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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Considering the Etymotic ER2SE and the Grado GT220, here's some advice to help you choose: If you prioritize supreme noise isolation and sound quality particularly for music, the Etymotic ER2SE excels, but it's not wireless and may not be the most comfortable for long periods. On the other hand, the Grado GT220 offers the convenience of wireless connectivity and a better experience for calls, meetings, and use during exercise, but they have shorter battery life and may not isolate noise as effectively. The Etymotic ER2SE is less expensive, and if budget is a concern, it delivers high-quality audio at a lower cost. If wireless features and versatility are more important for you despite the higher price, consider the Grado GT220. 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 Etymotic ER2SE
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Grado GT220
- Good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.8
6.3
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Gaming
6.2
5.1
The Etymotic ER2SE is only fair for gaming, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.9
6.9
The Grado GT220 is only fair for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER2SE is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
8.8
The Grado GT220 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER2SE is good.
TV and Video
7.8
5.5
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
5.3
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.5 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery. The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$259
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the Grado GT220 costs $259.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
8.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER2SE to have excellent build quality, while the Grado GT220 has very good build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Grado GT220 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Grado GT220 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $259 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Grado | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | September 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 36 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
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."
Grado GT220
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Alex Schiffer | October 2020
"With its superb and functional interface and its highly satisfying imaging, Grado has shown a new talent for delivering a solid true wireless system, and with future improvements, has the potential to really be one of the best."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the Grado GT220
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.
About Grado
Grado Labs is a small, family-owned, business based in Brooklyn New York that specializes in high-end, boutique, dynamic headphones and turntable cartridges. They boast a particular house sound, that is to say their products have a particular sound signature unique to Grado, that some audiophiles seem to really like and are unable to find anywhere else. Their high-end headphones are all hand made, completely in house, from a variety of exotic woods and materials going so far as to making one of their most popular products out of hemp.
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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.
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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.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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