Ambient384
Member
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2022
- Messages
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I think the extension difference in the older model is not significant. Distortion is better.
I don't know what their reasoning is. The BA they use is custom. Perhaps it will make sense once Etymotic describes the production process. Consistency and cost are important too.
I also think this is proof enough that there's nothing wrong with BA drivers per se, seeing these results.
There argument seems to claim 3rd order is more audible but the ER3/ER4 are 0.2 ~ 1.4% at 1KHz. Etymotic even admitted the limit is 2% for ER4XR/ER3XR midrange, Every ER4SR I had were 0.28 ~ 0.49% average just touch higher than a TOTL planar OE at 104db. 2nd order THD at 2 ~ 15% in my view is more noticeable by giving Dynamic drivers the false impression they're got a bass boost. I notice this with the ER2SE with 5db bass boost(110Hz low shelf) It sounds fatter & dirtier than a ER4SR with same boost.