Etymotic Research | ER•4® microPro® Earphones - Earphones

In a Class by Itself

Etymotic invented noise-isolating, in-ear earphones. Etymotic's original insert earphone design, developed for auditory research and medical diagnostics, used balanced armature receivers and established these speakers as the gold standard for high-definition, in-ear earphones. The ER•4 MicroPro series earphones were the first earphones commercialized using this technology and are recognized as the world leader in response accuracy, to which all other earphones are compared. After more than 20 years, these reference-quality earphones are still the choice of serious sound engineers, audiophiles and musicians.

Backed by decades of research and development for the ear

World leader in sound reproduction
- Unsurpassed frequency response accuracy and sound quality — 86%+ response accuracy from 20 Hz – 16 kHz
- The only earphones with Accu•Driver™ balanced-armature, precision-matched, custom-tuned drivers
- Highest output sensitivity in its class
Timeless style and fit
- Professional quality and reliability
- An assortment of noise-isolating ACCU•Fit™ eartip options to ensure proper seal and comfort
- CUSTOM•FIT option available
Highest noise isolation
- First earphones to completely seal the ear
- 98% (35 dB - 42 dB) noise isolation —highest of any earphones or headsets on the market today
- Reduction of outside noise reduces the risk of listening at unsafe levels
Best durability and warranty
- 2-year replacement warranty
- Braid-reinforced cable for extremely low microphonic effect
- ACCU•Filter™ user-replaceable filters protect the balanced-armature drivers from ear wax

Product Downloads

User Manuals

ER4 microPRO User Manual

(Size: 1.6 MB)

6 languages

Instructions For Use

Eartips

The earphones fit into the ear canals with either soft plastic flanged eartips or foam eartips. The plastic eartips can be cleaned and reused.

Important:

For best performance and the most solid bass response, the eartips must be inserted deeply in the ear canals.
If one or both earphones stop working or has reduced volume, change the earphone filter. See About the Filter (below) for detailed instructions.

Insertion and Removal of Eartips

View the Earphone Insertion Video

For best results, moisten the 3-flange eartips before insertion.
The right eartip is identified by the red dot on the plastic housing of the eartip. Grasp the right eartip with your right hand.
With your left hand, pull up and back on your right ear to straighten your ear canal.
Carefully insert the right earphone so that it seals deeply and comfortably in your ear.
Repeat procedure for the left ear, using the left earphone.
Remove earphones slowly with a twisting motion to gradually break the seal.

Foam Eartips

If a good seal cannot be obtained with the 3-flange eartips, use the black foam eartips supplied with the earphones.

Firmly grip the 3-flange eartip with one hand and the earphone with the other.
Remove the eartip from the earphone, and replace it with a black foam eartip.
Compress the foam eartip by rolling it between your fingers.
With the opposite hand, pull up and back on your ear to straighten your ear canal.
Carefully insert the earphone into the ear canal, holding it in place until the foam expands to produce a seal.

Proper Earphone Use

When used correctly, the ER•4 MicroPro earphones will provide excellent performance and high quality audio. Because the ER•4s provide exceptional sound reproduction and unrivaled isolation from outside sounds, high playback levels are unnecessary.

Set the volume control of the audio source to minimum.
Insert the 3.5mm earphone plug into the headphone jack (a 1/4" adapter is also supplied).
Set the volume control to a comfortable listening level.
Do not use insert earphones while driving a motorized vehicle, operating machinery, bicycling or jogging, because you may not be alerted to potential danger.
Do not use the earphones at excessively loud levels.

Care

Do not expose the earphones to extreme temperatures.
Avoid dropping and strong impact.
Leave eartips on the earphones for shock protection.
Do not pull on the cord to remove the earphone from the audio device or the ear.
Clean or replace eartips prior to use by others.

Cleaning and Replacing Eartips

Over time eartips may lose their elasticity. For best performance and retention, replace 3-flange eartips every 3-6 months. Replace foam and glider eartips regularly.

To clean the 3-flange eartips:

Remove the eartip from the earphone.
Clean with water and mild soap.
Dry the eartip before placing it back on the earphone.

About the Filters

ER•4 MicroPro Earphones have special filters that smooth the frequency response and prevent earwax from entering the earphones. A filter is located at the end of the earphone and is visible when the eartip is removed. If a filter becomes clogged, it should be replaced. A dirty filter will reduce earphone output. A filter should be changed if the loudness decreases or the sound quality declines.

Note:Filters are not reusable.

Removal

Note: Use the tool to remove the filter.


1. Remove eartip.	2. Insert tool into the filter.	3. Remove filter and discard.

Replacement

Note: Do not use the tool to replace the filter.


4. Insert a new filter and press gently against a hard surface to secure it in place.	5. Re-attach eartip.

Which ER•4 is Right for You?

