Etymotic Research ER6i Isolator In-Ear Earphones (Black)
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6i Isolator Earphone is designed specifically for use with the Apple iPod and other small portable players, providing greater sound output and enhanced bass.
Main Features
Features
- Balanced armature transducer for full-range sound
- Frequency range of 50 Hz – 16 kHz
- Up to 36dB noise isolation
- Choose between included flanges and foam eartips for best fit
- Replacement filters, changing tool, shirt clip and pouch included
- Dimensions (W x H x L): 4 x 2 x 5 inches
- Weight: 0 pounds
I love em.
I’m just ordering my second pair of these as my others disapeared off the kitchen counter (hopefully they show up one day). I loved these headphones, I couldn’t hear someone talking to me with music going at even a low volume. I replaced them with some Senheizers that sound just as good but it is more difficult to get them to stay in my ear than it was with the Etymotics. I can’t wait till the new ones get here.
BEST iPod headphones
I have been using these for several years. I even give them as gifts. Only replacing the old ones because I accidentally cut the cord. It takes a day or two to get used to the in-ear phones. They truly do seal out ambient noise. you will have to pause what you are listening to and remove the ‘phones to interact with others. The are hands down the best headphones I have ever used.
Awesome isolation & sound, terrible build quality & durability
These headphones offer incredible sound quality for the price, and with the 3-flange tips, the best sound isolation bar none. I use these when flying, mowing the grass, and they block out nearly all noise. If you experiment with the various different tips and find the set that fits you, they are very comfortable.
The downside, though, is their build quality is sub-par for the price. This pair is my second in two years. My first pair, a set of the white earbuds, developed a short somewhere in the cord and the right ear bud ceased to function. This occurred just after the end of Etymotic’s 1-year warranty, and they would not replace it. This current set, a black set, broke near the headphone jack. The cable is too thin and low quality. It separated from the headphone jack, leaving bare copper wire exposed which then developed a short shortly before breaking all together.
I was not hard on these headphones. I didn’t workout in them, I didn’t yank them by the cables, etc. I treated them carefully, but
incredible sound quality
These headphones offer incredible sound quality, but the cable is too thin and low quality.
Earphones
I really have enjoyed my Etymotic Research ER6i Isolator In-Ear Earphones. They sound good, but are light duty. I have found my Harman Kardon 730 Noise Isolating Earphones were a little more heavy duty. I found the ear foam a little softer also.I really like the volume control. I use these for bike riding, mowing and working and the Harmond Kardon are stronger. The ER6i are also nice for the price.
Really disappointed
I bought these headphones because I read good things about them. As soon as I had used them in my hands but it was difficult to be comfortable with them. Included some sleeves that fit very well into the ear canal but little use to hurt. On the other hand though it fits nicely into your ear canal does not completely isolate external noise. For all this I had to return them and buy me SCL2 Shure Sound Isolating Earphones – Clear that were cheaper and better audio and do not hurt.
Biker Buds
I received these in the mail yesterday and took them out for a run on my Harley Road King last night. After a couple of practice runs putting them in I found they were exactly as described. They removed all of the wind noise I had found in other buds. The note they include in the package which says IMPORTANT is. I really needed to get them all the way into the canal to receive the required results. I ride without a windshield and the wind noise is really loud. These buds took the majority of it away. I had only had to use half of the volume I had used in the past and heard every note perfectly. WOW! I would strongly recommend these to anyone one who desires to have the outside noise removed while listening to music.
I found them a little uncomfortable when I inserted them the first time. I am not used to having something go that far into the ear canal. Also, it does help if you moisten them prior to inserting. But, the sound was worth the discomfort. After removing them when I stopped for coffee, the reinsertion was easier and the discomfort was milder. They take getting used to.
Again, let me say if you ride and use buds, these are the ones for you.
Combat zone tested!
I purchased these while I was deployed to Iraq. The sound isolation is superb. So much so, that I was not allowed to wear them in the clinic I worked in, because I was unable to hear emergencies come in the door! They drowned out all sounds, with the exception of the vibration of explosions, and made for a wonderful listening experience. Now, several years later, I still use them on a daily basis. The design on the earphones is such that I can comfortably wear them while working out and they don’t move around or fall out. I also like the unusually long cord with the clip because i can attach it to my shirt while it is sitting on the treadmill and not worry about it falling off. These are very durable and have lasted me many years of extremely regular use. I would never consider another kind. I’m completely spoiled!
