Etymotic ER4XR

ER4XR is Etymotic’s in-ear monitor for those who demand nothing less than the highest reproduction accuracy in the midrange and treble frequencies, but prefer a tastefully added bass presence. The ER4XR right and left channels are matched within an industry-leading 1dB across frequencies from 100 Hz to 10 kHz.

ER4XR is the highest-performing single driver in-ear monitor. The IEM shells are made of anodized aluminum, CNC machined with extremely tight tolerances. Using a single Balanced Armature (BA) driver allows for extremely accurate IEM without the added complexity of crossovers, and helps keep the aluminum body small and slim. The included high-quality user-replaceable cable is reinforced and twisted, to improve longevity and durability. Etymotic IEMs are world renowned for their class-leading passive isolation, providing 35-42 dB attenuation (depending on ear tips used and the depth of insertion). For comparison, most custom IEMs provide approx. 25-28dB attenuation and foam ear plugs attenuate up to 32 dB. The ER4XR is a must-have for audiophiles and consumers, looking for very accurate in-ear monitors with a taste of added bass, for a more “fun” sound signature.

Which ER4 is right for you?

Both ER4 models, the ER4SR and ER4XR, use the same Balanced Armature (BA) drivers. The only difference is the tuning of the lower (bass) frequencies. The ER4SR, being the “reference” model, is tuned to be as precise and flat as possible. The ER4XR, being the “fun” model, is tuned with added bass. As you can see from the frequency response graphs, ER4XR adds 1-2dB to the mid-bass frequencies (below 200Hz) and 3-4dB to the lower-bass and sub-bass (below 100Hz). The rest of the frequencies are practically identical. ER4SR is ideal for sound engineers and mixing technicians who must have a precise and accurate sound reproduction across all frequencies. ER4SR is the IEM of choice for audiophiles and consumers who like to listen to their music exactly the way it was recorded. ER4XR with its tastefully added bass is favored by audiophiles and consumers who prefer a little extra bass presence when enjoying their music. This model is not bass heavy by any means.

Frequency response graphs and Etymotic’s target:

Etymotic’s target frequency response graph represents a “perceptibly flat” frequency response. Our goal is to have a flat frequency response curve when the music notes hit your eardrums. To achieve that, we need to account for the resonance inside the average ear canal, since IEMs bypass the outer ear structure. The result is the need for higher SPL in the 2-5k region (lower treble) for compensating said resonance. That is the reason for the “hump” in that region. The target curve that Etymotic is using for tuning our IEMs differs slightly from the Harman preference curve. It was developed in-house more than 20 years ago, leveraging on our human hearing expertise and acoustics research.

Accurate Earphone Reproduction

When tuning in-ear monitors to accurately reproduce a recording of a live performance, our goal is for the sound hitting the eardrums to be identical to that at the original performance. To achieve this, the acoustic properties of the ear must be factored in. The acoustic resonance and horn effects of the ear change a flat audio signal entering the open ear into sound with a (2700 Hz) high-frequency boost, which is the same response heard at the eardrum in a typical ear. That is the reason for the “hump” in the frequency response graph, which assures the eardrums perceive a perfectly flat frequency response for all frequencies.