More than expected

I was looking for a relatively high end set of in-ear headphones and portable music player. I have rather sensitive ears and I am very particular about sound quality. After A LOT of searching I ordered the Etymotic Research MicroPro ER-4P Headphones and the Cowon S9 Portable Music Player. When I first tried the ER-4P I was not impressed. Sure, the resolution was more than great, but the bass was weak and the soundstage was all over the place. Fairly disappointed, not because the sound was bad, but because I was expecting more, I continued listening to the system, occasionally. Until... sometime later I suddenly realized that I was listening to truly superb sound! The bass was now strong and precise, without being overwhelming, the sound stage was clear and broad and the resolution was of galactic proportions. I realized that, of course, as all speakers, the Etymotic Research MicroPro ER-4P needed to be broken in. After the break-in period the headphones proved to be everything that I hoped - and more. In conjunction with the superb and precise Cowon S9, they produce flawless, deep, rich sound. Audiophiles will love them. I keep listening to music pieces I thought I knew and discover new things in them I couldn't hear before. I listen to lyrics I couldn't discern and understand everything. Sometimes I just put them on saying "I'll just listen to a song or two while working on my computer" and I end up listening to hours of music. I literally can't take them off. The constructions may at first glance seem cheap, but this is misleading. In close inspection the trained eye can see quality cable and specialized materials for comfort, usability and durability. The finish could be better though. I must, in all fairness, say that I would not recommend them to people who like overwhelming bass. But then again, these people are not audiophiles and these headphones are not for them anyway. I would also not recommend them to people who feel uncomfortable having the headphones so deep in their ears (yes, they go REALY deep in the ears). Otherwise, I can't fault them in any way. Highly recommended!Read full review