Etymotic Isolator ER6I-P Portable Earphone - ER6I-P
Etymotic Research ER6i Isolator Earphones - White Pillow Pack

First off, the earphones need to be "wetted" to get a snug sonic fit in your ears...if you are not close to a source of sterile water, you may have to use your, ehem!!... spit(?)..so it fits comfortably in your ears... if you don't "wet" them - the sound quality is a bit lacking & irritates your ears... My advice - buy V-Moda - at any price, they are the best value...bass is great and almost on par with Bose headphones... save yourself some money - don't buy this overpriced piece of cr*p.
 
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After going thru about 7 different sets of throw away earbuds I decided to bit the bullet and get the etymotics. I cannot fully explain the clarity of the music that these buds deliver but let's just say, "the music is in your head" when wearing them. Only problem is w/ the flimsy cords; after 1 1/2 yrs of use, one of the cords broke inside the plug-in case. I do wish the construction was a bit more solid.
 
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I bought these headphones after riding the subway and being highly unimpressed with the sound quality and isolation of stock ipod earbuds. I found myself with the volume at 70-90% of maximum, my head hurting from the volume, and I was still unable to hear the music. Then I had a revelation, I discovered inner ear canal phones. Meet the etymotics. These guys are legit. I have been nothing but impressed by the quality of sound - and the sound isolation they put out. I couldn't be happier with this purchase (at a great price, too!!) Pros: Amazing sound quality, better than my Klipsch Promedia 2.1 Speakers for sure in terms of accuracy. Great sound isolation. I can ride the loud subway with the volume at 25% of my max ipod volume and hear every nuance of the music (sans that damn crying baby that always attempts to disrupt my music bliss...try again you silly child) Price. Worth every penny. Cons: (These have been noted elsewhere, so not anything I didn't expect) Cord is a bit thin. Although this lightness is a great asset in respect to their compactness. Almost too good sound isolation. They are so effective at blocking out sound that I probably shouldn't bike in the city with them, oh well! Not much bass. Despite the etymotic claim that these have enhanced bass, I don't know if I buy it. Although as some music enthusiasts might retort, we're used to bass-heavy speaker sound in this day and age, and the clarity of these on the higher ends does leave a bit more to be desired on the lower end. (But come on, they're earbuds! Get some big headphones, or real speakers if you want bass) Conclusion: Worth every penny.
 
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These headphones are everything i had expected. just about everything you've read so far from the other reviews are true. like u have heard, the only downside of the headphones are putting them in at first can be a little tricky to get the proper seal so i would recommend using the foam ear tips at first so you know what their suppose to sound like with the right seal. then try the flanged tips. and the best part is, that you cant even feel them once their in. sound quality overall is amazing. and for sound isolation, their exactly like having earplugs in. also their VERY durable and compact. worth EVERY penny. and if you don't believe me, try them for yourself you WONT be disappointed.
 
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These earbuds sound incredible. However, there are some issues that you should know about. First of all, when you get them to fit properly, they do a wonderful job of sealing out just about all outside noise, even when the music is off. This isn't great if someone is trying to talk to you, or worse, if someone is sneaking up on you. Getting them to fit properly and comfortably isn't easy, either. There are a number of different tips you can try, and finding the right one for your ear is a job. And it feels weird to have something so deep into your ear canal. And there are these disposable filters that need periodic replacement. But if you can get used to all of that, wow, they sound great.
 
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I bought the headset at buy.com and experience well with the site. The price is low, the product is new and good quality and delivery is excellent... I definitely will be back for something else. Good job buy.com, A++ business. Thanx for that.
 
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I got these earphones for my birthday and I really enjoy them. It takes a little experimentation to get the proper earpiece to work for you. It is also a little weird to hear your breathing when you use them to exercise. My wife and I both have them now and really enjoy them.
 
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I have tried out quite a few headphones, namely because I travel a lot and need good phones that will block out the plane noise. I upgraded from Shure E2C's to these, and it is a significant step up in terms of quality, even though these cost less than Shure! I was initially worried about the durability of the ER6i's because the cord is quite thin (compared to Shure's very beefy cord), but turns out this is a good thing because they are so light. I still can't believe they get such good sound from such a small package.
 
