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Etymotic Research HF2 Hands-Free Earphones / Headset (iPhone Compatible) | 
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| Brand: Etymotic Research
Category: CE
Buy New: $159.95
New (5) from $159.95
Rating:  40 reviews
Color: Black
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 6.7 x 4.1 x 2
Warranty: 2 years warranty
MPN: HF2
Model: hf2
UPC: 898234000213
EAN: 0898234000213
ASIN: B0012OP7HE
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Brand new and factory sealed. New item, not a refurb.
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| Features:
| • | Headset and earphones for iPod, iPhone and other mobile phones | | • | For music phones and music players that take 3.5 mm/4-contact phone plus stereo plug | | • | Highest noise isolation of all competing headsets | | • | Exceptional sound quality | | • | 20Hz-16kHz frequency response accuracy, 16 Ohms impedance |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
PRODUCT FEATURES:Compatible with iPhone and other mobile phonesResponse accuracy of Etymotic's ER-4 earphonesHighest noise isolation of all competing headsets3.5mm stereo plug makes the hf2 compatible with any music player
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| Customer Reviews: Read 35 more reviews...
 Best in-ears I've used. September 2, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I've used in-ear headphones and monitors almost exclusively for just over two-years now, both for use on-stage music monitoring, and for day-to-day ipod listening. Obviously, comparing in-ear monitors to in-ear headphones isn't quite fair -- they don't do the same thing. But, judging each pair for how well they succeed at their given task, i would definitely say the ER HF2s are hands-down the best pair of headphones I own.
(I currently use a pair of EarPeace LiveWires for on-stage music monitoring, and have used Shure E2s and E3s... And, having just started using an iphone, I decided to upgrade a little from the Ultimate Ear super-fi 3s I was previously using for my ipod.)
The HF2s are clean and transparent -- I won't go too far into detail about that here, given the glut of other reviewers saying the same thing. I will say, though, that the HF2s are really very impressive across the volume board -- they seem to provide the same punch for low-volume listening as they do at higher volumes; unlike my UEs, there's no "sweet spot" that they need to be set at in order to reproduce well. And unlike any other pair of in-ears I've owned, I truly can forget that I'm listening through headphones with this pair; unlike so many others that constantly make you aware of exactly how much they're coloring the tone (for better or worse), the HF2s really just step back and let the pure tones come right through. Highly impressive.
(Of course, the casual headphone buyer is probably not willing to spend this much dough for headphones -- so I won't spend too much time pointing out that if you're used to having your home or car EQ goose your bass way up, or if you use a pair of phones that have super-jacked-up bass drivers, you'll be disappointed with these.)
Cable noise was a concern for me based on the other reviews, but I decided to take the plunge anyway -- and let me just say, the reviews are right. If the HF2s have any drawback whatsoever, that's it right there. The provided clip does very little to help -- and, as previously noted in another review, wearing the cables "over-the-ear" (which would greatly minimize the amount of noise generated by the cable rubbing against a collar or lapel) is almost impossible with the HF2s -- the microphone would be too far away from one's mouth if worn that way. And, despite the fact that the dB isolation is really incredible with the HF2s (up to 42dB!!), the rubber on the cables -- AND the rubber on the driver housing itself -- picks up TONS of sound, most noticeably wind noise. (Even my relatively-cheapo UE super-fi in-ears didn't do that!) So a lot of what gets blocked out winds up getting re-introduced via transduction, at least at low-volume listening levels. (I was quite shocked when I first heard the sound of the wind hitting the driver-housing being reproduced in my ears. Now I don't mind it -- I actually sort of like it; it makes it seem as though you're not QUITE so isolated from the world around you. But if you're used to other in-ears, this might take some getting used to.) Be warned -- if cable-noise is a deal-breaker for you, you might want to look elsewhere.
That said, I wouldn't trade these in for anything. I'm even planning on getting a pair of fitted Sensaphonics sleeves to replace the drivers -- an expense on TOP of already expensive in-ears. But that's how great I think they are. As for the cable noise -- I'm planning on using a little piece of tape, to affix the cables to the top of my shirt, instead of the clip -- that should cut the noise to almost nothing, making these PERFECT. I highly, highly recommend them to any iphone user -- it will change your mp3 player from a toy to a audiophile-worthy piece of gear.
(P.S. -- I'd take these down to 4 1/2 stars if I could, because of the cable noise, but since I can't give it a "half" star, I'd place it closer to a "5" than a "4".)
Big thumbs up August 29, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have been using ER6i for almost 4 years. When I started using its like a dream come true when you wish you dont want all the noise around you. This perfectly isolates everything and makes your own world. It makes a huge difference to your listening experience. I couldnt believe how I was listening before using the regular earphones and people still are. We crank up the volume to overcome the noise around with regular earbuds, which damages our ear slowly. But these ones just gives what you want to go in to your ears. These are of good quality and durable too. This is my second 6i now. The first one I handled so roughly... it got stuck in my backpack and pulled it so hardly. Now my second pair still doing a great job even after going in and out of a washing machine and dryer. Sadly my ipod is dead in the machine! Now got my new iphone and will buy HF2 soon. I have tried other cheap in-ear earphones, they are not even close to what these are.
