Etymotic Research ER2SE Studio Edition High Performance In-Ear Earphones (Detachable Dynamic Drivers, Noise Isolating, High Accuracy, Studio Grade Accuracy)

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Etymotic uses the same type of MMCX cable as audio powerhouse Shure, making it easy and affordable to replace the cable when needed. While I do think the bass quantity was not where I wanted it, the overall presentation felt more crisp and precise with the SE. I think those who’ve tried and enjoyed the ER2SE’s sound will likely want to step up to the ER4SR at some point in their lives – the improvement is certainly not negligible. In short, the ER2SE is voiced much like a high quality, high accuracy and decidedly full range loudspeaker, while the ER2XR is voiced much like that same loudspeaker, but with the bass dialled up to about ‘11.

A filter’s job is to prevent earwax and gunk from mucking up the actual earphone internals, so you should remove (and clean) filters when they become clogged. Compared to Periodic Be, the Be is both more bassy with a a bit more mid treble presence and less of that 2. You can expect these headphones and devices to connect seamlessly without any hassle and even offer OS-specific functionality depending on the device.

What my words perhaps do not convey is the extent to which the ER2 models are sonic overachievers of the first rank.

It appears that even the protection grid at the tip of the mic can vastly change the treble response due to the varying volume in front of the capsule and the properties to reflect and diffuse the incoming sound waves.More volume (lower acoustic impedance) more details, higher impedance - warmer sound, according to Etymotic. This concern manifests itself in Etymotic’s commitment to building earphones offering extremely high (35dB – 42dB) levels of noise isolation. Using a single dynamic driver allows for a very accurate IEM without the added complexity of crossovers and helps keep the aluminium body small and slim. They lack viscerality and dance-ability but textures throughout the range are perfectly satisfactory for a daily driver and macrodetail is actually quite grand save for those odds and ends that inexplicably get buried. Once the Etymotics are in my ears, they’re fine, but repeatedly removing and re-inserting them got to be kind of a drag.

Neither is going to be at all appropriate for bassheads – generally speaking, I’d say true bassheads should probably steer clear of Etymotic. The IE 40 Pro, released end of last year, is a great monitoring IEM that has seen a lot of unanimous praise in these circles. 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.It would be embarrassing but I felt I wanted some middle ground, of semi clean ears to have enough lubrication to prevent the itchy inner feeling that can be very distracting. If it weren't for the deep insertion, I'd consider either of them to be strong candidates for a secondary/travel IEM. Of course, both isolate sound very well – you won’t hear anything while you’re wearing them, which is why I tend to use them for my daily commute. There’s the HD600 from Sennheiser, which is still considered one of the best headphones on the market even as its 20th birthday recedes further and further into the rearview mirror.

The ER2’s carry forward Etymotic’s traditional deep-insertion ear tip and earpiece design motif (more on this later), but they introduce slightly revised (and nominally more comfortable) versions of the firm’s signature triple-flange ear tips.They’re not necessarily wrong—it’s great to walk about without being tethered to your phone—but it’s only great when it works.