ER2XR

Using them rn, lovely sound. Had to eq tho

And this is why I find my ER2XRs more comfortable than most other IEMs despite them being ear dildos. I am very tired of massive IEM shells with ear-stretching nozzles that I can only use for 20 minutes before my ears hurt.

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.

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!

It’s hard to find much better than the ER2XR, imo. I’ve been rockin’ the ARTTI T10 this year but the Etys are pretty darn perfect for most anything I want.

The ER2XR are worth checking out too. Etys are truly an island in the sea of iems. Every time I use them I think, what am I doing this “is it!”. But I keep chasing the dragon, as they say.

I wouldn't use the ER2XR but I mixed an EP on the ER4SRs on a tour bus once. Obviously I checked it in the studio after the tour was done, but it came out great. In general, using IEMs with a Harman tuning will result in bass-light mixes if you are used to working on nearfield monitors that are anechoic-flat. You will want to use something with much more restrained low end.

It could be because the ER2XR has \*relatively\* recessed mids compared to the ER4s. It has the biggest bass boost of any of Etymotics' IEMs, and pretty sizzly treble too, so it could be that those boosts masked what you needed to hear in the mids (where flutter echo from small rooms typically causes the most problems). I have used the ER4S or 4SR for years as my monitors while working as a boom op or location recordist. They have always given me a very clear picture of what the room is doing to the recorded sound.

SR not XR. The XR has boosted bass, which I wouldn't use for mixing.

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.

Etymotic ER2XR. These are GOAT material for $100.00 or less. https://preview.redd.it/91ct3lqym4gf1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=367531abe6ef57e904fca8d5ab7d8d894458c0c2

I'd recommend the Etymotic ER2XR. Some people would go for the ER2SE, but they're too "flat". At least, my ears feel the XR are more natural sounding. They're also like $70.00 sometimes, and usually $99.00 https://preview.redd.it/twi61zd90u0g1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=127308c6c86eb67aca96b99a3252eced8d984d25

Then again, the Hexa and the ER2XR are very close, at least in FR graph. https://preview.redd.it/q2l9ilhp0u0g1.png?width=2400&format=png&auto=webp&s=28cba55b98859cfe1bc6a580466bf666bbc49473

Not at all. I have some really new and $100+ expensive sets, and I still go back to my ER2XR.