How to Fit Large Clear 3-Flange Eartips on Etymotic Earphones

Quick answer

Push the large clear 3-flange eartip onto the earphone nozzle until the stem bottoms out, then insert with a gentle twist and let the flanges settle. If the seal feels loose or bass disappears, the eartip is not fully seated or the insertion angle is wrong. The ER38-18CL Large Clear 3-Flange Eartips fit ETY•Kids, HD5 Safety, mc3, mc2, mc5, and Home Hearing Test earphones.

Large clear 3-flange eartips are a simple upgrade that can transform comfort and isolation, but only if they are installed and inserted correctly. A half-seated eartip or a shallow insertion will leak bass and let outside noise in, making you think the eartips are defective when the real issue is fit.

This guide walks through the exact steps to fit large clear 3-flange eartips on compatible Etymotic earphones, with checkpoints to confirm a proper seal and fixes for the most common mistakes.

Check compatibility before you start

Not every Etymotic earphone uses the same eartip stem. The ER38-18CL Large Clear 3-Flange Eartips are designed for ETY•Kids, HD5 Safety, mc3, mc2, mc5, and Home Hearing Test models. If you own an ER•4, hf3, hf2, Music•PRO, HD•15, GSP•1, GSP•15, EB•15, etyBLU2, or ETY•COM, you need the ER38-18 Large Gray 3-Flange Eartips instead. Using the wrong eartip can leave the nozzle exposed or create a loose fit that falls off during use.

If you are unsure which model you have, check the product name on the earphone or its packaging. Matching the eartip to the earphone is the first checkpoint; skipping it is the most common reason a new eartip feels wrong.

• ER38-18CL fits ETY•Kids, HD5 Safety, mc3, mc2, mc5, and Home Hearing Test.
• ER38-18 fits ER•4, hf3, hf2, Music•PRO, HD•15, GSP•1, GSP•15, EB•15, etyBLU2, and ETY•COM.
• ER38-18A (long stem) fits ETY•COM, etyBLU, and ety8.

Remove the old eartip and inspect the nozzle

Grip the old eartip near its base and twist gently while pulling it off the nozzle. Do not pull on the flanges themselves, as this can tear the silicone. Once removed, look at the nozzle: it should be clean, dry, and free of earwax or debris. A dirty nozzle can prevent the new eartip from seating fully and may affect sound quality.

If you see wax or residue, wipe the nozzle with a dry cloth or use the ER38-47 Cleaning Brush with Loop & Magnet. This brush is designed for the BEAN and all Music•PRO, HD•15, GSP•1, GSP•15, EB•15, and EB•15LE earplugs, but the loop end can help lift debris from tight areas. Never use water or solvents on the nozzle.

• Twist, don't yank, to avoid tearing the old eartip.
• A clean nozzle helps the new eartip slide on evenly.

Install the new eartip onto the nozzle

Hold the large clear 3-flange eartip by its base and align the hole with the earphone nozzle. Push it on with a slight twisting motion until the base of the eartip meets the base of the nozzle. You should feel it stop rather than slide further. If it slides on too easily or feels loose, you may have the wrong eartip model for your earphone.

Once seated, give a gentle tug to confirm it is secure. The eartip should not rotate freely or pull off with light pressure. A properly installed eartip sits flush against the nozzle with no gap.

• Push until the eartip base meets the nozzle base.
• A loose eartip means it is not fully seated or is the wrong model.

Insert for a proper 3-flange eartip seal

Moisten the eartip slightly with clean water or your natural ear moisture. Reach over your head with the opposite hand and gently pull your ear up and back to straighten the ear canal. Insert the eartip with a slight twisting motion, aiming it toward your nose. The flanges should compress and sit comfortably inside the canal. You may need to try different insertion depths to find the best seal.

A good seal feels snug but not painful. If you hear outside noise clearly or bass sounds thin, the seal is leaking. Try pushing in slightly further or rotating the eartip a few degrees. If it still leaks, the large size may not match your ear canal; consider a different eartip size or model.

• Pull the ear up and back to open the canal.
• A slight twist helps the flanges settle without folding.
• If bass is weak, the seal is not secure.

Confirm the seal and adjust as needed

Once inserted, listen to a familiar track with steady bass. A proper seal delivers full, even bass and noticeably reduced background noise. If the sound is thin or you can hear conversations around you, break the seal, reseat the eartip, and try again. Small adjustments in angle or depth often fix the problem.

If the eartip feels uncomfortable after a few minutes, it may be too large or inserted too deeply. The large clear 3-flange eartips are one size; if they consistently cause pressure, you may need a smaller flange or a different style. Never force an eartip that causes pain.

• Use a bass-heavy track to test the seal.
• Reseat rather than push harder if it feels wrong.

Step-by-step eartip installation checklist

1. Verify your earphone model: Confirm your Etymotic earphone is compatible with the large clear 3-flange eartips (ETY•Kids, HD5 Safety, mc3, mc2, mc5, Home Hearing Test). Checkpoint: If your model is not listed, choose the correct eartip model before installing.
2. Remove the old eartip and clean the nozzle: Twist off the old eartip and inspect the nozzle for wax or debris. Wipe clean with a dry cloth or use a cleaning brush. Checkpoint: A clean, dry nozzle ensures the new eartip seats fully.
3. Push the new eartip onto the nozzle: Align the eartip hole with the nozzle and push with a slight twist until the base meets the nozzle base. Checkpoint: The eartip should not rotate or pull off easily.
4. Insert with a twist and pull your ear back: Moisten the eartip, pull your ear up and back, and insert with a gentle twist aimed toward your nose. Checkpoint: You should feel the flanges compress and sit snugly without pain.
5. Test the seal with bass-heavy music: Play a familiar track and listen for full bass and reduced outside noise. Checkpoint: If bass is thin or noise leaks in, reseat the eartip or try a different size.

Eartips and accessories that fit this process

• ER38-18CL Large Clear 3-Flange Eartips: Large Clear 3-Flange Eartips, package of 10, for use with ETY•Kids, HD5 Safety, mc3, mc2, mc5 and Home Hearing Test. These are the exact eartips this guide covers; buying the correct model ensures a proper fit on your earphone.
• ER38-47 Cleaning Brush with Loop & Magnet: Cleaning Brush with Loop & Magnet for the BEAN and all Music•PRO, HD•15, GSP•1, GSP•15, EB•15 and EB•15LE earplugs. Keeping the nozzle clean helps new eartips seat fully and maintains sound quality.
• ER38-18 Large Gray 3-Flange Eartips: Large Gray 3-Flange Eartips, package of 10, for use with ER•4, hf3, hf2, Music•PRO MP-9•15, HD•15, GSP•1, GSP•15, EB•15, etyBLU2 and ETY•COM. If you own one of these models, this is the compatible large 3-flange option instead of the clear version.

Fitting large clear 3-flange eartips is a quick process once you know the checkpoints. Match the eartip to your earphone, seat it fully on the nozzle, and insert with a slight twist. If the seal feels off, reseat before assuming the eartip is wrong. With a proper fit, you will get the isolation and bass response these eartips are designed to deliver.