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i would highly suggest that you do NOT walk in the city with these wonderful earphones lodged in your ear canal. they block out ALL sound. when there are pauses in my music, i can actually hear my own breathing and possibly my heartbeat. its what i imagine being deaf is like. however, when you get the music going... its amazing. they block out babies, airplane noises, snores, etc. these earphones will give it to you 100%. just don't try to have a conversation with them in, people will look like mimes.
 
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I purchased these for listening to podcasts and audiobooks primarily. I have a slight hearing loss in the higher frequencies and these really help. I also use them at night and they are very comfortable to wear. The upper and mid-range clarity is exceptional. I don't use them for listening to music very often, a noticeable lack of low end response.
 
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These in the ear canal phones produce remarkably good sound for the price. Insertion "deeper" into the ear canal is required for a wider dynamic range and isolation from external sounds. Though this may bother some, I find that adjusting depth of insertion allows flexibility with great sound and isolation when desired, or allow more outside sounds depending on the situation. At Buy.com's great price, I haven't found better.
 
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The sound is absolutely fabulous, no doubt about that. But putting them in your ears is not as simple and can be rather painful. You have to fully insert them in your ears, otherwise they fall out. I have to wet them and that can be a little embarassing in public. They are also quite expensive.
 
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These "in-ear" phones are not for everyone. If you don't like to shove ear plugs deep into your ear canal, or it is uncomfortable to wear ear plugs, then perhaps you should look elsewhere for your headphones/earbuds. But if that is not an issue for you, then you should definitely give these a try. Once properly seated they offer excellent sound, maybe a little weak on the base end, but mid-range and highs are fine. If you want more base with an "in-ear" phone, I'd recommend V-Moda Vibes, or take a big leap in price and get the Entymotic E4's. For the price, these are pretty nice for sound cancelling, music listening earphones.
 
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I've been using these earphones for over a year and absolutely love them. They did not have the 2-flange eartips when I received mine, but I easily remedied the situation by cutting off the largest flange on the 3-flange eartip. Yes - you can hear your footsteps when you walk - but they are sooo much more comfortable and secure feeling than other earphones I've tried - I can put up with the footstep noise. On a plane they are the best - virtually blocks out all extraneous sounds. Try them, you'll like them.
 
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Overall excellent product, need time and iteration to adjust to the different types of earplugs. I have chosen the foam one for better noise isolation. I have used several noise cancellation headset before. The Bose is the best, but too big to pack if you were a frequent traveller who likes to pack lots of gears. This one is compact and the noise isolation really works. Just remember not to fall asleep with it while in an airplane. I almost became deaf when the plane hit turbulence ;-)
 
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I've been enjoying these headphones. The sound is very good, especially once you get them properly inserted. They're ideal for wearing while working at a desk or traveling on a plane. When inserted properly, they block out almost all of the noise; I had no idea how nice this would be for plane travel. However, it is a little tricky to get them properly inserted. They go fully into your ear canal, and it took me a few days before I really got the hang of inserting them. (Moistening the tips with water really does help). If they aren't inserted properly, they sound terrible - you need a perfect seal to get bass out of them. Once they are inserted properly, they sound great. Try using the foam eartip first to get a sense for how they sound with a good seal. They're not so great when walking or moving around. Since they seal your ears, you hear every footstep, and I've found it hard to keep a good seal when you're moving. However, if you need headphones for air travel these are almost ideal, and vastly less expensive (and more compact) than any of the active noise-canceling models.
 
