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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER2SE earbuds are wired and offer superior overall sound quality and noise isolation, but are less comfortable and do not feature a microphone or active noise cancelling; they are suited for focused music listening and quieter environments. On the other hand, the Soundcore Life Q30 headphones are comfortable, feature a built-in microphone, offer active noise cancelling, and have a long battery life for wireless use; they are versatile for different listening scenarios including calls, commuting, and travel due to these features. 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 Soundcore Life Q30
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.8
7.1
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is good.
Gaming
6.2
5.3
The Etymotic ER2SE is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
4.8
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.4
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Battery
N/A
44.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$80
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life Q30 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.9
5.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 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 Soundcore Life Q30 is very good.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.7 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 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
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 | 263 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."
Soundcore Life Q30
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Headphones Addict
Peter Susic | December 2021
"Every once in a while, headphones with an excellent price/performance ratio arrive that truly deserves all attention. Anker Soundcore Life Q30 are one of those headphones. Of course, they aren’t perfect, but they do most things better than their competition. Or they give you the option to make them better."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the Soundcore Life Q30
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 Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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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
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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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
Luis Torres
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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