All > Etymotic ER4SR
Etymotic ER4SR
Retail Price
$299
Lowest Price
$240.82
Release Date
2017
The Etymotic ER4SR has an exceptional and unrivaled accuracy which makes it worthy of every penny. It is perfect for those who wants professional-level accuracy. This is not meant for bass-heavy music but the accuracy and detail are perfect for jazz.
Purchase Links
Overview
- Accuracy
- Sound Quality
- Overall Performance
- Listening Experience
Accuracy - ER4SR has an exceptional and unrivaled accuracy which makes it worthy of every penny. It is perfect for those who wants professional-level accuracy. This is not meant for bass-heavy music but the accuracy and detail are perfect for jazz.
PCMag - Tim Gideon
06/06/2017
Sound Quality
SOUNDGUYS - Adam Molina
01/27/2017
Overall Performance - The $349 earphones, which is not nearly as expensive as the others, are an update to the ER4 model with studio reference. It delivers exceptional audio performance and is perfect for sound engineers and anyone looking for a reference-level audio. This unit has the clarity that makes musicians, composer and sound engineers feel confident with the unit as their reference tool. It is highly recommended with its uncompromised, flat, uncolored, lifeless “studio neutral” tuning with flatness and realism which is rarely achieved. It also has high technical performance and outperforms other in-ears in $500 range or at least similarly precise with technicalities and have uncompromised flat neutral tuning. This is not for someone who is not into accuracy but for those who wants a listening music with little embellishment. It is greatly remarkable for its overall features such as in tonal range/extension, bass quality, resolution and authenticity as it doesn’t lack in anything and can be considered an overall package and there isn’t any flaw in terms of resolution.
Listening Experience - It provides unrivaled critical listening experience
PCMag - Tim Gideon
06/06/2017
Sources
Tags
- Accuracy
- Sound Quality
- Overall Performance
- Listening Experience
Sources
- PCMag
- SOUNDGUYS
- Head-Fi
See All Sources
Build/Design/Inclusions
- Inclusions
- Fit
- Overall Build Quality
- Cables
- Limitation-Cables
- Materials
- Tips
- Comfort
- Design
- Build
- Noise Isolation
- Triple-flange Silicone Tips
- Jack
- Pros
- Cons
Inclusions - It includes an array of accessories, including a 3 ½ to ¼ in headphone jack adapter, replacement filters, little container, and amply large, protective carrying case. Aside from the headphones, the package includes a nice hard shell carrying case, the user manual, shirt clip, cable clip, filter removal tools and extra filters, 3 different tip designs: six extra pairs of ear tips (some foam and some triple flange), and a certificate of performance that gives all kinds of information about the earphones. They terminate in a 3.5 mm connection, but ship with a sturdy 0.25-inch headphone jack adapter for use with studio and stereo gear
Fit - The in-ear monitors can be custom fitted by an audiologist to match the user’s ear. Fit is good because they are small and simple in terms of the design. The cable can also be removed.
Overall Build Quality - The build quality is quite good for its price. Its build feels sturdy and well made. They're not made with exotic materials, but they give a durable impression. The jack doesn’t feel exceptionally sturdy but it has a good strain relief. Tips and hard case have great quality.
Cables - The cable that comes with the unit is nice and long and the I-shaped plug and the top part gets braided overall. It is improved as it is more flexible and softer and has an incorporated chin-slider. Also, it comes with MMCX connectors that are rotation-locked where they seem quite reliable and durable. They can be detached from the earpieces at the base making them easy to replace.
Limitation-Cables - There is a lack of aftermarket cables and the cable produces some noise. Looping it doesn’t give a good seal and using it on the go is not that ideal. It doesn’t contain any resistors anymore though it still has the cylindrical shape. Side indicators are more difficult to locate because there is no red dot on the right hand side’s connector anymore and twisted conductors are above the y-splitter. The high microphonics when worn down can be fixed by guiding the cables over the ears and with the help of the chin-slider. Removable cable is not color-coded so it can be confusing.
Materials - The housings are made of a smooth aluminum, has a detachable cable, and comes with extra filters. They’re durable as it’s less likely to break when compared to the plastic of the previous version. The unit is made up of metal and appears more premium.
Tips - Tips are rubbish but they are excellent in providing exceptionally strong seal and in blocking out ambient room noise. Foam tips help achieve full isolation and sound quality without deep insertion and they provide a seal, but the lack of insertion creates treble peaks for others. There are three type of tips included - a foam tape which is like an ear plug and there's a small three flange and a large three flange. They have less enhanced bass response so a strong seal is needed. Smallest triple flanges tips provide the best sound.
Comfort - Comfort is tolerable but the tips feel invasive at first as it should enter the canal more deeply before the user will be accustomed to it. It will feel like they are floating if the user achieved the right fit and seal. Foam tips are more comfortable and offers more traditional fit but both options still offer a secure fit. The IEMs rest on the boney part of the ears as the SRs require a deep insertion to maximize their potential. Its slim housing lets the user wear them comfortably.
