Etymotic Research ER6i Isolator In-Ear Earphones (Black)
by Etymotic Research
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List Price: Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Etymotic Research ER6i Isolator In-Ear Earphones (Black)
Customer Review: In flight comparison of ER6i, Bose QC2, JBUDs J2, iPhone earbud
Summary: 5 Stars
On a recent long flight I decided to compare the Entymotics ER6i earbuds I picked up as a lightning deal during Amazon's cyber week to several options - Bose QC2, JBUDS J2, stock iphone 4 earbuds. I started with the expectation that sound and comfort would be best from my Bose QC2, afterall they have active noise cancellation and cost 3-10 times as much as the other choices. I WAS DEAD WRONG.
I spent some time on a long flight from SF-Orlando trying each of the 'phones. First I looked at which did a good job of blocking ambient noise with no music/audio playing. It is worth mentioning that the ER6i did far and away the best job.
1. ER6i (much better)
2. Bose QC2
3. JBUD J2
4. stock apple (much worse)
Next I started listening to songs (repeating same song across all four headsets). Right away it was clear that I could use much lower volume to hear the music with ER6i, even than the BOSE. I only needed ~3 clicks up from no volume to hear most music really well. This is really important for hearing health over the long haul. In addition the quality of the sound from the ER6i was again noticeably better than all the others. Music details lost on the others came through clearly and the response curve from low to high was noticeable flatter. This step was sort of painful because right away the ER6i seemed better, but I felt compelled to try different musical genres to see if my Bose might fair better with a particular type of music. They didn't. Here's how they stacked up
1. ER6i
2. JBUD J2 (required more volume than Bose)
3. Bose QC2
4. Stock apple
My big take-aways are that no one should stick with the stock earphones, and most people can save a lot of money over the Bose by buying a pair of Entymotics. Some other considerations: the sound isolation is really good, and as others have mentioned I wouldn't use these for biking or running where you do need to hear more of what is going on around you. The noise isolation and audio really depend on fully inserting these into your ear. I was surprised that I didn't have any discomfort doing this and that they stayed well seated in my ears, but your ears might be different. The ER6i take up much less space in the luggage than the Bose. The only other important topic I can't comment on is long term reliability as I have only had these a week.
Customer Review: Remarkable Sound, Solid Fit, Beats Shure E4c at Half the Price
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought the Etymotic ER6i Isolators after using Shure E4cs for a year. I should add that I listen almost exclusively to classical including symphonic, chamber, solo and choral. The E4c sound was good enough to keep me listening...clean, good range and emphasis from treble to bass. But then the fit was always a problem. It was the story of the "three little bears": the small silicone and hard rubber tips were too small and fell out, the large were too large and came loose and the medium were NOT just right, they loosened up too. But the deal breaker (literally) was that one of the angled plastic stems that hold the tips broke after 12 months of use.
I bought the Etymotics frankly, because I was not going to spend $149 again for a pair of earphones that might break. What I got has been a great surprise. They beat the Shure E4c (not the cheaper E2c, I might add) in every respect. On well-recorded works (and these phones allow you to tell the difference) I can distinguish all four instruments in a string quartet, hear the softer sounds of harpsichord behind the counterpoints in a Baroque Concerto Grosso ,and hear the interplay of voices in masses by Haydn and Mozart. Even the decay of notes on the piano are easily heard in well recorded solos. All in all the are 10-20% better thean the Shure E4c on sound.
And the fit is far better than the Shures, at least for my ear canals. The advantage, I think, is that they have no angled stems. You are free to put the Etymotics in your ears at whatever angle works best for you. They come with foam and both double (shorter) and triple (longer) flanged tips. The triple do the trick for me, others may have different preferences. And the fit still isn't perfect...for that you may need $900 custom fit models, that I, for one, can't afford. But they are superior to the Shures. They stay put and the flanges do not feel uncomfortable 5 minutes after you start wearing them for the first time. The seal could be slightly better: very loud noises like standing next to an 18 wheel truck will bleed into the sound. But short of the nearby 18 wheeler the isolation is great at moderate listening levels.
And the kicker is they cost less than half of the Shure E4c, and 35% less than the Shure E2c (#$110). Better sound, better fit, lower price. Sounds good to me!
Customer Review: What a difference :)
Summary: 5 Stars
Well I guess I should start by saying I have gone through a few different pairs of headphones before ponying up for the ER6i's. I use my headphones for at least eight hours a day. I use then on the train, on my bike, when I am running, while working out, and at my office. I really put my gear through the ringer.
The first upgrade from the Apple ear buds was to the Sony EX81's, as I was thinking that the over ear style would keep the headphones in my ears during long runs or rides when sweat comes into play. Well I am not sure who's ears those were designed for as the part that was supposed to rest on my ear stuck up like a good quarter inch above my ear. Got rid of them after a week.
