Telepocalypse

Product microreview: Etymotic ETY.COM headset

I put my old headset down on the floor, and my wife stood on it by accident, turning it to a pair of monaural headsets. So time for a new one.

I'm totally in love with my Etymotic ER-4P in-ear monitor headphones, so I thought I'd try their keenly-priced ETY.COM headset. RRP is US$49.

(A word of praise: after a couple of years of intensive use the plastic surrounds of my headphones started to crack. Even out of warranty, they replaced them for free, and only charged me for the new improved cord. Top marks for their customer service.)

It's pretty small and compact. The carry case is also shown in the background to this picture:

You just stick it in your ear, with the rubber flanges sealing out the ambient noise. It also works to hold it there just using the friction from your earhole. It comes with a variety of foam and rubber earpieces, which are easy to change. There's a standard audio jack that fits many mobile phones, plus an adapter/splitter to use it with your laptop as separate microphone+audio out jacks.

The comfort isn't quite as good as the headphones, because the micro-sized transducer is a bit bigger in this model. I had to use the "long necked" rubber surround to get it to fit comfortably. I find it hangs there quite securely, though. Having audio in only one ear is no problem. The cable is just the right length.

I'm glad to be away from USB headsets. The audio settings nightmare is over, at last. I can even just switch between headset and laptop speakers by simply unplugging the darn thing.

The audio quality is OK, but nothing like the audiophile quality of the headphones. The blocking out of background noise is excellent.

The only downside is that it's not quite as instant to put on as a standard headset. I find to get a great fit I need to put a dab of moisture on the rubber flange, at the same time as answering some incoming Skype call. You get used to it, though.

Overall, a thumbs up. Lightweight, easy to carry and store, and seems durable. But the fixing method inside your ear canal won't be for everyone.

Posted by Martin Geddes at 11:10 AM

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