Etymotic Research Isolator ER-6 User manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
About Etymotic Research, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
About ER-4 Earphones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
System Includes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Optional Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Eartips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Insertion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Changing Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Proper Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Noise Isolation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Response Accuracy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
1

ABOUT ETYMOTIC RESEARCH, INC.
Etymotic Research,Inc.(ER) is a research,development and manufacturing
company that designs products to measure,improve and protect hearing.
ER has developed some of the most innovative hearing technology available
today. Etymotic means“true to the ear.”
Other ETYMOTIC RESEARCH products:
ER-6 Isolator™insert earphones
Musicians Earplugs (custom hearing protection)
ER-20 High Fidelity earplugs
ETY-COM™cellphone headset
2
WARRANTY
Etymotic Research,Inc.warrants this product against defects in material
or workmanship for a period of 1 year from the date of original purchase
from an authorized Etymotic distributor or reseller. Proof of purchase is
required. The warranty can be extended for 1 additional year if Etymotic
receives a warranty card with proof of purchase any time within the first
year. ER will repair or replace the defective product at its option if returned
within the warranty period to our service facility. This warranty is in lieu
of all other warranties,expressed or implied,including, but not limited to,
any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

ABOUT ETYMOTIC RESEARCH
3
ABOUT ER-4 EARPHONES
Noise reduction with ER-4 MicroPro earphones occurs naturally from the
inserts. Other earphones with active noise-cancelling add circuit noise
and require bulky batteries.
In-the-ear,high fidelity transducers combine flat frequency response
with isolation from external noise.
The white 3-flange eartips provide 35 dB average external noise
isolation. Foam eartips provide 41 dB average external noise isolation.
Lowering surrounding noise allows the listener to hear the full dynamic
range of recordings at lower reproduction levels.
ER-4 MicroPro earphones are ideal for a variety of consumer uses
such as personal CD and DVD players,MP3 players,and computers.
Professional uses include mixing and stage monitoring in the studio
and during live performance.

ABOUT ETYMOTIC RESEARCH
4
DESCRIPTIONS
ER-4P (Portable) earphones have enhanced bass and higher sensitivity.
ER-4Ps can be used with portable CD, MP3,DVD and other players without
requiring an additional amplifier. The ER-4P has 10 dB greater sensitivity
at high frequencies and 13 dB more at low frequencies than the ER-4S.
The higher sensitivity and enhanced bass of the ER-4P have made it the
most popular earphone for most uses.
ER-4S (Stereo) earphones have the most accurate frequency response for
reproducing CD and MP3 recordings. The sensitivity is comparable to home
and professional earphones. ER-4S earphones are ideal for home stereo use
and computer use. ER-4S earphones can be used with a headphone amplifier
when using low power portable devices. ER-4S is the earphone preferred
by musicians and audiophiles.
ER-4B (Binaural) earphones are for the binaural recording enthusiast.
The ER-4B is the reference earphone for use with material that has not been
equalized for loudspeaker playback.
ER-4B ER-4S ER-4P
••• Lightweight and portable
••• High accuracy
••• Noise isolation (20-25 dB)
•Enhanced bass response

ABOUT ETYMOTIC RESEARCH
5
SYSTEM INCLUDES
• ER•4 MicroPro earphones
• 5 ft. cord with 3.5 mm stereo phone plug
• 1⁄4" stereo phone adapter plug
• 6 white 3-flange eartips
• 10 foam eartips (medium)
• Filter changing tool
• 4 replacement filters
• Shirt clip
• Zippered pouch
• Storage box
Replacement items and accessories are available at www.etymotic.com.
Cable to convert
“P” to “S”
Airline audio
jack adapter
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

