Etymotic intros hf5 in-canal earphones
updated 10:05 am EST, Thu November 6, 2008
Etymotic hf5
Etymotic today called out the official launch of the hf5, its fifth-generation of pure listening devices and the effective successor to its well-known ER-6i buds. The new models have a newer, metallic body style Etymotic claims is more comfortable. Audio fidelity has also purportedly been improved. Although the frequency range has dropped slightly to 20Hz - 15kHz, noise isolation has been improved to block outside sounds as loud as 42dB and to muffle louder noises. This in turn lets users play music at more reasonable volume levels.
The new earphones come with a new, second pair of three-flange tips in addition to the one already included with the ER-6i, and as before comes with more comfortable but shorter-lived foam tips. Etymotic is for now selling the hf5 in black, blue and red colors only through Amazon at the same $149 price as the ER-6i.
Wrong!
11/06, 10:54am reply
Wrong. ER6i is $85.06 @ Amazon
Kenstee
Dedicated MacNNer
Joined: Jun 2002
$150???
11/06, 12:47pm reply
Two problems: Yes, as Kenstee noted, anyone who paid $150 for ER6i's isn't paying attention.
As a long time er-4p owner, I've grown to love my er6i's for use under a motorcycle helmet (as have many others). The er-4p's stick out too far to be comfortable under a helmet (though I've done it on occasion.) Unfortunately, the hf5's look just as big/bad as the er-4p's, and that's too bad.
I hope they don't discontinue the er6i's entirely as I think that they're missing a significant market (even if they haven't recognized it and marketed it as such.
mbanks
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2001
Nope...
11/06, 07:24pm reply
These are modeled after the ER4P... they would have to be for that price as the iPhone version of this headphone uses the ER4P (better) driver for basically the same money.
Sean.Perrin
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2008