Etymotic Research ER2XR Noise Isolating In Ear Monitors $105 + Delivery (Free with Prime) @ Amazon US

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poppingtags on 04/01/2021 - 21:23 amazon.com.au (5008 clicks)
Last edited 05/01/2021 - 10:24

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Sells for $299 locally - very well reviewed IEM from the company that invented IEMs, at its lowest ever price on Amazon. Noise isolation that rivals active noise cancelling headphones - with significantly better sound quality and it can fit in your pocket! The only thing to watch out for is whether you can handle the deep insertion ear tips. Been monitoring the price on these for a few months now - decided to take the plunge!

A few reviews:

• Crincale - In-Ear Fidelity
  "But the ER2… the ER2 is an anomaly. There is absolutely no point in benchmarking similarly-priced IEMs against it because of how unreasonably high it would set the bar. […] In terms of the metrics that my ranking list focuses on, the ER2 is just so far ahead of the pack and makes some more expensive choices downright obsolete. What a banger by the folks from Etymotic."

• Audiophiliac / Steve Guttenberg Review
  "These affordable audiophile in-ear headphones banish noise. The ER3 sounds a little better, and the ER4 is still my favorite, but the Etymotic ER2 has its easy listening charms, and it hushes external noise like a champ."

• Samma3a - Video Review
  "The ER2XR gets my absolute highest recommendation if you have around US$150 or so to spend and you prefer a more natural and slightly warmer than neutral presentation."

• Precogvision - Video Review
  "If you have US$200, this is probably the best IEM that money can buy"

Price History at CamelCamelCamel.

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    poppingtags on 05/01/2021 - 15:38

    Oh wow - as in the eartips came off the IEM and got stuck in your ear??

    • 

      OblFa on 05/01/2021 - 15:41

      Yeah. It was not fun but I still use them despite that ordeal

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        poppingtags on 05/01/2021 - 15:42

        Will definitely be careful when taking them out of my ear!

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  congo on 05/01/2021 - 16:12

  I am sad by this ranking list:
  https://crinacle.com/rankings/headphones/

  Some of the headphones that I have are at the bottom of the ranking.
  Such as Momentum 2, PX, B&O H7, V-Moda crossfade 2 :(

  Now I understand that many reviewers of the above headphones are bias or got caught up with the marketing.
  I come to realise that most of the headphones in this bracket are all very similar, they just have slight different sound signatures and designs.
  If only I’ve seen this list earlier.

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    poppingtags on 05/01/2021 - 16:28

    +1

    To be fair, his top tier are all high end, wired, mostly open back audiophile headphones. His pick for best headphone (which I've had the pleasure of listening to) costs $85,000 in Australia!

    All three of the headphones you own are closed back, which tend to be less favoured for natural sound reproduction and are wireless, which also negatively affects sound quality. In addition the PX has active noise cancelling, which in turn negatively affects sound quality.

    If you'd like to dip your toes into audiophile sound, consider something like the Sennheiser HD58X for an open back or the Audio Technica M40x for a closed back, both of which cost under $200 and are very well regarded. Mind you, open back headphones will leak sound both in and out of the headphones - so its only really suited for private listening, in a relatively quiet room.

    You can also check out audiophile reviewers including Joshua Valour, DMS, Z-Reviews and The HEADPHONE Show.

    All that said, as long as you enjoy your headphones - it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks :)

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      congo on 05/01/2021 - 17:15

      True. Think I may have a look at the Sennheiser HD650 or HD600.
      Thanks for your help :-)

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        poppingtags on 05/01/2021 - 17:20

        +1

        If you're interested in the HD650 or the HD600, check out the HD6XX which is almost identical to the HD650 but considerably cheaper if bought direct from Drop. It's an exceptional headphone!

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          meatball on 05/01/2021 - 17:32

          +1

          @poppingtags: I have the HD650 and can concur it is a great reference headphone. You will need to factor in the cost of a headphone amp to properly drive it.

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  lainey13 on 10/01/2021 - 00:08

  Does this work to cancel out snoring :)

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    poppingtags on 10/01/2021 - 00:17

    They probably would cancel out snoring if you listen to music through them - but you shouldn't wear them while sleeping as they stick out of your ear.

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  atlas on 15/01/2021 - 20:55

  +3

  Received my pair today. Used them with my S20 FE and Microstreamer and they worked brilliantly. I had to change the tip to the bigger size to achieve a good seal but once I did, they began to shine. The reviews are accurate when they describe them as natural and neutral. What I didn't appreciate until I switched to my XM3 was just how present they are, obviously owing to how deep they sit inside the ear.

  At the end of the day I'll use them whenever I'm stationary or not moving much. But on the move, I'll still use my XM3 purely because they are wireless and not cumbersome.

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  opposablethumbs on 22/01/2021 - 17:15

  +3

  Got mine today.

  First impressions with a range of music (pub rock, thrash, grunge, to world, a sound effects CD and classical) through an old Topping NX-1 portable amp, is that the instrument isolation is outstanding. Just close your eyes and you can just about pinpoint where each of the separate instruments are on the stage in front of you.

  How they stick out of the ears takes a bit of getting used to, but gives excellent sound isolation. There will certainly be some people that this does not suit.

  Overall, only slightly more coloured than the very neutral profile I tend to prefer, but adds to the fun rather than detracts from the music I listened to. Still fairly clean, on the neutral side, signature.

  At this price (compared to a range of very decent closed back headphones and some other higher end inner ear phones I have), these are incredibly good bang for buck.

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  Dave Id on 10/02/2021 - 01:03

  +2

  Only used late at night using a Beelink PC which runs FLACs and movies (Stan and Amazon) so far.
  Excels with well recorded content.Really shows up poorly recorded content.
  That might sound dumb,however I run two pairs of K712 and have extremely good hearing.
  No problems with ear canal and seal.
  Sound stage is average,however detail is excellent.
  Little bit of sibilance.Hope that disappears once run in.
  Very happy camper at the price :)

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