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Product Description The ER-6 Isolator earphones provide outstanding sound quality and isolation in a lightweight, compact package. And at less than half the price of ER-4 earphones, they're an incredible value. Because these earphones were designed to match the acoustic response of the open ear, their response accuracy surpasses that of all other earphones and earbuds in their class.With their 15-20 dB of isolation, the ER-6's offer more external noise reduction than any other noise-reduction earphone. Why is isolation important? By blocking out ambient sounds, you can hear the full range of today's digital recordings without having to play them at unnaturally high and potentially unsafe levels. Since you don't have to boost the volume to overcome external noise, ear-overload distortion is minimized.The ER-6 Isolator earphone system includes: 5' cord with 3.5 mm stereo phone plug; 2 double-flanged silicone eartips; 2 foam eartips; 2 replacement filters; Filter-changing tool; Shirt clip; Pouch. ... Read more
Features 90 Day Warranty (1 year if the warranty card is returned within the first 90 days)System Includes - ER-6 Isolator earphones with 5 foot cord with 3.5 mm stereo plug, 1 pair 2-flange eartips, 1 pair foam eartips, 2 replacement filters, Filter changing tool, Shirt clip, Zippered pouchFrequency response - 20 Hz to 16,000Hz1 kHz sensitivity - 108 dB SPL for a 0.4 volt input toward a maximum of 120Designed to match the acoustic response of the open ear
Reviews (12) 
ER6 vs. ER6i Earphones for Apple's iPod / Winner: ER6
After checking with the vendors that these headphones were returnable after being opened, I proceeded to test Etymotic Research's more economically accessible earphones - the ER6 and ER6i headphones - to more objectively make a comparison between the two.I compared their respective power usage, bass response, clarity, connection to the iPod, convenience, and sound isolation capabilities.The overall winner:ER6 Isolation Earphones.The report is below (*note this was not a scientific study but I did try to control whatever I could)
iPod Battery Life Winner: ER6i
The battery life of iPods isn't particularly great, and can be affected by a number of sources such as if EQ settings are on, if the iPod is on "hold", the song-encoded bit rate, whether or not the screen light is on, or in this case, what type of headphone is being used.I tested the battery life of the iPod using the ER6i and ER6 earphones by playing the "All Songs" function which plays every song in the library continuously until the power runs out.By starting it from the first song in the library using both earphones, I was able to factor out the bit rate in determining which earphone lasted longer.Of course, the earphones that lasted longer would be subjected to songs with bit rates that might have been much larger (say 824kbs using the Apple Lossless Encoder instead of the default 128kbs ACC encoder) or much smaller than the earphones that ran out quicker.Therefore, if the longer-lasting earphones hit a string of large bit-rate songs, the battery would run out faster than if there were lower encoded bit-rate songs.Therefore, the times that I will report should not be compared as absolute ratios.I kept the volume exactly the same for both trials and I never touched the screen so the light was never enabled.The results: the ER6 ran the battery out in 6hrs:23min while the ER6i ran it out in 9hrs.26mins. Winner: ER6i
Connection to the iPod Winner: ER6i
Because the ER6is were specifically designed for the iPod, the headphone jack connection was perfect and not as sensitive as the ER6 connection.When a headphone is disconnected from the iPod, it pauses the music automatically.Twisting the headphone jack while the iPod is in use has no effect when using the ER6i but the more tenuous connection established between the ER6 and the iPod renders the music to stop when doing this.(There is definitely some flexibility, but running with these or ascending stairs will continuously stop the music and become quite a nuisance.) Winner: ER6i
Bass Response Winner: TIE
Almost any criticism of these headphones in other product reviews always comes back to the bass response.Admittedly, for the price tag, I think the bass could be better on both models, but the major criticism of the iPod ALSO is bass response.In order to hear the bass response well, I set the iPod EQ setting to "R&B" which GREATLY enhances the bass with any headphone.I found that the ER6i lived up to its advertised enhanced bass response. However, the bass was much boomier and subsequently less accurate than that of the ER6s.In addition, the enhanced bass sacrificed mid and upper frequencies rendering a much more immature sound, and frankly, merely as impressive as my Sony Fontopia headphones that were $60 cheaper.Even though the ER6 bass response is a little thinner than that of the ER6i, it's HIGHLY accurate.I can hear each note with remarkable clarity exposing how succinct the notes truly were when they were recorded.For example, check out the beginning of Dave Matthew's Band "Crush"; you can hear his finger strike the string and the transition from each note to the other omitting that muddled "fake bass" that Sennheiser can produce.Any R&B song will really expose the accuracy.However, having that full bass response that the ER6i offers is an important basement for listening to music.Just for fun, I hooked up the ER6s to my Sony Discman and the bass was AMAZING, absolutely the BEST bass I've ever heard; highly accurate with some serious depth.Therefore, I'm convinced that the lack of bass with the ER6 is only a function of the iPod's notoriously thin low frequency output. Both earphones have something to offer; therefore they tie in this category, but I'm leaning towards the ER6.