Next came the Sony EX71's. Fit was good (except for long runs could not get them to stay in when sweating), sound was good for the money, isolation was good but not great (did not drown out the crying baby on a 9 hour flight to London). The problem was the quality, there is something wrong with the rubber they use, it gets all gooey after about a year of use. I even gave them a second chance and bought another pair, same problem. Contacted Sony, they said sorry it has been a year you are on your own.
A few years later I decided it was time to invest in a nicer pair of headphones so I decided to go with the ER-6i's. I am now on my fourth day with my ER-6i's and can say I am very pleased. Fit is very good( I am using the rubber tips with the only two layers instead of three as the other ones felt like they were touching my brain :) ) Sound is also great. The bass is less then the Sony's but in a good way. I listen to a lot of hip-hop and the bass Sony's just sounded artificial and overdone. The music is much more crisp with the ER-6i's, the highs are high and the lows are low. The isolation is excellent, my ipod was only at about 1/2 volume the other day on the train and I did hear the kids on the train that were running around and screaming wildly nor did I hear the normal sounds of the train that I usually did with the 71's. The quality, well... only time will tell. The cord is thiner then the Sony's but hopefully it will not turn to bubblegum like the Sony's. Like some other reviewers metioned I did notice that they sounded better after a few hours of playing.
Customer Review: Believe the Hype!
Summary: 5 Stars
There are almost as many complaints about these earphones as compliments. While no product is perfect, this comes close. The below might help those who are disappointed.
Sound - You get pure, accurate sounds - period.
Bass - With a flat equalization, the bass may not be adequate for some. If your iPod/device has a bass boost, you should use it for satisfying lower frequencies.
Fit - The earphones come with three tips. The two pairs of flanged tips are recommended for long term use (mine were both the same size, though they claim to have a standard and a small size), and are comfortable for extended listening, but need to placed properly in the ear for a good seal which provides deeper bass and better noise isolation. Gently move the earphones around until you get the best response. The foam tips are easier to put in place, but are considered disposable. Try these if you are not getting the bass you were hoping for.
Basically, the potential to get an outstanding sound is there. I cannot emphasize the fact enough that you must adjust the earphone in your ear to find it. Once you do, you'll know how to insert them in the future. I have to tilt mine up and inward. Sometimes opening your mouth helps. I don't wet mine, especially since it seals them too well and the suction makes it more difficult to get them out. If you don't get them in just right, you will be disappointed, so keep trying. You'll be glad you purchased these!
One month later...
I tested these out on the iPod Touch 2G and did a comparison with the earbuds included with the device. The ER6i's are truly clearer and crisper than the Apple earbuds. The bass is tighter, but not quite as deep as those famous white ones. However, the "freebies" sounded hollow and had a bit of reverberation, and the mid-range was not pleasant. The Etymotics really shine, and have a natural sound. The bass is really good, and perfect for me, but I can see how deep bass lovers would want a tad more. I have not tested them on a plane yet, but they do provide good noise isolation and a pure sound. Just remember to change your EQ setting to "Bass Boost" for a more satisfying sound.
Customer Review: Blocks the sound you don't want to hear
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a PhD student now living in the city, in an apartment complex where there are many kids in the afternoon running around, and other noises throughout the day and night.
For a long while I was using regular earplugs, but these not only don't entirely block out sound they also don't allow for any other listening.
My goal is not the highest sound quality, but rather the best way to hear what I want to hear while blocking out that which I don't, so that I can focus when reading and writing.
These are perfect at that task. Noise even right outside my window is blocked--basketballs, talking, kids playing. Most voices are blocked as well, to a large degree even when there is no sound coming from the earphones. I was used to using foam earplugs and the sometimes frustrating process of putting them in the ear.
These, however, slid in significantly easier right of the box. A little moisture, pull back the ear a bit, and they slide right in. I've learned that I don't have particularly large ear canals, and sometimes have trouble with other earplugs. But no trouble with these. If it didn't fit I still have options. The ER6i come with a selection of different plugs that can replace the basic set, a smaller pair, a thicker foam pair, and another style. There are replacement filters included, with a replacement tool, for when earwax buildup interrupts sound quality.
As to the sound, there was a little loss of bass that I noticed, but as I don't tend to listen to heavy bass a great deal I'm not bothered. I also was able to turn up the bass a bit in my mp3 player and found it quite adequate--and more than adequate if I add the fact I couldn't hear anything else besides the music, and could hear in the music stronger details.
I'm not an audiophile by any means. But, I like music, listen to a wide variety, mostly classical while reading or writing, and am sensitive to outside noise. I was a bit worried at first the cost of these would not be justified as even if there was good sound, the outside sound would leak through. Happy to say I'm more than pleased with the quality of both sound and sound isolation.