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These earphones are amazing and live up to the hype they have received on the Internet. I am able to hear fingers on guitar strings, the sound of lips parting on vocalists and previously hidden instrumentation. They are light-years ahead of the Apple earphones and significantly better than the Sony EX71/81's. However, they may not be for everyone. I will attempt to address a number of common issues. They are "in-ear" earphones. To sum it up, if you can't stand ear plugs, then you shouldn't get them. I should also note that they are quite a bit more intrusive that the Sony Ex's. The issue of the triple flanges being an improper fit seems to be cleared up. My earphones came with four separate sets of ear pieces. The triple flanges, two sets of double flanges and the foam inserts. With all this you should be able to find a fit. These earphones are the only way to travel, study in libraries and walk around your house. However, I really don't like running with them and have, therefore, retained my Sony EX71's with the short cord. These earphones seal great and as a result the pounding effect of your feet hitting the ground is pretty annoying. It's true that the Sony's also do this but it's not nearly as pronounced because (1) the Sony's don't fit as snugly and (2) the Sony's have much more bass which tends to cover it up. Which leads me to my last point.... Bass. These earphones produce a flat tone which for the most part is great. Symphonies come alive, rock music reveals hidden instrumentation and music in general is heard the way it should be. But then there's rap music. I really don't like listening to Biggie on these and while it may be more musically accurate not to have overpowering bass - that's what rap music is. Loud, pumping bass. I love rap music, but it probably consists of 1/10 of my collection and as a result I use these earphones the vast majority of the time. With that said, I recommend these to everyone with the exception of those that would only listen to these while running (I do wear these when I lift) and people that listen to rap music predominately.
 
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I have been using these headphones for several months and have been very satisfied with them. I use them strictly with a portable player and the sound isolation makes them perfect for use while traveling and working around the house. They effectively block out the roar on an airplane and allow me to mow my grass in peace without the need to blast the volume. I compared them to the ones included with my wife's new nano, and the difference was startling. The nano ear buds sounded like the music was coming from underwater. The only issues are that they can be tricky to get in and they have to seal correctly in your ear canal to be effective. The foam covers are more comfortable, but they don't last long before they start to get get stiff. Overall, they have been great, and well worth the price if you really want to hear music the way it's supposed to sound.
 
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I simply did not hear the difference between the sound quality of this earphones and the ones selling at target for $20.
 
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Do NOT, under any circumstances, fall asleep with headphones of any kind on. Unless you want hearing loss. When you are asleep your ears relax and what would otherwise be acceptable levels of sound pressure become dangerous. I have not tried these headphones but the previous review made me start typing.
 
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I have tried many and these are the best all around. Buy extra foam plugs. They don't last long but are the most comfortable way to use the earphones.
 
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I bought these based on all the recommendations I saw online. I had hoped these would be a replacement for both (or either) of my Sennheisers (PX 200 and PCX 250's) but I was sorely disappointed. I tried all the provided earplugs, I stuffed them DEEP inside my ears, I wiggled. I waited. I adjusted. The sound was thin, the detail lacking. I then tried my Sennheisers again and it was like a breath fresh air - the richness and completeness of the music was back. Weird shaped ears? Maybe. Lack of patience? Perhaps. Poor hearing? Definitely. Whatever the issue these were absolutely not for me, returned them for a refund.
 
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OK, first off, I love these headphones... LOVE them. Sound quality is the best I've heard after trying various portable headphones with my ipod. I find I can listen to ipod at lower level - and still get all the details in the music. They're great for listening to music while you fall asleep. Only problem with this is that once you've fallen asleep, you shouldn't make any plans that involve waking up with an alarm clock. I read one review that stated the reviewer jogs with them - I tried riding my bicycle with them - once. The isolation is such that you don't hear enough of what's going on around you. Great for public transportation - not compatible with most alarm clocks. Also - make sure you clean your ears regularly - the white flanges will show whatever gook you have growing in your ears quite well.
 
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For a half or third of the price you get in ear headphones that deliver the goods. These babies compare favorably to the much more expensive brands. Once you get them in place they stay put and reward you with excellent sonic performance.
 
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After trying out the bose quietsound2 headphones, I was looking for noise cancelling headphones that are less bulky. As a dental student, I wanted to phase out the sound of my hand-piece..these are amazingly effective! I am noticing nuances in my music that used to mix in with ambient environmental noise. Definitely worth the investment.
 
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This is quite simply the best accessory I have purchased for my iPod. If you're a Road Warrior (Airline addition...Not so good for Driving road warriors). You need these earphones! You will be able to turn the volume down to ~50% and still hear all the details of the music, even if your sitting next to the engine!
 
