I'm going to purchase new (and better) phones for my iAudio M3L (now I use Koss PortaPro with it).
My first choice was Etymotic ER.4P, but after some researches I find out Shure E4 as alternative to Etys.
What I understand from some reviews and user opinions I've found is this: Etys have more clear and accurate reproduction, which is sometimes reported as dry or even fatiguing. Bass response on these is 'accurate', sometimes described as 'real bass lacking'. Built quality of Shure seems to be better too.
Briefly: Etys are more hi-fi, Shure are 'warm' or satisfying (or varnishing?) sounding.
I also find Shure E5. This seems to be the best, but have some strange technical specs (sensitivity (at 1kHz): 122dB SPL/mW, impedance (at 1kHz): 110 Ohm, which I'm not sure will perform well with portable without extra amp. and also cost terrible price.
Because I have to choose one of them before I will hear it, its pretty hard to decide.
So what do you (audiophiles) think? Can you help me in my confusion?
Full Version: Etymotic ER.4P vs. Shure E4
I am not an audiophile but I do have the shure e3c's and from what I have heard the e4c's are just a better version of them and I would say they are a lot more warm sounding. If you're more into accuracy and details go for the ety's which I really considered purchasing but if you want a warm sounding and fun canalphone go for the shures. If you listen to anything like rap or rock go for the shures. Classical, jazz that sort of stuff go for the etys. The shures also pick up a lot less noise from the cord and the shures have a much thicker cord and feel like they would last forever. Since I feel the shure e3c's are already so good and the e4c's have been getting rave reviews. I say go for the Shures. You can always return them if you don't like them and get the ety's.
I just bought a pair of Etymotics ER-6is. I must say that I am not that impressed. The sound is rather 'flat' albeit very detailed when listening to LAME APX files on my 4th gen iPod.
My greatest issue with these is the discomfot/irritation of the tips as they need to be jammed into your ear as far as possible to get good sound.
Many reviews say that they are comfortable but neglect to mention that to get decent sound you need to achieve a 'sea'l in your ears, that is 'vacum'. Those with sensitive ears do not apply. Using these earphones is like diving with your ears crammed full of rubber. Needless to say, I experience headaches after 10mins of use.
They are entirely unsuitable for ordinary day-to-day use where you would need to take out an earpiece to answer a phonecall. Removing and reinserting eartips is very very painful and time consuming. I can see how you would have use for these on long journeys but other than that they are entirely unpracticable.
I would suggest a pair of Sony MDREX51LP in-ear earphones. They are relatively cheap, powerful and great with all types of music at high and low compression rates. It's ironic really, the ER-6is were intended to replace the MDREX51LP which I have accidently snapped. I returned my ER-6is and replaced then with white MDREX51LP.
My greatest issue with these is the discomfot/irritation of the tips as they need to be jammed into your ear as far as possible to get good sound.
Many reviews say that they are comfortable but neglect to mention that to get decent sound you need to achieve a 'sea'l in your ears, that is 'vacum'. Those with sensitive ears do not apply. Using these earphones is like diving with your ears crammed full of rubber. Needless to say, I experience headaches after 10mins of use.
They are entirely unsuitable for ordinary day-to-day use where you would need to take out an earpiece to answer a phonecall. Removing and reinserting eartips is very very painful and time consuming. I can see how you would have use for these on long journeys but other than that they are entirely unpracticable.
I would suggest a pair of Sony MDREX51LP in-ear earphones. They are relatively cheap, powerful and great with all types of music at high and low compression rates. It's ironic really, the ER-6is were intended to replace the MDREX51LP which I have accidently snapped. I returned my ER-6is and replaced then with white MDREX51LP.
Go with the Shure E4s. Very good frequency response from top to bottom, great build quality, and very comfortable to wear (6hr+ plane rides no problem). With a decent headphone amp (Benchmark DAC-1) the sound is stunning right out of the box. With a decent portable player (iAudio G-3) a slight bass boost (60hz +3) is all you really need. Best audio purchase I've made this year. Good luck.
