Etymotic Research ER4-P microPro Earphones
www.Etymotic.com
Price: $330.00

Etymotic Research is a company established in 1983 by audiologist Dr. Mead Killion. Today, they focus on making high quality products for audiophiles (Etymotic makes earphones) and the hearing-impaired (and Etymotic makes hearing aids). Right now we will take a look at their ER4-P microPro Earphones.

The ER4-P Earphones are made to be a noise canceling earphone but at the same time offer unbelievable sound reproduction for your listening pleasure. The ER4-P are made for use with portable devices like Ipods and MP3 players. Because of this, they offer higher sound output and enhanced bass. Also in the ER4 line up are the S and B models, the S is for perfect reproduction of sound with a large powered system. The B model is made for monitoring recordings not equalized for loudspeaker playback. The main points that Etymotic gives for the ER4-P are:

• Lightweight and Portable
• High accuracy
• High noise isolation
• Enhanced Bass Response
• Higher Sound Output
• Custom earmold option

Going off the points they give, the Etymotic ER4-P Earphones are extremely light and portable. They weigh in at under 1oz. and are about the size of the end of an average pinky finger. The ER4-P have a covered black cord that is approximately 5ft long and also has a clip on it. The cord is coated in a smooth, flexible plastic material. This material give a high quality look and feel, plus seems to help keep noise of the cord rubbing on your shirt to a minimum. High accuracy is something that should strike anyone right away. These earphones are expensive, but the reason is for their unbelievable accuracy. You really have to hear them to believe them. They offer response that really no other similar earphones can offer, and they give a super clear sound. They even offer better accuracy then the ER-6 and 6i earphones by Etymotic which both seems to be unbelievable also the first time you hear them.

Now onto the use of the Earphones. Unlike normal earbuds, the ER4-P is a in ear earphone. This means that they slide in like earplugs to plug your ear from outside noises. This is how they can be noise canceling and yet not have electronic noise canceling that tries to mask the sound by use of opposite frequencies (this is what most noise canceling headphones like Bose do). Considering they slide in your ears like earplugs, the ER4-P Earphones can take a bit of getting used to. Etymotic has put a great guide for tips and instructions on how to insert and use the Earphones on their site HERE. I have tested their tips and instructions and also some ways of my own, and it seems their way works the best and is the easiest way to use the earphones. It is EXTREMELY important to get a good seal in your ear since without a good seal the sound quality will not be very good. They also have different ear tips available depending on what the shape of your ear is. Include are 5 pairs of Foam Eartips and 3 pairs of the 3 flange eartips.

In use, the ER-6 Isolator earphones have very good audio response. They do lack in the bass area a bit on portable devices like Ipods and other MP3 players. I used the ER-6 earphones on my Yamaha stereo going through a separate EQ and I was able to receive unbelievable audio quality. They are so sensitive that on my stereo I could here the knobs being turned when I adjusted things like bass on my stereo. This is not a bad thing though as it means that the earphones pick of even the faintest details and when I was not adjusting the knobs on my stereo, the sound was perfect.

The packaging of the ER4-P is done uniquely. The earphones and accessories come in a black plastic case displayed perfectly inside. In the case you find:

• The earphones
• Extra Filters and Filter removal and insertion tool
• Extra 3 Flange Tips
• 5 pairs of Foam Eartips
• 1/4" stereo adapter
• Shirt Clip
• Pouch

The shirt clip clips to the green splitter in the cord and keeps it from moving around and pulling on your ears. The filters are what make the great sound and if they get clogged sound quality can be decreased. So if you hear a decrease in quality over time, you can replace the filters. The pouch is a small zipper bag that can be used to store the earphones when not in use.

One last point I like to mention is that the ER4-P earphones are very discrete. They do not look like you are wearing a 330$ pair of earphones and this can decrease the risk of being robbed on the bus or train to work which can be an issue in big cities if you are wearing a huge headphone setup.

Pros:

• Great Quality
• Portable
• Discrete
• Different Tips Available

Cons:

• In cord splitter can pull on your ears if you do not use the shirt clip
• Can take some getting used to

Thanks to Etymotic for the Review Sample!