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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER2SE provides excellent sound isolation and accuracy, which is great for audiophiles who want to hear music as it was intended, but they have a deep insertion design that some may find uncomfortable. On the other hand, the Sony WF1000XM4 offers active noise-cancellation, a more comfortable fit for most, and better convenience with wireless technology, making them better for everyday use and traveling. However, they come at a higher cost. If budget is a major concern and you prioritize sound accuracy over features, the Etymotic ER2SE is a strong option, but if you are looking for versatile and user-friendly earbuds with modern features like Bluetooth connectivity and noise-cancellation, and are willing to invest more, then the Sony WF1000XM4 would be the better choice. 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
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
6.2
5.6
The Etymotic ER2SE is only fair for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.9
6.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER2SE is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER2SE is good.
TV and Video
7.8
6.0
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.3
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is very good.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$220
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
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Key similarities
Music
8.8
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WF1000XM4 to be excellent for music, while the Etymotic ER2SE is very good.
Build Quality
9.0
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER2SE to have excellent build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM4 has very good build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 6.5 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."
Sony WF1000XM4
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the Sony WF1000XM4
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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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