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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality for music above all else, the Etymotic ER2SE, which is less expensive, delivers exceptional performance. However, its comfort and call quality are not as high as some alternatives. On the other hand, the Antlion Kimura Duo offers a more comfortable fit and better performance for gaming and calls, but it comes at a higher cost. Neither option includes features such as active noise cancelling or wireless connectivity, catering primarily to wired audio enthusiasts. If you are looking for versatility and are willing to pay more, the Antlion Kimura Duo might be the better choice. 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 Antlion Kimura Duo
- Very good for gaming
Advantages of the Etymotic ER2SE
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
8.8
The Etymotic ER2SE and Antlion Kimura Duo are both very good for music, though the Etymotic ER2SE is somewhat better.
Gaming
8.5
6.2
The Antlion Kimura Duo is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER2SE is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.0
7.6
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Antlion Kimura Duo is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
9.1
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Antlion Kimura Duo is only fair.
Cost
$150
$100
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Antlion Kimura Duo has a price of $150 and the Etymotic ER2SE costs $100.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.2
4.9
The Antlion Kimura Duo and Etymotic ER2SE are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
7.8
7.8
The Etymotic ER2SE and Antlion Kimura Duo are both good for TV and video.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Antlion Kimura Duo and Etymotic ER2SE both have excellent build quality.
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How the Antlion Kimura Duo and the Etymotic ER2SE compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Antlion Kimura Duo | Etymotic ER2SE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$150 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Antlion | Etymotic | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2022 | February 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 6.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 21.5 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | N/A | |
Shopping
Antlion Kimura Duo
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphones Addict
Peter Susic | February 2023
"Antlion Kimura Duo aren’t packed with features, but the ones they offer, work incredibly well. Especially the boom mic delivers very clean call quality with no distortion. If you explicitly look for gaming in-ear monitors with a reliable microphone, Antlion Kimura Duo are your best option."
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 Antlion Kimura Duo or the Etymotic ER2SE
About Antlion
Antlion Audio is an American company based in Oregon. Founded in 2011 by Jimmy Console, an engineer and physician, in order to create and offer better solutions for voice communication, specifically a microphone which could be used with any set of headphones which materialized in the very popular ModMic. The company has since expanded to include a wide variety of wired and wireless products.
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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