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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you prefer wireless convenience with premium build quality, the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX offers that along with excellent sound quality, active noise cancelling, and sweat and dust resistance, making it suitable for exercise and air travel. They also have an app equalizer for customized sound. However, if you prioritize sound isolation and are okay with a wired connection, the Etymotic ER4XR delivers excellent noise isolation with a very good sound quality at a lower price point. The Etymotic lacks the wireless capability, noise cancelling, and is not as comfortable for extended use. It also doesn't support modern wireless codecs like AptX Adaptive, which the Bang and Olufsen supports for better sound quality over Bluetooth. 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 EX
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Etymotic ER4XR
- Very good for music
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
9.3
6.2
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is excellent for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.3
4.7
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and Etymotic ER4XR are both poor for phone calls, though the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.1
7.3
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is only fair.
TV and Video
8.9
7.4
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is very good for TV and video, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
Noise Reduction
8.3
9.1
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is very good.
Battery
6.5 Hours
N/A
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery.
Cost
$399
$234
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has a price of $399 and the Etymotic ER4XR costs $234.
Build Quality
10.0
9.0
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has best in class build quality, while the Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.9
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER4XR to be very good for music, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is good.
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How the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and the Etymotic ER4XR compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX | Etymotic ER4XR |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $234 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bang and Olufsen | Etymotic | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | June 1, 2016 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.4/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 9/10 | 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 | 22 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 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 | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 10/10 | 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) | 6 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
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Dig into reviews and images
Leaf and Core
Danielle | January 2023
"If you’ve wanted truly wireless headphones, but couldn’t pick them up because they sound terrible, these will be the headphones that win you over. If you’re the kind of person who would consider spending $400 on headphones, these are the right truly wireless headphones for you."
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 EX 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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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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