I applied both the driver and firmware updates for the 4800 today. I delayed running the updates until I'd finished printing a project I've been working on - never update tools partway through a job if it's all working ok I reckon.

The only enhancement mentioned in the firmware pdf is that the update allows Premium Glossy Photo Paper to be fed in via the paper tray. I'm not printing on any coated stock so why apply the firmware? Having worked for software companies my experience has been that often other undocumented 'improvements' (bug fixes) are included in updates, so you just never know what might improve, plus it's a chance to see how well the process works.

Prior to installing the updates I ran a test print through for a before and after comparison. I only had some spare EAM so that made the choice of paper easy! :)

Both udpates installed without any problems. The Firmware updater is as easy to use as it looks - just browse to the file

Some 4800 users have mentioned the canned profiles look like they've improved after the update. In the case of EAM which I used for the before and after prints there was essentially no change I could detect by eye. Maybe some changes could be detected by measuring the before and after with tools but what is the point of that if your eye can't see it... has it improved from 3.0001 to 3.0003? :)

As I mentioned early on with the 4800, the canned profiles look very good to me. If they've improved with the 5.52 update, great! If you were only using Epson papers and could ignore the peer pressure to custom profile you could happily use the canned profiles.