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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER2SE earbuds, although less expensive, provide a high overall sound quality and exemplary noise isolation; they're ideal if you prioritize detailed audio and want a wired connection without active noise cancelling. On the other hand, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones, despite their higher price, offer great comfort, longer battery life with wireless capabilities, and active noise cancelling, making them well-suited for traveling, extended listening sessions, and a variety of listening environments. Neither are optimal for exercise, but the Sennheiser has higher scores for calls, meetings, gaming, TV, and portability. Choose the Etymotic if budget and sound accuracy are key; opt for the Sennheiser if comfort, versatility, and convenience are 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
Advantages of the Sennheiser Momentum 4
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.8
7.5
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Sennheiser Momentum 4 is good.
Gaming
6.2
9.0
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is excellent for gaming, while the Etymotic ER2SE is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.9
6.8
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER2SE is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
8.2
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER2SE is good.
TV and Video
7.8
8.9
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is very good for TV and video, while the Etymotic ER2SE is good.
Battery
N/A
59.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 has 59 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$250
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 costs $250.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
9.1
9.1
The Etymotic ER2SE and Sennheiser Momentum 4 are both excellent for noise reduction.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Etymotic ER2SE and Sennheiser Momentum 4 both have excellent build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Sennheiser Momentum 4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $250 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 59 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
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 | 294.8 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."
Sennheiser Momentum 4
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | January 2023
"If you're looking for a slightly more affordable set of ANC headphones in comparison to the Bose or Sony offerings: the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless is not a bad way to go. While its ANC is technically behind the other top-tier headphones, its sound quality is ahead of the pack—as is its battery life. Not bad for $350 USD."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the Sennheiser Momentum 4
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 Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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