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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER2SE, with its higher overall sound quality and exceptional noise isolation, is excellent for critical listening and environments where you want to block out external sounds. However, it lacks convenience features such as wireless connectivity and a microphone, making it less ideal for calls and meetings, nor is it sweatproof for exercise. Conversely, the Sony WH-CH520 offers the comfort of wireless headphones with a long-lasting battery, a built-in mic, and is optimized for both Android and Apple devices. They're more suited for casual use, such as gaming, TV, and everyday calls, but they don't isolate noise as effectively as the ER2SE. If budget is a concern, the Sony's lower price point makes it an attractive option for a variety of uses without breaking the bank. 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 Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.8
7.6
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Sony WH-CH520 is good.
Gaming
6.2
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER2SE is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.9
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER2SE is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
4.6
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
N/A
52.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$40
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
9.0
7.0
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-CH520 to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER2SE is good.
TV and Video
7.8
8.2
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-CH520 to be very good for TV and video, while the Etymotic ER2SE is good.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 147.41 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 WH-CH520
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the Sony WH-CH520
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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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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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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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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