Etymotic Research ER3XR Extended Response Earphones

SociableCalendar102

Jun 25, 2022 12:37 AM

231 Posts

Joined Nov 2020

SociableCalendar102Jun 25, 2022 12:37 AM

231 Posts

im seein 69$

edit: nvm im seein 59$ thanks!

Nate4s

Jun 25, 2022 11:38 PM

182 Posts

Joined May 2008

Nate4sJun 25, 2022 11:38 PM

182 Posts

I bought the ER2XR a few years back at full price ($120)...and they're superb! I would totally get these if I actually used headphones more than when I infrequently travel.

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0220gordon

Jun 25, 2022 11:49 PM

20 Posts

Joined Feb 2018

0220gordonJun 25, 2022 11:49 PM

20 Posts

have too many iems... must resist

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orange10mm

Jun 25, 2022 11:50 PM

14 Posts

Joined Feb 2011

orange10mmJun 25, 2022 11:50 PM

14 Posts

ER3SE on sale for same price as well: https://www.adorama.com/etyer3se....ailprice=t

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balloonshark

Jun 26, 2022 12:13 AM

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Joined Nov 2012

balloonsharkJun 26, 2022 12:13 AM

5,551 Posts

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ER3XR: The "extended bass" models share the same drivers as their "reference" counterparts, with a modest bass boost. That makes the IEMs sound a little warmer, while reproducing the rest of the sound frequencies precisely as recorded.
https://www.etymotic.com/bass-boost-earphones/

ER3SE: The "studio reference" and "studio edition" models are tuned to reproduce the music exactly as it was recorded, without any added coloration. No added treble, no bass boost. Precisely following Etymotic's in-house flat perceived frequency response to deliver neutral true-to-the-recording sound.
https://www.etymotic.com/flat-res...earphones/

Last edited by balloonshark June 25, 2022 at 05:26 PM.

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orange10mm

Jun 26, 2022 12:17 AM

14 Posts

Joined Feb 2011

orange10mmJun 26, 2022 12:17 AM

14 Posts

Quote from balloonshark

:

What's the difference between the two?

Also, why is it when I search Adorama for the brand name I get different prices? Are they a slickdeal exclusive deal where only the referral link has the sale price?

XR has extended response in the low frequencies (bass). SE is intended to be as neutral as possible (at this price point) more for studio use.

I had the same price mismatch experience as you until I realized it required adding onto the URL with the email discount link.

Xception2ThRule

Jun 26, 2022 07:16 AM

553 Posts

Joined Jul 2010

Xception2ThRuleJun 26, 2022 07:16 AM

553 Posts

https://www.rtings.com/headphones...otic/er4xr

Meh. And those are the er4xr.

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dcpoor

Jun 26, 2022 10:02 AM

3,687 Posts

Joined Nov 2006

dcpoorJun 26, 2022 10:02 AM

3,687 Posts

Quote :

The Free Field and Diffuse Field target curves attempt to solve this issue by taking the frequency response of a dummy head, measured either in a free field (anechoic chamber) or a diffuse field (reflective chamber), as the "flat" reference. This way, the resonances of the pinna and the ear canal will be included in the target response, which allows for the flattening of the headphone's frequency response by deducting it from the target response. However, the shortcoming of the FF and DF target responses is that they are based on the response of a dummy head in a test environment, and don't really replicate the sound that headphones are compared to, which is the sound of a pair of loudspeakers in a room. Therefore, headphones tuned to the FF or DF targets tend to be perceived as too bright and lacking in bass. This is because when a pair of speakers that measure flat in an anechoic room are placed in a regular room in a stereo setup, they tend to interact with the acoustics of the room. One of the more significant results of this interaction is a few dB of buildup in the bass range6.

Diffuse Field (and Etymotics) FTW. Harman curve for normies Stick Out Tongue

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Trickbenda

Jun 26, 2022 12:37 PM

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TrickbendaJun 26, 2022 12:37 PM

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Quote from Xception2ThRule

:

https://www.rtings.com/headphones...otic/er4xr [rtings.com]

Meh. And those are the er4xr.

i really would have some reservations about this review. When he says they are slightly uncomfortable, it gives me pause. These are some of the most comfortable headphones there are. The Klipsch x series and these are thevsame design and both are extremely comfortable. The key to these are gettingnthe right tips on them for a good seal.

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searsy

Jun 26, 2022 12:52 PM

731 Posts

Joined Mar 2010

searsyJun 26, 2022 12:52 PM

731 Posts

is it possible to get custom tips made that will allow deep insertion?

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ccbowers

Jun 26, 2022 01:10 PM

162 Posts

Joined Sep 2014

ccbowersJun 26, 2022 01:10 PM

162 Posts

Quote from Xception2ThRule

:

https://www.rtings.com/headphones...otic/er4xr

Meh. And those are the er4xr.

I have no direct experience with these, but the design requires deep insertion to get proper sound, more than most other in-ear designs. I doubt their measurements could be accurate with the designs, as slight shifts in depth of insertion into am actual ear could change the sound significantly.

I think Rtings approach is good for most things, but I wouldn't write something like this off just based upon those measurements.

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zachass92

Jun 26, 2022 02:51 PM

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Joined Jul 2015

zachass92Jun 26, 2022 02:51 PM

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Quote from Xception2ThRule

:

https://www.rtings.com/headphones...otic/er4xr

Meh. And those are the er4xr.

Rtings headphone reviews are generally considered useless in the audiophile community for anything other than physical measurements (e.g. comfort/clamp force/etc.) I would take any commentary on SQ from them as irrelevant.

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KRT09

Jun 27, 2022 04:05 AM

936 Posts

Joined Oct 2016

KRT09Jun 27, 2022 04:05 AM

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Quote from Xception2ThRule

:

https://www.rtings.com/headphones...otic/er4xr [rtings.com]

Meh. And those are the er4xr.

Rtings is mostly junk for headphones despite their reviews are excellent for TV's and monitors. There's helpful info in their reviews but the subjective parts about sound are often really bad, like comparing 2 headphones with very different tonalities and saying they "sound similar" and then trying to assign some arbitrary score for a very subjective thing. Etymotics are known to be really great for the $ as long as you can stand the earplug-like fit and I think this is an all time low for the ER3.

With the explosion of ChiFi the sub $100 price bracket is really competitive though and there's yet another planar IEM coming soon for ~$100.

Last edited by KRT09 June 26, 2022 at 09:10 PM.

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mc68386

Jun 27, 2022 04:09 AM

282 Posts

Joined Nov 2008

mc68386Jun 27, 2022 04:09 AM

282 Posts

Quote from searsy

:

is it possible to get custom tips made that will allow deep insertion?

That's what she said.

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rettaseweallcfd25

Jun 27, 2022 09:17 AM

20 Posts

Joined Mar 2019

rettaseweallcfd25Jun 27, 2022 09:17 AM

20 Posts

I bought these at $140 last summer. They were a steal at that price. You will not find similar resolution anywhere near this price point. They out resolve my HD598 significantly. Once you find the right tips for your ear canal they sound awesome. Maybe too analytical but some EQ helps there.

Etymotic Research ER3XR Extended Response Earphones

$59

$99

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