Musical Clarity and Realism Winner: ER6
If you go to Etymotic's website you can see how they measure sonic response accuracy.The higher the accuracy score, the closer the earphone-produced sound is to live music.The ER6 is 90% accurate whereas the ER6i is 81% accurate and boy is this noticeably different.The ER6i doesn't have the same near-live sound that the ER6 can produce.High frequencies are fuzzier, substantially muted, and not as accurate rendering the ER6is incapable of producing the near-live musical experience of the ER6s.Singers' voices aren't as exposed, sounding more distant and washed out by the bass.The ER6s are just plain amazing in this category.You can hear the decay of each note as if you were standing in a concert hall (as long as the recording is high quality), and I have heard at least 5 to 10 seconds of additional sound at the beginning and ending of each song, especially during fade outs.It's also fun to hear musician's comments after the song, especially on Dave Matthews Band and Ben Folds Five/Ben Folds recordings.Cymbals are bright, crisp, and crystal clear; singers' enunciations are quite clear, trumpets sound fantastic, etc. - virtually any high frequency is the best I've ever heard.The mid-ranges are unbelievable as well and overall balance of sound is impeccable.I can hear layers of songs with the ER6s I didn't hear before.Therefore, the ER6 CLEARLY wins.
Noise Isolation Winner: TIE
When you spend over $100 dollars for earphones, you think that they better sound like they were a gift from God.For me, the reason that these earphones are this expensive is because the noise isolation is flat out incredible.I have tried the famous Bose Noise Canceling Headphones and both of the Etymotic Research earphones cancel sound BETTER (and they're HALF the price with MORE convenience i.e. not as bulky).Don't run, bike, or drive with these in your ears; you will die.I am a drummer and I've been using earplugs since I was 7, trying to find ways to completely isolate sound.Well these earphones do just that.When I walked down the street outside my apartment along a very busy road, I could not hear ANY ambient noise, literally (*the volume was half up).Along my walk I could not hear a backhoe dropping building rubble 15 feet away which I could usually hear from my apartment two blocks away!This feature alone makes these products complete steals in my mind. Winner: Tie, both World Class
Convenience Winner: ER6
By convenience I mean for removing and inserting them into your ear canals...The ER6is are smaller than the ER6s and are harder to grasp when pulling them out of your ears.I can quickly pull the ER6s out of my ears but it takes longer to inch the ER6is out of my ears.Winner: ER6
Overall Winner: ER6
Both of these products are WAY better than conventional headphones, but choosing between them will depend on your priorities.Do you want more bass and longer battery life with the ER6i?Or do you want clearer, more accurate bass with more convenience offered by the ER6s?Maybe you're a runner, and the thought of constantly adjusting the headphone jack sounds too cumbersome and distracting....go with the ER6is.Like in life, you have to sacrifice something to gain something with these headphones....unless you're Bill Gates in which case you could buy the premier ER4 model headphones which have the best of both worlds but require a second mortgage to purchase (list: $330!!!!!).For me, the clarity of a headphone determines its maturity and quality which really put the ER6 over the top even though it sucks in the iPod battery department.Any way you slice it, these headphones will improve sound, period.And the sound isolation is not hyped...it's real.
