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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER2SE earbuds offer excellent sound quality and superior noise isolation, which makes them ideal for focused listening in quiet environments or places where you prefer a high level of detail in music. They have a higher overall sound quality rating, but they aren't designed for exercise and lack a microphone, so taking calls or video conferencing won't be possible with them. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC headphones have slightly lower sound quality but include active noise canceling and a built-in microphone, which makes them more versatile for various activities like traveling, taking calls, and commuting. The Hesh ANC is foldable for portability and offers more convenience features such as wireless connectivity and long battery life, making them a better choice if you need a more multifunctional device for everyday use. 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 TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Skullcandy Hesh ANC
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.8
6.7
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Gaming
6.2
5.6
The Etymotic ER2SE is only fair for gaming, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
6.0
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
TV and Video
7.8
5.8
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Battery
N/A
23.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has 23 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$135
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC costs $135.
Build Quality
9.0
7.0
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.9
5.3
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Etymotic ER2SE are both poor for phone calls.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER2SE to be excellent for noise reduction, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is very good.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Skullcandy Hesh ANC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $135 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | December 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 23 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.6 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 226.7 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."
Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Maike Paeßens | 2021
"Skullcandy’s Hesh ANC are compact, wireless over-ears for everyday use that are tuned for bass and designed to suppress or amplify ambient noise as required. In addition to Bluetooth 5.0, optional tracking via the Tile app is supported so that these headphones can be found if they get lost."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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 Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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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
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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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