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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The EPOS PC38X is superior in sound quality and has a more spacious soundstage which makes it excellent for gaming and immersive music experiences, but the open-back design might not be optimal for environments where noise spillage is a concern. They come with a boom microphone, making them ideal for calls and meetings. In contrast, the Etymotic ER4XR offers superior noise isolation, making them better suited for noisy environments or air travel. However, their in-ear design might be less comfortable for some users over extended periods, and they aren't tailored for use during exercise, as the EPOS can also be limiting in this regard. The Etymotic also lacks a microphone, so they aren't as suitable for calls or meetings. If budget is a concern, the EPOS provides a high-end experience at a midrange price, while the Etymotic is at a premium price point. 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 ER4XR
- The Etymotic ER4XR has no clear advantages over the EPOS PC38X.
Key differences
Music
9.5
8.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the Etymotic ER4XR is very good.
Gaming
10.0
6.2
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Phone Calls
10.0
4.7
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
7.3
The EPOS PC38X and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the EPOS PC38X is somewhat better.
TV and Video
9.0
7.4
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
9.1
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the EPOS PC38X is poor.
Cost
$139
$234
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $139 and the Etymotic ER4XR costs $234.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the EPOS PC38X has very good build quality.
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How the EPOS PC38X and the Etymotic ER4XR compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| EPOS PC38X | Etymotic ER4XR |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$139 | $234 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | EPOS | Etymotic | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | June 1, 2016 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.6/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 10/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 10/10 | 6.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 4.1/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 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) | 249.4 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | N/A | |
Shopping
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 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 EPOS PC38X or the Etymotic ER4XR
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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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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