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 April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and noise isolation for focused music listening, the Etymotic ER2SE excels with its excellent sound and isolation capabilities, suited for audiophiles on a budget. However, these are wired and less comfortable, which may not be ideal for long listening sessions. On the other hand, the JBL 510BT headphones offer good wireless convenience and integrated controls, making them suitable for casual, hassle-free use with decent battery life, and they are foldable for easy portability. The JBLs are suited for less critical listening, travel, or outdoor activities, though they have poorer sound quality and isolation compared to the Etymotics. 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
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL 510BT
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.8
6.2
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the JBL 510BT is only fair.
Gaming
6.2
5.4
The Etymotic ER2SE is only fair for gaming, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
5.6
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.5
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
5.3
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the JBL 510BT is poor.
Battery
N/A
38.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery. The JBL 510BT has 38 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the JBL 510BT costs $30.
Build Quality
9.0
6.5
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the JBL 510BT has only fair build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.9
5.1
The JBL 510BT and Etymotic ER2SE are both poor for phone calls.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Etymotic ER2SE and the JBL 510BT compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | JBL 510BT |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | February 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 5.8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 38 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
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 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 158.7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
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."
JBL 510BT
See more
Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Sam Smart | September 2023
"The JBL Tune 510BT is affordable and compact, making it a great companion for a commute, so long as you don't need active noise canceling. If you wear glasses or have ear piercings, the on-ear design might not be comfortable, since the ear cups will squish your ears."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the JBL 510BT
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 JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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
122,900
Recommendations made
18,435
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
