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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Beats Studiobuds boast wireless convenience, sweatproof certification, and active noise cancelling, which are excellent for exercise and casual listening, especially if you enjoy additional features like app control customization and prefer a lower price point. On the other hand, the Etymotic ER4XR, while more expensive, excels in noise isolation and sound accuracy, making them highly suitable for critical listening environments where detail and sound fidelity are paramount. However, they lack a built-in microphone and controls, making them less versatile for calls or on-the-go adjustments. Keep in mind, the Etymotic earbuds are wired, which might limit mobility compared to the wireless Beats. 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 ER4XR
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.2
8.0
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the Beats Studiobuds is good.
Gaming
5.2
6.2
The Etymotic ER4XR is only fair for gaming, while the Beats Studiobuds is poor.
Phone Calls
7.0
4.7
The Beats Studiobuds is good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.0
7.3
The Beats Studiobuds is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
TV and Video
5.6
7.4
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for TV and video, while the Beats Studiobuds is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.5
9.1
The Etymotic ER4XR 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 ER4XR does not have a battery.
Cost
$80
$234
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Beats Studiobuds has a price of $80 and the Etymotic ER4XR costs $234.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.8
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER4XR 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 ER4XR compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Studiobuds | Etymotic ER4XR |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$80 | $234 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Etymotic | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | June 1, 2016 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 6.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 4.1/10 | |
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 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 Beats Studiobuds 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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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