A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 offer better overall sound quality, are wireless with a closed enclosure design, and come with features like active noise cancelling and sweatproof certification, making them versatile for different environments including exercise and air travel. Etymotic ER4XR, on the other hand, provide exceptional noise isolation and are wired, which can be a preference for audio purists or for usage where battery life isn't a concern. They lack a microphone, so if you intend to make calls or attend meetings, the Pi7 S2 would be a more suitable choice. If affordability is essential, the Pi7 S2 are often somewhat less expensive and therefore may provide a better value considering their features. 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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Etymotic ER4XR
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
5.3
6.2
The Etymotic ER4XR is only fair for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
7.3
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
6.0
7.4
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3
9.1
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is very good.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery.
Cost
$259
$234
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has a price of $259 and the Etymotic ER4XR costs $234.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is good.
Phone Calls
5.2
4.7
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 and Etymotic ER4XR are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.9
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER4XR to have excellent build quality, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 and the Etymotic ER4XR compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 | Etymotic ER4XR |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$259 | $234 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Etymotic | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | June 1, 2016 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.1/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 13 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Engadget
Billy Steele | March 2023
"While the overall sound quality is great, these earbuds fall short in terms of battery life, customization and ANC performance. Bowers & Wilkins’ ability to consistently deliver pristine sound isn’t enough to make up for what the Pi7 S2 lacks, which is unfortunately quite a bit."
Etymotic ER4XR
See more
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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 or the Etymotic ER4XR
About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 vs. Grado GT220
VS
Compare Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 vs. Bose Quiet Comfort 45
VS
Compare Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 vs. Moondrop Blessing 2
VS
Compare Etymotic ER4XR vs. Sennheiser Accentum Plus
VS
Compare Etymotic ER4XR vs. Sony WF1000XM4
VS
Compare Etymotic ER4XR vs. Apple Airpods Pro
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
110,900
Recommendations made
16,635
Consumer hours saved
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.
Featured in
