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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The AKG K361 headphones provide good sound quality with a more spacious soundstage suited for a variety of content. They're comfortable for longer listening sessions but are bulkier and less portable than earbuds. While they're suitable for music and TV, their lack of a microphone means they aren't great for calls. The Etymotic ER2SE earbuds excel in sound quality, especially for music, with superior noise isolation, making them perfect for noisy environments. They're highly portable but might be less comfortable for some due to their deep-insert design. Neither model has wireless capability; choosing between them depends on prioritizing sound isolation and portability (Etymotic) over comfort and a larger soundstage (AKG). Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the AKG K361
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the Etymotic ER2SE
- Very good for music
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.5
8.8
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the AKG K361 is good.
Phone Calls
3.2
4.9
The Etymotic ER2SE and AKG K361 are both poor for phone calls, though the Etymotic ER2SE is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.0
7.6
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the AKG K361 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
9.1
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the AKG K361 is only fair.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the AKG K361 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
6.3
6.2
The AKG K361 and Etymotic ER2SE are both only fair for gaming.
TV and Video
7.8
7.8
The AKG K361 and Etymotic ER2SE are both good for TV and video.
Cost
$99
$100
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The AKG K361 has a price of $99 and the Etymotic ER2SE costs $100.
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How the AKG K361 and the Etymotic ER2SE compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AKG K361 | Etymotic ER2SE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | AKG | Etymotic | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2018 | February 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 219 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
AKG K361
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Dig into reviews and images
Medium
Alex Rowe | November 2019
"The K361 retains much of what makes the K371 such a winner, though it has a leaner sound, and the build changes made to trim the price down are immediately apparent. Still, it’s another excellent offering from AKG, and other companies in this fight should either be very worried or quickly designing updates to their old models."
Etymotic ER2SE
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Sound Guys
Lily Katz | April 2022
"Etymotic isn’t playing around: it takes audio seriously and has mastered the art of the noise-isolation earphone. Sure, the fit of the earbuds looks silly but it’s a signature Etymotic thing and could be considered charming by some. If you’re looking for best-in-class audio for a realistic price, the ER2SE is it."
Get a great deal on the AKG K361 or the Etymotic ER2SE
About Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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