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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're seeking active noise cancellation and wireless convenience for traveling or office use, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are an excellent choice despite the higher price. However, if you're an audiophile prioritizing sound accuracy and can handle a wired connection with a snug fit, the Etymotic ER2SE, while less equipped with modern features, offers exceptional sound fidelity and is more affordable. Remember the Bose will give you better versatility for different environments, while the Etymotic is built for critical listening in quiet spaces. 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 QuietComfort Earbuds II
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Etymotic ER2SE
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.4
8.8
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is good.
Gaming
5.5
6.2
The Etymotic ER2SE is only fair for gaming, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
7.6
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is only fair.
TV and Video
6.2
7.8
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is only fair.
Battery
7.0 Hours
N/A
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has 7 hours of battery life. The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery.
Cost
$199
$100
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has a price of $199 and the Etymotic ER2SE costs $100.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
4.9
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and Etymotic ER2SE are both poor for phone calls.
Noise Reduction
9.1
9.1
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and Etymotic ER2SE are both excellent for noise reduction.
Build Quality
9.2
9.0
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and Etymotic ER2SE both have excellent build quality.
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How the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and the Etymotic ER2SE compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II | Etymotic ER2SE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$199 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Etymotic | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2022 | February 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 6.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.3/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.5/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 7 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | 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 | 6.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9.2/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7.7 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | September 2023
"Bose’s flagship wireless earbuds were never going to be cheap, but the question was whether they’d be competitive in an area of the market where rivals have never been more capable. The fact that the company has not only managed to implement a successful redesign, but also push the envelope for noise-cancelling and sound quality in such a highly competitive category simultaneously is truly impressive."
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 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II or the Etymotic ER2SE
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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