Measurements
Etymotic Research ER4XR (* eXtended Response)
• Single BA (Knowles RAB)
• Detachable cable (Custom MMCX)
• Green acoustic damper
• US$349 [MSRP]
Etymotic Research ER4XR measurements
[1. Frequency Response ]
Uncompensated
Diffuse Field Target Compensated
Harman Target Compensated
CSD
[2. Square Wave ]
30Hz
300 Hz
[3. Minimum Phase ]
[4. Harmonic Distortions ]
94 dB SPL @ 500 Hz
[5. Impedance Magnitude ]
Black: Impedance Magnitude
Green: Electrical Phase
[6. Eartips ]
Uncompensated
Black: ER38-18
Green: ER38-15SM
Orange: Comply Foam Tip T-100
Diffuse Field Target Compensated
Black: ER38-18
Green: ER38-15SM
Orange: Comply Foam Tip T-100
[7. Comparison ]
Uncompensated
Etymotic Research
Black: ER4XR
Orange: ER4SR
Diffuse Field Target Compensated
Etymotic Research
Black: ER4XR
Orange: ER4SR
Uncompensated
Etymotic Research
Black: ER4XR
Orange: ER-4P
Diffuse Field Target Compensated
Etymotic Research
Black: ER4XR
Orange: ER-4P
Previous ER4-PT owner, I didn't find the quality very neutral, regardless of inline resistance. But it looks like the ER4XR could be an improvement. Do you think you will have the chance to measure my current IEMs, VSonic GR07BE?
ReplyDeleteSadly, I don't have a plan to measure that currently. I'll let you know when I can measure that pair.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunate about that distortion. Except for isolation the Etymotic is arguably bested by the LG Quadbeat 3 AKG for a tenth the price.
ReplyDeleteYeah, distortion is a bit higher than I anticipated.
Deletequadbeat 3 (vanilla and akg) are true hidden gems
Deletemicrophonics are awful though
I agree. Best cost-effective IEMs I've listened(and measured) so far.
DeleteWhat about the Earmax ER600?
DeleteThat's excellent as well, but a bit disappointed with harmonic distortion which exceeds 2.7% at 3kHz
DeleteDifferent anonymous poster here: For the Apple IEM/Earmax, the level at 3 kHz is reduced when you add the series resistance. So the distortion won't be as high. Also it's predominantly 3rd harmonic, so the distortion products are around 9k, where we don't hear as sensitively. I'd like to see how IMD is affected by this. Also, I'm looking at real-time spectrum of most of my music, and it rarely gets that high in that narrow band around 3k.
DeleteThat's right. Maybe it's distortion is not a big flaw for general music genres. But in case of classical music, I can notice the minor distortions when listening to strings.
DeleteCheck this out,
https://www.seeko.co.kr/zboard4/zboard.php?id=forum_etc2_1&no=125759
Here, you can listen to harmonic distortion at 3kHz.
(0~5sec: normal / 5~10sec: 2% 3rd dist. @ 3kHz / 10~15sec: 2% 2nd dist. @ 3kHz)
Almost forgot about this: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rnFwET1du8I/T9m9p6OhoXI/AAAAAAAAAm4/GvHk25gPGO0/s1600/klipsch+biflange.jpg
ReplyDeleteSeems like that's RinChoi's data. That looks interesting
DeleteYou forgot to add resistor
ReplyDeleteOops, I didn't measure that because I thought that no one will be interested in that..
Delete+ Fyi, You can refer the ER4SR resistor measurement for that.
Deletehttps://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jrotnspuk_s/V82dspF_9pI/AAAAAAAAEqM/bH6qwM9W6TM/s1600/Etymotic%252520Research%252520ER4SR%252520-%252520resistor%252520raw.png
Overall aspect of both measurements is almost the same.
Hey, are you able to manage to open an new er4 to actually check out what exactly drivers in it? Because the impedance and peak frequency does not match well. Came from Chinese forum baidu tieba. If you interested you can check out the debate and discussion here. There you go http://tieba.baidu.com/p/4877107541
DeleteIt is my thread btw.
I mean the well agreed rab may not be the exact drivers for the new er4
DeleteNow I think it can be a custom version of rab by etymotic from Knowles.
DeleteSorry, but measured er4xr is not mine; one one of my friends let me borrow his pair, so I couldn't open that.
DeleteI heard that the new er4 uses custom-tuned Knowles RAB. Source is SEEKO, one of the biggest acoustic website in Korea.
Probably it's an RAB-32257 with a trick to achieve a better higher frequency, the stock RAB can't reach anything above 11kHz so idk if they have a special design or a horn design into the nozzle. We need an X-ray haha.
DeleteFirst it is easy to achieve high frequency by deep insertion. Second 32257 has different impedance from the one in xr. Two exist models don't fit the impedance.
DeletePlus there is x ray photo from a foreign forum. The design is damn simple. And the shape is just like rab. So it is safe to say they have custom rab drivers.
And sorry but I didnt even know where to start to correct you.
DeleteThank you @John Yang for the corrections. I thought they could've added some resistors into the cable to achieve that impedance like in ER-4P and variants, but certainly, that is a custom design from Knowles. Btw, could you share that Xray pictures?
Delete@John Yang Oh, searching I've found here: http://alexmod.do.am/forum/10-292-1#4496 I make a DIY based on this ER4 design as well using this 3D design http://www.poyotex.com/post/146190057398 and I liked the result but certainly, there's no air sensation as my ER-4B w/ orange filter. I think I should give a shot on XR if shows up a promotion in a near future looks a good complement.
DeleteDo you think it is possible to tune it to fit Harman target?
ReplyDeleteIf so, what is your suggestion? (modification of filters and ear tips)
For instance, what about orange filter and form tip?
Well... Recommend the foam tip T-100. But orange damper reduces the treble too much.
DeleteHow about just using the parametric equalizer? Looks like that's the best idea
Got it! Thank you.
DeleteOn the quality control measurement sheet, what was the distortion number (THD)? Comparing the performance certificate against the measurements for both the SR and XR would be interesting.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why, but there are no percentage numbers on the ER4XR sheet.
DeleteI guess it's just a mistake of Etymotic, because percentage numbers are written correctly on the sheet of ER4SR.
You can check the distortion percentage of ER4SR that I have measured - at here:
http://i.imgur.com/hG2Mks0h.jpg
Can you do an Olive Welti Compensation for the 4xr?
ReplyDeleteHi, please refer to the 5th image (Harman Target Compensated) for the result of an Olive-Welti Compensation. These compensations are the same.
DeleteDo you have ER2SE and Sennheiser HD 58X measurements?
ReplyDelete