Well as cons, there isn't much to say. The wires in 6i may be stiff get curled between ears and shoulder over time. I sometimes useit for hours pushing it too hard in my ear. I get a little pain after few hours sometimes, guess its better than listening at high volumes with regular ones for hours. I hate someone disturbing me when with earphones on, not easy to remove and back on very often. Not easy to talk to someone even with music paused. Must be very careful when walking in streets and crossing roads. You hear the wind passing over the wires on a windy weather. They say bass not enough, but I hear all the delicate sounds which are usually not heard with other earphones. For me the bass is ok and I hear what is meant to be heard.
Well these are the best of the best and they are well worth the premium price. No doubt the additional mic in HF2 is of same quality. Will buy this one soon. Nothing else.
Superb August 21, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have had Etymotic's ER6i's for a couple of years and they have been fantastic. I decided it was time to relegate those to running only, and upgraded to these for my new iPhone 3G.
These are even better than the ER6i's, which I find hard to believe. I used to turn the EQ onto either Rock or R&B with the ER6i's, with these I have it off and they sound superb. So clear, concise, sound is perfectly balanced and true to the recording.
Highly recommended.
I only wish every music listener would buy these! August 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Accuracy.
Accuracy can be a tricky subject. Not everyone has an immediate preference for accuracy. I see so many reviews that basically only discuss preference.
Simply put, these Etymotic hf2 in-ear canal headphones (with in-line mic and control button for iPhone) reproduce sound the way you are SUPPOSED to hear it. The frequency response is flat - rather amazingly flat, in fact, and the high efficiency means that even a portable player can power these headphones ACCURATELY.
I see so many reviews that mention bass - most of them saying something along the lines of how they would PREFER more bass or a "warmer" sound. Having that preference is perfectly fine - to each their own, I say. But that is what "bass boost" and equalizer settings are for! The ONLY job of a speaker or a headphone is to ACCURATELY reproduce the audio signal that is being sent to them. If a headphone is reproducing more bass than is actually in the signal - sure, some people may prefer that - but it is NOT accurate.
These are accurate headphones. They "tell it like it is". And if you have a preference for: more bass, less bass, "warmer" sound, less treble, etc. No problem! Use the equalizer and adjust the signal for your preference! But it is vital that your headphones reproduce the sound accurately and do not alter the sound all on their own - which is exactly what virtually all other headphones do!
My greatest wish is that everyone would buy these headphones or speakers or headphones that are equally as accurate. I'd be willing to wager that the majority of people out there have no idea what their recordings are actually SUPPOSED to sound like. Having personal preference is totally fine. But start with accuracy first and then adjust from there!
BUY THESE!
Outside of the headphones sound reproduction performance, the in-line mic for these hf2 is very good, although - as with almost any phone mic - it can become less effective with wind blowing. In comparison to the pack-in iPhone headphones, the mic's reception is clearer and essentially works just as well if not a touch better than using the iPhone as a traditional phone with the body of the iPhone itself up to your ear.
The control button is very good. Small, but raised and very easy to press - no difficulties at all with the double-click-to-advance commands and never difficult to press (unlike some competing headsets)
Microphonics (cable thump) IS present. Looping the wires over your ears and using a cable clip can certainly help, but these are not a good choice for working out. Then again, if you are working out, you likely wouldn't be paying critical attention to musical details! Therefore, I would recommend that you only use these hf2 for more serious listening or for when you are seated at work, for example. Have some other headphones for the gym ;)
Get what you pay for! August 11, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Having recently purchased an iPhone 3G, I wanted a pair of headphones with in-line microphone to round out the experience. To be honest, I'm not thrilled with iPhone's sound quality on busy streets nor were the people on the other end of the line able to easily hear me. These headphones change the ball game. I can't really imagine using iPhone without them. Here's why.
1. Sound isolation. This is most of the magic. The in-ear headphones all isolate outside sounds quite well with a few caveats. One, the cable does transmit some sound as it hits against clothing. Nothing deal breaking to me. The only other sound I hear is a muffled wind noise under very windy conditions. The other aspect of sound isolation is that the microphone does an excellent job of filtering out extraneous noise to deliver a very clear sound to the person on the other end of the line.
2. Sound reproduction. Without a doubt, these headphones produce clear, precise and accurate sound. They don't do big bass, which is appropriate because you can't get big bass out of tiny drivers. No perceivable distortion either. I feel the sound from Etymotic is superior to my previous pair of Shure earphones.
3. Size and Design. Discreet! Unlike the Shure models, these are minimalist in design and don't require the user to awkwardly drape the cables over the back of his ears. The plastic's quality is high and I was satisfied with the fitting of the standard flange attachment. The microphone also has a button which allows one to answer incoming calls, pause music and also advance to the next track. I can tell you it is seamless in operation.
4. Value. Why buy an iPhone and use the standard Apple headphones? You'll hear barely anything in heavy traffic, the mic is lousy and because there is no sound isolation, the necessary higher volume levels will damage your ears. I expect these Etymotic HF2 to last a good number of years so over time, the per year price will be relatively low. I learned to invest in quality products and keep them. Hopefully both these and iPhone will meet that standard.
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