Large Gray 3-Flange Eartips vs Medium: Which Fits Better?
By Etymotic | Published: 2026-10-20
Category: Comparisons
Comparing Etymotic's Large Gray 3-Flange Eartips to medium sizes: understand the fit, comfort, and seal differences to choose the right size for your ear canal.
Quick answer
Choose Large Gray 3-Flange Eartips if your ear canals are larger or you need a deeper seal for better noise isolation; choose medium if you find large sizes uncomfortable or your ear canals are average-sized.
Why size matters for triple-flange eartips
Triple-flange eartips create a seal using multiple ridges. The right size ensures the flanges contact your ear canal walls without causing pain or slipping out. Large flanges can provide a more secure fit for some users, but they may feel too deep or tight for others.
Etymotic's Large Gray 3-Flange Eartips are designed for use with many of their earphone models, including ER•4, hf3, hf2, and Music•PRO series. The gray color helps them blend in, but the key difference is the flange diameter and overall length compared to medium options.
Trade-offs between large and medium sizes
Large eartips can offer better noise isolation because they fill more of the ear canal, but they may cause discomfort during extended wear if your ear canals are not wide enough. Medium eartips are more universally comfortable but might not seal as well in larger ear canals, letting in ambient noise.
The material is the same soft silicone, so the choice comes down to anatomy. If you have tried medium tips and they feel loose or fall out, large tips like the ER38-18 are worth testing. If large tips feel painful or cause a plugged sensation, medium is likely a better fit.
Large vs Medium: The trade-offs
- Seal and isolation: Large flanges generally create a deeper seal, blocking more external noise. Medium tips may leak sound if your ear canals are wider.
- Comfort over time: Medium tips are less likely to cause pressure points during long listening sessions. Large tips can feel intrusive for people with smaller ear canals.
- Ease of insertion: Medium tips are easier to insert and remove for most users. Large tips require careful rolling and positioning to avoid discomfort.
Product facts
- 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. These tips fit a wide range of Etymotic earphones, so you can swap sizes without changing your earpiece model.
ER38-18 Large Gray 3-Flange Eartips
Which size should you choose?
Best for
- Users with larger ear canals who need a secure seal
- Those who prioritize maximum noise isolation over all-day comfort
Not for
- People with small or sensitive ear canals who find large tips painful
- Users who prefer a shallow fit or need to wear eartips for hours without adjustment
