Is Etymotic's product quality declining?

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by Puma Cat, Aug 13, 2021.

  1. Puma Cat

    Puma Cat Friend

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    I've been a customer of Etymotic's products for a long time. From back in the day when they made a pair specifically for iPods, that worked great under my motorcycle helmet, so as to be able to listen comfortably to music when riding, to their newer models.

    Even though I have IEMs from Shure, Campfire and Westone, I always came back to a pair of Etymotic hf3s as my preferred IEM. While not "high-end", they fit comfortably, and importantly for me, they have an inline mic for taking phone calls, and their overall tonal balance and resolution provided music quality that was fully satisfactory for me when listening to my A-K DAP for music or iPhone for podcasts. The inline mic is a top-three requirement.

    Since they've been acquired by Lucid Audio, though, it seems their quality has been declining. I purchased a new pair of hf3 July 16, 2020 at full retail price after the previous pair I had failed, as I was 1 month past the 2-year warranty replacement period for that pair. The failure mode for that pair was the same failure mode I've had on my previous three pair of hf3s: the insulation for the leads splits open near the IEM assembly, exposing the internal wiring, which then breaks and shorts.

    By October, that pair purchased new in July 2020 had also failed, again due the wire insulation splitting open, causing the internal wiring to short. Etymotic replaced them on Oct. 28 as an RMA warranty replacement.

    Well, once again, I'm back at square one: the pair received in October 2020 from an RMA failed on me the other day; this time due to a short in the wire coming out just above the in-line mic on the right channel.

    I should add I only use these about 1 hour a day, usually when out walking the cat. They are kept loosely coiled in the Etymotic zippered case. Usually they just get plugged into my iPhone. On the whole, I like the hf3s a lot, they sound quite good and are a comfortable fit for me. Even though I have the other IEMs, I keep coming back to these as my preference. I know Ety makes other models with interchangeable leads, etc., but as I've mentioned, the inline mic is a top requirement for me, and none of the other models have leads with an inline mic.

    So, Etymotic's quality has really become a problem for me. Wondering what the gang's experience has been with Etymotic the last couple of years? Thanks in advance.
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2021
  2. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    I see the problem here, you're walking a cat
     
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  3. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    I bought ER4SR four years ago, used them a couple of hours few times a week, slept on them a couple of times, pulled on the cables, and dropped few times as well. They are good. A year ago I bought ER2XR, used them for walking an working out, never had problems. A week ago I tried Evo vs ER4XR ...and ended up buying ER4XR. It's like my Etys will outlive me.

    Maybe this particular model has design or production problems. Three in a row it is not just your bad luck.
    But if you need a microphone you do not have much choice, Etymotic BT cable has such bad reviews that I would stay away from it. For walking a cat get Earfun Free Pro. Seriously :)
     
  4. Puma Cat

    Puma Cat Friend

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    Well, I don't walk him so much as accompany him "on patrol" of his territory. I live in a master planned community called Five Canyons that has steep canyons down behind the townhomes across the street. He likes to go over there to chase lizards, birds, and deer. I have to keep him from going down into the canyon as there's mountain lions, bobcats, and coyotes down there.

    This model has been in production for some time. It seems that the consistent quality problems coincide with the acquisition of Etymotic by Lucid Audio. Thank you for the tip on the Earfun Free Pro. Generally, I'm not a fan of BT IEMs for music, but given that I mostly listen to theoretical physics podcasts on the iPhone when out with Ringo, this might be a viable option. I could use my Campfire Comets with my A-K DAP for music.
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2021
  5. Puma Cat

    Puma Cat Friend

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    Hi Wormcycle,
    Based on your recommendation, I ordered a pair of the Earfun Free Pro BT IEMs today; got them at a 40% discount, only $47 for the pair.

    Thanks for the tip.
     

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