EARTIPS
In addition to six white 3-flanged eartips,ER-4 MicroPro Earphones are
supplied with ten disposable foam eartips.Both types provide excellent
sound reproduction when properly inserted.
White 3-flange eartips
These reusable eartips should be cleaned regularly.
Cleaning the white 3-flange eartips
1. Carefully remove the eartip from the earphone.
2. Use water and mild soap to remove dirt and earwax from the eartip.
3. Rinse and completely dry the eartip.
4. Push the eartip on the stem until it rests against the large edge of the barrel.
Foam eartips
• Disposable foam eartips compress to a tight seal that holds the earphones
firmly in place.
• The eartips at the end of the earphones can be replaced
by sliding them off and on. A combination of twisting and
pulling is recommended for eartip removal. Be careful not
to bend the earphone.
6
Yellow foam eartip
(lg–optional)
Black foam eartip
(med–included)
Beige foam eartip
(sm–optional)

INSERTION
Blue earphone = left ear Red earphone = right ear
Try the white 3-flange and foam eartips to determine the best fit for comfort
and isolation. The sound quality and noise isolation depend on how well the
eartips seal. If the earphones seem to lack bass,insert the earplug deeper
into the ear canal to obtain a better seal, or try the other eartip option.
White 3-flange eartip insertion
• For best results,moisten the white plastic eartip
before insertion.
• Carefully insert one earphone at a time, pulling up
and out on the back of the ear. The earphone should
seal deeply and comfortably in the ear canal.
Foam eartip insertion
• Use a foam eartip if a good seal cannot be obtained with a white eartip.
• Compress the foam at the end of the earphone by rolling it between your
thumb and forefinger before inserting it. Hold the earphone in place for
about 10 seconds while the foam expands to create a tight seal.
7
Remove earphones slowly with a twisting motion to gradually break the seal.
REMOVAL

CHANGING FILTERS
ER-4 MicroPro Earphones have special filters that shape the frequency
response and prevent earwax from entering the earphones. These filters,
identified by a green acoustic mesh in a small metal barrel,are located at the
end of the earphone and are visible when the eartip is removed. When the
filters become clogged they should be replaced. A dirty filter will reduce or
block the earphone output. The frequency with which the filters need to be
changed will vary widely among users. The filters should be changed if the
volume decreases or the sound quality declines.
8
1. Remove eartip 2. Remove damper with tool 3. Insert new damper
4. Gently press flush against
flat surface
5. Attach eartip

PROPER CARE
• Do not expose earphones to extreme temperatures.
• Avoid dropping or strong impact. Extreme shock can damage the earphones.
• Always leave an eartip on the earphone for shock protection.
• Keep earphones away from water as this can adversely affect sound quality.
Perspiration entering the nozzle may cause the earphone to temporarily
stop working. Normal operation usually returns after the earphone dries out.
• Do not pull on the cord to remove it from the jack or from the ear.
• Avoid bending the barrel in the center of the cord.
• Clean or replace the white 3-flange eartips prior to use by others.
• Replace disposable foam eartips regularly.
• Earwax buildup can reduce the earphone output. When the filters become
clogged they should be replaced. See Changing the Filters on page 8.
9

NOISE ISOLATION
10
504540353025
Average Attenuation in dB
20151050 dB
NRR = 32 dB
NRR = 22 dB
ER•6 Isolator
Earphones
$139.00
Earbud
$49.99
Active-Noise-Canceling
Battery Operated
$299.99
Earbud
Active-Noise-Canceling
Battery Operated
$199.99
Active-Noise-Canceling
Battery Operated
$149.99
ER•4 MicroPro
Earphones
$330.00
How We Measure Noise Isolation
Real-Ear-Attenuation-at-Threshold (REAT) Method—The ANSI standard method of measuring the noise attenuation of
hearing protectors and earphones is to compare the quietest sound heard with the earphone in place to the quietest sound
heard with the ears open. This REAT method is the basis for all OSHA Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR). ER-4 and ER-6 earphones
were measured with the REAT method at E-A-RCAL Laboratories,Indianapolis IN.The results are shown in the top two bars in
the graph above.
Probe Microphone Measurement Method—Active noise-canceling earphones cannot be measured with the REAT method
because their circuit noise interferes with the measurement. ER-4 and ER-6 earphones were compared to active noise-canceling
earphones using a probe microphone method: A calibrated 84 dB SPL broad-band pink noise was generated in a reverberation
room using four uncorrelated noise sources. The sound pressure developed in the ear was measured with a 2.5 mm microphone
located deep in the ear canal. The noise reduction of each earphone was calculated as the difference between the noise level in
the open ear and the noise level with the earphone in place. The lower bars in the above graph represent attenuation measured
by the probe microphone method.
ER•4 MicroPro
Earphones (3-flange)
$330.00
ER•4 MicroPro
Earphones (foam)
$330.00
Real-Ear-Attenuation-at-Threshold (REAT) Method
Probe Microphone Measurement Method