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Like someone else said, these are expensive earphones. After using them however you realize that you get what you pay for. I have been using them for about 4 months. The sound quality is superb. That's evidenced by the balance of the sound produced - the mids, highs and lows are very well pronounced. The negative things about these earphones are more due to their intrinsic qualities than any real drawbacks or flaws; you should however consider them before purchasing them. First, the great sound quality took some time for me to actually appreciate. I had used cheap $10 Sony earphones for years and had grown accustomed to the pronounced bass which, in retrospect, really overwhelms much of the balance of the music you listen to. The Etymotics aim at clarity and balance, and it takes some time to adjust your hearing to appreciate them. The second thing which I sometimes find annoying about them is that they are harder to insert into your ears and take out than your average earphones. Again, it’s this quality which isolates external sounds, yet at the same time makes them cumbersome to actually use. The wires are very thin and overall I consider them to be very fragile. These are not the kind of earphones that you can throw into your bag; they will get damaged and break. The earphones come with a nice case and I think it’s absolutely necessary to use it. Overall, I would highly recommend these earphones. If you commute to work or school, take long bus rides or flights, these earphones are perfect because they cut out the outside world and let you appreciate your music in the peace and quiet we all seek out in our very noisy surroundings.
 
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...Everywhere you go. I wouldn't trade these earbuds for the world. I just had a long flight where I was seated behind a baby that screamed her guts out for 5 out of the 6 hours we were on the plane. I plugged in my earbuds and the screams disappeared in the background as I quietly listened to my iPod. I used to take earplugs on the plane, so I'm used to having something in my ears to create my own space, now that space is filled with music. The only caveat I can think of is that you may not like the feel of the earbuds inside your ears. I would say they're an 8.5/10 for comfort, but this is subjective... Personally, the peace and the rich sound of my music at low volumes is 100% worth the purchase. (and they're compact too!!!)
 
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I just got these yesterday and wished I would have picked up a set before. I ride the train here in Chicago to school and the roar of the train can be deafening. These headphones cut the noise to a low din and now I can listen to my Ipod even in low volumes and hear everything just fine. Just love them.
 
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Read the reviews at several sites and decided the ER6i's were worth a try. Getting the proper fit is the key to great sound. I've read the foam earpieces provide about 3dB additional noise reduction as compared to the flanged earpieces and that would seem fairly accurate from my use. My experience with these earphones is the more I listen to them, the more I like them. I put on some regular headphones to listen to music and wished I had my ER6i's with me. If you want to hear ambient sounds don't use these headphones. People can be standing a few feet away talking to you and you won't hear them. Can't wait to try these out on an airplane.
 
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I purchased these headphones to be used with my Creative Zen Xtra and they deliver remarkably well. I have no issue with bass performance and the sound is crystal clear. Its a huge improvement over the stock headphones, which were decent to begin with.I like the foam covers much more than the rubber inserts. Getting them placed in your ears correctly is the key to making the sound really kick. They do tend to tangle when you put them in the case, but in 30 seconds you are ready to go.
 
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Best sound and base response. You could not buy a better headphone. Great for jogging.
 
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Best sound and bass response.
 
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The sound clarity is stunning but like most in-ear phones there is a real lack of deep bass. Even when pushing the phones so far-in that my ear canal it was painful there is still a lack of bass under 125 cycles. If you like Jazz or Clasical then these would be fine, if you like punchy bass & drum heavy music they don't really cut it. I know most MP3 players you can boost the bass with the EQ but this adds it's own problems by adding distortion and phasing problems.
 
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As a frequent traveller I was looking for something to drown out the noise of jet engines on long flights. A friend let me try the $300 Bose head phones before I bought these. While wearing the Bose I was standing next to a desk fan. The noise cancelling did a decent job of getting rid of the low frequency droning but I could still hear it. With the Etymotics, I cant here my lawnmower (while listening to my Ipod). I highly recommend them and the sound quality is excellent.
 
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Riding a motorcycle can be quite noisy -- actually deafening over sustained periods. Wind noise renders helmet speakers worthless at speed. These earphones cut out enough noise that I can listen to my iPod or XM at normal volumes on the bike. So those long interstate rides are now enjoyable. For the same reason, they work great in NYC's loud subway system. Also they are comfortable enough for 12hr days. Gotta really stick them in though.
 
