellation while sacrificing fidelity. Etymotic does this in spades. Good luck with your tips as this is an adventure on its own with flange, foam, rubber, etc. I ended up with generic brand silicone that isolate and are easy to insert / remove as necessary in an office environment.
The caveat with the Eytymotic is the single driver. If you purchase these as a top of the line IEM in your collection they should be wonderful with the understanding bass is and will always be under emphasized on these IEMs. I use them for acoustic singer song writer tunes and they are wonderful. If I want to get lost in some rock or EDM then these will not be my choice. If you purchase these as a step in the expensive path of a fidelity "jones" you may decide to purchase a nice quality multiple armature driver IEM as sold on Massdrop frequently. When you find that set of IEM's that have multiple drivers that represent low, mid, high frequencies in quality and detail as the one found in the Etymotic then it is a hard sell to put them away to grab the Ety's. Beware.
Enjoy the music!
The sound the ER4SR gives is articulate. This is where the love comes from for Etymotic buds. I use a very good Amp / DAC to accommodate the buds although not required but in doing so I know just how articulate the sound these IEMs can provide. It can be a very intimate listening experience with good source music. Key is good source music. Argue the difference in compression, bit, DSD, Flaq, Wave, etc. but I would not want to listen to any source using cheap compression as these are a very revealing IEM. Using Tidal Hifi I can immediately tell when a track is either old analog, old analog remastered or new high definition or simply a bad recording. There is a dramatic difference. Again, once you plug into a long familiar song at 1411kbps remastered these buds are a personal, intimate connection with that track. It can be intoxicating as is the draw on any high quality music listening experience.
These IEMs isolate well. This was my primary purpose in purchasing Etymotic. I wanted isolation and detail. I can't see the reason anyone would settle for noise cancellation while sacrificing fidelity. Etymotic does this in spades. Good luck with your tips as this is an adventure on its own with flange, foam, rubber, etc. I ended up with generic brand silicone that isolate and are easy to insert / remove as necessary in an office environment.
The caveat with the Eytymotic is the single driver. If you purchase these as a top of the line IEM in your collection they should be wonderful with the understanding bass is and will always be under emphasized on these IEMs. I use them for acoustic singer song writer tunes and they are wonderful. If I want to get lost in some rock or EDM then these will not be my choice. If you purchase these as a step in the expensive path of a fidelity "jones" you may decide to purchase a nice quality multiple armature driver IEM as sold on Massdrop frequently. When you find that set of IEM's that have multiple drivers that represent low, mid, high frequencies in quality and detail as the one found in the Etymotic then it is a hard sell to put them away to grab the Ety's. Beware.
Enjoy the music!
xfloggingkylex
23
May 11, 2018
RosiebarHave a recommendation on multi driver IEMs? I love my HF5s and will probably be buying a pair of these because for me the Ety fit is the easiest to use for long times. The other aspect is the clarity is unlike anything I have used before I just keep coming back to it over and over again. I listen to rock/posthardcore mostly and the lack of bass has never bothered me but I dont know where to go from the HF5 other than higher end Ety models.
Rosiebar
126
May 11, 2018
xfloggingkylexThis proved a challenge in that I wanted clarity, balance and isolation but already had the Ety's so I wanted a step up in IEM. Basically, if one driver sounds this good what can I get with multiple drivers. This opened a whole lot of IEM offerings where some specific models stand out as excellent options. Problem is price of course. After reading up on Westone, MEE, several Chinese brands with swap-able filters I was left with either purchasing a custom mold set at a grand or more or settling on the Shure 846s or Astell&Kern Angie. Both impress but both are expensive. If your aggressive in shopping for a deal you can get a like new, open box for a couple hundred less but stay clear of imitations as there are many. Luckily I found a set of ATH LS400's that seem to be little known except for one review on Major HiFi and some anecdotal forum info. What keyed me into these IEM's was the Major Hifi reviewers experience with the Shure 846s and how he referenced them in relation to the LS400s at a price of $300 less. I found the LS400s for $310 open box new so I grabbed them. After finding a good set of ear tips I found my isolation and balance that is on par with a 1k set of over ear, closed back headphones I have. I was impressed and tend to use them more then any other IEM, headphone I have as they sound balanced, detailed and best of all they get out of the way and let me listen to the music. So... I would suggest "not" spending over $500 for the Angies or 846s. I would also recommend "not" selecting any IEM that does not have at least three drivers with each driver dedicated to representing a low, mid, or high (armature). Be wary of any IEM that has two drivers dedicated to low if your primarily looking for mids and highs. If your able to find a pair of authentic Shure846s (not 5 series), Astell&Kern Angies or LS400s at a good price then I would grab them.
