ER2XR

I struggle to understand the reason for owning 5000€ IEM. Wouldn’t you be worried of losing them or damaging them on the trip or outdoors? Or if listening indoors, why not just get an equivalent in full size headphone or speakers?

I love the ER2XR, didn’t like the ER4XR by comparison.

After I heard Moondrop Variations and Letshuoer EJ07 with candy tips M size. Often feels even superior to my Arya Organic. I am on the lookout if anyone is selling an EJ07 used as they are worth backing up for life.

ANC doesn't really cope well with sudden, sharp noises. If you're looking for solutions with good audio quality, there are ways to go about this a lot cheaper: Consider the Etymotic ER2XR which is probably good enough to isolate the noise entirely on its own, but you can also put some ear protectors over top for heavy-duty isolation. I've done it before and the result is 100% blockage of outside sounds via your ears. If you must have wireless, then there are smaller bluetooth buds that will still fit under ear protectors.

I've ranted about this here before, but I have issues with the direction that IEM development is trending. They are getting extremely expensive, bulky/large, uncomfortable, and can have atrocious tuning. But the size and fit is one of the worst ones, at least for me. With IEMs getting the proper fit and seal is absolutely everything and that is such a difficult thing to achieve if you can't fit the damn things in your ear or wear them for more than 15 minutes because the nozzles are painfully big. With most IEMs I have to spend more time fiddling with fit and tip-rolling than I actually do enjoying my music and, in my opinion, that defeats the point of them. Also I've largely stopped caring about IEMs since I got my ER2XR. I feel like they perfectly highlight everything that is wrong with other modern IEMs. They're small, affordable, simplistic in design, and have an excellent tuning. I see little point in getting anything else.

Which ANC headphones to bring for flights, cafés, and coworking spaces is a hot topic; lots of good offerings out there these days. I’ve been down that road too, but as a frugal "onebag" traveler flying personal item only, after switching to Etymotic ER2XR in-ear monitors, I don’t think I’ll go back to over-ear ANC cans. Here’s why they work so well for travel: * **Isolation that rivals ANC Headphones** \- Deep-insertion seal blocks \~35–40 dB across a wide freq. range. On planes, in cafés, walking down a busy street,...outside sound just disappears.  My wife has regular conference calls in the same room, and I can't hear a darn thing w/ a bit of music playing.  I can't hear the microwave going off 3 feet behind my head, nor the A/C hum, and if the fire alarm goes off, I may be the last out of the building. * **Compact & light** \- They coil up small enough to fit in any pocket like wireless earbuds, unlike bulky ANC headphones and cases. * **Durable & modular** \- Minimal moving parts and electronics.  With filters and cables treated as wear items, they can last 8-10+ years and no batteries to charge or degrade! * **Great sound quality** \- Neutral with a subtle bass lift. I like a V-shaped freq. response, and they respond very well to EQ (I set it once and forget it using Wavelet on Android and EQ software on a laptop). * **Affordable** \- \~$100, cheaper than most ANC headphones while providing similar isolation. * **Low maintenance** \- I wash the eartips with soap every few days and haven't had to replace any filters yet, but it's nice to know they are available.  Just don't get the cable tangled up in a rotary buffer, and you'll be good. ;) * **Comfort can be tuned** \- Deep fit isn’t for everyone, but aftermarket tips or Etymotic’s smaller triple-flange tips help.  I have small ears, and the smaller triple flanges were a game changer. * **Flexible use** \- Works with in-flight entertainment, can pair with a tiny Bluetooth adapter, and optional mic cables are available. * **Backup friendly** \- I keep a cheap set of wireless earbuds for calls and as a lightweight backup, but the ER2XRs do 95% of the heavy lifting. For me, they’ve provided all the isolation of ANC headphones in a package the size of earbuds, with fewer things to charge, break, or degrade.  Something to consider for frugal travelers considering weight, size, and money. Happy listening/travels! 

I enjoy my wired IEMs and find they have a lot of the benefits of ANC headphones, but save me weight and money for my travels.

20 years. It's amazing! I just take the weight hit and carry a cheap pair of wireless earbuds when I need ultimate convenience, but I hear you on the headphone jack. I also carry a tiny Bluetooth adapter to use my Etymotic's wirelessly when the occasion suits me. I probably should have emphasized battery stuff more, but I did say "degrade." 🫣😆

That's a bummer. In that case I'd take the downsides of high end ANC headphones in a heartbeat. Can't mess with our hearing!

they are very good, but I stopped using them because they are way too uncomfortable.

Not sure about balanced but etymology er2xr is as neutral as it gets.

Etymotic er2xr comes to mind. If you can get used to the fit, it has realistic timbre.