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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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Etymotic Research ER6i Isolator In-Ear Earphones (Black)
Customer Review: Ear Plugs With Sound
Summary: 5 Stars
These are basically ear plugs with built-in headphones. I purchased them for use while flying and when bike riding on breezy days. When you have a good seal, they dramatically attenuate the airplane drone but do not eliminate it completely. The loud pilot's announcements over the PA system come through no problem but it is not possible to understand the flight attendant speaking in a low voice. The disruption of sound by wind is also attenuated but not completely eliminated. I do not have the problem described by other with microphonics because of banging of the wires. (Yes, this does occur very occasionally but it is very slight and not disruptive to the listening experience.) There are only two problem with these headphones: (1) they must be seated deep in the ear canal, which I find comfortable; however, insertion takes just a bit longer than for the usual ear bud; so taking them in and out to listen to speech is just a bit more of a hassle; (2) the ear plug becomes coated with ear wax, which if nothing else is not particularly appetizing.
FOLLOW-UP (April 11, 2010): I have now used these headphone for quite some time and give them an A+. The engine drone of flying is fatiguing; flying is now a more pleasant experience and I don't feel as tired when I arrive. Another advantage is that the sound volume of my MP3 player doesn't need to be turned up high to drown out ambient sound, which might cause ear damage. The cable clip is surprisingly useful. Occasionally the filter gets clogged with ear wax and needs to be replaced -- this is the only downside.
Customer Review: The Search Is Over...Maybe
Summary: 5 Stars
I haven't had these for very long, so I should probably reserve judgment. However, I am notoriously picky about my earbuds. Being a daily commuter who doesn't go anywhere without my iPod, and a stickler for good sound, I've been through countless earbuds.
After reading about possible hearing loss from iPod use, I switched to noise reducing earbuds. I tried Sony's model, and they worked alright, but eventually one of the buds went silent. So I switched to Phillips' slightly cheaper brand. The sound quality wasn't as good. If I used sound check on the iPod, I'd have to turn the volume all the way up to avoid hearing a lot of external noise.
I finally got these, based on recommendations from a co-worker, and they're great. The flanged tips that came already on the earbuds were a perfect fit. When I followed the directions for inserting them, I got a perfect seal the first time.
When a co-worker came in and spoke to me while I was using them, I couldn't hear her, even when I paused the music. I had to take them out to hear her. And I had no trouble getting them out by twisting them according to the directions. The true test was wearing them on the subway, and they passed with flying colors. I heard very little external noise.
What's more, I have sound check on again, and I find I now actually have to lower the volume on the iPod where I had to turn it all the way up before. Now I'm getting great sound and I feel like I'm saving my hearing too. Plus I'm hearing details in my music that I hadn't heard before!
Customer Review: Excellent sound quality and isolation!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is really a fantastic product. I spend about 40 minutes per day walking to and from various locations (I live in a city and don't have a car) and this is the best pair of earphones for that purpose I'ce her own. Previously I owned skull candy earphones. Not only were they poor at sound isolation, but the plastic earpieces would constantly fall off to the point where I lost two of them in my pocket/jacket. Then I stepped up to some higher quality earphones (the metro.fi earphones) but these would constantly fall out of my ears in cold weather or when I was walking around. After only 6 months, one of the earphones stopped working and I was forced to get some new ones (these ones). So far I have had no problems whatsoever. They fit perfectly in my ears, stay in regardless of cold or motion (even exercise), and have allowed me to hear some of the compression in my 192 Kbps or lower bitrate MP3s. There is somewhat of a feeling of pressurization/ear popping if they are pushed in very far but they isolate perfectly without having to go that far. I often cannot hear people or cars a few feet away (which is great for the city as long as one is observant). The sound isolation also protects my hearing as I don't have to turn up the volume on the subway or on the sidewalk to hear my podcasts over the roar. I suppose there is a lack of bass to a certain degree but I seldom listen to bass-heavy music so this does not really bother me. Great product, especially for the price. I certainly hope these continue to work for a long time (I've only had them for 2 months).Customer Review: Great sound, just one eency-weency gripe
Summary: 5 Stars
I replaced another ER6i set with which I was very happy. Provided you can get a good seal with the provided ear-tips, these provide great, well-balanced sound with ample bass for all but the most fanatical head bangers. My ear canals seem to be smaller than most people's, but this set came with the smaller ear-tips - which I previously had to order separately from Etymotic - already installed with which I was quite pleased. I tried the Bose and Altec Lansing UHP336 Snugfit In-ear Earphone in-ear headphones, and I couldn't get a good seal with either of them unless I held my head absolutely still or held them in. Fortunately, in the case of the Bose the store had a 30 day return policy, as does Amazon with the Altec-Lansings so there is joy in Mudville.
The one complaint I have is that it is a little difficult to get these puppies OUT of your ears as there is not much left sticking out that you can grab on to. I pretty much have to use my fingernails to grab the ridge that runs around the part that does stick out to get them out. With the previous set, I was pulling them out by the cord (bad user!!) which eventually led to their demise as one side became disconnected. It would be nice if there were a small tab that you could pull on or if there were more surface area left sticking out to grab on to. If the Altec-Lansings will fit in your ear canals, they're a STEAL at $40, but failing that, I think the ER6is are unbeatable in their price range.
Customer Review: so much better than ipod headphones
Summary: 5 Stars
i love analogue sound more than anything but couldn't live w/out the ease of my ipod. the average ipod owner gets spoiled by music options but is really missing out on so many aspects of the music listening experience that vinyl or even DVD-A offers listeners. ipod listeners also become so used to listening to their ipod headphones that they dont think that the audio quality needs or is capable of being improved. this is a fallacy that i hope will be squashed by word of mouth and by making relatively affordable headphones like these more readily available.
the clarity is wonderful and they really do block out most sound. it can even be a little creepy walking around in the early morning because it is so silent with these in as they even block out most sound when nothing is playing!
my only complaint is that sometimes wind can create a slight "whistling" sound if the tip of the earbud is not in your ear perfectly when there is substantial wind while you are walking/moving outside. this is a very minor complaint as the problem is remedied by moving the problem headphone until the fit is just right.
another wonderful feature about these headphones is that they come with a nice & small zippered case for easy, compact storage in your bag or pocket. not that it is an exclusive feature of the ER6i, but it feels good to not have a white cord yelling "STEAL MY EXPENSIVE LISTENING DEVICE!" to all passers by.
very worth the money if you want to breathe new life into your ipod.