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/
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.
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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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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06-25-2022 at 05:13 PM.
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/
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 ~$100.
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https://www.etymotic.co
ER3SE: The "studio reference" and "studio edition" models are tuned to reproduce the music exactly as it was recorded, without any added coloration. No added treble, no bass boost. Precisely following Etymotic's in-house flat perceived frequency response to deliver neutral true-to-the-recording sound.
https://www.etymotic.co
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edit: nvm im seein 59$ thanks!
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank balloonshark
https://www.etymotic.co
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.co
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.
Meh. And those are the er4xr.
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Meh. And those are the 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.
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.
Meh. And those are the er4xr.
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.