Reviews

101

Just another quick note: I just plugged the ER-6i's into my PocketPC running PocketMusic and I get the the most full, clean, warm sound out of them. Especially when you add a slight bass boost.

I think Apple possibly skimps on the iPod's EQ in order to preserve battery life or something. There is a big difference in sound when I A/B the PocketPC with the iPod. iPod definately sounds tinny in comparison. I still love the portability of the iPod, but the sound quality isn't 100% there yet.

Posted by Jeff Consi on April 21, 2005 at 11:04 PM (PDT)

102

If you think that $149.00 is a little expensive for these tiny earbuds, you are wrong. The sound quality on these babies could even be comparable to some other professional studio reference monitors that are used by performers on live shows, and are priced at $1000.00, like the Ultimate Ears. UE 10-Pro.

Since I live in New York City, "The Noisiest Capital of the World", I have learned to love quite quickly the seclusion and privacy from the outside world that are offered by the ER-6i. Finally, now I can listen without problem to my favorite tunes on the the NY Subway, "Noisiest Train System in the World", without cranking my iPod's volume all the way up. Which is lovely, although a little dangerous if you are walking in the streets.
As an Audio Engineer, owner of both the ER-6i and the far more expensive UE 10-Pro, I Can tell you that for a regular consumer you get much more bang for the money with the ER-6i.

Posted by Rodcarlos on May 12, 2005 at 12:15 AM (PDT)

103

Got the 61's today, and immediately hated them. Tinny, no base, reminded my of the transistor radio I had when I was a kid. After reading all these posts, I'm giving them one more shot. Really cramming them into my ears.

Question: do they really "break in" after a certain number of hours? This sounds hard to believe. They're not leather, after all. But what do I know?

Posted by LarsThorwald on May 13, 2005 at 5:43 PM (PDT)

104

I'm really confused now. Obviously getting the right fit is key in this debate. I'm considering buying the ER6i's, but I need some more info first.

I listen to a very broad range of music, but my preferred genres are house/deep house/techno and easy listening electronica. I am a bit of a buff for these genres and I really appreciate the complexity of sounds. I'm definitely not in it for the "Boom-Boom" thumping bass - but good bass is important as well. I travel quite a bit, so noise reduction on the plane might be useful, although I can live with just music. Do the Sony's reduce noise? Frankly, we all know the apple buds are very limited. I think I've narrowed my choices down to the Sony mdr-ex81's, Sony mdr-e888 and Ety ER6i's. There may be others out there that I'm missing.

Any suggestions? Your help is much appreciated!

Posted by windaholic on June 8, 2005 at 10:58 PM (PDT)

105

I ordered a pair of these specifically for my noisy commute through downtown Chicago and was not disappointed. The intrusive city noise from buses, cars, sirens and the el (subway) train is almost completely eliminated. Even during soft solo piano passages I can barely hear anything from the outside world. Truly amazing. I'm now able to enjoy music during my commute without cranking up my iPod and damaging my eardrums in the process. Definitely worth the investment.

As a musician with a trained ear I listen to a wide variety of music and consider myself to be your typical audiophile. In my opinion, the sound reproduction delivered by these earbuds is very accurate and balanced, with clean, clear separation of instrumentation. Anyone looking for overly punchy bass or exaggerated highs need only adjust their EQ. The earbuds are quite capable.

The triple flanges fit me very well and are comfortable even after extended use, but everyone will have a different experience when it comes to comfort. I learned right away that it's very important to have a good fit with these in order for the sound to be delivered properly and as intended. Those complaining about lack of bass may not have a good seal and should try positioning the buds at a different angle.

One minor note; a small zippered case shipped with these, not the larger velcro version shown in the review.

Highly recommended.

Posted by Brian W on June 20, 2005 at 9:14 AM (PDT)

106

How well does the er-6i work with the iPod Shuffle?

Posted by sluggard on July 26, 2005 at 5:47 PM (PDT)

107

^ They sound very good. I heard that the shuffle has better sound quality than the iPod.

Btw: The link to the Etymotic ER-6i's doesn't work...