ABOUT ETYMOTIC RESEARCH
11
RESPONSE ACCURACY
How We Measure Response Accuracy
Earphone response was measured on a KEMAR®manikin which has the same acoustic properties as the average head and ear.
25-band accuracy scores are calculated by summing the difference between the earphone response and the target response in
each 1/3-octave band from 50 Hz to 12.5 kHz.
0 102030405060708090100%
ER•6 Isolator
Earphones
$139.00
Earbud
$49.99
Active-Noise-Canceling
Battery Operated
$299.99
Earbud
Active-Noise-Canceling
Battery Operated
$199.99
Active-Noise-Canceling
Battery Operated
$149.99
ER•4 MicroPro
Earphones
$330.00
ER-4S TargetER-6
Response of ER-6 and ER-4 Earphones
Compared to Target (100% Accurate Reproduction)

ABOUT ETYMOTIC RESEARCH
12
SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency response: 20 Hz to 16 kHz ±4 dB
Acoustic polarity: +electrical = +acoustic
Transducer type: Balanced armature
1 kHz sensitivity (ER-4B/ER-4S): 108 dB SPL for a 1.0 volt input
1 kHz sensitivity (ER-4P): 108 dB SPL for a 0.25V input
Impedance (ER-4B/ER-4S): 100 Ohms nominal
Impedance (ER-4P): 27 Ohms nominal
Maximum output: 122 dB SPL
Maximum continuous input (ER-4B/ER-4S): 3.0 Vrms
Maximum continuous input (ER-4P): 0.75 Vrms
Weight: Less than 1 oz.
Cable: 5' with 3.5 mm stereo plug
Frequency (Hz)
Relative response in dB
15
10
5
0
-5
-10
20
10 100 1000 10000 1000
ER-4P
ER-4B
ER-4S
This graph shows the relative real-ear response (diffuse-field-referenced eardrum pressure
response) of the ER-4B,ER-4S,and ER-4P earphones.These are equalized for binaural manikin
recordings (4B),normal stereo recordings (4S),and higher output with portable players (4P).
RESPONSE OF ER-4 EARPHONES

CAUTION
Consult a physician or audiologist if you have excessive ear wax,difficulty
inserting the eartips,or discomfort after prolonged use.
ER-4 MicroPro earphones exclude most external sounds even at low listening
volumes. It is unsafe to use insert earphones while driving a motorized
vehicle, operating machinery,bicycling or jogging,because you may not be
alerted to potential danger.
Do not use the earphones at excessively loud levels. Noise-induced
hearing loss is a function of exposure time,the average sound level and the
peak of very loud sounds. Decreased listening levels allow for longer periods
of safe listening time.
®
ETYMOTIC RESEARCH INC.
61 Martin Lane • Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
www.etymotic.com • 1-888-ETYMOTIC
ER-6 Isolator™ and ER-4 MicroPro™ are trademarks of Etymotic Research,Inc.
The ER-4 MicroPro™ Earphones and ER-6 Isolator™ Earphones are covered by one or more
of the following U.S.patents: #4,677,679, #4,763,753, #5,887,070 and other patents pending.
©2003 ER4-12/03-5000