Also, remember that any IEM with a dynamic driver will require venting which will compromise isolation so I prefer an armature driver dedicated to each frequency in range compensating for the lack of a dynamic driver.
Good luck man.
Also, remember that any IEM with a dynamic driver will require venting which will compromise isolation so I prefer an armature driver dedicated to each frequency in range compensating for the lack of a dynamic driver.
Good luck man.
Calaverasgrande
1486
Mar 31, 2019
a bit dissapointed that they only go up to 16k?
Admit I can't hear a whole lot past 10k at my age. But I do notice that systems/heaphones which do get to 20k or past it, reveal more texture of the sound. Where ones that stop at 14-16k seem to sound fine but have less, I dont know how to call it, grain?
GiantHeadphoneSquid
639
Mar 31, 2019
CalaverasgrandeI think 16K is just the end of their reference spec for the response. Most headphones will mimic the human ear response and taper highly past 10K. Their measured behavior above 10K is good (https://www.innerfidelity.com/images/EtymoticER4SR.pdf , same 16K spec just 92% adherence in the ER4).
If anything Ety's might generally be considered a bit bright and detailed (hence introducing the bassier XR variants this current gen). . . the ER4-B isn't even tapered for the loudspeaker mastering in redbook (it's made for pure binaural recordings).
Indeed, if you delve into audio research into the upper extents of human hearing, you will likely come across the usage of medical grade balanced armature probes made by Etymotic that are used to generate high frequency in canal coupling. These consumer phones are largely a byproduct of their medical business funnily enough.
TLDR: These are highly accurate to the known thresholds of human hearing - which they helped chart ;)
PaulNS
87
Jun 1, 2019
CalaverasgrandeI can’t hear above 16k. Period. Just wait a few years :) I suppose there could technically be performance margins hiding in the figures.
The useless “10-100k” electrostatic specs make me shake my head.. sales oil as anything above 20k was never relevant, and now, 16k for me..
(Edited)
tapanojum
5
Feb 28, 2019
Just returned a pair of ER3XR to Amazon today. The sound was absolutely spectacular. The bass, although many consider light, I consider perfect. It's very tonal/punchy. I really love the sound of these things but unfortunately the ear penetration was a bit too much for me and caused ear pain/headache.
If you like this sound but don't find Etymotic's comfortable, consider getting the Ikko OH1. Similar sound but a much more comfortable fit.
Jaywalk3r
103
Mar 1, 2019
Yes, Ety ER3/4 feel very much like a fully-inserted foam earplug. If you can comfortably wear fully-inserted earplugs, then you should be able to comfortably wear Ety ER3/4.
As giantHeadphoneSquid pointed out, Etymōtic Research also makes earplugs that use the same tips as the ER3/4. The earplugs, however, have slightly larger housings, so cannot be inserted quite as deeply. I do not find my Ety earplugs to be as comfortable as my ER4 due to the larger housing.
Also, Ety offers, but does not include, a beige colored foam tip with a much smaller diameter than the included foam tips. These tips don't isolate quite as well as the included silicone tips, but allow less bone conduction than the silicone tips.
Rotorooter
11
Oct 14, 2018
I’m curious. Awhile back I was watching an R2R dac. People hammered the company because the design was so close to another, they felt it was illegally copied. They were upset with Massdrop for allowing it to be listed. I though they were off base but then that’s my opinion. Now I look at these and I see Klipsch X 10-11 and 12 design Being copied. The Dac was just a generic design but this shape is very unique to earphones.
Whyaskit
8
Oct 14, 2018
RotorooterEtymotic have been in business since 1983. They have had this style of headphone since 1991 (see the ER-4). If anything Klipsch took the design that Etymotic Research Originated and made the x11i (Came out in 2013 I think). This design style was copied, but not by Etymotic.
Rotorooter
11
Oct 14, 2018
WhyaskitKlipsch started the X series in 2008. Without checking I think it was an X-8 or 9. As I said to Luke Klipsch just modernized the basic design so they did use Etymotic concept. I was just curious because so many people got upset about the R2R Dac. I didn’t understand because honestly there is just a limited scope on designs. I mean like how much really difference is there between a basic turntable or amp from one manufacturer to another. Same thing with speakers and Dacs.
NielJM
40
Jun 16, 2018
BIGGUY4x4Not sure if this qualifies to answer ur question coz I didn't join the EDC3 drop...
However, I do have the Nuforce EDC and Nuforce BE6i... and in terms of sound, I find Nuforce to be "fun" sounding, meaning, to my ears, it's emphasis is on the bass, which is not a 'negative' by all means. But it doesn't muddy-up the mids, nor overpower the highs. The Nuforce has just enough definition to hear slight nuances to your music, and gives it just enough "oomph" to be an enjoyable listen. In terms of comfort, assuming the EDC3 has the same nozzle width as the EDC (which is about 3mm, somebody correct me if I'm mistaken), it's a very comfy iem for long listening sessions.