Design - It is very similar with the old model especially the kind of braided cord. Design is nondescript as the original, thin, lightweight and connected to braided cabling. Flanged tips are the most iconic aspect.
PCMag - Tim Gideon
06/06/2017
Build - They are made of metal instead of plastic, a little shorter so it doesn’t stick out of the ears and only has 3 connectors. It has unique serial number engraved into each shell.
Noise Isolation - ER4SR is a true in-ears. With the right ear tips, users wont hear outside noise when playing music.
SOUNDGUYS - Adam Molina
01/27/2017
Triple-flange Silicone Tips - It includes a triple-flange silicone tips, modified so that they create a seal on the ear canals while still maintaining the original ear tip.
Head-Fi - CK Moustache
04/30/2021
Jack - These connect to your devices via a 3.5mm jack, but they also come with a ¼” adapter if you need to plug into higher end audio equipment.
SOUNDGUYS - Adam Molina
01/27/2017
Pros - It has an exceptional audio performance, has over the top clarity and accuracy, has several secure eartip options, has various inclusions, and a detachable cable.
PCMag - Tim Gideon
06/06/2017
Cons - It is not meant for those who are after bass-forward sound signature and there is no replacement cable included in the box.
PCMag - Tim Gideon
06/06/2017
Sources
Tags
- Inclusions
- Fit
- Overall Build Quality
- Cables
- Limitation-Cables
- Materials
- Tips
- Comfort
- Design
- Build
- Noise Isolation
- Triple-flange Silicone Tips
- Jack
- Pros
- Cons
Sources
- YouTube
- Head-Fi
- SOUNDGUYS
- PCMag
Mobile Tech Podcast
04/15/2018
Head-Fi - CK Moustache
04/30/2021
Mobile Tech Podcast
04/15/2018
Mobile Tech Podcast
04/15/2018
CodytheGreat
02/14/2017
SOUNDGUYS - Adam Molina
01/27/2017
PCMag - Tim Gideon
06/06/2017
Mobile Tech Podcast
04/15/2018
Real Audio Reviews
07/23/2021
CodytheGreat
07/26/2018
Even-Top1058
07/26/2018
Head-Fi - CK Moustache
04/30/2021
Real Audio Reviews
07/23/2021
Head-Fi - CK Moustache
04/30/2021
PCMag - Tim Gideon
06/06/2017
Mobile Tech Podcast
04/15/2018
Even-Top1058
07/26/2018
SOUNDGUYS - Adam Molina
01/27/2017
Head-Fi - CK Moustache
04/30/2021
PCMag - Tim Gideon
06/06/2017
Even-Top1058
07/26/2018
Mobile Tech Podcast
04/15/2018
Even-Top1058
07/26/2018
CodytheGreat
02/14/2017
PCMag - Tim Gideon
06/06/2017
Mobile Tech Podcast
04/15/2018
Mobile Tech Podcast
04/15/2018
SOUNDGUYS - Adam Molina
01/27/2017
Head-Fi - CK Moustache
04/30/2021
SOUNDGUYS - Adam Molina
01/27/2017
PCMag - Tim Gideon
06/06/2017
PCMag - Tim Gideon
06/06/2017
See All Sources
Sound Quality
- Missing Features
- BA
- Overall Sound Performance
- Neutral Tuning
- Sound Quality
- Bass
- Vocals-Sub-bass
- Treble
- Mid-range
- Red Filters
- Orange Filters
- Vocals
- Soundstage
- Imaging
- Response
- Studio Reference
Missing Features - There is no microphone or remote control included.
BA - This is the best single-BA implementation and it is superior to some multi-BA models.
Head-Fi - CK Moustache
04/30/2021
Overall Sound Performance - The coherency is perfect and there is an even distribution of resolution across the whole frequency range. There is a clarity in sound signature throughout the frequency range. Everything is clear, with contour and definition, sounds crisper and brighter than they do bass-forward. There is no warmth and body but it is not lacking and just flat. Effects are subtle with filters. It showcase a little of lift in presence range and they sound more accurate. It is worthy to be ER4S’ successor as it has uncompromised, lifeless, uncolored, flat studio neutral tuning with realistic and even tuning features. Lower register instrumentation has some resonance and depth at times but it is subtle, there is a fullness but not nearly as prominent as the higher register brass, strings, and vocals and their high-mid and high frequency presence, and there is a clear sound signature with natural richness to complement the highs. They are tad shouty and somewhat thin with stock filters and no EQ. Guitars don’t have enough body. No bleeding of single instruments/tonal elements into each other. Instruments can be heard nice and detailed.
Neutral Tuning - They are mostly audibly flat, boring, lifeless, and uncolored.
Sound Quality - The bass is there, but it's not booming and loud; The mids are very clear and the highs don't have any weird peaks and dips. The overall balance and response is impeccable.
