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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality for music, the Etymotic ER2SE provides superior audio performance, with notable noise isolation. However, it lacks a microphone and isn't wireless. The Soundcore Space A40, on the other hand, offers a balanced set of features with good sound, a microphone, and wireless connectivity, including a long battery life and wireless charging. If you need features like sweat resistance and active noise cancelling for exercise or travel, the A40 is more suited to those activities. Just keep in mind, both are similarly effective in noise isolation, and both are designed to be compact and portable. 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 Space A40
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.8
7.7
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Soundcore Space A40 is good.
Gaming
6.2
4.9
The Etymotic ER2SE is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
4.9
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.3
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
Battery
N/A
8.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery. The Soundcore Space A40 has 8 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 Space A40 costs $80.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Space A40 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.9
4.8
The Etymotic ER2SE and Soundcore Space A40 are both poor for phone calls.
Noise Reduction
9.1
9.1
The Etymotic ER2SE and Soundcore Space A40 are both excellent for noise reduction.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Soundcore Space A40 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Soundcore Space A40 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 8 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 32 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 4 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 Space A40
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Sound Guys
Sam Smart | May 2023
"The Anker Soundcore Space A40 is an excellent deal if you want affordable noise canceling earbuds with great sound. The baseline frequency response is enjoyable, and the many EQ presets to choose from plus the ability to customize your sound profile makes it good for pretty much anyone. The noise canceling is quite good, and the many ear tips to choose from ensure a good fit for the noise canceling and isolation to do its job."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the Soundcore Space A40
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
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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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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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