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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER2SE, while being more expensive, offers superior overall sound quality and excellent noise isolation, suitable for focused listening and noisy environments. If high-fidelity audio is your priority and you don't mind wires, go for the Etymotic. If you prefer the freedom of wireless earbuds, ease during activities, and need to take calls often, choose the JBL. 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 JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless
- Good for phone calls
- Good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.8
6.6
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is only fair.
Gaming
6.2
7.3
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER2SE is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.9
7.8
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER2SE is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
6.9
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is only fair.
Noise Reduction
9.1
6.5
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless is only fair.
Battery
N/A
8.3 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery. The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless has 8.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless costs $50.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
7.3
The Etymotic ER2SE and JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | February 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 | 7.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 8.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 16 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
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 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 8.8 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 Vibe Beam True Wireless
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphone Dungeon
LaFonda | April 2023
"The Vibe Beam earbuds may not be a sleek as other earbuds in the price range, such as the equally priced Vibe Buds, but they sound great, have a long battery life, and come with an equalizer. And if you just need a solid pair if earbuds to get you through your commute, these will do the trick. I have no complaints here."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless
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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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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