Bass - The bass is present, clear, very controlled, has a lot of definition, it is not the most boomy, loud nor thumping, flat without any sort of lift and extends flat down into the real sub bass without any real roll off. Nimble, fast, tight and controlled bass. It is of high quality and it outperforms some of the other single-BA in-ears in terms of speed and tightness. Bass is not the base light and actually pretty good. Bass presence isn't insanely strong like it often is.
Vocals-Sub-bass - Vocals are delivered with exceptional clarity and there is no added sibilance or harshness but there is bright, crisp definition on every syllable. Sub-bass synth hits that punctuate the beat and often sound thunderous on bass-forward earphone pairs are powerful.
PCMag - Tim Gideon
06/06/2017
Treble - Treble is immaculate without weird peaks and dips. ER4SR managed to create an incredibly realistic, accurate response in treble. It does seem accentuated, but feels smooth and competes with the character 846.
Mid-range - Midrange is very high and speech intelligibility is found implemented into some w-shaped in-ears’ tuning, it is very authentic, really good, has no sense of any funny sound, not recessed or too up front, definitely an audiophile great earphone for someone who’s on a budget, sounds very clear, detailed, and neutral, generally flat and direct without relaxation dips in the upper mids, quite merciless and purely raw without any recession to create laid-back fatigue free.
Red Filters - Red filters are rated at 2200 ohms, the bass can be heard clearer, basslines, even in songs where the bass guitar is not easily audible. The treble is largely the same if not a bit attenuated.
Even-Top1058
07/26/2018
Orange Filters - Orange filters make the sound even warmer which may be worth the shot. With metal, a very even frequency response is needed.
Even-Top1058
07/26/2018
Vocals - They are nicely blended with instruments in mid-range but there is a minimal bump just to give an extra push, it sounds pretty flat, and it is great for some tasks but not for casual listeners.
SOUNDGUYS - Adam Molina
01/27/2017
Soundstage - Sound stage wise these are pretty neutral. They don’t sound wide but it sounds really coherent and detailed because of its one driver.
Imaging - They image well, placement is more sideways that covers the user in a blanket of sound, gives an excellent attack and decay. Imaging coupled with tonality will make them sound very effortless and natural.
Even-Top1058
07/26/2018
Response - Transient response is excellent and accurate and note separation in high frequencies is precise. It is also highly natural because of its very even treble response.
Studio Reference - SR means Studio Reference which means it sounds about as flat as it gets.
SOUNDGUYS - Adam Molina
01/27/2017
Sources
Tags
- Missing Features
- BA
- Overall Sound Performance
- Neutral Tuning
- Sound Quality
- Bass
- Vocals-Sub-bass
- Treble
- Mid-range
- Red Filters
- Orange Filters
- Vocals
- Soundstage
- Imaging
- Response
- Studio Reference
Sources
- YouTube
- Head-Fi
- PCMag
- SOUNDGUYS
Mobile Tech Podcast
04/15/2018
Mobile Tech Podcast
04/15/2018
Head-Fi - CK Moustache
04/30/2021
PCMag - Tim Gideon
06/06/2017
Head-Fi - CK Moustache
04/30/2021
SOUNDGUYS - Adam Molina
01/27/2017
Even-Top1058
07/26/2018
PCMag - Tim Gideon
06/06/2017
Even-Top1058
07/26/2018
Even-Top1058
07/26/2018
Head-Fi - CK Moustache
04/30/2021
Head-Fi - CK Moustache
04/30/2021
Head-Fi - CK Moustache
04/30/2021
SOUNDGUYS - Adam Molina
01/27/2017
Even-Top1058
07/26/2018
PCMag - Tim Gideon
06/06/2017
Head-Fi - CK Moustache
04/30/2021
Real Audio Reviews
07/23/2021
Head-Fi - CK Moustache
04/30/2021
Real Audio Reviews
07/23/2021
PCMag - Tim Gideon
06/06/2017
Head-Fi - CK Moustache
04/30/2021
Even-Top1058
07/26/2018
Real Audio Reviews
07/23/2021
Head-Fi - CK Moustache
04/30/2021
Real Audio Reviews
07/23/2021
Real Audio Reviews
07/23/2021
Head-Fi - CK Moustache
04/30/2021
Even-Top1058
07/26/2018
Even-Top1058
07/26/2018
SOUNDGUYS - Adam Molina
01/27/2017
Even-Top1058
07/26/2018
Real Audio Reviews
07/23/2021
Even-Top1058
07/26/2018
Head-Fi - CK Moustache
04/30/2021
Real Audio Reviews
07/23/2021
SOUNDGUYS - Adam Molina
01/27/2017
See All Sources
Miscellaneous
- Cable
Cable - Cable is replaceable because of the new MMCX connectors but users will need some time to get used to these as they go pretty deep in the ears which can be uncomfortable.
SOUNDGUYS - Adam Molina
01/27/2017
Sources
Tags
- Cable
Sources
- SOUNDGUYS
SOUNDGUYS - Adam Molina
01/27/2017
See All Sources
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