Etymotic Research ER4XR Response Precision Matched In-Ear Earphones
Introduction
Etymotic earphones exclude most external sounds. It is unsafe to use in-ear earphones while operating a motorized vehicle, operating machinery, bicycling or jogging, because you may not be alerted to potential danger.
In rare instances an eartip may come off in the ear canal when removing the earphone. If this should occur and the eartip cannot be easily removed, it is recommended that you promptly contact an audiologist or other medical professional. A professional can use blunt tweezers to remove the eartip.
Consult an audiologist or physician if you have excessive ear wax, difficulty inserting the eartips, or discomfort after prolonged use.
Do not listen at excessively loud levels. Research confirms that earphones that seal the ear canal allow listeners to listen at safer levels. Noise-induced hearing loss is a function of exposure time, the average sound level and the peak output of very loud sounds. A sealed eartip and lower listening levels allow for longer periods of safe listening.
IN THE BOX
- Earphones
- Detachable, 5 ft. cord with 3.5 mm gold plated stereo plug
- 1 ⁄4″ stereo phone adapter
- Assortment of ear tips
- Filter removal tool and replacement filters
- Shirt clip
- Zippered storage case
- Performance certificate (not shown)
IDENTIFICATION
SELECTING AN EARTIP
The ear tips that are most comfortable are the best choice, but they should seal well in the ears for best noise isolation and sound quality.
When changing ear tips make sure the ear tip fits securely on the stem of the earphone.
NOTE Hold the earphone body–not the cable connector–when removing the ear tips to avoid accidentally detaching cable.
PROPER INSERTION
Important: Sound quality, full bass response and noise isolation all depend on a good ear tip seal in the ear canal. See a video demonstration of how to get a proper fit at www.etymotic.com
- While pulling up and out on the back of the ear carefully insert the earphone.
- Twist the earphone into the ear canal while inserting, until outside noise is blocked out.
- 3-flange ear tips: Moistening eases insertion.
- Foam ear tips: Roll down or compress foam ear tip before inserting. Hold the ear tip in place for about 5 seconds while the foam expands to create a tight seal in the ear canal.
REMOVAL
Remove earphones slowly with a twisting motion to gradually break the seal. Do not pull on the cable to remove the earphones.
SHIRT CLIP
Attaching the Clip
Shirt clip attaches to the splitter cable.
Note
Securing splitter cable helps reduce cable noise.
CORD SLIDER
Using the Slider
Slider is used to snug the cable under the chin to help secure the earphones.
DETACHABLE CABLES
Detaching Cables
- Grab the body of the earphone.
- Pull the cable connector away from the earphone body. Do not twist. Pull straight out to prevent damage to the key tab.
Note
Do not pull or twist from the cable connector. It’s important to pull straight out.
Attaching Cables
- Align the key tab with the notch in the body of the earphone and cable connector.
- Press together until you feel it snap in.
Note
If the key tab is not aligned with the notch, snap will not engage.
CHANGING FILTERS
Etymotic earphones have special filters that smooth the frequency response and prevent earwax from entering the earphones. A filter is located at the end of the earphone and is visible when the eartip is removed. If a filter becomes clogged, it should be replaced. A dirty filter will reduce earphone output. The filter should be changed if loudness decreases or the sound quality declines. Note: Filters are not reusable.
Filter Removal
Note: Use the tool to remove the filter.
- Remove ear tip.
- Insert tool into the filter.
- Remove filter.
Filter Replacement
Note Do not use the tool to replace the filter.
- Insert a new filter.
- Press gently against a hard surface to secure it in place.
- Re-attach ear tip.
CLEANING AND REPLACING EARTIPS
Over time eartips may lose their elasticity. For best performance and retention, replace 3-flange eartips every 60-90 days. Replace foam and glider eartips frequently.
To clean 3-flange eartips
- Remove the eartip from the earphone.
- Clean with water and mild soap.
- Dry the eartip before placing it back on the earphone.
IMPORTANT
- Do not expose the earphones to extreme temperatures.
- Avoid dropping and strong impact.
- Leave eartips on the earphones for shock protection.
- Do not pull on the cord to remove the earphone from the audio device or the ear.
- Clean or replace eartips prior to use by others.
- For best performance and retention in the ear, replace 3-flange eartips every 60-90 days.
- Replace foam eartips frequently.
