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Etymotic ER4SR IEM
01 / 09
Etymotic ER4SR IEM
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Product Description
A classic IEM that’s been refined over decades, the Etymotic ER4 gets its latest update in the ER4SR: a model that delivers accurate, reference-quality sound with excellent noise isolation—up to 42 dB of reduction, to be exact. The ER4SR features precision-matched and custom-tuned balanced armature drivers inside sleek anodized aluminum housings, along with a detachable 5-foot-long cable that ends in a 3.5-millimeter gold-plated stereo plug Read More
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Customer Reviews
4.8
(55 reviews)
5star(45)
4star(8)
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keyboard_arrow_downmarmul
20
Nov 26, 2019
checkVerified Buyer
These were exactly what I had hoped for
I owned a previous version of the Ety ER4's a little over a decade ago, I liked the sound a lot but did not care for the cable noise and the weight of the cable. Sitting perfectly still worked well for me but obviously not an ideal resolution. Eventually I had an issue with one side of the headphones and after they were returned from service (both sides replaced) the sound signature was very different and they fell out of favor (I tried burning them in). Luckily I had my Ety ER6i's (which are probably my favorite all around IEM ever) and listened to them more than any other headphone/IEM I owned. Along came the ER4XR's. Durable, lightweight, much better, lighter, quieter cable and a slight extension on the bass side makes them my new favorite IEM's. The bass extension is not fatiguing in my opinion. Ety, bring back the ER6i's!
Recommends this product? Yes
Evshrug
3772
Community
Feb 9, 2020
marmulAlso have a pair of ER•6i, my first “Hi-Fi” headphones of any kind! Purchased at 2005 MacWorld.
johan101
12
Nov 16, 2018
checkVerified Buyer
Solid construction and very well built. The deep in-ear insertion takes some getting use to but once you get pass that, the transparency and delivery of the music is par none.
Bass? It is there when it is there in the music and not when it is not.
Any gripes? With the introduction of the MMCX connector for cable replacement, was hoping for the ability to change to my own personal custom cables. Unfortunately, due to the proprietary notch, it makes such options next to impossible. I only hope that Etymotic would produce some adapters or cables for wireless listening to these in the future.
AnalogRelic
74
Mar 18, 2021
checkVerified Buyer
Excellent sounding IEMs at a great price
I’ll get the hard part out of the way first: Some people just plain don’t like IEMs, especially deep-inserting ones like the Etymotics. I get it. I agree that if an earphone is not comfortable for you, nothing else, including sound, matters. I also assume that if you are in that group, You are not even reading this. I don’t mind the fit, although I will say that I tried a lot of third-party tips before finally finding something that gave me good isolation and good comfort.
This is not my first rodeo with Etymotic. I have owned hf series and the ER3XR. I decided to take the plunge when Drop added the ER4XR/SR. I bought the XR version so all my comments relate to that.
The 3XR and the 4XR are like fraternal twins. They are very much alike in their overall signature. The improvements in the 4XR are subtle, aut they are across-the-board— Bass is distinct and tight (and solid with a proper fit). Mids are smooth and just about as neutral as it gets. The high end is smoother on the 4 than on the 3.
I haven’t heard the SR version but based on Etymotic’s description and my experience with the earlier hf series, I opted for the XR version with a little more heft at the bottom end. Very happy with the ‘enhancement’. It gives it a fuller, more solid sound without adding obvious coloration. NOTE- IMJ if someone complains ebout the bass, one or both of two factors is is in play: 1) They are a ‘bass head’ and accustomed to the ‘boom car’ sound that brands like Beats are designed to provide, or 2) Their fit isn’t right. BTW if the fit is right you don’t need to jam them in your ear as hard as possible; a gentle insert will do it.
Lastly, the 3 vs the 4: While the 4 is the ‘better’ earphone, the 3 may actually be a better choice if you use them mainly with portable battery powered devices like smartphones, due to the impedance being half that of the 4. My phone drives the 4 OK but I do have to turn the volume up fairly high, and I don’t listen that loudly. If you like to blast ‘em, maybe the 3.... Lastly I will say that the one thing I definitely like better on the 3 is the cable; the twisted wires on the 4 cable seem more prone to tangling. This is a nitpick though. Overall I highly recommend this product with the proviso that you may have to experiment with tips, including third-party. The new dual flange tips are an improvement in comfort though. Enjoy.
(Edited)
Recommends this product? Yes
Acezero911
1
Sep 6, 2021
AnalogRelicThanks for the great review, I was interested in how they compared to the 3, which I currently have. Would you mind sharing which third party tips you ended up using, I'm still struggling a little with the fit of mine.
AnalogRelic
74
Sep 6, 2021
Acezero911YMMV of course but the ones I settled on were Spin-Fit CP240M (they come in different sizes of course.) And the new dual-flange jobs from Etymotic themselves are a big improvement IMO over the earlier triple flanges. There will be a selection of sizes in the package. I must have tried every tip on the market I think, so some experimentation may be required. Memory foams like Comply are very adaptable but don’t last long in waxy ears like mine.
