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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M40X headphones, being significantly less expensive, offer great overall sound quality and are particularly well-suited for TV and video due to their wide soundstage. They are bulkier and not optimized for exercise or portability, which makes them less ideal for outdoor use or travel. On the other hand, the Etymotic ER4XR earbuds are more expensive but offer superior noise isolation, making them a better choice for noisy environments. However, their sound quality and comfort may not match the Audio Technica's. Neither option includes a microphone, which could be important if you need to make calls or attend 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 Audio Technica ATH M40X
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the Etymotic ER4XR
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
7.0
6.2
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Phone Calls
3.3
4.7
The Etymotic ER4XR and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for phone calls, though the Etymotic ER4XR is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
7.3
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
TV and Video
8.7
7.4
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
9.1
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Cost
$99
$234
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Etymotic ER4XR costs $234.
Build Quality
8.2
9.0
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.1
8.0
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and Etymotic ER4XR are both very good for music.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Etymotic ER4XR compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Etymotic ER4XR |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $234 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Etymotic | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | June 1, 2016 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 6.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 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 | 5.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 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) | 245 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M40X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Lily Katz | August 2023
"If you were to pick one headset to fill all of your needs, the ATH-M40x is a great buy with its sub-$100 price tag, pleasant sound quality, and accessories. Whether you need to use it for live monitoring, a midnight editing session, or to underscore a campus walk, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a great companion."
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 Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Etymotic ER4XR
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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.
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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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