Posted by ipodman715 on August 8, 2005 at 8:00 PM (PDT)

108

This things are UTTER UTTER rubbish. There is zero bass, a riduculously and unbearable amount of treble and they don't fit in your ear unless you push they as hard as you can inside you head. Music sounds so bad, everything is 'shrill', it creates a really, really nasty bright and trebley sound that puts me off listening to it at all. Another great example of great marketing and a rubbish product. I had some Sure's before these and loved them, these are either going on eBay on straight in the bin. RUBBISH TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY. Don't believe people when they say they are good, they know no better or are too ashamed to say there bad as they've spent a fortune on them. USELESS lol

Posted by nicnic77 on August 15, 2005 at 3:15 AM (PDT)

109

can someone please clarify:

are these flanges removable or do you have to cut them off.

Posted by groovydude on September 11, 2005 at 4:28 AM (PDT)

110

sorry to say but I agree with nicnic77. I bought mine and returned them within 24 hours. First of all they are cheaply made, the cord, plug and buds themselves had the same feel and construction of a cheap mono earphone that one would pick up at Radio Shack to listen to their AM radio during a football game. The sound wasn't what everyone raves about. Even after messing with the EQ settings all I got was that same nerve-racking irritation that one would get from scratching a chalkboard. I also tried pushing them in my ears far enough to the point that I was scared to pull them out without running the risk of yanking the fragile cord from the bud itself. But what works well with some might not work well with others. If those who own these are happy with them, then that's cool. But I was very disappointed. I'll stick with my Sony MDRE888's. I haven't found anything that compares to them. Very versatile for different sound tastes. The only drawback is you can only get them in black, which would hinder some people who are concerned about making the statement of achieving iPod status. Out here in North Carolina if you have white earphone cords dangling from your ears, you might as well be wearing a neon sign inviting muggers to make you their next victim.

Posted by SnippyHippie in North Carolina, USA on September 17, 2005 at 9:05 PM (PDT)

111

Amazon.com is selling these earphones right now at $84.94. I wasn't sure I was going to buy them, but that price convinced me.

Just thought people might like to know.

Posted by Shirin on September 26, 2005 at 10:25 PM (PDT)

112

How long does it usually take for the sound to break in? i just got these and im just wondering.

Posted by darthhawk125 on September 28, 2005 at 8:31 PM (PDT)

113

People that say these headphones are bright are NOT getting a seal. Once you get a seal, they are NOT bright at all. In fact, I actually find their treble to be a bit rolled off/depressed. Once you get a good seal, the sound should be balanced, bass is there and not overbearing, but moderately punchy, and treble is crisp and clear.

Note: I also have found the tri-flange tips to be useless, could not get a decent seal with them. The foams are a LOT better, instant seal. The difference in sound was night and day. I've heard posts of people saying that they have used these headphones for weeks, and one day, finally got a great seal because they were not putting them in correctly all that time. So it may take some experimentation to get the best seal. If you get a good seal, you can rub your fingers together briskly beside them and not hear anything (music off).

Lastly, everybody's ears are different....the supplied tips may not work for you. You can contact Etymotic and they will send you other sample tips to try FREE of charge.

Posted by rt on October 6, 2005 at 1:02 PM (PDT)

114

So this is what I would like to know...

a) Does anyone have actual experience with the 6i compared to the Sony 5100 series?

b) Lots and lots of comments about bass - is there more or less than the Sony?

c) I am a medical student, and one of the greatest things about the Sony or should I say ear bud type phones is that they can block some serious noise... How do the 6i compare for sound isolation? That is one of the main reasons for my purchase.

With all of the above mentioned, if these things are not markedly better than the Sony, why bother.

Can anyone offer some advice that actually makes sense. I see many post were people are comparing these to the sound of headsets that cost over triple the price of the 6i. Completely pointless argument in my opinion

Posted by QANUK on October 13, 2005 at 2:28 AM (PDT)

