I have chosen to go with Shure – and have maxed out with spending $150 on the E3c’s (I also have E2c’s – not nearly as comfortable as the E3c’s – if you have smaller ears). Shure seems to have beaten down the “microphonics” problems pretty well – microphonics is the noise that travels through the wire — usually as a result of the wire rubbing against clothing — and results in a fairly distinctive rustling sound. It is most annoying when using the headset while doing any vigorous excercise. A number of other users have reported microphonics to be significantly worse in the Ety’s.

The only times I use headphones these days is on airplanes. For that I have a set of Kenwood noise canceling headphones, similar to the Bose but far cheaper. Does an excellent job of eliminating the drone of air travel for me.

Any chance of a review of those new phones?

A very important advantage is that they are far less damaging to your ears than traditional headphones because you can turn the volume down so much and still hear perfectly. You don’t need them to drown out background noise because with your ear canal plugged, you can’t hear it anymore. (Unfortunately, you don’t get this same effect with noise cancellation headphones, e.g., Bose, and extended headphone wearing really does damage your hearing.) So, for this reason alone, I think they are worth consideration, and since the sound is superb, it’s an easy decision for me.

Originally posted by Julie
[B]One of One:

It is interesting that we all hear things differently. My favorite earphones are my B&O earbuds. Their sound quality is great, and for me, they are the most comfortable ones I have found so far.

I’m curious to know how many people enjoy using isolating earphones in places other than airplanes? I really don’t like the feeling that they give me when I try wear them at work. I guess I’m afraid I’ll ‘miss’ something that my co-workers might be doing or saying. [/B]

For myself, I like the isolation factor just because it gives me some peace and quiet without having to listen to people yammering on about things I don’t care about, crying babies, screaming kids, loud cell phone conversations, and whatever else I don’t want to listen to. I’d wear these on an airplane, at a bookstore, at a coffee shop, on public transportation, at home, in a parked car (not while I was driving, though!), or anywhere else I could relax. If I was at a job, however, I wouldn’t wear these. I probably wouldn’t wear anything just because I’d need (and want) to be at full alert with everything going on around me.

But for everywhere else, the isolation is the only way to go. The superb noise cancellation along with superb sound reproduction is nothing short of candy for the ears and for my well-being.

It is interesting that we all hear things differently. My favorite earphones are my B&O earbuds. Their sound quality is great, and for me, they are the most comfortable ones I have found so far.

I’m curious to know how many people enjoy using isolating earphones in places other than airplanes? I really don’t like the feeling that they give me when I try wear them at work. I guess I’m afraid I’ll ‘miss’ something that my co-workers might be doing or saying.

So I returned the 4P’s in exchange for one of Headroom’s portable TOTAL Bithead amps (that according to them, won’t be shipping until the beginning of February this year). It not only will plug into an Ipod, but can also be used with a laptop as well via USB. An amp will make the sound even better though any phones, and in addition, I will be saving up for some Ultimate Ears UE-10′s. These are VERY expensive (around $950), but they’re as high end as you can get in an ear monitor (they have an extensive clientele list of top level bands and musicians), have triple drivers for very full bass, and also include custom ear molds as well to fit your ears perfectly and comfortably. And just as an added bonus, you can choose the color of both the cord and ear molds. It requires you to go visit an Audiologist to get ear impressions that you later send to UE so that they can make the molds from that, but I couldn’t imagine anything more comfortable or rich in sound than these. I figure, if they’re good enough for all of their clientele (who could afford anything), then I have little doubt that they’re good enough for me. I also am very sensitive to sound, and a musician myself, so it matters to me, will serve me in both capacities (leisurely and musically) and is worth it to me to invest this much, even if it seems crazy to others (which, of course, is irrelevant as long as it serves my needs and wants).

But at any rate, I figure with this amp and these earbuds, I’ll not only be comfortable, but will have the best sound imaginable. Expensive, but to me, worth it.

You’re right, that’s where the P differs from the S, it does not require an amplifier. I noticed that I could actually turn the sound down a little when using the ER-4Ps, over the ER-6s.

You might note that Etymotics makes a really cheap earplug with
the same design as these headphones. They take sound
levels down 15 dB evenly across the spectrum, which means that
at a loud party you hear the person shouting over the music
and the music at about 1/4 the volume, but no loss (nor gain)
in intelligibility. I love the things, they run maybe $10-15. Look
a bit weird in your ears, but save your hearing.

Jeff

http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/etymotic-earphones-review.html

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