Great Earphones, but output is too low & Can't Return!!
I initally bought these for my ipod and I found the output level and bass response much too low my tastes. They sound very crisp and clear, but if you like your music loud like I do, don't get these. Also, keep in mind that J&R Music world, plus many other vendors, do not allow you to return these because of health reasons. These are 1/2 as loud as the stock ipod headphones. I managed to talk them into exchanging these for the etymotic 6i's because it wasn't mentioned in thier online return policy, but it was really difficult. The 6i's are MUCH MUCH better, and a highly recommend them (5 stars), because they are nice and loud and have amazing bass.
Great Value for Money
ER-6 gives great value for money.I got it through palm for $40 and its better than bose.Very good with portables and if u have a headphone amplifier it gives better output.Get something like m-audio transit for people listening through computer
ER 6 EarphonesWOW!
First things first.So you will have the answer before you even ask the question:So what does "Etymotic" mean?The answer is that it is a term derived from the Greek word meaning "true to the ear".
Etymotic research has been producing numerous professional grade mic's and earphones for years, and believe me when I say that they know their stuff when it comes to audio.
Enter the age of the IPOD, and other various adaptations of the MP3 players.
The IPOD is now so ubiquitous that if you see anyone wearing white earphones, you immediately assume that they are listening to an IPOD.
As with any audio system, there are several important steps that everyone must take to insure quality output.Good quality original audio, good quality output amplification, and good quality speakers, or headphones.So with that in mind, I opted to test these earphones on my IPod, my stereo system, my computer, and my portable CD player.
I started out field testing the white 6i Isolator model.This model is designed to have a higher sensitivity, and profile compatibility with personal digital music players.It is also designed to produce a higher base response.
So out into the real world I trekked.I took them skiing, driving, and even through a strenuous 2 hour workout in the gym.Now, I know that it is not recommended to use these while driving, but I only did so while on some of Alaska's back roads.I wore these for hours, and hours, and even a few tumbles on the ski hill.I have yet to find anything about them that I do not like.They are very small, and extremely lightweight.And I am just thrilled about the fact that once inserted they stay put.They are not designed to produce a white noise to counter external noise, so I was not expecting that they would screen out external noises as gracefully as they did.They are designed to screen out external noises by blocking their entry in the ear canal.That is why they are designed like well fitting ear plugs, and not like a conventional "over the ears" headset.
I also tested them side by side with the Apple supplied ear buds, and feel that the truer sound is produced by the 6i Isolator .And since I have never been able to stop the Apple ear buds from falling out of my ears unless I was sitting perfectly motionless, I was delighted by how perfectly the 6i Isolator ear phones stayed put.I also tested these the 6i set against a pair of fairly inexpensive Sony over the earheadphones, and the difference was night and day.The 6i maintained a much truer tonal separation at both the high and low ranges, and the Sony's tended to give meslight headache after about an hour of constant wear.
On to the Black ER*6 Isolator model.
This model of the Etymotic designed earphones was designed for travel, and personal listening conditions.It has a very high noise isolation functionality, and is only second in sound accuracy to the Etymotic model ER*4 top of the line standard for studio musicians.
I street tested these as well under similar conditions to the way that I tested the 6i model.
Everyone knows that cars can be very noisy environments.Now imagine that you are having to drive a car on an Alaskan road complete with ruts, and potholes, and lots of left over road gravel scattered about just for reality.And added to all of that, try adding 4steel studded tires to the mix, and you can imagine what a racket that a normal commute can be.
