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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If noise cancellation and wireless convenience are priorities, the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones are an excellent choice, offering top-tier noise isolation and both wireless and wired options, plus a comfortable over-ear design suited for long flights or commutes. However, they may be overkill for simple calls and meetings. On the other hand, the Etymotic ER4XR earbuds provide exceptional wired audio with a reputation for audio fidelity, at a lower cost. They lack active noise cancelling and aren't as comfortable for extended wear. They also aren't suited for exercise, but if you value sound clarity for music and can forego wireless features, they're a strong contender. 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 Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
- Excellent for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Best in class for air travel
Advantages of the Etymotic ER4XR
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
9.3
6.2
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.3
4.7
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and Etymotic ER4XR are both poor for phone calls, though the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
7.3
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is only fair.
TV and Video
9.0
7.4
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for TV and video, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
Battery
29.0 Hours
N/A
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has 29 hours of battery life. The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery.
Cost
$429
$234
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has a price of $429 and the Etymotic ER4XR costs $234.
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Key similarities
Music
8.3
8.0
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and Etymotic ER4XR are both very good for music.
Noise Reduction
9.1
9.1
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and Etymotic ER4XR are both excellent for noise reduction.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and Etymotic ER4XR both have excellent build quality.
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How the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and the Etymotic ER4XR compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones | Etymotic ER4XR |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$429 | $234 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Etymotic | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2023 | June 1, 2016 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.4/10 | 4.1/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 29 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 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 | 7.4/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 10/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 255 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Christian Thomas | January 2024
"The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are a credible step up from previous Bose ANC headphones, and they're built to hang tough with the competition for years into the future. No waterproofing is a bit of a letdown, but these headphones have the technical chops to make most quite happy."
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 Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones 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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