zigghorton

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 4.00 votes

Price Paid:  $85.00 from ebay

Summary:
I did a lot of online research and actual testing of a number of ear buds for my Ipod. Basically, I wanted the best possible sound reproduction while also reducing the noise of airplane engines, trains, cars and other sounds. The other products I tested include the Ultimate Ear, Radio Shack noise reducing ear buds, Shure EC3 and, of course, the ear buds that came with the Ipod.

I finally settled on the Etymotic ER6i's due to their reasonable cost and excellent sound. Like other reviews of this product indicate, getting a good tight fit of the ear buds in one's ears is the key to getting the best noise reduction and full/clean bass response. In fact, since the silicone tips and foam cushions that came with the ear buds were not really snug in my ear canals, I went ahead and ordered the larger foam tips from the Etymotic web site (3 pairs for $20 including shipping), which by the way, arrived in only three days after I ordered them. At any rate, with the larger foam tips fitted, I must say, these are the finest fitting and sounding ear buds I have ever used. The clarity of the lows, mids and highs is excellent and would be pleasing to even the most demanding audiophile. Due to the snug fit, you can't even hear normal conversation very well at all and most load sounds such as jet engines are definitely tolerable to the point I find myself keeping the volume at a low to moderate level which is definitely better for my hearing. As I write this review I am listening to Steely Dan's Aja and it sounds like the band is playing live inside of my head.

So....if you want a great pair of ear buds for a reasonable cost and that boasts excellent sound and noise reduction abilities, I would definitely recommend giving these a try!

Strengths:
Price
Sound quality
Noise reducing properties

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Ultimate Ear
Radio Shack noise reducing ear buds
Apple Ipod ear buds
Shure

LoneStarWings

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
4.75 of 5, 4.00 votes

Price Paid:  $109.00 from headphone.com

Summary:
I am reviewing the ER-6i black model.

I purchased these In Ear Monitors primarily for use during air travel. I listen mostly to rock and electronica, but also classical and general pop. I am somewhat of a "basshead" so the reports of thin bass were a concern before I purchased these, but luckily, I found that reputation to be totally unfounded (perhaps thin bass is more associated with the non-i ER-6 model, as the i model reportedly has enhanced bass response).

I was also concerned about the potential discomfort associated with inserting these monitors, however, I had no problem fitting them in my ears and obtaining a good seal. Etymotic should be commended for the array of different tips they include in the packaging. Personally, the default 3 flange rubber tips work great for me. I can insert them quickly and obtain complete isolation. Earlier this week I was on an airline flight on a very noisy regional airliner with a screaming baby in the row in front of me. As soon as I inserted the Etymotics and turned on my MP3 player, I heard none of it. I was amazed at how much noise they were blocking when I took them out to tell the flight attendant what I wanted to drink. They are very comfortable, I can easily wear them for 3-4 hours without experiencing discomfort.

The bass is not "thin" on the ER-6i at all. By the same token, it is not boomy. It is tight and extends low, yeilding a very natural sound, and at the same time you can almost "feel" the impact of the low notes. The midrange is articulate and detailed, you hear everything that has been recorded when listening with these monitors. The treble is crisp, clean, a bit relaxed and not too bright. The ER-6i sounds great straight out of any portable music device.

Overall, their sound yeilds a very neutral response which can easily be customzied to each individual's liking with an eq. Personally I think they sound great just the way they are. If you are looking for a moderately priced hi-fidelity headphone to use in noisy environments, these are the ticket.

From what I understand, they will give you 95% of the performance of the Etymotic ER4P, Shure E4C, and Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5pro for less than half the price. Highly reccomended.

Strengths:
Bass Extension
Detailed Midrange
Isolating Properties
Price (good value)
Easily driven to full potential by portable sources
Available in white or black
Variety of Tips

Weaknesses:
They seem a bit delicate build quality wise, but for their size, that is expected.
Midrange may be a bit overemphasized, but EQ'ing can fix that easily.
Don't have boomy midbass if that is the sound you like (but the low end bass extension is good).

Similar Products Used:
Other headphones:

Beyerdynamic DT 250-80
Grado SR 60
Koss KSC-55

petkunw

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $88.00 from Amazon.com

Summary:
This is a review of the 6i's, which I bought for my iPOD. This was a great choice for 2 reasons: 1) they provide better sound than the ear buds that come free with the iPOD (in comparison, the Apple ear buds sound tinny, with no bass), and 2) they totally block out external noise. The latter was very important to me since I use my iPOD predominantly when commuting on a train or when traveling on a plane, two very noisy environments. Are they as good as my open air Sennheiser's? No, but I did not buy them to use with my home stereo. If you want great sounding ear buds that are better than what come with your MP3 player, especially for noisy environments, then these are for you. If you're looking for an audiophile set of headphones for use at home, then these will not do the trick (but again, that is not what I bought them for).

Strengths:
Totally blocks external noise; very good sound.

Weaknesses:
Not audiophile sound.

Similar Products Used:
Sennheiser 580s.

rightslot

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $77.00 from net

Summary:
Just a quick update. Gotta give credit where credit is due. Went to the iTunes preferences and turned up the SOUND ENHANCER. Wow! Major difference. Night & Day. BASS! SOUL, FEEL. So, in retrospect, if do indeed get other phones, it sure won’t be the rush it would have been. Sound better every minute. Plenty of bass now. Now I go 4.5 out of 5

Strengths:
Clear, sound stage

Weaknesses:
Not much, getting better. Could have better manual.

Similar Products Used:
see previous review

rightslot

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $77.00 from ERWIN.com

Summary:
Headphones not musical Good, clear, but---------if I can say it this way-------lacking in emotional warmth. I have had the phones for about 1 week now. As far as getting them deep in my ears: No Problem. But I think the lack of bass is contributing to an overall sterile sound. Somewhat akin to how audio purists first described the difference between CD’s and vinyl: warmth or lack thereof. Now don’t get me wrong. As far as hitting the mids and highs…Pow! Zing!! Great. And actually at first I thought the ETY’s were seriously the bomb. But now I know that this was because they were the first earphones that were made to fit like I’ve always have been trying to make others fit---deep inside my ears. So yea. I hear you. I DID put them deep inside the canal. I DID get a complete seal. And NO, the bass in not enough to bring out some of the subtleties. So next? Well I’m going to the Shure’s or the Ultimate Ears. I’ll read up and figure out the one that ‘s best. I think…(I thought I did that with the Eymotic!!) rightslot

Strengths:
Very, Very clear. Small, unobtrusive. No outside sounds.

Weaknesses:
Just not musical. A bit too "electronic" sounding. Lacking of warmth, feel, soul.

Similar Products Used:
Sony, Phillups, Akai, Panasonic, Name Brands, House Brands, cheap from $9.99 to "crazy" at $39.99. And now this retailed at $149.00 to #169.00. Crazy!