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 Etymotic ER2SE earbuds are a more budget-friendly option and are closed, providing some noise isolation, but they might not deliver as broad a soundstage as some users prefer. Consider your budget, need for portability, preference for sound isolation versus an open soundstage, and whether you're willing to invest in additional equipment like an amplifier. 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
- The Etymotic ER2SE has no clear advantages over the HifiMan Arya Stealth.
Advantages of the HifiMan Arya Stealth
- Best in class for music
- Good for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.8
10.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the Etymotic ER2SE is very good.
Gaming
6.2
7.1
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER2SE is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
8.1
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER2SE is good.
TV and Video
7.8
9.4
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent for TV and video, while the Etymotic ER2SE is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
Cost
$100
$649
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the HifiMan Arya Stealth costs $649.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.9
5.1
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and Etymotic ER2SE are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Etymotic ER2SE and HifiMan Arya Stealth both have excellent build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Etymotic ER2SE and the HifiMan Arya Stealth compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | HifiMan Arya Stealth |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $649 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | November 1, 2018 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 2.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 408.2 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Etymotic ER2SE
See more
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."
HifiMan Arya Stealth
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | October 2022
"The Arya can easily be end-game headphones for 99% of consumers, satisfying most audio desires. Priced well above USD$1000, the Arya are obviously and gloriously not for the mass market consumer; they are designed and built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts – especially those who view their expenses on this level of gear as investments."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the HifiMan Arya Stealth
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 HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
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
94,700
Recommendations made
14,205
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
