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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
earbuds, but they cater to different needs. If sound quality, particularly for music, is your top priority and you don't mind a wired connection, the Etymotic ER2SE offers excellent noise isolation and detailed sound. However, these are not the best for exercise or frequent travel due to poor portability and comfort. On the other hand, the Jabra Elite 4 is versatile with wireless connectivity, good for calls and meetings, and features sweatproof and dustproof certifications, making them suitable for exercise. They also have active noise cancelling and a more comfortable and portable design, but their overall music sound quality, while very good, may not match the Etymotic's standard. 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 Jabra Elite 4
- Very good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.8
6.6
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Jabra Elite 4 is only fair.
Gaming
6.2
5.4
The Etymotic ER2SE is only fair for gaming, while the Jabra Elite 4 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.9
8.8
The Jabra Elite 4 is very good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER2SE is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
8.6
The Jabra Elite 4 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER2SE is good.
TV and Video
7.8
6.0
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the Jabra Elite 4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
9.1
7.0
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Jabra Elite 4 is good.
Battery
N/A
5.5 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery. The Jabra Elite 4 has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$140
$100
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $140 and the Jabra Elite 4 costs $100.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Etymotic ER2SE and Jabra Elite 4 both have excellent build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Jabra Elite 4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Jabra Elite 4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$140 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Jabra | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 21 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 4.6 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."
Jabra Elite 4
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"The Jabra Elite 4 is a good midrange option with solid isolation and aptX codec for Android. It sounds consumer friendly from the box and the app has some EQ to adjust to taste. Some included luxuries include multipoint, sidetone, and Spotify Tap"
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the Jabra Elite 4
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 Jabra
Jabra is a subsidiary of GN Store Nord, a 150-year-old Danish company that specializes in the manufacturing of hearing aids, headsets and earphones. Jabra has a focus on fit and comfort and quality control over everything else. According to Peter Karstromer, Jabras CEO, they “design and engineer technology that frees people to work, live and communicate how and where they want to, equipping them with the tools to live their life to a new rhythm”.
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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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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.
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