Etymotic - MK5

This mk5 is touted and sold as a sound isolator.

Etymotic Research, a company that actually specializes in hearing safety, claims the mk5 reduce external noise by 98%, or 35-42 decibels. That level of reduction would render a loud vacuum cleaner to roughly a faint rumble at a distance. In practice I found the isolation to be close to the claimed value with the foam tips supplied but not with the double flange unless you insert the tips almost into your throat through your ears!!! 

One disadvantage here is that most standard replacement tips won’t be compatible with the mk5 buds if none of the included tips fit you adequately. Once fully fitted, though, the mk5s really do block out external noise and feel like earplugs even when there’s no music playing. The seal also doesn’t compromise at all now matter how much I move my head and jaw around. The buds are also very lightweight and barely feel like they’re there at all, which is nice.

Packaging is bare bones but adequate to prevent units from arriving damaged. I will say that the included carrying case is pretty nice – faux leather with a sturdy zipper and inner mesh container for replacement tips or other accessories.The cable is pretty basic and somewhat flimsy, and honestly doesn’t look and feel any better than something you can get with a cheap pair of earbuds. It was also prone to a little tangling.Overall sound quality is Pretty flat, but with recessed bass and trebles. The response band is not great.....Sound staging is good and decently wide feeling, and you can definitely hear instrumental positioning with specific recordings.Bass: Recessed as well.

Sensitivity rating of 95 and higher than normal impedance of 32 ohms, the mk5 is definitely a little harder to drive. I had to turn up my device volume like 60% to get it to my normal listening volume that I like. That said, I don’t think you’ll have a problem driving if from your iPhones or Androids.