Etymotic HF2 Earphones
The latest noise isolating and iPhone compatible buds. We check 'em out
A decent set of headphones will not only compliment the acoustical aptitude of the best MP3 players money can buy but can also morph mediocre choon chuckers into something actually worth listening to.
Etymotic's HF2 noise isolating in-ear cans borrow technology from the studio-popular ER-4 range and at £100 seem a right bargain. Fitting snugly into a lug-hole is what makes or breaks noise isolators and without a tight fit, outside noise seeps in, disturbing the flow of audio and upsetting sound quality. Of course, the tonal superiority of the speakers and circuitry are also important but using a suitable plug is half the battle.
Thankfully, Etymotic includes a range of silicon and foam corks to choose from. With earphone properly inserted, the HF2s sound very good. High frequencies are thorough without piercing a hole in your eardrum and the mid range brings out a flurry of sound not normally found in headphones at this price. If fitted correctly, the bass is punchier than a David Haye face jab. But that's a big if. It took a lot of fiddling to get the plug just right and seemed to dislodge itself slightly when doing anything more strenuous than an afternoon groin scratch.
On the plus side, the HF2s are iPhone compatible - slotting into that ridiculous recessed headphone socket and sporting an in-line mic that perches just under your gob. Speaking of which, the mic picks up chatter well unless that is you're faced with blustery conditions - then it's a case of pressing it up against your chapped lips to be heard.
Other nice touches are a reinforced rubber input jack, travel pouch and a truly delightful tool for scraping out hardened earwax from the speaker cones. Try doing that on the bus without looks of utter repugnance.
However, as much as we rate the HF2s as an improvement over previous models, they're just not enough for us to beat the similarly priced and closest competing Shure SE210s.
Posted by Luke Peters on 2008-03-17
You need to 
Etymotic's HF2 noise isolating in-ear cans borrow technology from the studio-popular ER-4 range and at £100 seem a right bargain
| RATING | PRICE |
|---|---|
 |
£100 |
WE LOVE
Good overall soundWell priced
By ajzuri
30|07|2008 21:08
So the nice people at Etymotic will replace them for me as a "one off" assistance. I guess I was unlucky with the first pair. Just don't rip them from the ears !
By ajzuri
30|07|2008 14:13
I got a pair of these Hf2s after reading the reviews. Sound was indeed great for the first few hours, clear, crisp with low bass… then they came apart. Well, I unfortunately snagged the cord on the desk. They did not pop out of the ear as one expects with other in ear designs, instead the cord tore out of the ear piece. For portable use one would hope they would be made a little more robust than for studio listening. I am waiting to hear from the company if they believe this would be covered or not under manufacturing warranty… in which case it was a one of fault and they would replace them for me. If not, then I guess they are porly designed/made. I read that to reduce the price, compared to the similar and expensive ER4s, they outsourced the mass production to the far east... it shows !