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PC38X
Company ProductName Specs




ER2SE
Company ProductName Specs




What we think

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The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·

The EPOS PC38X offers exceptional sound quality, excellent for gaming due to its superior soundstage and open-ear design, as well as a top-notch microphone, making them ideal for calls and meetings. However, they are open-back headphones, making them less suitable for noisy environments and not designed for exercise or travel due to their size. The Etymotic ER2SE, with excellent noise isolation and a more portable design, is great for commuting and offers detailed sound quality at a lower price. While its in-ear fit may not be as comfortable for everyone and lacks a microphone, it's a budget-friendly choice for everyday listening. Choose the EPOS PC38X for gaming and home use or the Etymotic ER2SE for portability and noise isolation on a budget. 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 EPOS PC38X
  • Best in class for music
  • Best in class for phone calls
  • Best in class for gaming
  • Excellent for TV and video
Advantages of the Etymotic ER2SE
  • The Etymotic ER2SE has no clear advantages over the EPOS PC38X.

Key differences

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Music

9.5
PC38X
ER2SE
8.8
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the Etymotic ER2SE is very good.

Gaming

10.0
PC38X
ER2SE
6.2
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Etymotic ER2SE is only fair.

Phone Calls

10.0
PC38X
ER2SE
4.9
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER2SE is poor.

TV and Video

9.0
PC38X
ER2SE
7.8
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the Etymotic ER2SE is good.

Noise Reduction

2.5
PC38X
ER2SE
9.1
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the EPOS PC38X is poor.

Cost

$139
PC38X
ER2SE
$100
Product image
Product image

$0

$50

$100

$150

$200

The EPOS PC38X has a price of $139 and the Etymotic ER2SE costs $100.

Build Quality

8.5
PC38X
ER2SE
9.0
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the EPOS PC38X has very good build quality.
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Key similarities

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Podcasts and Audiobooks

7.9
PC38X
ER2SE
7.6
The EPOS PC38X and Etymotic ER2SE are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.

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How the EPOS PC38X and the Etymotic ER2SE compare to other earbuds and headphones

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Spec Comparison

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EPOS PC38XEtymotic ER2SE
EPOS PC38XEtymotic ER2SE

GENERAL

Price
$139
$100
Brand
EPOSEtymotic
Release Date
September 1, 2020February 1, 2019
Form Factor
HeadphonesEarbuds
Connectivity
WiredWired

SOUND

Music Score
9.6/108.9/10
Phone Calls Score
10/105/10
Gaming Score
10/106.3/10
TV and Video Score
9.1/107.9/10
Exercise Score
4.5/104.2/10

FEATURES

Active Noise Cancelling
NoNo
Noise Reduction Score
2.5/109.1/10
Mic Quality
10/10N/A

BUILD AND DESIGN

Build Quality
8.5/109/10
Comfort score
8.4/106/10
Size
N/ASmall
Weight (headset or single earbud)
249.4 Grams4 Grams
Microphone style
BoomN/A

Shopping

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EPOS PC38X

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Dig into reviews and images

Everyday Listening

Ryan Soo | November 2021
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."

Etymotic ER2SE

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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 EPOS PC38X or the Etymotic ER2SE

About EPOS

EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.

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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Why trust us

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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.

By the numbers

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Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,900
Recommendations made
18,435
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.

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