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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a wireless experience with decent battery life and the convenience of charging on the go, opt for the Beats Studiobuds which also feature active noise cancelling and are sweatproof, suitable for exercise or commuting. However, if sound quality, especially sound isolation, is your top priority and you don't mind a wired connection, the Etymotic ER2SE outperform in audio fidelity but lack built-in controls and microphone, making them less ideal for calls or on-the-move adjustments. Keep in mind that the Etymotic's deep ear insertion design can be less comfortable for some users compared to the Beats' design. 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 Studiobuds
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Etymotic ER2SE
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.2
8.8
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Beats Studiobuds is good.
Gaming
5.2
6.2
The Etymotic ER2SE is only fair for gaming, while the Beats Studiobuds is poor.
Phone Calls
7.0
4.9
The Beats Studiobuds is good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER2SE is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.0
7.6
The Beats Studiobuds is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER2SE is good.
TV and Video
5.6
7.8
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the Beats Studiobuds is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.5
9.1
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Beats Studiobuds is only fair.
Battery
6.0 Hours
N/A
The Beats Studiobuds has 6 hours of battery life. The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery.
Cost
$150
$89
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Studiobuds has a price of $150 and the Etymotic ER2SE costs $89.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.8
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER2SE to have excellent build quality, while the Beats Studiobuds has very good build quality.
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How the Beats Studiobuds and the Etymotic ER2SE compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Studiobuds | Etymotic ER2SE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$150 | $89 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Etymotic | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | February 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 6.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.9 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 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 | 6.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.9/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Beats Studiobuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | May 2023
"For less than the price of the AirPods, the Beats Studio Buds delivers a good fit, great sound, and active noise cancellation. This is also the first set of Apple-owned Beats earbuds to feature quick pairing with Android devices, albeit at the expense of some key features for Apple users."
Etymotic ER2SE
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | April 2022
"Etymotic isn’t playing around: it takes audio seriously and has mastered the art of the noise-isolation earphone. Sure, the fit of the earbuds looks silly but it’s a signature Etymotic thing and could be considered charming by some. If you’re looking for best-in-class audio for a realistic price, the ER2SE is it."
Get a great deal on the Beats Studiobuds or the Etymotic ER2SE
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
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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