Home > Consumer Reviews > Etymotic Research HF2 Earphones / Headset (iPhone Compatible) - Black

I have owned several pair of Etymotic earphones, and was pleased when the Vine program afforded me an opportunity to try out this new product.

The reason I've owned several pair is that I have lost one to a chewing dog, and two to carelessness (leaving them on flights or in hotels when traveling for work). However, I have tried so many sets of 'phones that I always replace them when lost. It was fortuitous timing that this set came up for review because I had done it again, leaving a pair of ER6i's in Minneapolis.

OK - so this set is really not that different than the ER4p's save for the phone compatibility. I have tested it on my Blackberry Curve and it does indeed work as a phone headset as well, but in all honesty, I don't think that I would use this with my phone (in lieu of Bluetooth headsets or in my car) simply because I would only use one of the earbuds and the other would just be hanging there. It does, however, work very well with my Ipod, as their earlier models do. Unless you are really intent on using this with a phone, I would recommend buying either the ER4P or ER6i models that provide the same sound performance in a cheaper version.

The hf5 produces flat, relatively low volume sound not in the same league as the comparably priced dual driver ue super.fi 5 pro. This is a case where ironically, you need to spend about 25% more than the hf5 to get sound quality worth the money. Otherwise just stick with earphones that came with your iPod. (Yes the hf5 are very small, very comfortable, great isolation, nice cable w/ clip.)

These do a great job of blocking exterior noise as well as sounding good. I do find them less comfortable than ear buds for extended periods, but not too bad.

I have to say I'm shocked at all the extremely positive reviews here, I can't be the only person who thinks these are over-rated and over-priced?

I'll start by saying I'm far from an audiophile (that would be my husband), but I am madly in love with my ipod touch. I use it very little for music but extensively for watching movies, shows, etc. The stock earbuds are pretty awful as we all know, besides medicore sound quality they are just so uncomfortable so I was on the look out for something more comfortable for myself and something with great sound for my husband who uses his ipod touch every day on his 1 1/2 hour commute to/from NYC.

What we ended up with was a pair of these and a pair of the vmoda's V-MODA Vibe Earbuds - Gunmetal Blackwhich retail for about $100 less.

I had already decided these would be mine, as I said he's the audiophile but strangely doesn't mind the stock earbuds and didn't care what he ended up with. I was so excited when they arrived, I had already tried out the vmoda's and really really liked them and assumed with the $100 price difference these would be that much better.

Love ended quickly, I thought it was to difficult to put them in my ears (pull your ear up and out with one hand, twist in with the other) sure it blocked out the outside sound but in a "head underwater in the bathtub" manner, the sound wasn't clear and true but muffled to me, and no bass... just none. I tried all the different size fittings, tried putting them in different ways (yes I tried a very deep tight fitting, still awful), tried different songs. I was in disbelief so I grabbed hubby and made him try them vs the vmodas, he agreed instantly that the vmodas were infinitely better. I did find if I gently (not pushing so much as just barely touching) held my finger tips to them when they were in that the sound was much better, but I'm not going to use them with my index fingers in my ears. Maybe I got a bad pair, maybe my ears just work better with the vmoda... whatever the reason I wasn't impressed with these and feel that the $100 you'd save by getting the vmoda's could be applied to a new ipod or lots more music from itunes.

I didn't have the chance to try them out as a phone as I don't have an iphone, and I'm not sure if the double click to advance songs only works on an iphone, it didn't work on my ipod touch (would have been a very nice feature if it did).

The case these come with is nice though, for what that's worth.

I really wanted to like these headphones. The reviews were stellar and I have read very good things about passive noise isolation headphones. They do provide absolutely excellent sound quality, as promised. However, the numerous drawbacks have forced me to return this item.

I'm a writer and editor, and also easily distracted, so I normally wear earplugs when I am working. That is part of what sold me on these headphones. Unfortunately the earpieces are flimsy and downright painful. As I mentioned, I frequently wear earplugs, so I am accustomed to having something in my ear, but the earpieces included with these headphones are awful. The silicon tips feel sharp, as though they are slicing the inside of my ear canal. I've comfortably worn silicon earplugs in a similar style before, so I was shocked at the level of discomfort with these headphones. The foam earplugs were no better. I've found better quality in $2 foam earplugs at CVS. They are very rough, practically scraping your ear from the inside, and broke after just TWO uses. I actually took a pair of cheap foam earplugs and cut them to fit these $170 headphones, and they felt much better. For such a high-priced item, the company really needs to include better quality peripherals. I've noticed some replacement earpieces from other manufacturers that look like they might be more comfortable, but at $20 each, would not be worth the price for me.

Another complaint is the noise conduction problems. This has been mentioned in the other reviews, so I was prepared for this. Still, the noise conduction was even WORSE than I imagined. Every time you move, you hear a rustling as the sound travels up the headphone cord. At first, this seems a minor complaint, but the more I use these the more it drives me crazy! I listen to lots of podcasts and audiobooks, and the constant rustling actually drowns out the words sometimes. It is also clearly audible even when listening to music. I'm not jogging or anything, either. I've only used these while sitting at desk and working. If simply typing, slightly moving my head, or reaching over to turn a page causes such noise issues, I can't imagine ever using these headphones while exercising.

They DO provide excellent sound quality and sound isolation. I've used these while working at my local coffee shop, and I can't even hear the blender or the espresso machine. However, the sound isolation can also be a drawback. While working at my office, my boss walked right up to me, called out my name, and began knocking on my desk to get my attention. I was absolutely oblivious! It was a very embarrassing moment. I've also missed important phone calls because I couldn't hear the phone ring, and ignored colleagues who called out my name multiple times. These are NOT work-friendly headphones.