ER•4PT earphones, intended for sound engineers and audiophiles in constant motion, comes equipped with extra accessories. ER•4PT earphones can be used with portable devices without an additional amplifier—or converted to the ER•4S response with the included P-to-S cable. Compared to the ER•4S, the ER•4PT has 10 dB greater output at high frequencies and 13 dB greater output at low frequencies. The higher sensitivity and enhanced bass of the ER•4PT have made it the most popular earphone in the series. Included with every pair of ER•4PT earphones is an industry-exclusive channel-matching compliance graph, signed by the Etymotic engineer who precision matched and custom tuned the balanced-armature drivers.

ER•4S earphones were designed to compensate for the high frequency emphasis in all CD recordings, in order to provide accurate sound reproduction. Performing musicians often use them as in-ear monitors because the response of the ER•4S matches the response of most typical monitor loudspeakers. The high accuracy and exceptional sound isolation of the ER•4S have made these earphones popular with musicians, recording engineers and audiophiles. ER•4S earphones can be used with a headphone amplifier when using low power portable devices.

ER•4B earphones are for the binaural recording enthusiast. The ER•4B is an ideal earphone for use with material that has not been equalized for loudspeaker playback. It was developed from the ER-1 earphone that is referenced to a flat diffuse field and used primarily for speech reception research, where the goal is to produce the same frequency response at the eardrum as would be produced in the live situation.

Accurate Earphone Reproduction

For earphones to have 100% accuracy, a recording of a live performance must produce exactly the same sound at the eardrum as the original performance. To achieve this, the acoustic properties of the ear must be factored in. The acoustic resonance and horn effects of the ear change a flat audio signal entering the open ear into sound with a (2700 Hz) high-frequency boost, which is the same response heard at the eardrum in a typical ear.

Accurate Earphone Reproduction

Technical Specs

Frequency Response	20 Hz - 16 kHz
Accuracy Score	4B (92%) 4S (92%) 4PT (86%)
Transducers	balanced armature
Noise Isolation	35-42 dB
Impedance (@1kHz)	4B (100 Ohms) 4S (100 Ohms) 4PT (27 Ohms)
Sensitivity (@1 kHz) SPL at 0.1v	4B (90 dB) 4S (90 dB) 4PT (102 dB)
Maximum Output (SPL)	122 dB
Cable	5 ft
User Replaceable ACCU-Filters	Yes
Warranty	2 Years
Custom-Fit Option	Yes

Accurate Earphone Reproduction

Channel-Matching Compliance Graph supplied with each ER•4PT

Instructions For Use

Eartips

The earphones fit into the ear canals with either soft plastic flanged eartips or foam eartips. The plastic eartips can be cleaned and reused.

Important:

For best performance and the most solid bass response, the eartips must be inserted deeply in the ear canals.
If one or both earphones stop working or has reduced volume, change the earphone filter. See About the Filter (below) for detailed instructions.

Insertion and Removal of Eartips

View the Earphone Insertion Video

For best results, moisten the 3-flange eartips before insertion.
The right eartip is identified by the red dot on the plastic housing of the eartip. Grasp the right eartip with your right hand.
With your left hand, pull up and back on your right ear to straighten your ear canal.
Carefully insert the right earphone so that it seals deeply and comfortably in your ear.
Repeat procedure for the left ear, using the left earphone.
Remove earphones slowly with a twisting motion to gradually break the seal.

Foam Eartips

If a good seal cannot be obtained with the 3-flange eartips, use the black foam eartips supplied with the earphones.

Firmly grip the 3-flange eartip with one hand and the earphone with the other.
Remove the eartip from the earphone, and replace it with a black foam eartip.
Compress the foam eartip by rolling it between your fingers.
With the opposite hand, pull up and back on your ear to straighten your ear canal.
Carefully insert the earphone into the ear canal, holding it in place until the foam expands to produce a seal.

Proper Earphone Use

Set the volume control of the audio source to minimum.
Insert the 3.5mm earphone plug into the headphone jack (a 1/4" adapter is also supplied).
Set the volume control to a comfortable listening level.
Do not use insert earphones while driving a motorized vehicle, operating machinery, bicycling or jogging, because you may not be alerted to potential danger.
Do not use the earphones at excessively loud levels.

Care

Do not expose the earphones to extreme temperatures.
Avoid dropping and strong impact.
Leave eartips on the earphones for shock protection.
Do not pull on the cord to remove the earphone from the audio device or the ear.
Clean or replace eartips prior to use by others.

Cleaning and Replacing Eartips

Over time eartips may lose their elasticity. For best performance and retention, replace 3-flange eartips every 3-6 months. Replace foam and glider eartips regularly.

To clean the 3-flange eartips: