What's the long-term durability? I've heard nothing but raves for these headphones, but given the high cost of them, I'm very concerned they won't last long. Whether it's inferior design or just my hard and/or careless use, the various models of Sony in-ear headphones I've used over the past few years haven't lasted for more than a year at a time, sometimes significantly less. I love the sound and the isolation of the headphone style, but it's one thing to trash a $30 pair of 'phones and quite another to have a $300 set come apart on you. I'd appreciate some feedback on how long folks have had these Etymotics last for them and under what conditions of use. What's the long-term durability? I've heard nothing but raves for these headphones, but given the high cost of them, I'm very concerned they won't last long. Whether it's... » Read More What's the long-term durability? I've heard nothing but raves for these headphones, but given the high cost of them, I'm very concerned they won't last long. Whether it's inferior design or just my hard and/or careless use, the various models of Sony in-ear headphones I've used over the past few years haven't lasted for more than a year at a time, sometimes significantly less. I love the sound and the isolation of the headphone style, but it's one thing to trash a $30 pair of 'phones and quite another to have a $300 set come apart on you. I'd appreciate some feedback on how long folks have had these Etymotics last for them and under what conditions of use. « Show Less
182037
The Etymotics ER4 series has one known flaw, and this is a slightly weak nozzle, and some people have reported it cracking when they tried to change the nozzle filters. This may be a defect, but Etymotic has been very good in dealing with this defect, even after warranty expires. In general though, these headphones will be durable.
182038
I've owned my ER-4Ps for 4 years - perfectly reliable but I'm always careful to coil them nicely and put them in their zippered pouch after use. That being said the zippered pouch lives in the outer section of my knapsack which gets plenty of rough treatment. I still my ER-6s - 7 years old. They've actually been through the wash once (left in the pocket of my gym shorts). They still work great and sound great.
182039
I've had mine for six years and have used them on hundreds of flights (approximately 400) plus I've used them in my home, car (don't tell), airports, boats, you name it. Finally there is a problem... there is a loose connedtion that requires jiggling in order to get sound in the left channel. It's time for a new pair. Fortunately, the price is a lot lower than it was six years ago.UPDATE: I didn't have to buy a new pair. Etymotics fixed/replaced them for a very low price. Fantastic service.
182040
My ER-4 left channel just dropped out after 2.5 years of hard use in NYC. I called Etymotic Research, they were awesome, suggested I send them back so they could check it out. Even though it was 6 months out of a pretty generous 2 year warranty they replaced the cable and transducers, replaced the eartips and filters and sent them back to me. Amazing service and they sound magical.
182041
I can't speak directly for the 4P, but I have a two year old pair of 6i that I'm listening to right now that still sound astounding. Contrast this with a pair of Shure E3C that I had to have replaced after 10 months and I think you'll get an idea of the durability of these 'phones. In fact, I am starting to prefer these over the more expensive E3Cs - much more clarity. I may just sell those and get a second pair of 6i or move up to the 4P.
182042
I have had the ER-4P for four years. I LOVE IT. I am a very fussy listener, and the sound is spectacular. But it's very important to learn how to put them in correctly. A few people complain about poor bass, but this is probably because they don't understand the importance of getting a good seal.I use them constantly under a wide variety of conditions. I had the experience of an earpiece stem breaking because I handled it roughly. Etymotics customer service is awesome. They are courteous, friendly, fast and smart. They fixed it for me quickly, no charge, even though it was after the warranty expired.Definitely one of the smartest purchases I have ever made. I have had the ER-4P for four years. I LOVE IT. I am a very fussy listener, and the sound is spectacular. But it's very important to learn how to put them in correctly. A few people complain about poor bass, but this is probably because they don't understand the importance of getting a good seal.I use them constantly under a wide variety of conditions. I had the experience of an earpiece stem breaking because I handled it roughly. Etymotics customer service is awesome. They are courteous, friendly, fast and smart. They fixed it for me quickly, no charge, even though it was after... » Read More I have had the ER-4P for four years. I LOVE IT. I am a very fussy listener, and the sound is spectacular. But it's very important to learn how to put them in correctly. A few people complain about poor bass, but this is probably because they don't understand the importance of getting a good seal.I use them constantly under a wide variety of conditions. I had the experience of an earpiece stem breaking because I handled it roughly. Etymotics customer service is awesome. They are courteous, friendly, fast and smart. They fixed it for me quickly, no charge, even though it was after the warranty expired.Definitely one of the smartest purchases I have ever made. « Show Less
182043
