Drop + Etymotic - ERX

Etymotic ERX for me is the peak of shell and nozzle comfort. I'd kill for for a high-end chifi iem with ety style insertion.

Get another Hexa. Not excessively expensive and you’ll know exactly what you’ll be getting from what is still the best IEM with a truly neutral experience (other than the Etymotics ERxSE kinetics is totally neutral for musicians but lousy for genteel listening). I don’t think the Hexa is for everyone but its the gold standard for a detailed, neutral IEM and apparently a perfect match for you.

for mixing and mastering Etymotic ER4 are pretty much _the_ IEM under that price, super accurate and definitively neutral. Just gotta figure out if the triple flange ear tips work for you

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.

Issue: I own and have used the ER4XR daily for the past 1.5 years. I love the sound signature, but the fit sometimes hurts and is very becoming concerning. Personal search: In similar threads, I found people generally siggest Harman tuned iems; ex. Moondrop, theiaudio etc., I'd like to maintain Etymotics more flat response. From further research I've started to believe what I really want are typically described as reference monitors, typically used by live-sound engineers and musicians, examples include Alclair Studio 4, Ultimate Ears, JH Audio etc. The problems I have with this conclusion are that these iems are all 1000+, custom molded and all reviews tend to reference their performance in a live music environment. Cost is not necessarily an issue, however with so many options at various price points it's hard to believe the 300~ to 1000~ jump is necessary. As a footnote I have tried the ERX. Its advertised as an ER4XR with a EVO shell which is essentially my dream. Unfortunately I dont believe the advertisement is accurate. They sound close but the ERX has a very sharp spike in its higher frequencies that made me return them. In addition, I found their soundstage very forward and shallow which in combination with its harsh treble made them sound cheap. Does anyone have any recommendations? Do you believe I am right to look toward the reference monitor iems I referenced?

I share your affinity of noise-blocking IEMs (as opposed to noise cancelling) BUT I gotta question you on your choice of Etymotics. DGMW, I have a set of ER4s, and the phrase "from my dead hands" has been uttered in reference to them (and I am sad I didn't pick up a pair of ER4xr when they went on sale that one time), BUT in equal proportion to how good they sound they also suck to sleep in on a plane. Every time you turn your head even a little bit they impale you. Despite the fact that I think most multi-driver-IEMs are a downgrade from Etys the slight drop in sound quality may be worth it to rest your head on its side with a set of IEMs that at least makes an effort to sit flush with your outer ear.

This Is why the Etymotic ER4 been Single BA since 1991. The issues with Multi-driver IEM's will be far more noticeable than the ER4XR own THD levels at 104db. I can EQ my ER4XR's into sounding what wanted bass wise while making the mids & Treble closer to Etymotic target with treble boost. Basically a BA version of the ER2XR. 😅

etymotic er series, perhaps?