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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize active noise cancellation and a luxury brand, consider the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ, but for an intense focus on sound accuracy and clarity, the Etymotic ER4XR would be superior. The ergonomic design and wireless convenience of the Beoplay EQ might appeal to you if comfort and ease of use are important, while the Etymotic offers a deep in-ear fit that provides excellent isolation, potentially at the expense of comfort. Keep in mind that wireless earbuds like Beoplay EQ may have battery life constraints, while the wired ER4XR does not, but requires dealing with a cable. Choose the Beoplay EQ if you value features like a built-in microphone for calls and virtual surround sound, which can enhance your experience if you consume varied multimedia content. 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 Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ
- 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
6.8
8.0
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is only fair.
Gaming
8.4
6.2
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Phone Calls
7.2
4.7
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
7.3
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
Noise Reduction
7.0
9.1
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is good.
Battery
6.5 Hours
N/A
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery.
Cost
$176
$234
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ has a price of $176 and the Etymotic ER4XR costs $234.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.8
7.4
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.9
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER4XR to have excellent build quality, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ has very good build quality.
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How the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ and the Etymotic ER4XR compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ | Etymotic ER4XR |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$176 | $234 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bang and Olufsen | Etymotic | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2021 | June 1, 2016 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.2/10 | 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 | 6.4/10 | 4.1/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Tim Gideon | March 2022
"Bang & Olufsen’s audio products prioritize style and function just as much as sound quality. The company’s latest Beoplay EQ noise-cancelling true wireless earphones combine strong, accurate-leaning audio with solid noise cancellation in an exceedingly classy design."
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 Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ or the Etymotic ER4XR
About Bang and Olufsen
Bang and Olufsen is an almost century-old electronic goods manufacturer based in Denmark with a very special focus on design. Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen created the first AC radio in 1925 and went on to develop televisions, telephones and, of course, headphones and loudspeakers. Today, they are partnered with several companies, like Audi, BMW and Aston Martin, to provide very high-quality audio solutions.
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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