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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If sound quality is a priority for you, especially for music, the Etymotic ER2SE would be the better choice due to its very good overall sound and excellent noise isolation, though it's less comfortable and lacks a microphone, which could be a dealbreaker for calls and meetings. For gaming and video, Razer Kraken V3 may be more suitable due to its built-in microphone and virtual surround feature; however, their soundstage is less impressive. The Razer's headphones are also more comfortable for long sessions, but they aren't as portable or noise isolating as the Etymotics. Neither are suitable for exercise or offer wireless capabilities. 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 V3
- Good for gaming
Key differences
Music
8.8
7.3
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Razer Kraken V3 is good.
Gaming
6.2
7.3
The Razer Kraken V3 is good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER2SE is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
4.7
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Razer Kraken V3 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
7.0
The Etymotic ER2SE and Razer Kraken V3 are both good for TV and video, though the Etymotic ER2SE is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
9.1
6.0
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Razer Kraken V3 is only fair.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the Razer Kraken V3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.9
5.0
The Razer Kraken V3 and Etymotic ER2SE are both poor for phone calls.
Cost
$100
$100
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the Razer Kraken V3 costs $100.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Razer Kraken V3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Razer Kraken V3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Razer | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 4.1/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
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 | 325 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
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."
Razer Kraken V3
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Soundguys
Sam Smart | November 2022
"This Razer Kraken V3 is a great headset for gamers who want comfort, surround sound, and software customization for a reasonable price. It's primarily a headset for PC gamers since THX Spatial audio is only supported on Windows. If you want something more multifaceted for multiple systems, this won't be an ideal headset for you. Luckily, there are plenty of competent Kraken V3 alternatives available to you."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the Razer Kraken V3
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.
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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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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.
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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.
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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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