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Cinema: LG 65" C9 OLED > Denon x2400h > Q Acoustics 3050 (x2), 3090Ci, AudioPro Sa-2 (x2), BK XLS200-DF Mk2 (x2) Overall THD level of the Etymotic ER2XR is a bit higher than most IEMs that I’ve measured. Please take note that distortion measurement is not part of sound quality evaluation. It is only used to observe the engineering quality of the IEM.
Obvious comparison to the Starfield here: yes, they are… very similar. It’s honestly hard to tell between the two and if I do it’s clearly not by tuning, but rather the subtle differences in how each presents their respective images. Disclaimer: The measurement results of the engineering quality measurement in this review represent only the pair of IEM that was measured for this review. It doesn’t represent the overall quality control of the factory. I’m not a fan of the deep insertion silicone tips, but find the foam tips a perfectly acceptable alternative with no compromise in fidelity ( albeit somewhat less external noise isolation ). Etymotic’s gift to the sensible, value driven audiophile!Like the higher priced and more famous ER4 models, there are two ER2 versions: the SE and the XR. While the ER2SE sports a flat balance (designed for critical listeners/audio professionals), the XR has a little more bass oomph. So, the ER2XR will probably be the more fun choice for casual listeners. And, of course, especially if you’re a drummer of bass player, the XR is a more suitable option for stage use than the SE. The ER2SE offers Etymotic’s renowned passive isolation, providing 35-42 dB attenuation. You will hear all the details in the music with lower volume levels that are safer for your hearing. The flat frequency response of the ER2SE will appeal to sound professionals and audiophiles alike. The ER2SE shells are made of anodized aluminum, CNC machined with extremely tight tolerances. Using a single dynamic driver allows for a very accurate IEM without the added complexity of crossovers, and helps keep the aluminum body small and slim. Included is a user-replaceable cable.
Until someone makes a deep insertion IEM that follows the diffuse field target perfectly, these are The ER2XR is ideal for musicians, audiophiles, and consumers on a budget, who are looking for in-ear monitors that are easy to drive, and prefer the added warmth in the bass frequencies. Previously I wrote a review on the Moondrop quarks, long story short I said they were all you will ever need. Welcome to my Cliffnotes, a series where I push out rapid fire opinions of some of the IEMs I’ve heard while
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INTRODUCTION For crinacle’s short impressions and non-audio opinions, refer to his unboxing post. Empire Ears is a brand name that Support me on Patreon to get access to tentative ranks! I probably won’t be writing Cliffnotes for every IEM, but you can expect them for the ones that stand out, either positively or negatively.
ER2SE = Seems to respond to the EQ, But still has that DD decay and the still has a weird timbre in the upper mids to treble(17KHz). Fine for a casual IEM but the ER4XR sounds like a planar HP bass decay wise & wins on pure treble detail. Don't think there a real 7KHz dip but the ER4XR/SR seem to respond well to a 6KHz High shelf of 3db better. Definitely better than the ER4XR, but is still present when we wear it straight down. Over the ear minimises the problem to a considerable extent. Bass: It is really tight, and the sub bass impact is on the softer side. The sub-bass is touched as opposed to punched/hit. But it does reach deep, and we hear the rumble adequately. The rumbles stay low at the foundation and are perceived as song details instead of adding to the fun factor. They still sound very natural, and carry enough warmth to save them from sounding bright. Clearly, the 4XR is superior and we can actually see how sheer speed helps in bringing out all the micro details. However, i still think i would reach for the ER2SE more than the 4XR, as the 2SE is also greatly detailed, and they do have the dynamic character which add some body and depth to the sound. In this aspect, the cheaper dynamic Etymotic will score a point against the big daddy ER4s. When i’m listening to my favourite blues or jazz albums i miss absolutely nothing with the 2SE. For this reason i think any owner of ER4s or ER3s should still consider buying the ER2s.
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The soundstage has decent width and a bit of height. Not very wide but i wouldn’t say they are overly constricted. Although similar in dimensions to the ER4XR, the ER2SEs don’t suffer from a very monitoresque presentation. They sound a bit more cohesive.
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