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ETYMOTIC RESEARCH ER-4P EARPHONES

The top-of-the-line earphones from Etymotic Research have just about everything going for them except comfort and fit. The sound is clear, clean, concise, natural. No complaints there although, for me, they are relatively bright on top and thin on bottom and took me a day or two to get used to.

My main problem was getting a good seal – so necessary with this type of earphone -- because of their design, and the tips provided. ER suggests that the flange tips need wetting to be inserted well which is OK the first time out, but with repeated usage this becomes less and less attractive. The foam tips give me a better seal and are more comfortable, but never feel secure unless you’re sitting still. The cursory instructions do not indicate that the 4P's should be wrapped around the ear. Without doing so, however, the earpieces tend to come loose due to the weight of their own cord. Wrapping them behind the ear does stabilize them somewhat, but the result is not ideal so don’t plan on jogging with these earphones. I fitted them, utilizing a bit of ingenuity, with short Comply Canal Tips, which made for a better fit, superior seal, and improved isolation. At this point, I could sit back and appreciate the rather spacious sound.

Although the 4P’s are equalized with portable devices in mind (the "P" in the name is for Portable) to enhance bass and treble response, I find that they still require a 10-15% higher volume setting than either the E5's or the UM2's for comparable output.

MILES FUSCO B.S., M.S., THE JUILLIARD SCHOOL FIDELIA STUDIOS NEW YORK