Etymotic Research's ER-6i Isolator stereo earbuds promise at lot but disappoint. Their sound quality at low levels and noise-cancelling properties are both excellent, but the lack of bass means their appeal is limited. The triple flange buds are really uncomfortable too, and positioning can be tricky - you need to place them deep into your ears to get a good seal for sound-isolation and the best results. The ER-6i Isolators have their distinct advantages, but their overall performance isn't strong enough for mass appeal.
Pros: Great at low volume; effective noise isolation
Cons: Hard to position properly; uncomfortable; paltry bass
Etymotic Research manufactures products that measure, improve and protect hearing. As well as earplugs (such as those reviewed here), the company develops earphones, microphones, hearing aids, electronic damping, infant hearing screeners, auditory brainstem and response instrumentation. Introduced as a limited edition in the US in August last year, the ER-6i Isolator stereo earplugs have only just made their way over to Europe.
The ER-6i Isolators have been developed especially for use with Apple's popular iPod digital audio players (note the matching white exterior), but there's no reason why they can't be used with any other music player. Indeed, for testing, we hooked the pair straight into our ThinkPad laptop (via a Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook sound card).
The earplugs were designed with the goal of providing greater sensitivity and enhanced bass, without compromising fidelity. Pitched as a lower cost alternative to the company's ER-4 MicroPro Earphones, which apparently have a loyal following among audiophiles and musicians, the earplugs 'seal' your ears, helping to eliminate surrounding noise naturally and making as effective as active noise-cancelling headphones.
No batteries are needed and the tiny earphones fit in a pocket, making them ideal for travelling. You also get a 5ft. cord with 3.5mm stereo plug (which is actually a tad too long and tangles very easily), an additional set of flanged and foam eartips, two replacement filters, shirt clip, and a small black carrying case. As well as the flanged eartips, the earbuds are supplied with disposable foam eartips. Both types provide reasonable sound reproduction when properly inserted, but when they lack bass (which they often did in our tests), you have to push them deeper into your ear canal to obtain a better seal.