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I really like treble. I usually crank the treble and turn down the base, but these Etymotics are really disappointing! I yearn for more bass. They are so high pitched that they actually hurt my ears. And to think I actually wasted $95 on these things...
 
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I am ordering replacements of the ER-6i, having lost my originals (rats, that's a lot of money). They provide clear and undistorted sound and a realistic though not thumping bass. The noise isolation makes music crystal clear at relatively low levels - much better for the ear. The power handling is sufficient, I listen to my Dell DJ at level 7 of 25, actually lower than the open headphones I used to listen with. There are new noises you will hear - the jarring of your feet against the ground (how does the body hold together?), the whistling of wind past the wires, congested nasal passages. Downsides: don't wear these riding a bike, and be careful walking where you are crossing streets, etc. Don't bother to wear them when your family is around, because you won't hear them, and taking out/replacing them in the ear is more work than with headphones. Set your cell phone to vibrate when you wear these. There's nothing surprising here. The ER-6i provide very good sound with very good isolation.
 
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I have been looking for better way to enjoy my music while on a plane while blocking out the engines and the conversations around me .. I tried several noise-cancelling headphones, but - they're either bulky if the circuits are integrated into the earpiece or - a tangled mess if the circuitry is separate. The ER6i are an excellent alternative, they're lightweight, produce great sound and filter out whatever the jet and your seat neighbors can throw at you. I use the foam pieces, and yes, they get earwax on them after a while. I guess that's the trade-off for not having to buy batteries ..
 
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It is excellent if you like to really listen to music and not just as background noise but not good to use while walking, jogging (you hear your footsteps and extremely dangerous as outside sound are almost completely blocked), or eating (you hear you teeth grinding). Extremely good if you are into orchestration, you will hear tiny nuances of musical instruments not readily heard on regular speakers or headsets. The Music of Turina & Debussy (track 10), the tiny drum at the beginning can be heard so clearly. Listen to Beethoven and Mozart sonatas and you will appreciate this headset.
 
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Im a very cheap person and spending 80$ for a pair of headphones was hard for me to do. However, i have been using this for 1 week now and everything sounds soo much better now. Although i dont think the bass is that over emphasized since there's no boomynes. The noise reduction is awesome. Its so great i cant even hear my voice when i talk. Dont try to run or drive on these though. The highs and mids are very clear and sounds like high end speakers. Staging is good as well. Overall, i strongly recommend these to anyone who wants great sound and dont want to spend more than a hundred dollars.
 
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I'm amazed at the quality of these earphones. They really do a great job isolating me from my surroundings, which is exactly what I wanted. When I use normal earphones walking (listenting to mp3s on my Dell Axim) I don't normally have a problem. But when I'm on the train commuting, between the people talking and the sound of the train, a lot of the songs I have are just too low to really hear. These earphones let me enjoy everything, and the quality is far beyond what I expected
 
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Awesome earphones. A must have. Well worth the price. Crisp, clear, isolated. Enhances listening pleasure 100X.
 
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The difference is UNBELIEVABLE. I had read mixed reviews about these, but I guess that my ears have the right profile for the ER6i. They don't even feel like they are in my ear. Proper placement is critical. Acoustic and classical music is amazing, I can hear things that I've never heard before, like fingers moving over the frets of an acoustic guitar, or singers taking a breath. Jazz is amazing and of course rock....well rocks. The sound insulation is unreal, I wish the earplugs in my workshop were this good. This makes it easier on your ears and the iPod battery. String instruments sound like they are inside your head. All I can say is "Wow", definetly worth the price of admission!
 
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Got these a month ago and have been listening to my entire MP3 collection over and over again. Rediscovering notes and musical effects which I never noticed before from even my 5.1 THX certified Altec Lansing computer speakers. PRO: The sound quality is superb. Offers very crisp trebles and a very mature bass (great for any contemporary music). I would strongly suggest the ER6-I over the ER6, simply for the enhanced bass. CON: Fanged earpieces can be a bit difficult to get used to. You really have to stick those babies in there to hear the full bass (otherwise it's just tinny). Also, BE CAREFUL of where you're walking/driving when wearing these. They will block out ALL other sounds. I no longer hear cars graze past me just inches away while I'm jogging. The experience may startle you.
 
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