Odd way to start a review but...my favorite IEM of all time is the Etymotic ER4XR. However, I cannot listen to the ER4XR for more than 2 days in a row due to comfort. For a LONG time I have been looking for an IEM that sounds like the ER4XR, but with a traditional fit. This is it. My search is over. I LOVE THE SOFTEARS RSV. It's timbre is not identical to the ER4XR, but what they have in common is close enough for my ears. (forward vocals, beautiful smooth treble, sweet BA texture in the bass)
To compare the RSV to the ER4XR...most folks would probably prefer the RSV over the ER4XR. The RSV has a bigger soundstage, better layering of instruments, and remarkably better bass. The ER4XR has more detail, slightly more perfect treble, and the noise isolation that is magic and immersive.
Again, I love my Softars RSV. I've had it less than 3 weeks but I know I cannot live with out. I miss it sometimes when I listen to music from other sources. I would buy the RSV again with no hesitation. If you are an Etymotic fan, this purchase is a no-brainer. If you have never heard of Etymotic, the Softears RSV is going to be a delight.
This is the first IEM I have purchased from MusicTeck and the first "open-box" IEM I have ever bought. MusicTeck was great: shipping was fast and communication before the sale was excellent. As for the "open-box" experience: I could not find any evidence or indication that the RSV that I received was an open-box unit. I'm convinced I was sent a brand new unit. The box came in a shaped plastic sleeve. This plastic sleeve was sealed closed with Softears logo tamper-proof stickers, which were intact. The box itself was sealed with another Softears logo tamper-proof sticker, which was also intact. The IEMs themselves did not have a fingerprint on them. The cable still had pads around the connectors and the Y-split. The eartips were still sealed in their Softears logo plastic baggies. In short, I could not detect any signs of "open-boxed-ness." I am very satisfied with my decision to buy "open-box".
