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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER2SE produces a higher sound quality, which is great for critical listening, and their sound isolation is exceptional, making them suitable for travel and noisy environments. However, their comfort is rated lower, so long listening sessions might be less comfortable. They're wired, which can be limiting if you need mobility, and they don't have features like a microphone for calls. On the other hand, the JBL Live Pro 2 is wireless with a convenient charging case, providing better portability and ease of use for exercise. They also feature a microphone and have good sound isolation, although slightly less effective than the Etymotic. The JBL's sound quality is lower, which may be noticeable in immersive or detailed listening experiences. If active noise cancelling, sweat resistance, and battery life are priorities for everyday, casual listening and you can compromise on sound quality, the JBL Live Pro 2 would be suitable. If optimal sound quality and isolation are critical for your listening experience and you can forgo wireless convenience, the Etymotic ER2SE could be the better option. 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 Live Pro 2
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.8
5.9
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Gaming
6.2
5.3
The Etymotic ER2SE is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
5.8
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.5
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Battery
N/A
8.3 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery. The JBL Live Pro 2 has 8.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$90
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the JBL Live Pro 2 costs $90.
Build Quality
9.0
7.0
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Pro 2 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.9
5.2
The JBL Live Pro 2 and Etymotic ER2SE are both poor for phone calls.
Noise Reduction
9.1
9.1
The Etymotic ER2SE and JBL Live Pro 2 are both excellent for noise reduction.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the JBL Live Pro 2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | JBL Live Pro 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $90 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | June 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 8.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 4.8 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."
JBL Live Pro 2
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | February 2023
"The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS occupy an interesting space in the wireless earbuds market. They’re a step up from cheap wireless earbuds and allow you to access better sound quality without having to make the jump to more premium options from the likes of Bose, Sony and Sennheiser. They’re an entertaining listen, easy to use and manage to pack in a lot of useful features. We think they’re well worth a listen."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the JBL Live Pro 2
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.
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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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