And just to make sure that I was not fooling my hearing senses, I would stop, and put in the earphones, and drive for a few miles.I would then remove them, and drive a few miles.
Without any doubt, these ER*6 Isolator earphones are a true audio magictrick.
And like the 6i Isolator model, I found myself actually turning down the volume, and actually hearing the subtleties of lyrics, and instruments better than ever.
And wanting to really put these earphones to the acid test, I borrowed a nice pair of the top of the line noise reduction headphones(clue..they start with a B, and end with an E).
And I spent hours running them through my own series of noise tests.
And although unscientific in result, I determined that both of the Etymotic earphones were equal to better in noise reduction(or more accurately, noise elimination) than the name brand headset.I did prefer the larger , and smoother overall sound from the name brand headphones, but once again, it is somewhat like apples, and oranges when comparing the two products.
I am not an audiophile as such.I do not have $10,000 dollar speaker sets in my house, and spend all my spare time trying to record esotericblues records unto pop free archival DVD,s.I am, however, a total music lover, and my tastes run from classical to country and western, to African, and on, and on.So I tested out these ER*6 earphones by playing selections from a wide range of fairly diverse genre's.These earphones improved my listening pleasure with everything that I tried, including audio books.
In summary, my choice is the Etymotic 6i Isolator, but the ER 6 Isolator is a very close second place.And my reasons are simple, and direct.Both Etymotic earphones are small, require no batteries, and fit under a multitude of hats.Add to that the fact that they are comfortable, and can be worn for very long periods with out irritation of any sort.And finally, they sound absolutely wonderful, and cost less than half with Brand X costs.
If you like your tunes, you need these earphones..
The high quality earphones are all supplied with a standard 3.5mm(1/8") stereo plugs.
The earphones are supplied with a standard 5 foot cord.
Extra replacement filters, and foam eartips are available.
Each kit contains:Earphones with 5' cord and plug,1 pair of flanged eartips, 1 pair of foam eartips, 2 replacement filters, a filter changing tool, shirt clip, and a pouch.
GREAT (but use the alternate foam plugs)
Tough one to review... so many asterisks. I got these to replace the iPod earbuds. They were OK, but I got tired of replacing them and I got tired of seeing every person everywhere with the white earbuds dangling from their ears. Apple has pretty successfully diluted the brand with all the new iPds so I bet the new hotness will be iPods WITHOUT the white chords... just wait. I kid you not.
Anyways, I wanted a pair that cut out the background noise of Manhattan... I read a lot of reviews of these, the Sony in-ear and the SHURE brand (BOSE was out of the question... I tried them and the active canceling stuff just creates a lot of dead noise... and they're too expensive). I went to J&R to check out the selection of in ear. I brought my iPod so I could test them out with my favorite music.
It took a while. I had a hard time figuring out the most affective way to jam them into my ear. The ER-6's were uncomfortable and I couldn't get a decent sound. The SHURE 3c and 4c's were slightly more comfortable. The Sony's were so hard to work with I almost gave up... then I tried the Shures again. Once I got them in right, the sound was so nice that I almost got them. Instead, I went back through the options with the same method. The ER-6 won. Less work to get them in and out, and more range of sound.
It sucks that you have to work so hard to get a good sound, but when you do, it's worth it.
Best part about the ER-6: They're actually earplugs so they actually BLOCK out everything (funny that they try and make it all fancy by calling it `sound isolation'). No noise canceling backwash noise.
Worst part about the ER-6: They come with these rubber ear pieces attached. They hurt after a while. If you buy these, take them off and use the foam earpieces (included). They're the same material as earplugs and mold to the inner ear. (you also get more bass with these).
Recommendation: I was patient enough to figure out how to wear the ER-6. If you are, too, get them. If you aren't, use the iPod earbuds. No real justification to buy the BOSE... my own Sony studio ear phones are just as good.
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ER6i vs. ER4p