I've been an avid Etymotic user for decades now, having gotten my ER-4's shortly after they were released back in the day. I'm a sound designer and use them for a variety of uses in my work but, they can be un-wieldy as travel headphones here in NYC (due to cable length) Since the HF series with the mic went the way of the dodo I turned to the XR3's which sound amazing with the perfect length cable for portable use. Couldn't love them more. Coupled with the comply ear tips they're just perfect.