Thanks to all for response 
For your interest I append one rewiew from www.discountheadphones.com. Author introduces himself like 'professional classical musician' (I would point direct link here, but I cannot find it right now). He seems to prefere E4 for classical or acoustic music too.
And what do you think about Shure E5. Are they too good for DAP like iAudio?
QUOTE(v1ct0r @ Aug 5 2005, 02:01 PM)
If you listen to anything like rap or rock go for the shures. Classical, jazz that sort of stuff go for the etys.
For your interest I append one rewiew from www.discountheadphones.com. Author introduces himself like 'professional classical musician' (I would point direct link here, but I cannot find it right now). He seems to prefere E4 for classical or acoustic music too.
QUOTE
This is a comparison of the E4C and the Etymotic ER-4P, using the Gmini XS200 as a source, with mp3's encoded at either 192 or 256 kb/s. (By the way, the Gmini is a great little DAP!) Both of these earphones are quite good and will provide vastly better sound quality than the typical headphones and earbuds that fill the mass market. I like the included foam tips included by each manufacturer, so that is what I used to compare them. The Etymotic foam tips seal better and provide superior isolation from outside noise. I must note that the Shure's were bought new by me, and the Etymotics are a loaner from a friend. Please be aware that the Shure's require some "burn in", and will not sound their best new out of the package. Have patience at the beginning, and notice the improvement in performance over the first 20-40 hours. I do not know the break-in characteristics of the Etymotics.
I'll cut to the chase. The Shure's are sonically much more impressive than the the Etymotic's. Both are highly resolving and have no major faults. The Shure's however, sound as though they have even greater resolution of detail, and have a flatter frequency response. They represent the subtleties of instrumental timbre much more accurately, and include even more detail in their presentation. One can hear all the qualities of the recording environment, the position of instruments of the orchestra (soundstage), and seem to create a sound that is less bottled up within the ear (headstage). They do not have the least trace of sibilance. Somehow, in spite of all this resolution, they still sound smooth and convey all the beauty and warmth of tone one could want. They have slightly "rolled highs", as this is the practice of Shure in all their products, but this is a very small criticism since the treble region is nevertheless very clear, balanced and controlled. In comparison, the Etymotics have a sound that is a little "tipped up", and can become fatiguing. There is a comparative lack of depth to their sound, and there is much information in the midrange in particular that is lost. Bass is not as present, controlled, or quick. Beauty of tone is lacking. I do not have the same emotional response to the music with them. However, these are still not sibilant, and are still very fine.
The Shure's are also better built. I feel they are sturdier and less likely to be damaged from hard use. They are more microphonic than the Etymotics, though, which will be very annoying if you intend to use them while moving around. One should realize they are both very microphonic because of the nature of their isolating design, and therefore will transmit a lot of unwanted bumping and rustling to your ears if you move around with them. I recommend sitting still.
The Shure represents true high fidelity in a portable form. In many ways, they outperform my expensive home headphone rig. What is more, they sound this good without the need of a separate headphone amplifier. In fact, I recommend you skip the amp, as I felt that mine added too much energy to the treble. I am very impressed with them, and I strongly recommend them.
I'll cut to the chase. The Shure's are sonically much more impressive than the the Etymotic's. Both are highly resolving and have no major faults. The Shure's however, sound as though they have even greater resolution of detail, and have a flatter frequency response. They represent the subtleties of instrumental timbre much more accurately, and include even more detail in their presentation. One can hear all the qualities of the recording environment, the position of instruments of the orchestra (soundstage), and seem to create a sound that is less bottled up within the ear (headstage). They do not have the least trace of sibilance. Somehow, in spite of all this resolution, they still sound smooth and convey all the beauty and warmth of tone one could want. They have slightly "rolled highs", as this is the practice of Shure in all their products, but this is a very small criticism since the treble region is nevertheless very clear, balanced and controlled. In comparison, the Etymotics have a sound that is a little "tipped up", and can become fatiguing. There is a comparative lack of depth to their sound, and there is much information in the midrange in particular that is lost. Bass is not as present, controlled, or quick. Beauty of tone is lacking. I do not have the same emotional response to the music with them. However, these are still not sibilant, and are still very fine.
