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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Beats Solo 3 are less expensive, offer wireless connectivity, are foldable for easier transport, and have a long battery life, making them suitable for casual, on-the-go listening and exercises. However, the overall sound quality and sound isolation are lower than the Etymotic ER4XR. The ER4XR earbuds provide better sound fidelity and superior noise isolation, best for attentive listening and air travel. The ER4XR also features a detachable cable. Still, they lack a microphone for calls, and their portability is compromised as they do not fold and have a sizable carry case. 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 Beats Solo 3
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Etymotic ER4XR
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.3
8.0
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
6.2
The Etymotic ER4XR is only fair for gaming, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
7.3
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.4
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for TV and video, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
9.1
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Battery
41.5 Hours
N/A
The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life. The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery.
Cost
$117
$234
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the Etymotic ER4XR costs $234.
Build Quality
8.0
9.0
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the Beats Solo 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.7
4.7
The Etymotic ER4XR and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the Etymotic ER4XR compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | Etymotic ER4XR |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $234 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Etymotic | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | June 1, 2016 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 4.1/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 4.2 | N/A | |
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 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.7/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 213.1 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Beats Solo 3
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"The Beats Solo3 Wireless is an old set of headphones but still works reliably well with iPhones, due to W1 chip integration and AAC support. The Beats Solo3 Wireless holds up well today with just a few features showing its age."
Etymotic ER4XR
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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 Beats Solo 3 or the Etymotic ER4XR
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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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.
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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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