115

So, I've been spending some quality time with my new best friends (in my ear right now). To be honest, the discussion regarding in-ear noise cancelling phones needs to be expanded a bit. Previously, I had a pair of ER-6i's and thought that they were the best thing since sliced bread. It is only now with the Ultimate Ears super.fi 5's in my ear that I realize just how wrong my idea of what sounded good was. For those of you who are debating between the two models, save a few of your pennies and get the 5's. Comparing the sound between the two, the overall richness of the 5's is superb. Highs, lows, and everything comes through in a crystal clear fashion. I've finally got bass in an in ear phone! And it's made me so happy! Not only that, but comfort is so different between these two models. I wore my 6i's all the time, and as such, you realize that there are a few problems with them. For instance, you get echo from whenever the cord moves, and the cord can catch on something and RRRRIIIIIPPPPP! out it comes from your ear, sometimes painfully. The long cord is actually more a hazard than a benefit in that case. Also, the 6i's fatigued my ears after sitting in my ears - take em out and your ear feels like it's been on the receiving end of a lovemaking session. Another thing - Etymotic recommends "lubricating" the buds - by using your spit. Those familiar with 'wet willies' will be all too familiar with this odd feeling. To bring it all back to the point, all of these issues have been pretty much taken care by Ultimate Ears - the over-the-ear design actually gives a layer of protection against accidental rip-out, and no lubrication needed to get a good seal. Additionally, NO ECHO - so nice to just hear music, and only that. For those of you who listen to dance/hip hop music, the super.fi 5's are the phones for you. As a DJ, these sound like in-ear versions of the widely popular MDR-1000DJ's by Sony. I hope that you can find a good deal on these (I found them brand new on ebay for $150, a price to die for). If the puppy eats THESE ones, rest assured that I will have to buy them again!

Posted by deejay21 in USA on October 17, 2005 at 12:57 PM (PDT)

116

I'm not an "audiophile" but they sound great.

The SERVICE is amazing. I sent them back after my left earpiece stopped working, WAY past the warrenty period, and they sent me NEW ones. Maybe they are refurbished, I don't know, but the ones I sent were yellowed with age and use and the ones they sent me are completely white, as in new!

Posted by sjleeipod on November 11, 2005 at 2:14 PM (PDT)

117

These headphones absolutely rock. I fought with them for about a week before I figured them out. I could get my left ear to seat and stay, but my right ear wouldn't seat. I decided that I'd cut off the first flange, they're only a couple bucks if I need to replace it anyway. What a difference. I put them in my ears and they both seated perfectly with no discomfort at all. Man these things sound great with no EQ. BUY THEM, you won't regret it. Check out http://www.earphonesolutions.com/ for the best price, not to mention Flavio is very helpful.

Posted by bl4h on December 7, 2005 at 10:52 PM (PDT)

118

My old ER4p sounded better, but hey for 1/2 the price, not gonna complaint much. the ER6i does have this cool sounding bass, just some frequencies, not the entire bass spectrum.

At first I thought, this things (the driver) are so tinny, am I going to have problem putting them on, and most importantly, removing them? After 3 mos, I can tell u, no probs.

I don't like the thinner than usual cables, makes them feel cheap. And the cable is longer than usual. When I hold my mini, arm stretched, there is still a whole foot of cable dangling (I am 5'7"). Oh well. Another thing, the cable is not a single "o" but two stitched together like and "8". Yup, I am very particular.

Straight plug goes well with newer PODs that have the headphone jack under, but a bit clumpsy for older PODS with the jack on top.

Posted by bobb-mini on December 27, 2005 at 3:47 PM (PDT)

119

I am still in the process of getting used to my Etys, but I love these phones. I tried to go the cheap route first with the Sony EX81s and since they didn't fit well, I replaced 'em with EX71s. The muddy bass and poor midrange detail drove me batty. The bass on the Etys won't blow anyone away, but it sounds good and warm, if a little bit understated. The clarity on the mids and highs is great, though, and I don't find them bright or harsh at all. Just good and natural. I listen to a wide variety of music, and the songs that are particularly bass-heavy actually come through just fine.

The triple-tip flanges are very comfortable for me, although I think I have unusually small ears. The isolation is great, but it all comes down to the quality of the sound, and I love the way these guys sound.

Posted by Trager on January 9, 2006 at 6:16 PM (PDT)

120

i would like to purchase these but have a few questions.

1) if the fit isn't good, and i have to modify them, is there anywhere where i can purchase a new pair of the foams or earpieces?

2) i do not like people around me to hear what i'm listening to, can you hear the music outside of the earphones?

3) ocasionally i have friends who would like to hear what i'm listening to, is it safe to let others insert these into their ears? or do they collect earwax easily?

it would be very helpful if anyone can answer these questions, thanks a lot

Posted by gonzo123 on January 20, 2006 at 12:50 AM (PDT)

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