The Shure's are also better built. I feel they are sturdier and less likely to be damaged from hard use. They are more microphonic than the Etymotics, though, which will be very annoying if you intend to use them while moving around. One should realize they are both very microphonic because of the nature of their isolating design, and therefore will transmit a lot of unwanted bumping and rustling to your ears if you move around with them. I recommend sitting still.
The Shure represents true high fidelity in a portable form. In many ways, they outperform my expensive home headphone rig. What is more, they sound this good without the need of a separate headphone amplifier. In fact, I recommend you skip the amp, as I felt that mine added too much energy to the treble. I am very impressed with them, and I strongly recommend them.
And what do you think about Shure E5. Are they too good for DAP like iAudio?
QUOTE(krusteeshdw @ Aug 5 2005, 08:25 AM)
My greatest issue with these is the discomfot/irritation of the tips as they need to be jammed into your ear as far as possible to get good sound...They are entirely unsuitable for ordinary day-to-day use where you would need to take out an earpiece to answer a phonecall. Removing and reinserting eartips is very very painful and time consuming. I can see how you would have use for these on long journeys but other than that they are entirely unpracticable.
I don't know if the Etymotics have this, but my Shure E3s have expanding foam ear inserts, which are comfortable and easy to use, way better than the plastic/rubber things they also come with. This makes them easy to remove and re-insert. I've worn them for over 5 hours continuously on plane flights.
QUOTE(Josef K. @ Aug 5 2005, 11:13 AM)
For your interest I append one rewiew from www.discountheadphones.com. Author introduces himself like 'professional classical musician' (I would point direct link here, but I cannot find it right now). He seems to prefere E4 for classical or acoustic music too.
I'm just generalizing what I think about the Shure line and from what I have heard. Some think the Shure E4C's are good for EVERYTHING. I would say go for those because everyone seems to think they are the most wonderful canalphones for that price and the etymotics are really more love or hate.
YAY I DID IT!
You haven't said what you want or what type of music you listen to.
QUOTE(CSMR @ Aug 6 2005, 01:02 AM)
You haven't said what you want or what type of music you listen to.
Well: this is little bit complicated to say, but I will try:
I really dont like to distinguish music types (=genres): I like to listen to some classical Schubert ECM recordings like it was rock music and on the other hand I enjoy King Crimson concert like symphony music etc. Chopin preludes (played by Kissin) and Bred Mehldau improvisations on 'Elegiac Cycle' record are in the same level in this point of wiev.
So I would say:
satisfying acoustic space acceptable for whole range of music sound = THIS IS WHAT I WANT... YEAH
. It shouldn't be the difference who is playng organ: John Paul Jones or Johan Sebastian Bach (on behalf of course).
I know: not all contemporary records are made this way, but I'm happy to find more and more of this kind in all musical genres recordings.
I've Had ER4ps for about 2 years and I just got my shures yesterday. I love them both. If I had to choose ,I'd get the E4s. I think the build quality on both are great ,a lot better than UE superfis, but the Etys cord noise can be really frustrating. From what I've listen to the Shures ,I like the sound better too. Better bass ,It isn't overpowering or artificial, they just seem to handle more pleasingly(if thats a word?) I wish I had the self control to wait till May for the E500s. They have triple speakers or armatures. I have a feeling they will be really good. But back to you. The E4s are a bit more comfortable also, and they definitely look better. Etys are about as ugly as they could be. Thats not a big deal to me But it seems like appearance wasn't even an after thought. They r both great in my opinion. when I first got my etys, I was so amazed by how great they sound compared to everything I had listened to up until that point. They made me love music more and become aware of a lot of things I never noticed before. The only bad thing is you'll never want to go back to crappy earbuds. I use to think sony ex71 were great (they aren't terrible for what they are) Compared to either of these they are trash. hope this helps you I don't really have much tech stuff that you couldn't find in their ads. Good Luck
Thanks for replay. I've purchased E4 3 months ago and I'm satisfied with them. In the beggining it was pretty hard to get good seal and it took about two weeks, when I finally learn how to do it qickly and easily. In the end I attended an audiologist and purchased custom sleeves and everythink is all right now 
By the way, what are E500s you've mentioned in your post. Can I have a link, please?
