Performance

Etymotic has always been about accuracy, and even their entry-level offerings are tuned pretty flat. The ER3, like the ER4, is close to having a perfectly flat response if you diffuse field correct it. The XR model adds a bit of a bass shelf with a linear slope towards the midrange. Even with the slightly boosted bass, it is still super flat in terms of frequency response compared to the majority of in-ears on the market today.

The ER3 comes in the same shape and size as the ER4, which makes them super easy to insert. Due to the small diameter of the body, they work in pretty much any ear. Like the other Etymotic in-ears, the insertion depth is deep, so if you have problems with normal in-ears, these will definitely not be for you. The tips that ship with the ER3 are the same as with the ER4, which is great news. The silicone quality is superb, and I think the two sizes will cover about 90% of its users. Etymotic also ships a pair of foam tips with the ER3 which are subpar compared to what you get with other in-ears. Fortunately, foam tips are easy to get a hold of, and there is quite the perfectly fitting selection available from Comply for the ER3.

Changing back and forth between the ER4XR and ER3XR reveals a few subtle changes, but no night and day differences. The tonality is the same, and while the ER3XR is a little more sensitive, it is still pretty normal in that regard; both produce plenty of volume on normal devices without any hissing.

Like we heard on the ER4XR, the extension is perfect in both directions. You get a sense of rumble down low, and the highs are clear throughout without any odd dips or peaks. Etymotic never catered to bass heads, and the ER3XR is no different. Most people will not find the bass lacking, and if you do, it is super easy to equalize as the response is flat all the way down.

The ER4XR and SR were detail kings, and the ER3 is up there as well. In terms of tuning, it is so close that you would notice the difference on only a few tracks. Maybe, the channel matching is what gives it away as the imaging is perhaps slightly worse on the ER3XR compared to the ER4XR, but going back and forth between them, I am fairly certain I would not have noticed it under normal listening conditions on the go.

In the upper midrange presence area it does seem like there are some small variations. The ER4SR is perhaps a little smoother in this particular area with both the ER4XR and ER3XR trailing a little behind. The ER3XR is the least smooth of the three, but still sounds really good; it is completely devoid of oddities and light years ahead of the 1MORE Triple Driver in-ears when it comes to precision throughout the range.

Imaging is a little worse than on the ER4XR and SR, but the change is subtle when A/Bing them. For use on-the-go, the ER3XR fits The bill for me. It is pretty rugged and easy to get to fit in my ears. Sound quality of the ER3XR is already so good that unless you are in a quiet listening environment, you will have a hard time catching the areas where it lags behind its much more expensive brothers.