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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The AKG K361 headphones offer a very good sound quality and are less expensive than the Etymotic ER4XR earbuds. They're suitable for a variety of uses, but their over-ear, closed-back design may be less portable and less comfortable during exercise compared to earbuds. The AKG has a detachable cable, which can be convenient. If you prioritize noise isolation and a more snug in-ear fit, the Etymotic ER4XR excels in these areas, although they are more expensive. Neither option includes a microphone, active noise cancelling, or wireless capabilities, so take that into consideration if those features are important to you. 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 ER4XR
- Very good for music
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Phone Calls
3.2
4.7
The Etymotic ER4XR and AKG K361 are both poor for phone calls, though the Etymotic ER4XR is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.0
7.3
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the AKG K361 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
9.1
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the AKG K361 is only fair.
Cost
$99
$234
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The AKG K361 has a price of $99 and the Etymotic ER4XR costs $234.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the AKG K361 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.5
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER4XR to be very good for music, while the AKG K361 is good.
Gaming
6.3
6.2
The AKG K361 and Etymotic ER4XR are both only fair for gaming.
TV and Video
7.8
7.4
The AKG K361 and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for TV and video.
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How the AKG K361 and the Etymotic ER4XR compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AKG K361 | Etymotic ER4XR |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $234 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | AKG | Etymotic | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2018 | June 1, 2016 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.1/10 | |
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 ER4XR
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | May 2015
"The Etymotic ER4XRs' top qualities are the detail and definition of the midrange, rewarding the closest listening. While the soundstage is large rather than gigantic, the excellent separation and spatial precision mean you can dive deep into music just as much as when wearing a pair of full-size open-backed headphones."
Get a great deal on the AKG K361 or the Etymotic ER4XR
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
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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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