Etymotic Research ER4XR in-Ear Monitors $241.34 Amazon.ca

parrot5 wrote: ↑Only possible quirk is that these stick out of your ears more than other IEMs.

feminazi wrote: ↑ The ER2XR's cost less than half the price . . .are they a much better value compared to the ER4XR model?

Crinnacle says the ER4XR's are technically better and he ranks them an A- vs. the ER2XR's at a B+ but he says he prefers the sound of the ER2XR's and that they are a market disruptor for the price.

Are there better IEMs for the money than these two in their price brackets?

Edit: I am restraining myself from buying these because I want them but I don't need them . . .have you guys seen them at a much lower price or a lower price?

My main headphones are a pair of Jubilee 58XX and I REALLY like them. I have a couple of IEMs that I let my kids use but I was considering getting these so I would have a nice pair of isolating IEMs for myself.

If nothing can touch them or the ER2XRs for the money maybe I will go for it . . .

Soyabeaner wrote: ↑Yes. Crinnacle ranks ER2XR as 3 stars over ER4XR's 1 star, which means beyond the value it provides given the price. A- is only a slight step above B+. You're trading a little less detail resolution for actual bass response. BA drivers typically struggle to compared to dynamic drivers in terms of bass, which is why he prefers it himself. His ranking is based on technical and objective perspectives as well, sometimes regardless of his preferences. Reading the short description comments alone gives you an good summarized idea that there many IEMs ranked much higher, but not necessarily better at all audio aspects. I bought my ER2XR at $150 earlier this year when it first decreased in price and at the time I predicted wrong, thinking it was only a temporary discount and now at $115 its value is crazy high. According to camelx3, it's currently at its lowest historical price.

In my experience with several cheap IEMs, the ER2XR has the most neutral tonality (except for a slight bump in the lower mids that I EQ 200 Hz down by 3 dB by a narrow bandwidth, but I listen at loud volumes, so it's more audible to me). The only drawbacks to me are it could use more sub-bass (this is coming from IEMs with tons of sub-bass) and the soundstage is below average. It overall sounds just "right". No sibilance or harshness, although the high peak tuning at ~2700 Hz very rarely may result in loud female voices on some the songs I listen to. Not only does it isolate the ambient noise the most, but I hear zero background hissing in all my songs compared every other IEM I've owned.

chatbox wrote: ↑ Maybe take a look at Moondrop Blessing 2?

Poutinesauce wrote: ↑ The only issue with Etymotic IEMs is that there is a strong tendency for ear wax to get stuck in their tiny filter, which you then need to change, by buying new ones at incredibly inflated prices for a tiny piece of plastic. This is a very easy process, but it can happen frequently and is incredibly frustrating.