A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The decision between the Etymotic ER2SE and the Razer Kraken should be based on your preference for in-ear versus over-ear listening experiences and the intended use. The Etymotic ER2SE offers high noise isolation and accurate sound reproduction, which is excellent for critical listening and environments where external noise is a concern. In contrast, the Razer Kraken is designed for gaming, with a comfortable over-ear fit, a built-in microphone for communication, and features like virtual surround sound that enhance gaming and movie experiences, but it may not match the detailed sound quality of the Etymotics. If portability is important, the smaller in-ear Etymotics are easier to carry around than the bulkier Kraken. Choose the Etymotics for a sound-focused, portable option suitable for travel and noisy settings, or opt for the Kraken if gaming and in-game communication are your top priorities. 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 podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Razer Kraken
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Music
8.8
7.1
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Razer Kraken is good.
Gaming
6.2
8.3
The Razer Kraken is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER2SE is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.9
5.5
The Razer Kraken and Etymotic ER2SE are both poor for phone calls, though the Razer Kraken is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
4.7
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Razer Kraken is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
6.5
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Razer Kraken is only fair.
Cost
$100
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the Razer Kraken costs $50.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the Razer Kraken has very good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
TV and Video
7.8
7.4
The Etymotic ER2SE and Razer Kraken are both good for TV and video.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Razer Kraken compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Razer Kraken |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Razer | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | March 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 4.2/10 | |
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 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 9/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 322 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Shopping
Etymotic ER2SE
See more
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."
Razer Kraken
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC Gamer
Rob Dwiar | March 2019
"Generally the Kraken is a very comfortable headset and there’s nothing that really identifies it as anything else. All in, the Kraken performed exactly as I’d expect a premium, designated gaming headset to perform: performing well in game audio, though not quite with the same quality of those headsets further up the price scale."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the Razer Kraken
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 Razer
Razer is an American-Singaporean hardware manufacturer aimed specifically toward the gaming market. They manufacture a very wide array of gaming laptops, tablets, phones, peripherals and, of course, headphones and earbuds both wired and wireless. Since 2016, Razer has owned the THX suite, aimed at quality assurance of audiovisual systems such as speaker sets, video game consoles and even movie theaters.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
94,700
Recommendations made
14,205
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
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.
Featured in
