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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 are more versatile if you require wireless convenience and features like active noise cancelling, low latency mode for gaming and video, and an integrated microphone for calls. They're also sweatproof, optimized for Apple devices, and come with a wireless charging case for extended battery life, making them excellent for exercise and travel. The Etymotic ER4XR, on the other hand, delivers better noise isolation and reportedly superior sound quality for music listening, but their lack of a microphone and wireless capabilities, along with lower comfort scores, may limit their use during activities like exercising or frequent calls and meetings. 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 Pro 2
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Etymotic ER4XR
- Very good for music
Key differences
Music
7.0
8.0
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good.
Gaming
8.4
6.2
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Phone Calls
7.8
4.7
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
7.3
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
Battery
6.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has 6 hours of battery life. The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery.
Cost
$199
$234
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has a price of $199 and the Etymotic ER4XR costs $234.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.8
7.4
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
9.1
9.1
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 and Etymotic ER4XR are both excellent for noise reduction.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 and Etymotic ER4XR both have excellent build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Pro 2 and the Etymotic ER4XR compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Pro 2 | Etymotic ER4XR |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$199 | $234 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Etymotic | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2022 | June 1, 2016 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.1/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.8/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.1/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.3 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Pro 2
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"Apple's upgraded H2 chip begets better active noise canceling (ANC) and battery life, while the case's U1 chip and integrated speaker lets you precisely locate it from the Find My app. If you own an iPhone, the new AirPods Pro is an obvious choice."
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 Apple Airpods Pro 2 or the Etymotic ER4XR
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.
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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.
By the numbers
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Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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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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