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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you value excellent noise isolation and sound quality for music and have a slightly higher budget, the Etymotic ER2SE might be the right choice, but their lack of wireless capability and low microphone quality could be a drawback for calls and convenience. On the other hand, the JBL Tune Flex offers more features such as wireless connectivity with low latency mode — better for gaming and videos — and sweatproof certification, which makes them suited for exercise, all at a lower price point. However, the JBLs provide less effective noise 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
Advantages of the JBL Tune Flex
- Very good for gaming
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.8
7.3
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the JBL Tune Flex is good.
Gaming
6.2
8.5
The JBL Tune Flex is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER2SE is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.9
6.3
The JBL Tune Flex is only fair for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER2SE is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
9.0
The JBL Tune Flex is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER2SE is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
6.5
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the JBL Tune Flex is only fair.
Battery
N/A
6.5 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery. The JBL Tune Flex has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$60
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the JBL Tune Flex costs $60.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the JBL Tune Flex has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.8
7.8
The Etymotic ER2SE and JBL Tune Flex are both good for TV and video.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the JBL Tune Flex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | JBL Tune Flex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | September 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 6.5/10 | |
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 | 5.1/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 9 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 Tune Flex
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MajorHiFi
Gabby Bloch | May 2023
"JBL is offering a similar design and arguably better resolution than the more expensive AirPods 3rd Generation. Add to that a comfortable and versatile fit, an equalizer and pretty decent ANC, and you’ve got a quality wireless earphone. I would have loved longer battery life and more crystal calls, but for the price, you can’t complain. A solid deal overall."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the JBL Tune Flex
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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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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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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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