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Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The Etymotic ER2SE offers very good overall sound quality and excellent noise isolation, which makes them a strong choice if you prioritize audio fidelity and quiet listening environments. They're also built well and have a detachable cable, but lack wireless capability, are not optimized for exercise due to not being sweatproof, and have a less comfortable fit which might not be suitable for long listening sessions. On the other hand, the JLab Go Air Pop offers wireless convenience, is sweatproof making it suitable for exercise, and provides very good portability with a smaller charging case. However, the sound quality isn't as high as the Etymotic, and they lack active noise cancelling. Therefore, if you're focused on higher audio quality for music and can handle a cord, go with Etymotic; if you need something for casual listening with the flexibility of wireless and exercise use, JLab would suit you better. 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 JLab Go Air Pop
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.8
7.1
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the JLab Go Air Pop is good.
Gaming
6.2
5.5
The Etymotic ER2SE is only fair for gaming, while the JLab Go Air Pop is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
5.7
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JLab Go Air Pop is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
6.1
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the JLab Go Air Pop is only fair.
Noise Reduction
9.1
6.5
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the JLab Go Air Pop is only fair.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery. The JLab Go Air Pop has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$25
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the JLab Go Air Pop costs $25.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.9
5.0
The JLab Go Air Pop and Etymotic ER2SE are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Etymotic ER2SE and JLab Go Air Pop both have excellent build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the JLab Go Air Pop compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | JLab Go Air Pop |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $25 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | JLab | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | September 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 7.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 27 | |
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 | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 3.9 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."
JLab Go Air Pop
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Sam Smart | August 2023
"The JLab GO Air POP is a great option for anyone on a tight budget. This pair of true wireless earbuds checks all the boxes for earbud essentials, and performs pretty well in most areas. The microphone isn't great, but that's to be expected for something this inexpensive."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the JLab Go Air Pop
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.
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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
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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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