Hi DarkHawke, I'm a NYC resident riding the ER-4ps hard (both on the street and when I'm mixing in the studio (yeah, they're that good)) but recently after 2 years of hard use, coiling and so forth the left channel connection is starting to come loose, I've heard this from other people as well, that after a couple of years the connection from the wire to the individual braids begins to sever. That said, they're totally worth every penny even if I had to buy a new pair every year...the money they'll save you on getting hearing aids (I'm looking at all the kids on the subway with apple earbuds at full volume) alone, not to mention fidelity will more than offset the fact that they don't last forever. Hi DarkHawke, I'm a NYC resident riding the ER-4ps hard (both on the street and when I'm mixing in the studio (yeah, they're that good)) but recently after 2 years of hard use, coiling and so forth the left channel connection is starting to come loose, I've heard this from other people as well, that after a couple of years the connection from the wire to the individual braids begins to sever. That said, they're totally worth every penny even if I had to buy a new pair every year...the money they'll save you on getting hearing aids (I'm looking at all the kids on the subway with apple... » Read More Hi DarkHawke, I'm a NYC resident riding the ER-4ps hard (both on the street and when I'm mixing in the studio (yeah, they're that good)) but recently after 2 years of hard use, coiling and so forth the left channel connection is starting to come loose, I've heard this from other people as well, that after a couple of years the connection from the wire to the individual braids begins to sever. That said, they're totally worth every penny even if I had to buy a new pair every year...the money they'll save you on getting hearing aids (I'm looking at all the kids on the subway with apple earbuds at full volume) alone, not to mention fidelity will more than offset the fact that they don't last forever. « Show Less
182044
I have owned the 4p for 3 years and have had no malfunctions. I do keep them in a case when not in use. The er6 I had to be careful with since the cord could develop a loose connection to the driver resulting in intermittent sound. The 4p/s is solid with the er6 being a bit more fragile. I did wear the er6 in a factory environment for 8 hours a day....normal use and they hold up well.
356994
They seem to be durable. I bought my 7 year old some from a different company (Sony, I think) and he broke them the first time he put them on. However, he has been using the Kensington headphones for a couple of months and they are still in good condition. I bought some for myself, but do not use them often because they hurt my ears after more than 15 minutes or so. The cushioning pads are not very soft.
2123654
Hi, I'm a professional touring bassist. I've been using the ER4P's for about 8 years on stage and in the studio. I had similar ones before this, some custom moulded that cost from $350 to $800 but I prefer the Etymotics. BTW, You can find them for about $170 on amazon. I now own three pairs, one for stage, another for when I travel, one I leave at home. They are great on planes and for traveling because of their sound isolation (about 32db) This allows me to listen to movies and music without having to crank it up, thus saving my ears. I use the foam tips because they are way more comfortable. Do they hold up? They are very well made and durable and I have had absolutely no problems with them. I did have a friend of mine break off an end by accident and he had no problem getting a new pair under warranty from Etymotic. These are some of the very best out there if not the very best, well worth the money. I hope this helps, take care.
171145
Is it close to normal headphones lol these are at the top end in sound I had a pair of grado's before they broke the 225i and the sound a lot warmer with better bass and even though they're not as detailed as the 325i from grado you'd be hard pressed to hear the difference unless you put them in a very high quality hifi..I've tried sony/and bose/mommouth and they beat them all on sound...we're these fall down is there not as comphe as the bose top line and if you like the bass of the sonys but these are well balanced and very well refined you'd be hard pressed to find better for less money only 325i from grado beat them but they are open backed and lack the bass and have no noise cancellation Is it close to normal headphones lol these are at the top end in sound I had a pair of grado's before they broke the 225i and the sound a lot warmer with better bass and even though they're not as detailed as the 325i from grado you'd be hard pressed to hear the difference unless you put them in a very high quality hifi..I've tried sony/and bose/mommouth and they beat them all on sound...we're these fall down is there not as comphe as the bose top line and if you like the bass of the sonys but these are well balanced and very well refined you'd be hard pressed to find better for less money... » Read More Is it close to normal headphones lol these are at the top end in sound I had a pair of grado's before they broke the 225i and the sound a lot warmer with better bass and even though they're not as detailed as the 325i from grado you'd be hard pressed to hear the difference unless you put them in a very high quality hifi..I've tried sony/and bose/mommouth and they beat them all on sound...we're these fall down is there not as comphe as the bose top line and if you like the bass of the sonys but these are well balanced and very well refined you'd be hard pressed to find better for less money only 325i from grado beat them but they are open backed and lack the bass and have no noise cancellation « Show Less
1835724
In my honest opinion you are paying for the style and brand, not the quality. You can easily find comparable headphones for less than half the price. For the cost, three different pairs have broke for me in one year. Wires inside coming loose. If you choose to buy, purchase with a great extended warranty.
991475
I think you get what you pay for. I own a pair of Bose Quietcomfort 15 ($300) and use them for work travel. They sound great and are really comfortable for prolonged periods of time. Much better than the Beats Executive model (also $300). Bought my wife the Sony Noise Canceling Headphones ($150) from Costco and she really likes them but doesn't wear them for long. My kids actually have the Sony MDRZX300 and they sound pretty good. Once you adjust them properly, I think they feel fine. Sorry for the long winded response.
