Etymotic ResearchER3 SE/XR Standard Replacement Cable, OO1007

Replacement cable plugged in and worked perfectly.

I've been an Etymotic earphone user for almost 20 years, starting with an ER4S and transitioning over to my current ER4XR's. I like the ER4XR's but the cable was a weak point, very microphonic and it would always fail after about 12-18 months of use. Unfortunately, Etymotic went with a proprietary version of the MMCX cable standard so third party options don't work well. However, this ER3 cable is a perfect fit, sounds great, is less microphonic and hopefully holds up better over time. So far so good and the construction appears to be stronger than the thin braided cables on the ER4 series. Recommended!

This is the fourth cable I have purchased this year for these IEMs. One set never arrived (a different website, not Amazon). One set repeatedly broke (wires were too stiff). One set did not attach at all, and one set attached but was intermittent. These fit extremely well, and have much less 'microphonics' than the various braided cables. I think that they do not sound as good as the fancier silver cables, but I am not positive because I don't want to wear out the Ety's by doing A/B testing.It is a silly amount of money for a simple cable, but they seem to be the best that is available.

Using these with my ER4SRs as the proper cable is unobtainium right now. No noticeable sound difference, though I haven't had a good sit-and-stare with them hooked up to my Chord Mojo yet. Biggest difference is the length, they seem to be substantially shorter than the proper cables. I'm sure it's disclosed somewhere in the listing and I just didn't see it. Not even really a ding against them, more just FYI for clumsy patricians like myself who can't wait for the proper ones to come in. You know, what with the voices and all.