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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER2SE earbuds offer great sound isolation and accuracy, perfect for on-the-go listening and for those who want to block out external noise; they are more affordable but may be less comfortable for long sessions. The HifiMan Edition XS headphones provide a wide soundstage and detailed sound, ideal for home listening and critical audio work, but they are pricier and less portable. If you prioritize immersive home listening and have a higher budget, the HifiMan may be your choice; if you need portability, noise isolation at a lower price, consider the Etymotic. 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 Edition XS.
Advantages of the HifiMan Edition XS
- Good for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
6.2
7.4
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER2SE is only fair.
TV and Video
7.8
9.5
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class 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 Edition XS is poor.
Cost
$100
$269
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the HifiMan Edition XS costs $269.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the HifiMan Edition XS has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.8
8.8
The Etymotic ER2SE and HifiMan Edition XS are both very good for music.
Phone Calls
4.9
5.0
The HifiMan Edition XS and Etymotic ER2SE are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
7.9
The HifiMan Edition XS and Etymotic ER2SE are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the HifiMan Edition XS compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | HifiMan Edition XS |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $269 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | December 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 7.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 4.4/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 421 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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."
HifiMan Edition XS
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Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | January 2023
"The Edition XS easily compete with headphones in their price range with a very high price-to-performance ratio. The XS are an amazing value and offer performance not far off from headphones more than twice their cost. These will be a mind-blowing revelation for enthusiasts and music lovers who have only heard standard big-brand mainstream headphones."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the HifiMan Edition XS
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.
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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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