Etymotic ER4 SR - Review 2022

Information technology's been three decades since Etymotic Inquiry introduced u.s.a. to the earphone models that would become industry standards for flat response reference listening. The current style of thinking for many manufacturers tin can probably best described be as "add more bass." And then where practise new reference-style earphones, like the Etymotic ER4 SR, fit into this modern mural? The $349 earphones, an update to the ER4 model—with the SR continuing for Studio Reference—deliver infrequent sound performance with unrivaled accuracy. Those seeking massive depression-finish, nonetheless, are definitely barking up the wrong tree. The ER4 SR earphones are a gift to sound engineers and anyone seeking reference-level sound, and a clear Editors' Choice.

Design

The pattern here is equally as nondescript every bit the original ER4—thin, uncommonly lightweight black earpieces connected to braided cabling. The flanged eartips are probably the most iconic aspect of the Etymotic design—the earphones transport with 4 flange tip pairs in diverse sizes, and two foam pairs. Getting the right fit is essential with any in-culvert earphones, but specially with Etymotic pairs, as they already have less enhanced bass response than most in-ears, and then creating a strong seal is essential.

From a comfort standpoint, the flange tips are excellent simply may non be for anybody—they practise provide an uncommonly strong seal, but besides need to enter the canal more securely than some listeners will be accustomed to. (Yeah, it's safe.) One time you get the right fit and seal, they experience like they're floating. The cream tips are probably more comfortable, or at least offering a more traditional feel, but after a while it's piece of cake to forget either style of tip is even in place. Both options offering a secure fit that is a pace above typical offerings, and exercise an excellent task of blocking out ambient room racket.

As the SR in the name indicates, the earphones are designed for studio and reference use—then you won't find an inline remote command for your mobile device. They terminate in a iii.5mm connectedness, but ship with a sturdy 0.25-inch headphone jack adapter for utilize with studio and stereo gear.

Etymotic ER4 SR inline In addition to the eartips and jack adapter, the earphones ship with a shirt clip, a hard shell naught-up pouch with various compartments for storage inside, and four boosted filters. These filters are located within each earpiece, and over time, wax can build up and clog them, creating a blockage and messing with the overall sound experience. Etymotic includes a small tool for removing and replacing the filters, which are in place to shine the frequency response and prevent wax from entering the actual earpiece.

The cables disassemble from the earpieces at the base, making them piece of cake to supersede if there's always an outcome down the route—though no extra cables ship with the earphones. It would have been squeamish to include an alternate version with an inline remote control for this cost.

Performance

On tracks with intense sub-bass content, like The Knife's "Silent Shout," Etymotic delivers definition and flat response-style audio for reference and critical listening. What does this mean? Well, the bass isn't going to be every bit booming on these earphones equally it is on many competing models. This is not to imply they lack bass response—especially on this track, they evangelize a very healthy deep bass presence. But that'due south because there's deep bass in the mix—the ER4 SR won't be enhancing or inventing anything that isn't there. The high-mids and highs on this track are uncommonly clear. The overall balance and response is impeccable.

Bill Callahan's "Drover," a track with far less deep bass in the mix, gives us a better sense of the general sound signature. Bass-forward earphones will often make the drums on this track audio unnaturally thunderous and heavy. They're not insufficient of bass depth here, but they don't take much low frequency presence. Callahan's baritone vocals ofttimes go some added richness in the depression-mids, but that isn't the case here—his vocalization is still rich, but not ridiculously so. The nearly obvious attribute of the ER4 SR'southward sound signature is clarity throughout the frequency range—everything is crystal clear, with contour and definition. Things audio more crisp and bright than they do bass-forward, but the Pocketknife rails proves that when bass exists, it isn't shied away from.

On Jay-Z and Kanye Due west'due south "No Church in the Wild," the kick drum loop gets an platonic level of loftier-mid presence, so nosotros hear its sharp attack slice through the layers every bit one of the more prominent aspects of the mix. The sub-bass synth hits that punctuate the beat and often audio thunderous on bass-forward earphone pairs are powerful here, but the bass presence isn't insanely potent like it often is—we hear just as much of the synth's raspy summit notes as we practise its depth. The vocals on this track are delivered with exceptional clarity—there's no added sibilance or harshness, but at that place is vivid, crisp definition on every syllable.

Orchestral tracks, similar the opening scene in John Adams' The Gospel According to the Other Mary, become the treatment audiophiles seeking flat response dream of. The lows exist, simply in a supporting role—the lower register instrumentation has some resonance and depth at times, but it is subtle. There's a fullness to it, but it's not nearly as prominent every bit the higher register brass, strings, and vocals and their high-mid and high frequency presence. This is a bright, exceptionally clear sound signature with natural richness to complement the highs.

Conclusions

Musicians, composers, and sound engineers can feel confident in the accuracy of the ER4 SR every bit a reference tool. Music lovers in search of flat response-style earphones to go a truer sense of the engineer's intentions volition besides enjoy the infrequent accuracy and clarity Etymotic offers. In today's market, in that location's really non much that compares with these critical listening in-ears.

We now alive in a time where additional bass is substantially the norm. If you know know you want an otherwise accurate sound signature with some tastefully added bass depth, check out the Bowers & Wilkins C5 Series 2, the Westone W10, and the RHA CL750. For far less money, nosotros also beloved the 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones . All of these models sound wonderful and care for bass with respect by boosting, simply not overdoing it. We'll also soon be reviewing Etymotic's ER4 EX earphones, which take the ER4 SR's frequency response and add together in more than low-end. But if a pure, accurate sound signature is what you're later, the ER4 SR earphones are worth every penny, and an obvious Editors' Selection.