1332279
I have 23 pair of headphones and these are made better than 20 of my others. While I can't guarantee anything, I think when you order them and get them home, you will see they are built like a tank. I don't know what your budget is, but I got a pair of Velodyne vTrue headphones that have superior build quality, much better sound signature and were only $135 new online. You have to search hard to find that price, but it is out there. Also, to tell you how good California Headphone customer service is, they sent me a free leather carrying case right after I got these because my dog ate the first one. I have 23 pair of headphones and these are made better than 20 of my others. While I can't guarantee anything, I think when you order them and get them home, you will see they are built like a tank. I don't know what your budget is, but I got a pair of Velodyne vTrue headphones that have superior build quality, much better sound signature and were only $135 new online. You have to search hard to find that price, but it is out there. Also, to tell you how good California Headphone customer service is, they sent me a free leather carrying case right after I got these because my dog ate the... » Read More I have 23 pair of headphones and these are made better than 20 of my others. While I can't guarantee anything, I think when you order them and get them home, you will see they are built like a tank. I don't know what your budget is, but I got a pair of Velodyne vTrue headphones that have superior build quality, much better sound signature and were only $135 new online. You have to search hard to find that price, but it is out there. Also, to tell you how good California Headphone customer service is, they sent me a free leather carrying case right after I got these because my dog ate the first one. « Show Less
1005078
The warranty, if I remember correctly, was only 30 days. You are correct that these things were WAY too expensive for that. My pair stopped working after a little over three months. Unfortunately, we both are out quite a bit of money thanks to Panasonic's cruddy policies. I replaced them with a pair of BOSE headphones which had a 1-year warranty. I'd say that's a much better choice.
2243313
Count me as yet one more who, a-Can't use earbuds, and b-Has used these exclusively for at least a decade in spite of the fact that I know I will have to replace them in a year. I was willing to play that game as long as I could get them for as little as five bucks. Now that Sony has done this astonishing thing with the price I am no longer cooperating with what I'm pretty sure is a case of planned breakage. All in all it's a bizarre situation. *Nobody* makes a comparable product? Will certainly post if I find one.
1540800
I believe Etymotic provides a warranty on the headphones. Would recommend view Etymotic home page for warranty information. As far as Square Trade or others...wont recommend using them as they are always strings attached. If buying from Amazon, there's always a limited replacement clause. Like if it wires come apart in 2 days.....you attempt to get a replacement. But no guarantees.
1309432
try the sony mdr-w08l sold here for 8 bucks. they sound great but arent too durable. i bought 4 sets to get the free amazon shipping and i seem to go thru two headphones a year.
1891551
Not too sure, however I can vouch for their durability. Keep them away from sharp objects and they should last for the life of the headphones.
1300197
Have had no problems at all with the build of these headphones since I purchased them 4 or 5 months ago. Seem like they will last a long time. Depends on what you'll use them for but best suited for hooking up to a/v receiver or a headphone amp for at home use.
2137453
Yes, as a longtime audiophile I have no problem recommending these headphones. The dynamic response of these headphones seem quite good, especially considering their price. Understand however that the bass response of many expensive high-end headphones leave something to be desired, but these headphones have discrete bass amplification and are intended for listeners who appreciate a better bass response along with a good dynamic range. I originally bought these for gaming and because they fold up and fit nicely into my backpack, but quickly realized their sound quality also made them a good choice for listening to music. Hope this helps. Yes, as a longtime audiophile I have no problem recommending these headphones. The dynamic response of these headphones seem quite good, especially considering their price. Understand however that the bass response of many expensive high-end headphones leave something to be desired, but these headphones have discrete bass amplification and are intended for listeners who appreciate a better bass response along with a good dynamic range. I originally bought these for gaming and because they fold up and fit nicely into my backpack, but quickly realized their sound quality also made them a good... » Read More Yes, as a longtime audiophile I have no problem recommending these headphones. The dynamic response of these headphones seem quite good, especially considering their price. Understand however that the bass response of many expensive high-end headphones leave something to be desired, but these headphones have discrete bass amplification and are intended for listeners who appreciate a better bass response along with a good dynamic range. I originally bought these for gaming and because they fold up and fit nicely into my backpack, but quickly realized their sound quality also made them a good choice for listening to music. Hope this helps. « Show Less
2261405
This will happen over time to these earphones. I bought a pair in November of 2013 and they lasted until July of the next year, so make it 8-9 months of moderate, almost daily use. If you use them less, they'll probably last longer. I really liked them and was disappointed when the earpiece came off.
1018495
In my experience with Skullcandy headphones, they are more about looks than quality. I would go with Sony because they are better quality (Sound and structure-wise) and they have comparable prices.
2256988
Both of mine is about six months and I've had no problems with them. They are not a high quality headphone set but if you take care of them they will last.