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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER2SE stands out for its excellent sound quality and noise isolation, but its comfort and suitability for exercise are not as highly rated. However, if you're frequently on calls or meetings and prefer wired earbuds, the ER2SE may not be ideal since it does not have a mic. On the other hand, the Moondrop Nekocake is a budget-friendly wireless option with decent sound quality and comfort, plus they have a mic for calls. They are also more versatile, being sweatproof, and have app customization options. So, if you prioritize convenience and versatility over maximum sound fidelity, the Nekocake could serve you well. 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 Moondrop Nekocake
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.8
5.7
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Gaming
6.2
4.6
The Etymotic ER2SE is only fair for gaming, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Phone Calls
4.9
6.1
The Moondrop Nekocake is only fair for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER2SE is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.0
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
7.0
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Moondrop Nekocake is good.
Battery
N/A
3.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery. The Moondrop Nekocake has 3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$39
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the Moondrop Nekocake costs $39.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the Moondrop Nekocake has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
7.7
The Moondrop Nekocake and Etymotic ER2SE are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Moondrop Nekocake compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Moondrop Nekocake |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $39 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Moondrop | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 4.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 5.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 12 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 7/10 | |
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 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 5.4 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."
Moondrop Nekocake
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonics
Jarvin | January 2022
"What sets the Nekocake apart from its competition at this price point is the Moondrop Link app that allows the user to change the tonal balance of the Nekocake. This makes sure that it’s versatile enough to suit different sonic preferences while allowing some customization of controls."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the Moondrop Nekocake
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 Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
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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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