[Eug Wanker]

Tried a bunch of noise cancellation headphones and they suck.

Bought Sennheiser HD570 headphones and it sounds pretty good, but it is fairly bulky and it doesn't block out much noise at all. Plus it puts out a lot of noise so I would probably p!ss off people on the plane/train.

I've decided to get Etymotics, but I have never tried them, or even seen a pair. For an iPod, should I get the 4P or 4S? Is the iPod too weak to power the 4S? I'm thinking 4P, but the altered equalization worries me a bit. And what about the ER-6? They cost only $139, vs the $330 of the ER-4 series.

[aaanorton]

ditto.
I was pretty tempted by those 6es too. I think they're the smart choice, but I got kinda side-tracked and never bought them. Check out HeadRoom for more info. And please, if you get them, post back with any observations/opinions.

[NKT]

Good choice...The Etymotics are the best ear-buds out there. I'm currently using the 4P with my powerbook, and can't be happier. You can't beat the portability of these things. The bass is respectable but not optimal if all you listen to is R&B/Rap type music. In terms of clarity and resolution, it can't be beat.

As far as headphones in general, my personal preference is still the full-size Sennheiser 580 or 600 for general use...but if portability is your deciding factor then the 4P's are probably the way to go. HTH

[Eug]

Originally posted by NKT:
Good choice...The Etymotics are the best ear-buds out there. I'm currently using the 4P with my powerbook, and can't be happier. You can't beat the portability of these things. The bass is respectable but not optimal if all you listen to is R&B/Rap type music. In terms of clarity and resolution, it can't be beat.

As far as headphones in general, my personal preference is still the full-size Sennheiser 580 or 600 for general use...but if portability is your deciding factor then the 4P's are probably the way to go. HTH

I ordered the 4Ps yesterday. They've yet to be delivered, but they've already arrived in Toronto. I can't wait to try them.

Quite a hit to the pocketbook though.

[msh]

Check ebay, there is a ton of Etymotics available for 1/3rd off the full price. I just picked up a pair of ER 4P's. I bought them yesterday and they are waiting for me now at my apt.

I can't wait to try them out! I've heard amazing things about them.

Hopefully, the order is legit. I'll find out soon enough, although that is not really too extreme of a discount from someone with over 200+ feedback. If it is legit, I'll post back here. I've seen ER 4's for $200 and their lower budget ER 6's for $130 US dollars.

[Eug]

Hopefully, the order is legit.

Precisely why I don't bother with eB@y. Not to mention the fact that they would be used in-the-ear headphones. Bleah!

Anyways, I ordered a new pair for $270 plus shipping.

[msh]

Well, I'll find out in an hour when I get home. That does sound like a great deal. Where did you order from?

Make that an hour and a half to pick up a canister of alcohol to disinfect those suckers.

[msh]

I've been listening with them for a while. They are outstanding!

The iPod has no problem driving the ER 4P's. These are the ones you want for a portable player. These or the ER 6's. From what I've found on the web, it seems the ER 4P's and the ER 4S's are different only in that the S model has a higher impedence. You can actually convert a 4P to a 4S by placing a 75ohm resistor in line with each channel. Etymotic sells a cable that does just this, although with a little soldering skill, you can make one yourself.

They sound amazing. The reverb in Stevie Wonder's Innervisions is clear. Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer" is tight and every instrument is heard in a dense mix. Mos Def and Talib Kweli's vocals are so smooth on Blackstar. Miles Davis sounds great. The imaging is very precise and they have a nice wide stereo field. The bass is very impressive, but more importantly the mid range and highs are balanced. They beat out my Grado SR 80's for sound quality and detail.

Even with my 128 AAC's files the sound is wonderful.

They do a great job attenuating outside noise like my AC. I'd like to see how they stand up to a packed subway train and coach class in a 747.

I'm really enjoying them, so far. My next international flight will be much more bearable.

I wouldn't recommend eating while wearing them.

[Eug Wanker]

I'm testing the Ety 4P out now. I paid US$270 for them, plus shipping.

First - blocking out the background noise:

The air conditioning is on and I can't tell it's on, even with the music off. I can't hear myself typing either. Furthermore there is no problem using the iPod to drive it.

ie. This will be AWESOME for the plane.

Now for sound quality. They're good but not totally awesome. The sound is not quite as full as big cans in this price range ($270), but I guess you can't have everything. I don't think the sound is much better than the Sennheiser HD570 I tried, but alas the Sennheiser can't be used in the situations I want to use it for. Higher end cans which cost less do sound better than these Etys IMO.

These Etys do sound much better than standard sub $100 headphones though, I think they also beat the the HD500, which is $110 around here.

Lastly comfort: I think they're pretty comfortable. Took about 15 mins to get used to them.

Overall I'm satisfied, but I think these headphones should be US$170, not $270. US$330 (which is the retail price) would thus be about double what I think they're worth.