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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 excels in overall sound quality and noise isolation, making them suitable for critical listening and environments where you want to block out external noise. They have a wired connection, which reduces latency making them good for TV and video, but can be limiting if you prefer the freedom of wireless earbuds. "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) offers modern features such as wireless connectivity, a low latency mode for gaming, an app with equalizer and controls customization, and better scores for comfort, calls, and exercise. These earbuds also support active noise cancelling, water and dust resistance, making them versatile for everyday use and travel. However, they may be somewhat more expensive. Choose Etymotic if utmost sound quality and isolation are priorities, or choose "Nothing" if you prefer modern features and greater versatility. 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 "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.8
7.0
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good.
Gaming
6.2
8.5
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER2SE is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.9
7.9
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER2SE is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
9.1
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER2SE is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.0
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good.
Battery
N/A
6.7 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery. The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$149
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) costs $149.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.8
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) to be very good for TV and video, while the Etymotic ER2SE is good.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Etymotic ER2SE and "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) both have excellent build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | "Nothing" Brand | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | March 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 7.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6.7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3. | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 8/10 | |
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 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 4.4 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."
"Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | March 2023
"For the price the Nothing Ear (2) is pretty good. It fits well, and the IP54 rating (and IP55 with case) is durable enough for daily life. Most of its unique features are found in the Nothing X app, such as personalized frequency responses, and personalized, adjustable ANC."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the "Nothing" Brand Ear (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.
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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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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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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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