How to Choose the Right Eartip Size for Etymotic Earphones

Quick answer

Choose the largest Etymotic eartip size that seats fully in your ear canal without pain, then confirm the seal with a gentle tug and a low-frequency listening check. If you feel pressure, drop one size. If bass thins out or the earphone loosens when you move, go up one size. Most people land on one size per ear, and the two sides can differ.

Why Etymotic sizing is different from typical earbuds

Etymotic earphones are designed to sit deeper in the ear canal than loose-fitting earbuds, so the eartip does more work: it must create a seal, stay put, and feel tolerable for long listening. That is why the usual trick of grabbing the size that came installed rarely works. The right size is the one that seals with the least pressure, not the one that feels tightest.

The catalog shows this in practice. Etymotic offers Triple Flange Eartips in a 10 pack in Standard Fit and Clear, plus large 3-flange long-stem options such as the ER38-18CLL and ER38-18A. The size and model compatibility matter more than the color, so check your earphone model before ordering.

Run a two-minute fit test before you commit

Start with the size you already own, or begin with the middle option if you are unsure. Insert it gently, then do three checks: press play on a familiar bass-heavy track and listen for fullness; tug the earphone cord lightly and see if the tip stays sealed; and open and close your mouth a few times to feel whether the tip shifts or digs in.

A sealed fit usually sounds fuller and blocks more outside noise. A tip that is too small leaks air, so bass fades and you may hear traffic or keyboard noise. A tip that is too large feels sore within minutes, even if the seal seems good at first.

Match the size to the eartip style, not just the number

Size labels are not interchangeable across eartip designs. A large 3-flange long-stem tip and a Standard Fit triple flange can feel very different because the stem length and flange count change how deep the tip sits and how it presses against the canal. If you switch styles, re-run the fit test rather than assuming your usual size still applies.

Compatibility also changes the choice. Some long-stem 3-flange tips are listed for specific earphone families, such as The BEAN, Music•PRO MP-9•15, HD•15, GSP•1, GSP•15 and EB•15 for the ER38-18CLL, or ETY•COM, etyBLU, and ety8 for the ER38-18A. If your model is not listed, that tip is not the intended match even if the size looks right.

When to size up, size down, or split sizes

Size up if the tip loses seal when you chew, walk, or turn your head, or if you keep pushing the earphone back in. Size down if you feel a hot spot, throbbing, or soreness after 15 to 20 minutes. If one ear seals easily and the other does not, use a different size per ear; that is normal and not a defect.

If you are between sizes, favor the smaller one for daily wear and keep the larger one for noisy travel or workouts where a stronger seal helps. A 10 pack makes this practical because you can keep both sizes on hand without buying two separate orders.

Step-by-step eartip sizing routine

1. Step 1: Identify your earphone model: Write down the exact model before choosing a size. Check the product listing to confirm the eartip is listed for your earphone, since long-stem 3-flange tips are model-specific. Checkpoint: if your model is not listed, do not assume the size will fit.
2. Step 2: Start with your current or middle size: Insert the tip gently and let it settle. Do not force it deeper to chase a seal; that is the most common mistake and it leads to soreness. Checkpoint: you should feel the seal, not pain.
3. Step 3: Test the seal with sound and movement: Play a familiar track and listen for full bass, then tug the cord lightly and turn your head. A good seal holds without you pressing the earphone back in. Checkpoint: if bass fades or the tip loosens, try one size up.
4. Step 4: Check comfort after 15 minutes: Leave the earphones in for a short session. A hot spot, throbbing, or soreness means the tip is too large for that ear. Checkpoint: if it hurts, size down rather than toughing it out.
5. Step 5: Lock in one size per ear: Use the size that seals with the least pressure on each side. Keep a spare of the next size up for noisy environments or workouts. Next step: order a 10 pack in your confirmed size so you have replacements ready.

Eartip options that affect sizing

• Triple Flange Eartips | 10 Pack: Triple Flange Eartips from Etymotic are offered in a 10 pack, Standard Fit size, Clear color. A 10 pack in a single standard size is a low-risk way to test whether the triple flange shape suits your ears before trying large long-stem versions.
• ER38-18CLL Large Clear 3-Flange Long Stem Eartips: ER38-18CLL Large Clear 3-Flange Long Stem Eartips come in a package of 10 and are listed for The BEAN, Music•PRO MP-9•15, HD•15, GSP•1, GSP•15 and EB•15. If you own one of those models and need a large long-stem fit, this is the compatible size to test; the long stem changes insertion depth, so re-check comfort.
• ER38-18A Large Gray 3-Flange Long Stem Eartips: ER38-18A Large Gray 3-Flange Long Stem Eartips are replacement eartips for ETY•COM, etyBLU, and ety8 earphones, sold as a package of 10. Owners of those models should choose this large gray version rather than a standard triple flange, because the listed compatibility is model-specific.