Willaim
11-28-2003, 07:59 PM
I'm looking at buying a pair of ER-4Ps. I'm using a pair of Sony MDR-EX51s. So I have a few ?s for people who use the ER-4Ps. First what I like, dislike, and need.
On the Sony's I like the fit (seal) and comfort. I don't like the unorthodox behind the head cord. It is a harder type plastic that holds it shape (will not lay flat and sticks out if twisted). When folded it kinks, and is very sticky to most skin. The cord on the stock iPod phones is much better at these 3 problems. I will mostly be using at the gym so I will need durability and resistance to sweet and cord pulls.
So how does the ER-4Ps cord compare and is there an easy way to deal with the extra 1.5' of excess cord? Also there appears to be a plastic tube about half way in the ER-4Ps cord. What are the filters and what are the foams for?
Thanks
I have the Ety 4P's (I also own the Shure E2's and Sony EX's), and the Ety's are incredible.
Likes: Transparent, crystal clear detailed sound. I've grown to actually like the sound out of these better than my Grado SR 60's--I have a hard time believing an earphone sounds better than a good set of cans, but truth is they do. Isolation with triple flange sleeves is awesome--better than the Sony's. Harder to insert, not QUITE as comfortable as the EX's, but still very comfortable for me--I listen to them for extended periods at a time, no problem. Triple Flanges BTW are my favorite way to go for sound quality--I prefer them over custom ear molds, for what it's worth.
Dislikes: Even with the new braided cord, there is cord noise--not a great earphone for jogging, a treadmill, or weightlifting, for example (I use the Shure E2's for this). They're fine for a stationary bike, or an elliptical (using the shirt clip, which is small and nonobtrusive). If this is the PRIMARY consideration for you, you might want to give the E2's a serious look.
Need: Slightly more bass. The bass is crystal clear, well defined--not muddy at all--but it's just a tad light. This is a very minor issue, and reflects a personal preference, but if I could add just little more oomph to the bass, I would--it's the only thing I'd change about these phones, and it's not a huge deal. It's odd in that I can "feel" the percussion, but you don't get the visceral feeling of bass--it's there, it just doesn't thump though.
The filters serve a dual purpose: to keep earwax out of the drivers, and to focus the sound.
If you're looking for a phone just for the gym, I'd strongly consider the Shure's--they have no cord noise, and appear more durable than the Ety 4P's. The Ety's are by far my favorite, but I don't use them at the gym, except on a bike or Precor. The Shure's have darned good sound, and IMHO are the best bargain earbud you're going to find--a significant improvement over the EX's. The Ety's take it to the next level, but you pay for it.
My advice: If you can spring for both, I'd do it--the Shure's for the gym/heavy workouts, the Ety's for everything else, or stationary workouts...