ER4XR Earphones

I bought a pair of ER4XR 6 years ago because I was looking for a little more bass than the ER4S I had been using for many years. These ER4XR improved slightly on my experience with the ER4S in terms of fidelity, accuracy and clarity (the ER4S are still fantastic IEMs), but also with a little, just a little, more colour in the bass. I don't like to equalise the IEMS, the way they sound with my IFI Gryphon I don't need to look any further. You quickly get used to the way they work, and they never get tired, either in sound or placement. If you like music as it is, the ER4 family is one of the best options available

I think I need to listen all my library again.
Apple Spatial Audio + Dragonfly Red + ER4XR.

I've been using the Etymotic earphones for something like 20 years. I have had 4s, 4p, and these. I have many headphones ranging into the thousands in price. This is the one that gets the most use. It's relatively inexpensive, the performance is remarkable, and it is easily driven. I've used it with everything from portable MP3 players to high end equipment, it shines with all the gear. From work day listening to gym workouts to flying, this earphone does it all. It's a particular treat. I have flown in between the east and west coasts many times, some of those with crying babies immediately in front or in back of me. The reduction in engine noise and other intrusions made those very happy trips.

The buds had terrific extra-bass sound as was advertised

I've had over 4 pairs of Ety's over the past decade. From HF series to ER4PT high end pairs (still have these). I loved all of them for that unique sound signature of Ety's. They provide dynamic lively sound without being harsh, artificially bright nor too bassy. This is important if you listen to anything for an extended session at a time. However, I want to be completely transparent to say that comfort is very subjective and that it may take a while before you find that sweet spot.

For me, none of the ear tips that were provided was good enough. So I did some ear tip rolling and for comfort, my best option was to go with Comply heat activated foams. They are bit costly for what it is but for me, it was well worth it. With Comply, sound suppression was second to none, and I can hear all the details coming from the drivers, even some sounds that resonates within my ear canal to provide that truly lively sound and rumbles (track 'High Life' from Jazz at the Pawnshop album by Domnerus comes alive like it's performing live right on front of you!). Or, in Vivaldi's Four Seasons, during the Autumn's first movement, the bow that bounces off the string can be felt! It makes it sound even better with low power IEM headphone amps. It really unlocks those expansive soundstage in original high res recordings. I've seen many comparisons online between the ER2XR/SE and the ER4XR/SR. I can assure you that the ER4's are the king of clarity and definition with top of the line balanced armature drivers. If you're not sure, get both, use the same source DAP or music source, hi res music tracks and see for yourself. Certain music with such astounding accuracy, e.g. bass drum. It actually mimics the reverberation produced by air pressure in your ears through this IEM! Clarity, preciseness, definition, and the expansiveness in experience is unmistakably ER4XR/SR with Balanced Armature drivers!

To illustrate what I mean, I was using the Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt DAC. I am also using an iPhone with VLC app and I side loaded the hires FLAC files using iTunes. This I think in my opinion is a fantastic setup for on the go hires listening. I also use a Cowon iAudio 9+ (with BBE/EQ set to Headphones) I purchased new over 10 years ago which I use for audio source for the ER4XRs during any rigorous activities. For my ears, I prefer the brown filter for that slight high-mid bias. I really keep these IEMs busy and preoccupied. ER4XR's really brings out the rich, highly detailed and balanced audio. The more you use it, the better it will start to sound. Just be patient and you will see that this IEM is way more capable than how it is advertised, it is truly a "sleeper" IEM. The soundstage becomes much fuller and it's a shear joy listening to my favorite albums - I call that the "sonic bliss".

In fact, you will feel as if you're hearing those albums for the first time. Final complement about the Etymotic's fundamental difference between a regular IEM is the deep insertion. Once you insert them properly into your ear canal, they will never fall out and they will reward you with an all-day comfort. I have also noticed vastly lower wind noise during cycling when compared to my other IEM which is a Campfire Mammoth. In fact, it has similar level of outside noise suppressed in comparison to IEM that has active noise cancellation.

Quick comparison between the previous generation ER4PT (the "T" model comes with adaptor to convert the "P" portable to an S model). I use the same source and EQ setting. Other than RMS output needs to be higher for the ER4PT in S mode, the clarity is about equal. The older model tends to be more analogish yet it has its own unique characteristics. The newer ER4XR sounds about the same but sounds more accurate yet easier to drive. The fact that it's the "Extended" version, the bass is not overbearing at all. In fact, for most tracks, you hardly notice any difference. It's quite a battle. Sometime I feel like ER4PT and sometimes I feel like ER4XR! (no.. this is not an Almond Joy commercial).

Moral of the story is I love the ER4XR so much that I want to give it a big hug every time I put them on. Rediscovering my music collection through ER4XR's feels like I am receiving a gift from the Sound Goddess each day. If you're on the fence, leap over it and get a pair, you'll be glad that you did.