BIOS Reviews Etymotic Research ER-6i Isolator Stereo Earbuds

[Kent Pribbernow]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.biosmagazine.co.uk/rev.php?id=298' target='_blank'>http://www.biosmagazine.co.uk/rev.php?id=298</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Etymotic Research's ER-6i Isolator stereo earbuds promise at lot but disappoint. Their sound quality at low levels and noise-cancelling properties are both excellent, but the lack of bass means their appeal is limited. The triple flange buds are really uncomfortable too, and positioning can be tricky - you need to place them deep into your ears to get a good seal for sound-isolation and the best results. The ER-6i Isolators have their distinct advantages, but their overall performance isn't strong enough for mass appeal."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/6i-Isolator_1.jpg" /><br /><br />Are there any earbuds in existence that <i>don't</i> disappoint? Most of the ones I have sampled do only one thing well; SUCK! :P

[David Horn]

http://www.sony.co.uk/ShowProduct.do?site=odw_en_GB&amp;category=HEA+Walkman&amp;product=MDR-EX71SL

These won't disappoint - cheaper than most, comfortable fit (I can wear them all day), and stunning sound, no matter what you listen to. Even better, people around can't hear what you're listening to and due to the noise reduction from the rubber pads, you can keep your own volume really low and still hear it clearly.

35 pounds IIRC - only disadvantage is you'll have to clean them out from time to time if you have waxy ears. Best earbuds I've ever bought.

[Darius Wey]

Actually, I've heard the Shure E4C's (http://www.shure.com/earphones/eseries_e4c.asp) are pretty good. But then again, so is the price. 8O

On another note, while not designed to be a pair of sound-isolating earphones, I still love my Sony MDRE888LP. :)

[ctmagnus]

http://www.sony.co.uk/ShowProduct.do?site=odw_en_GB&amp;category=HEA+Walkman&amp;product=MDR-EX71SL

These won't disappoint - cheaper than most, comfortable fit (I can wear them all day), and stunning sound, no matter what you listen to. Even better, people around can't hear what you're listening to and due to the noise reduction from the rubber pads, you can keep your own volume really low and still hear it clearly.

35 pounds IIRC - only disadvantage is you'll have to clean them out from time to time if you have waxy ears. Best earbuds I've ever bought.

I have a similar model and I concur about the sound and ear goop, but I find wearing them to be extremely uncomfortable due to the way the rubber seals in the ears. I much prefer foam if I'm going to stick something in my ears.

[David Horn]

Have you tried the different sizes?

[ctmagnus]

The small ones didn't stay in and the big ones bunched up, so I had to stick with the medium ones. The thing I don't like about them is that I'm aware that they're there when I wear them. Being aware of them is one thing, but aware is another. Anyways, I've since obtained a set of Koss' The Plug, which I find comfortable but overly bassy, and a set of Sennheiser PX-200's, which I quite enjoy and highly recommend over any in-ear phones I've tried (which do not include anything by Shure or Etymyotic :( ).