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The ER-4P MicroPro noise-blocking earphones from Etymotic Research offer realistic sound reproduction and noise isolation that far surpasses that of active noise-canceling earphones. The ER-4P earphones--which require no batteries--can be plugged into any audio source. They can be used with portable CD, MP3, DVD, and other players without an additional amplifier. The ER-4P earphones were designed to match the response of the ear, creating nearly perfect sound reproduction. They reduce external sound naturally by sealing your ear canals, without the added weight, bulk, or external power supply required for active noise-canceling. Their external noise exclusion (up to 33 dB using the supplied 3-flange eartips and 41 dB with foam eartips) lets you hear the full dynamic range of recordings without your having to play them at unnaturally high and unsafe levels. What's in the Box
ER-4P MicroPro earphones, a 5-foot cord with 3.5 mm stereo phone plug, a .25-inch stereo phone adapter plug, six 3-flange eartips, 10 foam eartips, a filter-changing tool, 4 replacement filters, a shirt clip, a zippered pouch, a storage box, a user's manual, and warranty information.
 Customer Reviews 
Fantastic Sound Isolation
Rating: 5
The sound isolation of the ER-4P's is phenominal. I have tried active cancellation over the ear head sets from Aiwa and Bose and have used the active cancellation earbuds from Sony for several years. The ER-4P's go far beyond any of these. Etymotics rates them as 36 db with the 3 flange tips and 42 db using the foam tips. The numbers do not give a sense of how complete the sound isolation really is. On a riding mower, you can hear that the engine is running but there is no need to increase the volume from a comfortable listening level before you started the mower. Just on sond isolation these are better than ear plugs or the best shooter's ear muffs I have ever tried.
My primary motivation may have been sound isolation on airplanes and lawn mowers but the sound quality is also tremendous. They are better than any other headphones I have tried. I am not an audiophile but I can hear the difference between a high bit rate MP3 and the original CD. With the ER-4P's, you can hear all of the music that is in the recording.
Some reviewers have noted the microphonic quality of the cable. It is an inescapable problem of physics. I can say that the microphonic effect is less with the ER-4P's than with other isolation type earbuds that I own and have tried. It may be that Etymotics has improved the cable since earlier reviews. I purchased mine in September 2007.
These are in ear head phones. They must be properly inserted to hear the full sound spectrum and provide the sound isolation. This is not comfortable for everyone. I still have a slight discomfort on 9 hour flights. I sleep with them in. I consider a little discomfort compared to the aircraft cabin noise with screaming infants as a satisfactory trade off. In ear head phones give much better sound isolation than over the ear models.
The Shure e4C's may be the equal of the Etymotic ER-4P's on sound quality. But on noise isolation there is no comparison. The best competitive review I could find rated the Shure e4C as greater than 20 db isolation and the Etymotic ER-4P at greater than 30 db. If sound isolation is a major goal in your choice of head phones, then there is no comparison. The Etymotic ER-4P's are the best by far.
$30 for filters ouch
Rating: 1
what a rip off you will find when the filters need replacing.
good luck
Outstanding Earphones
Rating: 5
I will keep this short. These are the bast earphones on the market. I have owned and used various Shure and Sony models but they simply don't cut it. I also own some old Koss Pro4AAA headphones from the '80s and while they have a bit better bass I still prefer my ER4P's. That is saying something since the Koss headphones were the standard in studios for a decade.
When I first purchased these they cost over $300 so the new pricing is a bonus but at the time I was on a plane every week and I needed something. A tip on usage, it takes time to adjust to the "in-ear" feeling but once you do you will never go back. Another tip is to look at the usage videos or your owner's manual on how to insert these earphones. It is important that they are installed correctly our you will loose the bass.
I have also tried out the Bose Quiet Comfort headphones that a buddy let me use on a flight and I was disappointed. It is important to know that when you have the noise canceling on you will NOT receive true audio play back. Also, the noise canceling only addresses constant noises such as the air rushing by or the whine from the engines. It will not address the SCREAMING baby two rows behind you. Fortunately, the ER's drop the decibels of the outside noise so much that even the baby doesn't bother you.
I whole heartedly recommend these earhphones. Again, be patient with the initial weird sensation when you first put in the earphones. It took me 2 or 3 flights before I was entirely comfortable with them in my ear.
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