Comments on: Etymotic hf5 earphones review

By: PACoug

PACoug — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 03:41:32 +0000

Is somebody out there still using CDs?

Let’s see, when was the last time I paid money for a CD?

It’s been years, people. Years.

I like the lossless formats out there today. If you’re an “audiophool,” you shouldn’t be using CDs anyway when lossless is available on your iPod–which sounds better playing a lossless tune than the most expensive Wadia transport/DAC combo playing an old Red Book CD.

Do yourself a favor. The CDs you already have? Write them to a nice external hard drive with your favorite 1:1 WAV program and then put them in a box somewhere. You’ll probably never use them again, especially if you back up your system with Mozy or some other online backup provider.

Have your local stereo guy install an iPod/mp3 mount/connector in your car and hook your stereo to your media hard drive on your home network with an inexpensive jukebox able to play the old redbook stuff you already have as well as the lossless formats you will be purchasing all future music in.

You are now golden. Stream your lossless tunes to your jukebox, and let your HDMI controller steer the sound to the right speakers. Never buy a disc again.

Give the stupid lathe to your father.

By: ovolab

ovolab — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:47:14 +0000

These earphones HURT so incredibly much when I have them in my ears but the sound is wonderful. I thought I found the perfect earphones, but they are just another failed attempt. They are painful and I have tried all the sizes and placed them in my ear correctly. They just plain hurt.

I don’t recommend these at all.

By: dvessel

dvessel — Fri, 15 May 2009 01:20:37 +0000

Can’t speak for these new models but the ones I’ve owned ER-4 are very fragile. The stem that holds the filter snapped right off while cleaning. $250 down the drain. – The price when I got them.

They do sound great though. Not recommended if your claustrophobic. They will completely cut you off from the outside and confine you into the music. Generally a good thing but being outdoors, your as good as deaf.

By: KeyOfGrey

KeyOfGrey — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:50:31 +0000

I have the Etymotic ear plugs which use the same flanged ear piece design as these. They are really good at blocking out ambient noise but if you wear them for extended periods of time, they get itchy if you move around (which shifts them around in your ear canal). At a hundred dollars, these are a great bargain. Thanks for the tip!

By: tosui

tosui — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:11:52 +0000

Nice review! I’m always looking for a small pair of headphones for days when I don’t want to go out with a pair of cans. However, I’ve found canals to have a generally small soundstage, which annoys me enough to stick with cans most of the time. How are the Ef5′s in this respect?