Etymotic Research MicroPro ER4P Portable Earphone

TOPS for iPod or any portable music.

Strengths: Very accurate, high-quality sound. Super lightweight & compact. Blocks background noise so music shines through...

Weakness: May not satisfy deep bass freaks, but most headphones are not strong there anyway.

I bought these phones from COMP-U-PLUS 2 years ago (best price). I have been an audiophile for 2 decades and have critically listened to many different headphones. I can't think of a better headphone to use with portable music players like the iPod, etc. The sound of these Etymotics is very smooth and evenly distributed from top to bottom, which when listening to for hours (like traveling), will...
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I bought these phones from COMP-U-PLUS 2 years ago (best price). I have been an audiophile for 2 decades and have critically listened to many different headphones. I can't think of a better headphone to use with portable music players like the iPod, etc. The sound of these Etymotics is very smooth and evenly distributed from top to bottom, which when listening to for hours (like traveling), will NOT fatigue your ears. If you have ever used ear plugs for hearing protection, you will take to these like a fish to water. They block out a great deal of background noise, which has many benefits: 1) saves your hearing because you don't have to turn up the volume to uncomfortable levels just so your music can overcome those jet engines, city buses, etc 2) allows you to enjoy more detail in the music that grooves you 3) doesn't disturb the person you may be sleeping next to...
In my opinion, these are much better than "noise-cancelling" headphones because these Etymotics are super light, take up almost NO space, and they DON'T need batteries. In fact, this ER-4P model is made to get the most output from portable players. They are easier for your player to drive, so they don't drain your player's batteries as fast as full size headphones will. Keep in mind that you put these phones inside your ear canal, so read the instructions to get a good seal and great sound.

By wooleymamouth; - May 18, 2007

ETYMOTIC ER-4P

Strengths: Life like sound, powerful bass, excellent isolation

Weakness: Little uncomfortable in the beginning

I also have shure e-4, which are loud, have clear sound,good sound color, but etymotic e-4p are still on the top.They have been around for few years now, and for portable use, nothing beats them. They isolate so good, that when I'm on the plane, and I travel a lot,if people ask me something, I have to get them off, as I do not hear nobody talking, even loudly, they cut down 90% of the engine roar...
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I also have shure e-4, which are loud, have clear sound,good sound color, but etymotic e-4p are still on the top.They have been around for few years now, and for portable use, nothing beats them. They isolate so good, that when I'm on the plane, and I travel a lot,if people ask me something, I have to get them off, as I do not hear nobody talking, even loudly, they cut down 90% of the engine roar too. I had no problem with inserting them in the ear canal, while using white triple flanges, for best isolation. Clean You ear first, wet the ear flange before inserting, and silence begins. Sounds like a lot of work, but is well worth it. I purchased them, as well as my Sure's, from COMPUPLUS, so I did not pay the premium price, for the premium sound. At home I use SENNHEISER, also from COMPUPLUS. No need to mention, I got them cheap.

By WOLFMAN68; - Sep 30, 2006

Outstanding

Strengths: Block all ambient noise, outstanding sound perfomance

Weakness: None

I've been using these for over a year with my portable MP3 player and laptop. I use them at the gym about 3 times a week and haven't had any problems. I also fly on military aircraft a lot and these gems not only sound terrific but also work as ear plugs, blocking all ambient noise so you only hear what you want to. I use the rubbery inserts because their easy to put in and take out. Convenient...
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I've been using these for over a year with my portable MP3 player and laptop. I use them at the gym about 3 times a week and haven't had any problems. I also fly on military aircraft a lot and these gems not only sound terrific but also work as ear plugs, blocking all ambient noise so you only hear what you want to. I use the rubbery inserts because their easy to put in and take out. Convenient if you want to talk to somebody or need to hear something. They're not as comfortable as the foam inserts but the foam inserts have to be rolled and inserted just like the foam ear plugs - not convenient if you're taking them out often but more comfortable for extended periods of listening. Be careful though because they block everything, so if you're running or riding a bike you won't hear anything around you (using either insert). They also work well if you're trying to go to sleep and others are being loud or snoring. They have a little clip on them where the two separate wires come together which helps keep them in your ear and the wires from getting in your way. The sound is exceptional for an earbud - I wasn't expecting such response from an earbud!

If these ever take a turn for the worse I'll be buying another pair. They're a bit pricey but well worth the money (you get what you pay for in this case).

By drooskei - Jul 23, 2006

ER-4P

Strengths: Isolation of environmental noise. Accurate frequency response. Warm, full bass. Great for non-amplified MP3 use.

Weakness: Cables tend to be microphonic. Not comfortable enough for extended listening sessions.

I wanted ear phones to do two things - shut out external noise (the jet engine ambient during plane travel and the aggravating stuff played at my gym) and great sound. The Etymotic ER-4P in-ear phones covered those two requisites and then some. Their playback is so accurate I'm wondering how much better my MP3 player will sound through a dedicated headphone amp. Highly recommended.

By csenning - Jul 4, 2006

Very good alternative to Bose QC2's: Small, light, & better!

Strengths: Tiny, well constructed, and painfully acurate sound reproduction.

Weakness: Not the prettiest things in the world--and make sure your source components are at least as good as the headphones.

I bought these to replace my Bose QuietComfort II's, which my puppy recently decided to "puppize". I thought the Bose did a reasonable job of turning off airplanes, etc... but were not the best for turning off babies. They also did not reproduct classical music as well as I would have liked... When it came time to buy again, I demoed these ER-4P's and a pair of (more attractive) Shure 4G's. I was...
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I bought these to replace my Bose QuietComfort II's, which my puppy recently decided to "puppize". I thought the Bose did a reasonable job of turning off airplanes, etc... but were not the best for turning off babies. They also did not reproduct classical music as well as I would have liked...

When it came time to buy again, I demoed these ER-4P's and a pair of (more attractive) Shure 4G's. I was prepaired to purchase the Shures, especially in light of their lower cost and more attractive housings, but after a few CD's of music and a spin on the iPod, I was sold on the spacial, neutral, resoundingly plesant abilities of the Etymotic's. They are effortless to listen to.

To be fair, the Shures are extremely similar (which is to say, superb), and might offer a small edge on bass reproduction, but the elegance of the Etymotic's won me in the end.

Both companies make a very good product, but for accurate sound reproduction with finesse, I feel the ER-4P's are a better bet.

All that being said, make sure you are using decent amplification, clear recordings, and a good source, because on a cheap CD player you will hear the disc spinning up/down through them, on anything nastier than an iPod, you will hear the "beep" between tracks.

By cjimbach - Feb 26, 2006