Fischer Audio Eterna (with Comparisons)

Fischer Audio Eterna is a dynamic driver in-ear-monitor marketed by Fischer Audio, a Russian headphones and earphones manufacturer, which has been pretty much under the radar outside Russia until just recently. I have been hearing good impressions and reviews about the Eterna, so I jumped on the opportunity when I was able to get one. The Eterna used to be Fischer Audio’s top of the line IEM, but they have since come up with newer IEM designs with more advanced drivers, which we hope to get our hands on soon. You can buy the Eterna itself for $60-$70 from the authorized dealers listed on Fischer Audio’s website.


The Eterna comes with pretty basic accessories: a pair of ear hook, basic pouch, and a set of eartips. The ear hook is very useful to reduce microphonics but a little cumbersome to use. It will be nice if a simple shirt clip is also included for times when I don’t want to use the ear hooks. The included cloth pouch is also very basic, and doesn’t seem to provide much protection for the Eterna. This is a pity, since the Eterna doesn’t seem like a product that can take abuse.

During my 2 months ownership of the Eterna, I found that while the materials are very nice in general, there have been few issues with build quality. The metal grills covering the drivers are shoddily glued, and the left rubber enclosure where the cable connects to the earpieces had come off. I guess for $70, I can’t complain too much.


The eartips included with the Eterna are 2 pairs of silicon single-flange eartips and a pair of double-flange eartips. I tend to get the best seal and best sound with the double-flange tips, but they aren’t very comfortable, since to get a good seal with them, the big nozzle of the Eterna needs to be inserted quite deeply. For a much better comfort, I am using the modded Shure Black Foam Sleeves, also known as Shure Olives, which results in a slightly warmer sound. A friend has also tried the Eterna with the comply tips that comes with the Triple.fi, and they fit well. Note that the Eterna has to be worn over-the-ear like Westone IEMs or Shure SE530. A bit cumbersome, but I prefer the Eterna’s comfort over IEMs like Triple.fi and Etymotic ER4.

 

5/5 - (1 vote)
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22 Comments

  • Reply May 6, 2010

    Earfonia

    Good review with nice pics!

    How is it compare to Superlux HD381F?

    Thanks!

    • Reply May 6, 2010

      Hadi

      Thanks Earfonia :). I quite like the HD381F for its forward character and its bang for the buck performance. But I put the Eterna on a class above the Superlux (detail-wise, how layered the sound is, soundstage depth, etc).

  • Reply May 7, 2010

    Noir

    wow another review about FA, mind to cope with the newest flagship the dual BA iem; DBA-02? i'd love to hear your comment about it since there's quite a hype about this iem on head-fi.

    • Reply May 7, 2010

      Hadi

      Hi Noir :). We're planning to do a review on the DBA-02 if we can get our hands on the item.

      • Reply May 7, 2010

        Noir

        Nice 😀 looking forward to it.

  • Reply May 7, 2010

    ChaoticAngel

    Hi Hadi,

    How is it compare to Ety HF5, with regards to Bass,Detail and Speed?

    • Reply May 7, 2010

      Hadi

      I haven't compared them side by side, so I can't make definite answer to your question. But from my experience with the ER4, these two have a very different presentation in their speed, bass, and detail. It will be hard to say which is better than the other.

  • Reply June 8, 2010

    komedol

    Great review! I own a pair of Hippo VBs, and I agree with your review. Made me think very hard about getting Eterna (and selling the VB).

  • Reply June 10, 2010

    Hadi

    There is some give and take going from the VB to the Eterna. So, don't decide too fast 🙂

    • Reply December 21, 2010

      komedol

      You're right. I've decided to switch from Hippo VB to the Eterna V.1., and IMHO to my untrained ears the give and take are:

      1. Give :
      – Speed
      – Comfort (I'm using the supplied tips)
      – Mid-bass
      – Vocal is more forward (like it!)
      – Mid is "sweeter" (hope that's the proper term)
      – No sibilance

      2. Take:
      – Bass pounding of Hippo VB (VB can rattle my brain, but Eterna can't)
      – High is not as sweet as Hippo VB (thus less suitable for classical music)

      Overall, I glad I made my switch from VB to Eterna 🙂

  • Reply July 2, 2010

    Kaushik

    Hi, Nice review. If I have to choose between HeadDirect RE0 or Eterna then which one would be the best bet? Music I normally listen to is Old gen rock (GnR/Metallica/Pink Floyd/Dire Straits etc.) and country. Anything else in that same price range?

    • Reply July 3, 2010

      Hadi

      Thanks, Kaushik. Unfortunately, I don’t listen to Old Gen Rock much, with the exception of occasional DSOTM. Hard to choose between the two, the Eterna will work quite well if you like a sonorous tone and a forward character, though RE-0 has better transparency that makes good recordings shine.

      • Reply July 21, 2010

        namaiki

        Between the two, I would probably say the Eterna, but with looser fitting tips.

        • Reply July 21, 2010

          namaiki

          …and just don't ever hear the RE0, so you won't know what you're missing. T_T

          • Reply July 22, 2010

            Hadi

            Ignorance is bliss. And this is very true with the Eterna 😀

  • Reply June 17, 2011

    Lieven V

    I just read this review again after having used the Eternas myself for the last 7 months. I have to admit I’m not really careful with so far they are still in great shape. I really can’t confirm the metal grills covering the drivers are shoddily glued, and theres nothing wrong with the rubber enclosure where the cable connects to the earpieces.

    I love its sound, even if it colours the music. It’s just great fun and it isolates pretty well, perfect for my public transport traveling. Highly recommended imo 🙂

    • Reply June 17, 2011

      Anonymous

      Hadi who wrote the review really enjoys the Eterna, even till now. 

  • Reply September 12, 2011

    Syakir Zainol

    Which one is more enjoyable in terms of fun listening and musicality; the Eterna V2 or Shure SE215?

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