Etymotic hf2™ earphones headset review

By Torbjorn Kamblad, Sweden
for www.touchgen.com

Published: October 17, 2009

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Etymotic hf2™ is a noise-isolating headset with an iPhone compatible microphone. I had never heard of Etymotic before encountering the hf2™ in the US Apple Store. It looked like some sort of torture device with the large grey eartips. Researching the company a bit revealed that Illinois based Etymotic has been around since 1983. The level of quality exhibited by the hf2™, and the array of eartips included in the package shows concern to please the customer.

The hf2™ comes with 4 different eartip choices: large gray 3-flange, small frost 3-flange, glider and foam. For me the large gray 3-flange works best. I really appreciate the effort to include eartips that give the customer the chance to find the one type that suits best for him or her. Most other earphones usually only come with an assortment of different size eartips instead. There are even more different eartips available at the Etymotic page as well as the possibility to get them custom molded if you buy through the UK Apple Store. The hf2™ also comes with a small leather pouch and extra filters. The filters are used to both avoid getting earwax into the actual earphone as well as to keep the sound focused. There is a tool included with the hf2™ making changing the filter an easy task. I have not had to replace any filter yet.

The first week I used the hf2™ I wasn’t that impressed but after visiting the Etymotic hf2™ page again I took a look at the instruction video. I had inserted the eartips casually failing to create the seal needed for both working noise isolation, and the full range of sound.

The sound of the hf2™ is truly impressive showcasing the sound source in full. My experience with in-ear earphones is that the sound becomes tinny, almost uncomfortable to listen to. That is not the case with the hf2™. The only small nag to me is that when the cord moves against something it is heard through the earphones. Not that bothersome unless you are out running for example.

I have seen reports from concerned customers on the US Apple Store about the build quality of the hf2™. It seems a couple of them have broken quite easily. I have not had any problem with the hf2™ yet but I intend to try them out for a longer period. I will update the review with my impressions around Christmas after three months of heavy usage.

Image/Style/Design

Etymotic hf2™ earphones have a nice metal finish. The ruby red ones I have tested glistens in the sun where the light hits it while retaining a full dark red colour in shaded areas. Both the earphones and the microphone look good, and convey a feeling of quality. Also available in black and cobalt blue.

The grey eartips don’t look as interesting, and brings to mind torture devices. Furthermore the large and small grey eartips tend to collect earwax quite easily. Cleaning them is needed at least a couple of times each week to spare the surroundings from what lies dormant within my ear canals. It sounds jucky, but it is something most in-ear earphones suffer from. The large size of the hf2™ eartips seems to make them more prone to collecting goo. Most other eartips lack folds for wax to collect under. There are two different foam eartips included as well that are easier to keep clean.

Portability/Comfort

Getting the hf2™ inserted properly is key to getting any enjoyment out of them. It is to some extent individual how the ear canals stretch but you get a lot of tips from the Etymotic hf2™ page. The video helped me creating the seal that ensures both comfortable sound and proper sound isolation.

The cord is really good with little to no tendency to tangle. I can easily put the hf2™ in my pocket, and take them up hours later without any hassle.

The hf2™ works well with Voice Control when you push the microphone button to access voice commands.

Sound quality

The sound of Etymotic hf2™ is really phenomenal across the entire sound spectra giving a good representation of the sound source. Not heavy on bass, but I would not say lacking either. If you look for earphones that makes the music sound as the artist/record company/producer intended the hf2™ is a great choice.

The microphone is also of high quality, and even though it has an open design it is not as sensitive to wind as most tend to be. Those I have spoken to say that I sound as clear as a slightly nasal Swedish guy ever will.

Noise isolation

I have tried a lot of in-ear earphones during the last couple of years, and the hf2™ is by far the best. Of course the price of the hf2™ is a lot higher than that of for example the Skullcandy FMJ and Nocs NS 200B.

It takes some practise to get them to seal properly, but once they do I would say that 60-70% of all sound is sealed outside the earphones when no music is playing. If you play some audio I would say that you seal all normal sounds out. It more or less takes a car horn to get my attention, and that is both a good and a really bad thing. It means you have to use your eyes more to be aware of your surroundings when out walking/running or riding a bike.

Gaming

As I stated earlier the hf2™ conveys the recorded sound really well and this suits most games really well. Those featuring voices such as the commentators in Madden 2010 and Real Soccer 2010 really benefits from this. Games with a lot of bass heavy 8-bit sounds on the other hand lacks that extra thump, and thus become a bit less immersive.

Once inserted properly the Etymotic hf2™ is comfortable for long gaming sessions. As you get a range of different eartips you can also change if your ear canals start itching from long use. The quality noise isolation means you can play in peace even on a crowded bus or train. Be aware of time passing though as you will miss most outside audio cues such as the bus stopping. Not really good to miss your stop because you are immersed in Soosiz.

Final rating

4pt5-stars

Etymotic hf2™ combines a natural representation of sound with high quality sound isolation. It is suitable for gaming on the iPhone, and the microphone also makes it practical in everyday use. The multitude of eartips gives most users the opportunity to experience the hf2™. I can recommend Etymotic hf2™ as a premium product worth the price asked.

Etymotic hf2™ at the US Apple Store $179.95

Etymotic hf2™ at UK Apple Store with custom earmolds £99.95

Etymotic hf2™ at Etymotic, includes video showing proper eartip insertion

Review disclosure: Any games reviewed on this page may have been provided to us by the developer for the purposes of this review. Note: the resulting review score is never impeded by this fact, all opinions are that of the TouchGen reviewer and not the developer. This is in keeping with our O.A.T.S oath. Read more about O.A.T.S here

4 Comments on "Etymotic hf2™ earphones headset review"

Ryan Powell on Sat, 17th Oct 2009 3:22 pm

Just a question - I’ve heard that some 3rd party headsets with a control button aren’t compatible with the iPhone 3GS push (and hold) to get to the Voice Control. Can you confirm if this functionality is supported with the hf2?

Thanks!

Torbjorn Kamblad, Sweden on Sat, 17th Oct 2009 3:32 pm

@Ryan Powell. The hf2™ works well with voice control, just tested it to make sure. Thanks for your question. Will update the reviews of the hf2™ and EarSet 3 as both work well with Voice Control.

james on Sun, 18th Oct 2009 10:24 pm

I have been using Etymotic ER•4 MicroPro
headphones for years on every ipod I have ever had. Only problem is that they are so good that the short comings of compressed audio formats become all too apparent. It is best to use these with uncompressed .wav format files which is where they will really shine. Etymotic products are USA made (at least they used to be I don’t know if they still are) and are expensive as a result. either way if you truly value sound quality Etymotoc research headphones are the way to go. They also make a cool Bluetooth unit….

http://www.etymotic.com/

YMF

Charles Kennard on Mon, 19th Oct 2009 3:04 pm

Couple of things the HF2, has a clip, so feed up the back, and clip to top of shirt behind your neck, then you can run without your hand catching the cables, and the rubbing gets reduced, also voice control works ok, been using this product, nearly a year, you can also get custom tips made in UK, which gives you perfect custom fit, and better sound isolation see http://www.hearingprotection.co.uk/

Etymotic hf2™ earphones headset review

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