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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Bose 700 headphones offer noise cancellation and wireless features, suitable for a variety of environments and active use. They are ideal if you prioritize comfort over long periods and need the convenience of hands-free calls. On the other hand, the Etymotic ER4XR earbuds provide excellent sound isolation due to their in-ear design, which might be preferred if you enjoy detailed listening and want a more portable option. Keep in mind, earbuds can be less comfortable over time, especially for those not used to in-ear devices. The choice depends on your preference for either over-ear comfort and features or in-ear sound precision and portability. 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 Bose 700
- Very good for phone calls
- Best in class for air travel
Advantages of the Etymotic ER4XR
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
5.3
6.2
The Etymotic ER4XR is only fair for gaming, while the Bose 700 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.3
4.7
The Bose 700 is very good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
7.3
The Bose 700 and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Bose 700 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.6
7.4
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for TV and video, while the Bose 700 is poor.
Battery
20.0 Hours
N/A
The Bose 700 has 20 hours of battery life. The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery.
Cost
$299
$234
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bose 700 has a price of $299 and the Etymotic ER4XR costs $234.
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Key similarities
Music
7.5
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER4XR to be very good for music, while the Bose 700 is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
9.1
The Bose 700 and Etymotic ER4XR are both excellent for noise reduction.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Bose 700 and Etymotic ER4XR both have excellent build quality.
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How the Bose 700 and the Etymotic ER4XR compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose 700 | Etymotic ER4XR |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $234 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Etymotic | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2019 | June 1, 2016 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.3/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.5/10 | 4.1/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 20 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 263 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bose 700
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | June 2023
"Bose took active noise canceling and made it mainstream but eventually, the market caught up. Well, it seems like Bose was listening, because the Noise Canceling Headphones 700 is a complete redesign of its iconic product. The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 have a new design, improved sound quality, a touch-sensitive gesture pad for playback controls, and even USB-C charging."
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 Bose 700 or the Etymotic ER4XR
About Bose
Bose is an American audio equipment manufacturer based out of Framingham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1964 by Amar Bose with the goal of creating a speaker system that could accurately recreate the sound of a concert hall, Bose has become one of the most prominent players in the modern consumer audio market due to the premium feel of their products and their wide brand recognition.
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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Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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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.
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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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