Now as for Etymotics, I've recently purchased the HF5 thru the recent drop (actually I'm on the fence for the ER3XR), at first, I found the fit rather 'violating' cause of the way the Etys go in your ear is a little deeper than I expected. But it is easy to get used to. It has become feeling both comfy and secure. Regarding the sound, you will definitely hear everything in your music, where everything is presented balanced, meaning highs are forward without the sibilance, mids are well presented, with the HF5 ever so slightly bumping up the bass. But where all the other iems fail, the Etys desimates...is Isolation. The isolation on the Etys is spectacular to say the least, as better isolations leads to better focus... simply, you focus on the honest sound being presented to you, everything else, disappears. For comparison, I have the Fiio F5, F9, FH1, F9 Pro, TFZ Series 5, 5s, and Exclusive 5, Kinera H3, Nuforce EDC and BE6i, Thinksound ON2, ATH-MSR7se, AKG K181, but the Ety HF5 desimates them all in isolation. That IS saying something ;) (Hence, why I am on the fence on these ER3 as they are reviewed to be better than the HF5)
So imho, to sum it up:
Comfort: Nuforce EDC and Ety HF5 - same as they both have slender nozzles. Both are secure as the EDC has the over the ear pre-formed cable and the Etys deep insertion.
Sound: Nuforce is a laid back, 'enjoy-your-music' presentation. Etys HF5 is analytical, hear everything as it was mixed or intended (it is also enjoyable due to the slight bump in bass.
Isolation: Nuforce EDC is somewhere on the average passive isolation, similar to most non-ciems. Etys HF5 cancels out the world around you so you can focus on your music.
These are my opinions only. Except for isolation, I couldn't say that one is better than the other as they both have their own sound signatures, that will suit different genres, different tastes and various moods even.
Cheers! (pardon me for the lengthy read)
However, I do have the Nuforce EDC and Nuforce BE6i... and in terms of sound, I find Nuforce to be "fun" sounding, meaning, to my ears, it's emphasis is on the bass, which is not a 'negative' by all means. But it doesn't muddy-up the mids, nor overpower the highs. The Nuforce has just enough definition to hear slight nuances to your music, and gives it just enough "oomph" to be an enjoyable listen. In terms of comfort, assuming the EDC3 has the same nozzle width as the EDC (which is about 3mm, somebody correct me if I'm mistaken), it's a very comfy iem for long listening sessions.
Now as for Etymotics, I've recently purchased the HF5 thru the recent drop (actually I'm on the fence for the ER3XR), at first, I found the fit rather 'violating' cause of the way the Etys go in your ear is a little deeper than I expected. But it is easy to get used to. It has become feeling both comfy and secure. Regarding the sound, you will definitely hear everything in your music, where everything is presented balanced, meaning highs are forward without the sibilance, mids are well presented, with the HF5 ever so slightly bumping up the bass. But where all the other iems fail, the Etys desimates...is Isolation. The isolation on the Etys is spectacular to say the least, as better isolations leads to better focus... simply, you focus on the honest sound being presented to you, everything else, disappears. For comparison, I have the Fiio F5, F9, FH1, F9 Pro, TFZ Series 5, 5s, and Exclusive 5, Kinera H3, Nuforce EDC and BE6i, Thinksound ON2, ATH-MSR7se, AKG K181, but the Ety HF5 desimates them all in isolation. That IS saying something ;) (Hence, why I am on the fence on these ER3 as they are reviewed to be better than the HF5)
So imho, to sum it up:
Comfort: Nuforce EDC and Ety HF5 - same as they both have slender nozzles. Both are secure as the EDC has the over the ear pre-formed cable and the Etys deep insertion.
Sound: Nuforce is a laid back, 'enjoy-your-music' presentation. Etys HF5 is analytical, hear everything as it was mixed or intended (it is also enjoyable due to the slight bump in bass.
Isolation: Nuforce EDC is somewhere on the average passive isolation, similar to most non-ciems. Etys HF5 cancels out the world around you so you can focus on your music.
These are my opinions only. Except for isolation, I couldn't say that one is better than the other as they both have their own sound signatures, that will suit different genres, different tastes and various moods even.
Cheers! (pardon me for the lengthy read)
WilcoRoger
27
May 10, 2018
If you have ANY Etymotic product, in ANY condition (broken, etc) you are eligible for the Etymotic "Out-of-Warranty & Special Purchase Options"
The ER3 series is sold at $125 in that programme, direct from Etymotic.com
The ER3 series is sold at $125 in that programme, direct from Etymotic.com
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