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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If excellent noise isolation is a priority for you, the Etymotic ER2SE excels with a score significantly higher than the Philips Fidelio X2HR, making them suitable for noisy environments and air travel. They are also more portable due to their smaller size. For a more immersive listening experience with expansive sound and better comfort for long sessions, the open-back Philips Fidelio X2HR headphones are superior. On the other hand, they have a lower noise isolation score, making them less ideal in loud settings. Both options are wired and do not have built-in microphones or controls, so consider a separate mic for calls or gaming. 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
- The Etymotic ER2SE has no clear advantages over the Philips Fidelio X2HR.
Advantages of the Philips Fidelio X2HR
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
6.2
7.0
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER2SE is only fair.
TV and Video
7.8
8.8
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is very good for TV and video, while the Etymotic ER2SE is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Philips Fidelio X2HR is poor.
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Key similarities
Music
8.8
9.3
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Philips Fidelio X2HR to be excellent for music, while the Etymotic ER2SE is very good.
Phone Calls
4.9
5.0
The Philips Fidelio X2HR and Etymotic ER2SE are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
7.9
The Philips Fidelio X2HR and Etymotic ER2SE are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Cost
$140
$148
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $140 and the Philips Fidelio X2HR costs $148.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Etymotic ER2SE and Philips Fidelio X2HR both have excellent build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Philips Fidelio X2HR compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Philips Fidelio X2HR |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$140 | $148 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | September 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 7.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 2.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 390 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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."
Philips Fidelio X2HR
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Liquid Audio
Stefan | May 2022
"This piece is a fantastic option for music lovers searching for premium sound and a snug fit. You should get these headphones if you care about sound quality and want to hear music in a new light. This technology is a great option for high-quality headphones with superb sound reproduction."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the Philips Fidelio X2HR
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 Philips
Philips is a Dutch conglomerate and electronics manufacturer with over 130 years of history. Philips makes the Fidelio audio line which includes several models of full-sized wired and wireless headphones, true wireless earbuds. soundbars and wireless speakers.
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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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