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Etymotic ER4S If ever there was proof that the biggest surprises can be hidden in the smallest packages, it’s these compact giant-killers. The earphones themselves are tiny – probably a third the size of the Shure professional line and smaller than anything else tested. But the performance is astonishing, thanks mostly to a snug in-ear fit achieved by using one of a range of tips. The canalphone ships with two different-sized three-flange silicon tips, three sizes of silicon buds and two foam pieces – and you’re instructed to get them as far into your canals as possible for maximum performance and isolation. I found the triple-flange buds the most comfortable and quietest. Even though they’re rated at 110 Ohm, I had to dial the module back to 11 o’clock and still got a full burst of crisp, clear, balanced sound: crystal tingling treble, resonant bass and plenty of solid sound in between. The reproduction was uncoloured, with many kits sounding almost like recordings of acoustic kits. This must be what Roland engineers were hearing when they tweaked the TD-20. What’s even more amazing is that this sonic accuracy is achieved with just a single driver. Moderately priced at $299, they‘re not too far off their more upmarket rivals on performance, comfort and isolation, especially if you choose the right tip. The correct choice and insertion also means you virtually can’t even feel them when they’re in. The 150 cm cable is almost industrial in its ruggedness, with a serious connector where the main cable divides into the finer braided pairs linked to the actual buds. You’ll need the shirt clip to counter the weight of that removable cable which ends in a right-angled mini-jack, and a quality 6.5 mm adaptor is supplied. The ER4S, rated at 122 dB, comes boxed in a serious plastic case, with a stylish compact pouch also included. One thing to bear in mind with the Etymotics is that they come with special anti-wax filters, but these do need to be replaced, so you’ll have to budget for replacements down the line. They go for $15 for a six-pack.
Ultimate Ears Triple Fi 10 vi Ultimate Ears began life as a custom maker of earphones for musicians and the pedigree is evident in the Triple Fi 10 vi. Although this model is clearly a consumer product because the packaging stresses aspects like iPhone compatibility, the 10 vi is certainly no slouch on stage. It packs a huge punch, even with the module volume dial pulled back to 9 o’clock, thanks to its low impedance (32 Ohm). The Ultimate Ears product is among the largest units tested, probably 30% bigger than the Shure SE 535s. It has a reasonably sturdy 120 cm cable, ending in an inline mini-jack. Because this model is cellphone-compatible, there’s a discrete microphone and a control button in the cable. The key to this model’s performance is its advanced three-driver design with an integrated passive crossover to send frequencies to the appropriate driver. This translates into thunderous bass, tingling highs and 26
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