Highest Isolation - Canals

[amjo324]

Hi enthusiasts,

I had a pair of Ety HF2s which just broke after heavy use for >1 year. No complaints as they were used for about 8hrs each day and thrown around a bit. Overall, i was very happy with them and I'm considering replacing them with an identical pair. Before i do though, figured i would check in the brains trust in case i could get a better alternative.

My main selection criteria is high noise isolation. Even with the HF2s, I'm craving for more isolation to reduce the distraction of external noise at work. Am i pretty much reaching the upper bounds of what is possible for isolation without going the custom fit route and forking out serious $$$ ? I'm limiting myself to canals at this point because i want something that is portable and can be stored in my pocket. An inline-mic for use with my android smartphone is a nice-to-have, but something I'm willing to relinquish for higher isolation.

Appreciate any recommendations and advice from the canal pundits.

Cheers,

Aj.

[DooF_DooF]

Hey amjo,

Unfortunately, ety's will probably be the best isolating canals you can buy, and the HF2's you currently own is pretty much exactly what you're looking for.

I'm not sure if there are any other canals that would fit your criteria.. I mean.. More isolation then ety's?? I hope you don't mind me asking, but where exactly do you work? Must be one helluva noisy place.

[amjo324]

Thanks Doof Doof.

I work in a standard cubicle farm office environment but still find that chatter on the phone from those around me is distracting.

I guess my expectations in terms of isolation from headphones is a little optimistic

[Benno1988]

I have the Se425's in a standard office and cannot hear anything. Even when someone is taking to me.

[green_avanti]

Hi
I love the Ety ER-4P & S. On the bus there is nothing better..
They can be fiddly to fit, but the isolation you get is near a total lock-out. Don't know what your Ety's are like, but I can't believe you'll find much better isolation than you'll get with the ER-4 P & S's.
Marcus is very familiar with these, I'd suggest talking to him as he pretty well knows everything on these.
Kind regards
Graeme

[Marcus]

Yeah Ety canals with either the foam or triflange tips should isolate enough so that you can't hear anything at all going on around you, unless you have no music playing (in which case get some earplugs instead).

The higher end models don't isolate more, so you'd be paying for sound quality.

[amjo324]

Thanks Marcus,

I'll probably order the mc2 then. Still get the inline mic and high isolation. With the lower price tag, I won't feel so bad about throwing them around a bit.

Cheers.

[Benno1988]

Yeah Ety canals with either the foam or triflange tips should isolate enough so that you can't hear anything at all going on around you, unless you have no music playing (in which case get some earplugs instead).

The higher end models don't isolate more, so you'd be paying for sound quality.

Im finding the SE425's with some Comply Foam tips block out all office noise. Even if someone comes up and taps me on the shoulder and starts talking I cannot hear a thing.

Do the Ety's really isolate more? Incredible!

[mancini]

Yeah Ety canals with either the foam or triflange tips should isolate enough so that you can't hear anything at all going on around you

How would the B2's with Ety triflanges compare in terms of isolation?

[Riverback]

It should be the same since they use the same tips

[Benno1988]

The IEM does matter when it comes to isolation though does it not? Not just the tip and seal?

[matt_d_19]

The IEM does matter when it comes to isolation though does it not? Not just the tip and seal?

Yeah, basically.

My SM2s with Shure tri-flange tips isolate heaps. I can't imagine that Ety headphones would isolate much more.

[Benno1988]

Well the Ety's insert much deeper than any other IEM i've had. Would have something to do with it.

Does the IEM material make a difference? Shape?

[Riverback]

IEM material and shape would only affect the sound signature. Even if the housing has a bass port it wouldn't affect isolation that much.

Only the tips and the seal it creates affect isolation

[mancini]

So the B2 might be a good option for someone who wants the isolation of the Etymotics but can't fork out for the ER-4P