WARRANTY
Etymotic Research, Inc. warrants this product against defects in material or workmanship for a period of two years from the date of original purchase from an authorized Etymotic distributor or reseller.
Etymotic will repair or replace the defective product at its option if returned within the warranty period to our service facility. This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied, including, but not limited to any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Etymotic Research ER4XR are in-ear monitors whereas the Sony 7506 are over the ear headphones. The Etymotic are excellent at sound reproduction and cancellation of outside noise so they are great for mixing, I would venture to say more so the Sony 7506. Downside of the ER4XR is the insertion and extraction into your ear. The Sony MDR-7506 have been around for quite some time and they have stood the test of time; great headphone for home use; whereas the ER4XR is geared more to professional use as reflected in the price of each product.
Please do your research before purchasing from a non-authorized retailer. Etymotic is very clear about its warranty policy: if you buy from a vendor that is not on its list of authorized resellers, you will get no warranty coverage from Ety. Amazon is not an authorized reseller. Some vendors who sell the product via Amazon are.
The ER4SR and XR also use mmcx connectors with the detachable cables.
I had an older version of these from about 10 to 12 years ago and they were extremely sweat resistant. I sweat a ton doing cardio like jogging/cycling/or elliptical at the gym. They don’t completely block out sound like some mention. It’s still there but it severely reduced. For example, you can hear car honking or sirens just fine. But you can’t hear anyone talking to you. That said, I just got these ER4SR’s to replace my older earphones and I’ve only gone jogging once and one of the earphones sound is reduced like it’s blocked. Replacing the filter isn’t helping or swapping the earphones. I’m guessing these newer versions aren’t so sweat resistant like the old ones were. Oh, and some of the other people mentioned the seal breaking while exercising. Yes, of course this happens. It’s not constant though and within reason (depending on the activity they’ll come out faster and you’ll have to adjust them). I have issues exercising with all headphones and frankly these were one of the best options. But I’m thinking just one workout session and the sound is permanently blocked in one earphone already. I’m quite shocked really but maybe they changed the design.
Some models have a red dot on the right side, others have a little L and a little R, just take a closer look there should be some indication.
Not from etymotic , but there is from 3rd party companies.
Both the ER4 and HF series earphones use balanced armature sound drivers. The drivers on the ER4 series are precision matched to within 1 dB. They are professional grade. The ER4XR adds just a bit more presence in the lower range for those who prefer a bit more bass. The cables on the ER4XR are detachable. Both the ER4XR and the HF5 use the same size replacement filter–ER38-46.
May seem a little bit dry, but highly accurate. Bass quality is dependant on the material, I wouldn’t recommend mixing with too much bass using them.
Don’t personally know those earphones.
As long as you don’t mind the appearance. They have great isolation. You’ll need a receiver to plug them into though.
I just got these and i was comparing them to my sony MDR-7550 and the sony sound better and more powerful, do I need an amp for the etymotic? As several others commented below, I’m not certain you are fully inserting the drivers with a complete seal of the ear canal. The complete seal of the ear canal isolates out 35-42 dB of background noise (thus saving your hearing) and works to balance out the sound. That said, Etymotic’s guiding principle has always been to reproduce sound as accurately as possible. While the XR does offer a bit of boost in the bass, we do not greatly artificially enhance the bass as some products do. The Etymotic sound, as it is often called, is the most accurate sound reproduction available anywhere.
Yes — comply foam tips fit perfectly. I much prefer them over the included rubber tips.
Yes but, not very often and usually because I had neglected to clean the ear tip often enough. All I have ever needed to do is to remove the tips when they show some ear wax deposits, soak in denatured alcohol briefly to clean the inside as well as the outside to remove the wax or skin oils and let dry. also wipe the part of the earphone that the ear tip mounts on with alcohol on a tissue to clean it (don’t put the earphone in the alcohol), put the ear tip back on and you should be good to go again. It’s always good to do this cleaning occasionally anyway to prevent bacteria from causing an ear infection.
You might be confusing the noise isolation with the max output. ER4XR have a maximum output of 122 dB. All of our earphones will provide 35-42dB of noise isolation when sealed properly and deeply in the ear canal. The actual amount of isolation will depend on the eartips used. For example, foam eartips have the potential to provide more isolation with deep insertion than the 3-flange style eartips.
Maybe a little. But if you use the cord clip, this will be minimized as well as make wearing the earphones a bit more comfortable.