High functioning but high maintenance
These headphones work great on the noise-canceling front – I should know as a rider of one of the loudest of NYC’s subway lines! I’ve even used them as earplugs when I didn’t have my earplugs on me. The sound is good and they are comfortable enough. The problem? If you lead a relatively rough-and-tumble existence like I do, normal wear and tear causes the squiggly little piece of rubber that covers where the wire meets the jack to come off. This then partially exposes the wires and one will short out shortly thereafter. I’ve tried to be as careful as possible and usually stored them in the pouch when not in use, but this has happened to me with 3 or 4 separate pairs. I finally wised up and bought the Audio-Technica ones which have a much more protected jack. I’d go with those if you lead an active lifestyle. If ER just corrected this one problem, these would be great…
Watch for extra costs, long cord
I’ve gone through a few of the er6i’s. I accidentally snapped the cord completely in half going through a turnstile leaving work one day. Thankfully Etymotic was able to offer me a ‘discounted’ replacement, which i think was about $10-15 less than full price.
Over the four or so years I’ve owned them, I’ve had to send them back a few times for the right channel failing; most of the time they sent me back a completely new unit, only to have the same thing happen again and again.
Most recently the long cord (I’m 5′11″) was caught on an armrest while getting off the train, and again the right channel broke. Additionally, these phones contain ‘filters’ that you must replace every so often, I’ve had them last days, weeks, or months, with no understanding why. Replacements are about $15 for 6. If you happen to lose the three-coned earpiece, they aren’t cheap, either.
On the plus side, they do sound good, though as others have mentioned, there’s very little bass. They also do a fantastic job of eliminating noise on the train.
Great sound but they didn’t last long
Purchased the headphones in December 2009. Used on weekdays during commutes to/from work. By June 2010, the connection between the wire and the ear bud was split / fraying. There is a 90 day warranty, but unfortunately the damage was not noticeable until after the warranty expired. Too expensive for six months of use.
Not exactly disappointing, but…
I’ve been using Sennheiser PX100 headphones for the past few years and I like the sound of them very much, so I expected the Etymotics to be at least as good in terms of providing a full range musical notes. I think the ER 6i’s are good phones and create a nice seal to keep the noise out, but they just don’t have the bass provided by the PX100s. It may not be fair to compare the two given their physical configurations, but if you look at the retail value of both, the Etymotics should be blowing the Sens out of the water, and they just don’t come close to doing that. Maybe you need to spend $250 to get earphones that can rival over the ear headphones, and that might be the major issue here. But for the price I got the 6i’s for, I’m not completely unhappy…
Great Motorcycle Earphones
I use these earphones on my motorcycle. When there is no music, it is like having earplugs in. When hooked up to my iPod, the volume can remain relatively low because they seal the ear canal. I get to my destination and my ears don’t hurt because of them. The cord could be a touch longer, but as it is it doesn’t pull at all. I run it through my the snap on my wallet chain or underneath my jacket when I wear one to keep it from flapping in the wind. I highly recommend these to people who will be riding on motorcycles and listening to music.
No complaints
Tried them out on my motorcycle and they fit well under the helmet and blocked noise comparably to earplugs. They’re comfortable, sound good (albeit, a bit light on the bass) and seem durable (though I worry about the risk of ear wax in the filter).
Awesome
Pricey, but awesome. I use them primarily for motorcycling and the sound isolation is first rate, and they are very small so getting a snug full face helmet on without dislodging them is pretty straightforward. No problems so far, but I’m afraid of snagging the wires and damaging them as they appear a bit frail.
Just About Perfect
The ER6i phones are just about perfect. They offer accurate sound without the all to common bass heavy thump. Inserted correctly, one can forget about the outside world and simply listen to music as it was meant to be heard. The carrying case is a bonus; the quality is great; the price is right, especially compared to phones far more expensive.
My Favorite
I had bought these headphones about three years ago and fell in love with them for their in-ear isolating performance. Eventually the sound went out on one of the ears from years of abuse, so I started the search all over for a new set of headphones. After spending a week searching all different brands for in-ear headphones comparing performance versus price, I went back to these once again. They are the best bang for your buck.
Where’s the bass?
I’m pretty much the opposite of an audiophile – but I had invested in a decent quality set of earbuds a couple of years ago from a different manufacturer and thought the benefits were well worth the money. When those recently broke I ordered these because they looked so very comfortable. I was right about part – but the sound was worse than horrible. Tinny, tinny tinny. I would not recommend these to anyone – save yourself the hassle! I returned them and bought another set for $30.00 that aren’t quite as comfortable, but even right out of the box (i.e. long before the 24 hour break-in period) sound great.
Great buds
Most reviews are right on. Give them a few hours to “break in” and you’ll love them. I use them running and at the gym and think they are super comfortable. The only knock is the cord. It’s pretty thin and tangles easy. Overall impressive sound/noise canceling.
Excellent
Great volume and response. I use them for running, and seldom have any problem keeping them in my ears, even with sweat. They also are the only earphones that block outside noise enough that I can hear music when I mow.