Drop + Etymotic - ERX

Etymotics ERXs. There is nothing that compares to Etys for isolation and SQ as a whole package, and the ERXs have a usable form factor for us musicians. Drop has them for 200 occasionally. Edit: [https://drop.com/buy/drop-etymotic-erx](https://drop.com/buy/drop-etymotic-erx) They're 229 right now, which is a steal IMO. I get sad when I have to wear something different.

The ERXs have the same BA as the ER4XRs for 200-300 depending on how Massdrop feels that week, and they're the right form factor. I played with normal etys (ER4XR) for about 3 years, and they do stay in, because they're so deep, but there's no comparison, the ERXs are leagues more usable - when you can wear that same sound in a traditional around-ear IEM format.

I would look at an Etymotic model with some Comply Professional foam tips. They fit very deep and have the best passive isolation of any non-custom IEM that I'm aware of. I'm a professional drummer and before I could afford higher tier CIEMs, I used a pair of Etymotics for monitoring in loud venues. They're perfect for the application and I can't imagine anything that would be better for someone sensitive to sound looking to block as much out as they can.

That is my er4, btw. I think the ER series all have the same dimensions, but am not 100% sure. I find the ER4 are *just* too long. Even when fully inserted they get caught on my helmet.

Yeah the combination of the bass and separation is an ear tickler for sure! I'm usually into balance tuned in ear monitors and for me these are about as basic as I can get. For ABSOLUTE detail under $500 I ended up moving to the Elysian Pilgrims which are even more detailed than the RE2000, S12 and others. Those will be my detail kings moreso than even my Etymotic ER4 and TSMR Sands. This is from studying the reviews I've seen of them (still waiting for them to arrive). I'd say for under $200 the re2000 is a steal though especially if you outfit them with some Tri Clarion eartips for mids.

Wired ~~Etyomitcs~~ *Etymotics* would be your best bet then. If you can't scrimp on sound you shouldn't even be looking at wireless headphones. Edit: Fixed a typo