ZhiyaoYoung
144
Aug 9, 2018
checkVerified Buyer
Very neutral and well sealed earphones. I believe it's the most accurate one in the world.
junglist
36
Aug 9, 2020
checkVerified Buyer
ER4XR- Cannot Believe My Ears
These IEMs are much hyped and for good reason, they are amazing. I have tried or owned other IEMs with multi BA setups or hybrid setups from the likes of Sony, Moondrop, Tin, 1more, Campfire, and 64 audio and I can say without a doubt that what the Etys do with a single BA is nothing short of extraordinary.
The ER4XR are not quite on par with the super high end stuff from 64 and Campfire when it comes to detail retrieval and resolution, but they are pretty damn close and they are better than the ChiFi stuff that everyone raves about. In short, resolution on these is really really good. They out resolve every IEM I have heard under $1200 or so.
Imaging is spot on, some of the best I have ever experienced with an IEM. Clarity and image separation are also fantastic. The imaging is tight and incredibly accurate without any dead spots.
They also take to EQ quite well and sound great with a 5-6 db bass boost below 100hz. I EQ'd them to the Harman in ear target, but shaved the bass shelf down by about 3.5 db. This made them sound more lively and full. I was really excited at how well this single BA driver took to EQ, especially in the low end.
The areas where they fall a little short are soundstage and perhaps comfort.
The soundstage isn't bad by any means, it's actually better than I expected given how deep these insert into the ear, but it is a little narrow and shallow at times. A lot of this depends on the recording though. I found soundstage to be more acceptable on really well recorded jazz, acoustic, and classic rock than on more modern music and EDM (but that's sort of to be expected).
Comfort will be subjective to each individual, but I personally have no problem with them using the silicone triple flange tips that came installed on them out of the box. I also tried the medium double flange tips, and those seemed fine as well. Keep in mind that these insert very deep into the ear and couple to the bony part of the inner ear. You need to find tips that fit your ear canal and allow you to get that deep insertion and seal, otherwise the sound will be drastically affected. The deep fit also gives these a ton of isolation and noise attenuation.
Other things to note...They come with a generous amount of accessories including a large carry case, a smaller carrying pouch, a variety of tips, and extra nozzle filters. The detachable stock cable is also really nice, well made, and the perfect length.
Etymotic claims these are the "most accurate earphones in the world" and I can see why. What they have accomplished at this price point and with a single BA driver is quite shocking. If you are looking for an IEM with great detail retreival and isolation and are not afraid of the deep fit, buy these and don't second guess your decision!
Recommends this product? Yes
QandX
86
Apr 22, 2020
checkVerified Buyer
reference sound
Accurate sound，detail is good enough. cannot believe this sound is from one BA driver. Maybe some one will feel less bass, but for me it's fine. Also, the housing is good quality.
Recommends this product? Yes
carboncarousel
39
Jul 1, 2020
QandXThe deep insertion of the tip helps cause the "I cannot believe it's only one BA!" effect.
StephaneJ
4
Apr 16, 2020
checkVerified Buyer
ER4XR - Amazing iem
Once you get used to deep insertion "system", you will discover a wonderfull product, with neutral, balanced, detailled and yet joyfull sound !
And the passive insulation really amazing !
In the price range, I will be curious to find a serious competitor ... maybe the ER4SR ?
(Edited)
Recommends this product? Yes
erpepone
4
Feb 5, 2022
checkVerified Buyer
Excellent detail together with noise cancelling
Am a frequent air traveler, have owned highly rated noise cancelling headphones of various brands over the years.. These aren't active noise cancelling earphones but they are practically as good as the bulky ones made you know where. They really shine in voice clarity and are able to separate music instruments; in this respect leave the noise cancellers in the dust plus they are small and pocketable. I now own two pair and one pair stays permanently in my business travel bag. My ears had to get used to the the silicone ear adapters and they suffer from microphonics from cable movements, but that is a very small price to pay for overall superlative performance ,in my experience.
MadMan007
169
Dec 16, 2021
checkVerified Buyer
classic reference IEM updated
There are tons of reviews out there for Etymotic IEMs, so I won't go into the sound too much. These are a reference neutral IEM with great clarity. I will compare them to the ER4XR - I got both in order to see which I preferred. I previously had the ER4PT which I used with its impedance adaptor, giving it a slight bass tilt, so I thought I would prefer the ER4XR. However, the XR's built-in bass slope (I wouldn't even call it a shelf in the Harman sense), while moderate, seemed to obscure the mids just enough that the SR had an obvious mid-range clarity and presence advantage. The SR is still not as clinical as the previous ER4S or ER4PT without impedance adaptor though, so it strikes a perfect balance for me. Other people may prefer the XR tuning, but I would recommend trying both to compare.
The only controversial part of the Etymotic IEMs remains their fit - the deep ear penetration takes some getting used to, but also contributes to the excellent sound isolation which allows for lower and safer listening levels. Try different tips to get the right fit, I prefer the included foam tips to the silicone...it seems my ear canal bends a bit so they work better for me. They also have the most sound isolation of the tips afaik. I've also tried Comply Professional tips, and they are even more comfortable, but do reduce mid and high detail very slightly - some people may prefer that sound change.
Recommends this product? Yes
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