A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Airpods Max
Company ProductName Specs




ER2SE
Company ProductName Specs




What we think

Chevron down
PerfectRec Logo
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·

If you're after an over-ear design with active noise cancellation for an immersive listening experience, the Apple Airpods Max are better, though much pricier. They also have an integrated microphone for calls. However, for a more budget-friendly option with exceptional sound isolation and precision, the Etymotic ER2SE earbuds are a great choice, especially if you prefer a compact, in-ear design. Keep in mind that the Airpods Max have more features and are built for convenience, while the ER2SE focuses on delivering high-quality audio in a no-frills package. 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 Apple Airpods Max
  • Excellent for air travel
  • Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Etymotic ER2SE
  • Very good for music
  • Good for TV and video

Key differences

Chevron down

Music

7.3
Airpods Max
ER2SE
8.8
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods Max is good.

Gaming

5.5
Airpods Max
ER2SE
6.2
The Etymotic ER2SE is only fair for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.

Phone Calls

6.6
Airpods Max
ER2SE
4.9
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER2SE is poor.

TV and Video

5.7
Airpods Max
ER2SE
7.8
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.

Noise Reduction

10.0
Airpods Max
ER2SE
9.1
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Etymotic ER2SE is excellent.

Battery

21.0 Hours
Airpods Max
ER2SE
N/A
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery.

Cost

$549
Airpods Max
ER2SE
$100
Product image
Product image

$50

$100

$150

$200

$250

$300

$350

$400

The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Etymotic ER2SE costs $100.
Image of Earbuds & Headphones
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones

Key similarities

Chevron down

Podcasts and Audiobooks

8.0
Airpods Max
ER2SE
7.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Airpods Max to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER2SE is good.

Build Quality

9.0
Airpods Max
ER2SE
9.0
The Apple Airpods Max and Etymotic ER2SE both have excellent build quality.

Give feedback

We’re constantly working to improve.

How the Apple Airpods Max and the Etymotic ER2SE compare to other earbuds and headphones

Chevron down

Spec Comparison

Chevron down
Apple Airpods MaxEtymotic ER2SE
Apple Airpods MaxEtymotic ER2SE

GENERAL

Price
$549
$100
Brand
AppleEtymotic
Release Date
December 1, 2020February 1, 2019
Form Factor
HeadphonesEarbuds
Connectivity
Wired + WirelessWired

SOUND

Music Score
7.4/108.9/10
Phone Calls Score
6.6/105/10
Gaming Score
5.5/106.3/10
TV and Video Score
5.8/107.9/10
Exercise Score
6.2/104.2/10

PERFORMANCE

Battery life
21 HoursN/A
Wireless charging
NoN/A
Charging time
2 HoursN/A
Bluetooth version
5N/A

FEATURES

Active Noise Cancelling
YesNo
Noise Reduction Score
10/109.1/10
Virtual Surround
YesN/A
Android App
NoN/A
iOS App
YesN/A
Mic Quality
7/10N/A

BUILD AND DESIGN

Build Quality
9/109/10
Comfort score
7/106/10
Size
N/ASmall
Weight (headset or single earbud)
385.5 Grams4 Grams
Microphone style
IntegratedN/A

Shopping

Chevron down

Apple Airpods Max

See more

Dig into reviews and images

Sound Guys

Adam Molina | July 2023
"Objectively, the AirPods Max is a spectacular pair of headphones. I appreciate the smart features like auto-pause and the transparency mode are super practical. It also sounds great, is well-built, and has solid battery life."

Etymotic ER2SE

See more

Dig into reviews and images

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 Apple Airpods Max or the Etymotic ER2SE

About Apple

Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.

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.

Give feedback

We're constantly perfecting our model

Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in

Chevron down

FAQs

Chevron down

FAQs about earbuds and headphones

Questions about PerfectRec >

Why trust us

Chevron down
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.

By the numbers

108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
123,500
Recommendations made
18,525
Consumer hours saved

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.

Featured in

Color LTT LogoGeekwire logo9to5 Mac logoPhone Arena LogoColor Daring Fireball logo