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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between Etymotic ER2SE and HifiMan Sundara involves considering their design and audio properties. Etymotic ER2SE earbuds provide incredible sound isolation, making them suitable for environments where blocking out external noise is important; their sound quality is potent, but due to their in-ear design, they may not be as comfortable for long periods. HifiMan Sundara, on the other hand, are premium over-ear headphones renowned for their wide soundstage, delivering an immersive listening experience particularly appreciated by audiophiles; however, their open-back design leaks sound and offers minimal noise isolation, which could be a downside in noisy settings. The Sundara is also significantly heavier than the ER2SE, which might affect comfort during extended wear. If budget is a concern, note that ER2SE is much less expensive compared to Sundaras, potentially offering better value for money considering their high sound quality. 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 Sundara.
Advantages of the HifiMan Sundara
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
6.2
7.2
The HifiMan Sundara is good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER2SE is only fair.
TV and Video
7.8
8.8
The HifiMan Sundara is very good 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 Sundara is poor.
Cost
$100
$279
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the HifiMan Sundara costs $279.
Build Quality
9.0
8.2
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the HifiMan Sundara has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.8
9.3
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HifiMan Sundara to be excellent for music, while the Etymotic ER2SE is very good.
Phone Calls
4.9
4.9
The Etymotic ER2SE and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
7.8
The HifiMan Sundara and Etymotic ER2SE are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the HifiMan Sundara compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | HifiMan Sundara |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $279 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
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 | 8.2/10 | |
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 | 394.6 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 Sundara
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | July 2023
"The HiFiMan Sundara is the set of headphones to get if you want high-end audio, but don't want to shell out a king's ransom for it. These planar magnetic headphones are comfortable, straightforward, and excellent performers."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the HifiMan Sundara
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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