"MINe 109" wrote in message
In article ,
"Arny Krueger" wrote:
"MINe 109" wrote in message
Etymotic ER6 earphones
Besides, they're reportedly "all about treble," despite being rated
down to 20 Hz.
Odd to read a subjectivist who seems so thoroughly impressed by
specs, particularly those for an acoustic transducer.
Specs can be helpful in interpreting the listening experience.
Whatever that means!
If you examine http://www.etymotic.com/images/pdf/er6info.pdf
carefully, you'll notice that the ER-6s have a broad 12 dB peak
between 2 and 4 KHz. which is clearly in the treble range. They say
that this is a good thing, but somehow when I actually listen to ER6
IEMs the treble peak tends to dominate what I hear.
True, such a boast would be quite fatiguing and 'trebly'. However,
the curve shown on the graph represents compensation for in-ear
frequency response changes according to Etymotics. Far from being a
boost, Etymotics calls this a reduction in the treble range.
Let your ears be your guide!
I agree with Linkwitz, who at
http://www.linkwitzlab.com/reference_earphones.htm clearly opines
that Etymotic's preference for a peak in this region is not a good
thing. He recommends that the peak be dealt with via equalization.
? Etymotics recommend a cut to counter what they consider a boost to
compensate for typical monitor speaker response.
Say what?
What Linkwitz and the Etymotic measurements don't cover is the
relatively efficiency. When equalized to be more-or-less flat, the
ER6s are among the least efficient IEMs I've heard.
Good thing the speaker is inside the ear canal, or you'd scarcely hear
it. Of course, all bets are off if you don't have a good seal to
isolate the ear canal. Goodbye, bass! Hello, treble!
I guess you are unaware of the heartbreak of portable music players that
can't drive earphones to satisfying levels. It's especially common in
Europe, apparently due to consumer protection laws.
Compare the ER6 response with their response curve for "$49.99
Dynamic Earbud" (appears to be a Sony MDR EX-70 or 71) with a
measured peak only about half the height, and centered around 5.5
KHz. Linkwitz seems to think its a 7 dB peak at 7600 Hz. Given the
nature of earphone measurements, its safe to say that they are
really pretty close.
Also consider the response of the "$14.95 Dynamic Earbud" (appears
to be Koss :The plug") which could be said to be +/- 5 dB from 20 to
5500 Hz.
Could be. Could also be said to deviate from what Etymotics considers
ideal response measured at the eardrum.
Could be that Etymotic's ideas about what people want in terms of IEM
frequency response is not as optimum as they seem to think.
Still, it's the listening experience that counts.
Right, and I've listened extensively to all of the products that I've been
discussing. Which ones have you heard, Stephen?
If you report a
trebly character, the prospective buyer would do well to try the
product.
Why? Somehow you think I'm treble-adverse?
Perhaps one could seek a dealer who is familiar with its
proper use, or consider springing for the more expensive model, which
has been positively reviewed.
Stephen, you're obviously shooting in the dark.
A more likely strategy would be to pick up a pair of the really-quite-good
Koss IEMs' which are widely available and cost next to nothing, and listen
to them. Then consider what one hears in the context of other user's
comments, and if necessary purchase the next pair with the goal of
addressing any dissatisfaction that one might have with the Koss.
Custom ear-molds might give another level of confidence.
More specifically Stephen, it appears that you're shooting in the dark with
other people's money. Ear molds are mostly about comfort and bass. We were
talking about treble, right?