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Etymotic Research MC5

Etymotic Research MC5
Etymotic Research MC5Etymotic Research MC5Etymotic Research MC5Etymotic Research MC5Etymotic Research MC5Etymotic Research MC5Etymotic Research MC5Etymotic Research MC5Etymotic Research MC5Etymotic Research MC5
alaScore 82

606 reviews

Jan, 2025

alaTest has collected and analyzed 606 reviews of Etymotic Research MC5. The average rating for this product is 3.7/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other Headphones for all reviews. People are impressed by the bass quality and noise isolation. The price and comfort are also mentioned favorably. Reviews are divided on the portability, while there are some critical views about the reliability.

sound, comfort, price, noise isolation, bass quality

reliability

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Headphones the Etymotic Research MC5 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 82/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 606 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (42% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (23% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (11% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (13% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (11% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

sound
  Show positive (87%)Show negative (13%)(Show all)
comfort
  Show positive (66%)Show negative (34%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (75%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)
noise isolation
  Show positive (90%)Show negative (10%)(Show all)
bass quality
  Show positive (55%)Show negative (45%)(Show all)
usability
  Show positive (72%)Show negative (28%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (62%)Show negative (38%)(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (52%)Show negative (48%)(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (38%)Show negative (62%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (69%)Show negative (31%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (79%)Show negative (21%)(Show all)
treble quality
  Show positive (56%)Show negative (44%)(Show all)
mids quality
  Show positive (75%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)
More features

Showing 542 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 542 of 542 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (62)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Etymotic Research MC5

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 40 user reviews of Etymotic Research MC5 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 3.1/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Headphones on Amazon.co.uk. Reviewers are impressed by the size and usability. The bass quality and noise isolation also get good feedback, whereas some have doubts about the reliability and durability. Opinions are divided on the treble quality.

sound, noise isolation, bass quality, usability, size

comfort, price, durability, reliability

60% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Jan, 2025

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Etymotic Research MC5

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 472 user reviews of Etymotic Research MC5 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 3.8/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other Headphones on Amazon.com. Views about the bass quality and noise isolation are overall positive. The price and comfort also get good feedback, whereas there are some critical reviews about the reliability. Opinions are divided on the portability.

sound, comfort, price, noise isolation, bass quality

reliability

76% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Jan, 2025

Consumer review (amazon.ca)

Amazon.ca review summary for Etymotic Research MC5

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 22 user reviews of Etymotic Research MC5 from Amazon.ca. The average user rating for this product is 3.9/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Headphones on Amazon.ca. People really like the durability and noise isolation. The price and comfort are also appreciated. There are some mixed comments about the reliability, and there are some critical views about the usability and bass quality.

sound, comfort, price, noise isolation, durability

bass quality, usability

77% of the reviews on Amazon.ca give this product a positive rating.

Jan, 2025

Expert review by : Michael Calore (wired.com)

Review: Etymotic mc5

 

The Etymotic name may not be well-known among the general public, but to earphone snobs, it's as familiar as the names of their children and...

Simply awesome sound. Thin, Kevlar-reinforced cable doesn’t tangle easily. Uses replaceable filters to keep the wax out — tools and extra filters are included. 32dB to 42dB of isolation blocks out the horrors of the outside world

Mic/remote is an extra . Rubber mushroom tips are stiff and can be uncomfortable. Not made for Gigantor-eared specimens

Nov, 2011
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Expert review by : Mikhail Lifshits (topreviewshop.com)

Etymotic MC5 Earphones

 

Though the name Etymotic Research may mean little to those of us from the iPod generation, the company has no qualms about claiming the title of “world leader of In-The-Ear Technology”. Unlike most marketing claims, however, there is nothing immodest...

Stellar noise isolation; solid build quality; very clear, detailed, balanced, and accurate sound

Deep-insertion form factor takes getting used to; neutral and balanced sound won’t appeal to everyone

There is a second big caveat to the MC5, however, and that is the sound signature. The earphones are shamelessly accurate, impossibly neutral, and extremely clear. From a technical standpoint they are at the top of the game – leagues above mainstream...

Nov, 2010
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Expert review by : Mark Brezinski (reviewed.com)

Etymotic Research mc5

 

Entry level in-ears that punch far above their weight

Low distortion, near-perfect tracking; Isolate very well

Frequency response is off at the high end; In-ears get uncomfortable after a while

There isn’t much to say about the Etymotic Research mc5 headphones. While they’re not perfect, they squeeze a lot of audio quality into an $80 package. Really, the only thing keeping them from being a great set of iPhone headphone replacements is the...

Oct, 2010
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Expert review by : Trusted Reviews (trustedreviews.com)

Etymotic Research MC5 Earphones

 

Etymotic introduces a new entry-level model, and promises better bass response. Do they deliver?

Feb, 2012
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Expert review by : What Hi-Fi? (whathifi.com)

Etymotic Research MC5 review

 

In-ears with slightly leaner sound than rivals

Energetic sound ; optional custom-fitting service

A little bass-light

Leaner sound to rivals and not too bass heavy

Jan, 2012
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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Great For Those With Large Ear Canals

 

These are not audiophile connoisseur ear buds but are not Wally World cheap-O's either.

I have very large ear canals. No other industrial ear plugs other then the custom molded ones will seal for me but the E-A-R Classic Ear Plugs ; Getting most headset ear-buds to seal reliably is tough. I wear mine mostly while mowing ; These come with...

Wish it had the cloth or mesh coverings some come with

Jun, 2014
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Consumer review (rakuten.com)

Etymotic mc5 Red

 

Good

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Consumer review (rakuten.com)

Etymotic mc5 Red

 

Instructions note that you have to really have cram the headphones into your ear to get true bass sound. Haven't quite had the proper fit just yet. My Skullcandy Titans ($) have better bass. Other reason I bought these was for sound isolation on plane....

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Price comparison for Etymotic Research MC5

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