Etymotic ER-4 review

Awesome bass delivered straight to your ear

  • £180
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MusicRadar Verdict

Superb bass and bright highs from Etymonic's latest offering.

Pros

  • +

    Great bass.

Cons

  • -

    Uncomfortable for some.

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Etymotic's famous 'Christmas tree' earplugs slide snugly into the ear canal and, once pushed into place, deliver some of the best bass you can buy in-ear.

The process isn't exactly instant, or particularly comfortable for some, but the moment they're 'right' and the bass appears from nowhere it's a revelation. And their ability to isolate and cut out the outside world is second to none.

Most popular are their hf3 'iPhone' option which feature an in-line mic and buttons. This new ER-4 is altogether more serious with a very long, very sturdy, twisted cable and a new flatter reference grade response that makes mixing in-ears a reality.

Highs are super bright and crisp with mid and low far less scooped than the bass-friendly hf3. This means a less 'exciting' but far more trustworthy soundstage for those that require reference grade in a tiny, sleek and serious package.

Daniel Griffiths
Daniel Griffiths

Daniel Griffiths is a veteran journalist who has worked on some of the biggest entertainment, tech and home brands in the world. He's interviewed countless big names, and covered countless new releases in the fields of music, videogames, movies, tech, gadgets, home improvement, self build, interiors and garden design. He’s the ex-Editor of Future Music and ex-Group Editor-in-Chief of Electronic Musician, Guitarist, Guitar World, Computer Music and more. He renovates property and writes for MusicRadar.com.