By the way, what are E500s you've mentioned in your post. Can I have a link, please?
QUOTE(Josef K. @ Aug 5 2005, 12:41 PM)
Briefly: Etys are more hi-fi, Shure are 'warm' or satisfying (or varnishing?) sounding.
I just want to ask a quick question as I'm also considering the E4s. I've seen a lot of people saying they are "warm" sounding or bass-heavy, but I haven't seen this quantified in any way. Are they "warm" like some people think HD-580s are "warm", or very bass-heavy like the PortaPros? Because I currently use PortaPros for travelling, and they're just too much for me bass-wise - some tracks which are already bassy just get distorted and barely listenable.
Based on similar feedback, i've just ordered some E4Cs off Ebay and am anxiously awaiting their arrival (upgrading from E2Cs, which I already love). The fact that they are apparenlty a warmer headphone for us rock listeners, on top of the nicer aesthetics (they match my ipod ) made my decision for me.
) made my decision for me.
I own the ER6i. They are very accurate with increased bass. I had and exchanged the ER6, because i prefered the incresed bass of the 6i. I have not tried the Shur, so I cannot comment on a comparison, but I was blown away by my Etys.
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Etymotic ER•6i Earphones - Martin Logan Ascent i Speakers
Sonos (3 zone) Digital Music System
Outlaw M2200 Monoblock Amps - AudioQuest DiamondBack Cables
Debating on a Lexicon Processor/Amp
-----------
Etymotic ER•6i Earphones - Martin Logan Ascent i Speakers
Sonos (3 zone) Digital Music System
Outlaw M2200 Monoblock Amps - AudioQuest DiamondBack Cables
Debating on a Lexicon Processor/Amp
QUOTE(qristus @ Jan 18 2006, 05:15 AM)
QUOTE(Josef K. @ Aug 5 2005, 12:41 PM)
Briefly: Etys are more hi-fi, Shure are 'warm' or satisfying (or varnishing?) sounding.
I just want to ask a quick question as I'm also considering the E4s. I've seen a lot of people saying they are "warm" sounding or bass-heavy, but I haven't seen this quantified in any way. Are they "warm" like some people think HD-580s are "warm", or very bass-heavy like the PortaPros? Because I currently use PortaPros for travelling, and they're just too much for me bass-wise - some tracks which are already bassy just get distorted and barely listenable.
I'll let you know as soon as I get home... should be here today
Audio Technica released a new ATH-CK7 in-ear phones lately. Audio Technica used to have solid sound and good details. I had good experience with my AT purchase. Anyone have experience with these new At phones?
QUOTE(qristus @ Jan 18 2006, 03:15 PM)
QUOTE(Josef K. @ Aug 5 2005, 12:41 PM)
Briefly: Etys are more hi-fi, Shure are 'warm' or satisfying (or varnishing?) sounding.
I just want to ask a quick question as I'm also considering the E4s. I've seen a lot of people saying they are "warm" sounding or bass-heavy, but I haven't seen this quantified in any way. Are they "warm" like some people think HD-580s are "warm", or very bass-heavy like the PortaPros? Because I currently use PortaPros for travelling, and they're just too much for me bass-wise - some tracks which are already bassy just get distorted and barely listenable.
E4 aren't bass-heavy comparing to PortaPro. I used PortaPros for years, so I can compare. E4 are much, much detailed end concrete. I even have to use eqalizer on my iAudio M3 to increase bass response. It depends on good seal very much and one have to get used to it (it can last week or so according to my experience).
I never had a chance to try Etys, so I cannnot say nothing about this.
QUOTE(Josef K. @ Jan 19 2006, 10:48 AM)
E4 aren't bass-heavy comparing to PortaPro. I used PortaPros for years, so I can compare. E4 are much, much detailed end concrete.
Sounds good, then they're probably what i've been looking for. Now to find a good price
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