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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER2SE excels in overall sound quality and noise isolation, making them ideal for critical listening and environments where you want to block out external noise. However, they are not wireless and have no microphone, so they are limited for calls, meetings, and not convenient for exercise. The Soundcore Space Q45 offers the versatility of both wireless and wired modes, active noise cancelling, and has a built-in microphone, which is handy for taking calls. They have a longer battery life and are more comfortable for extended periods, making them better for travel and daily use. If sound quality and isolation are top priorities over convenience and features, go for the Etymotic ER2SE, otherwise, the more expensive Soundcore Space Q45 may offer a more rounded set of features suitable for varied uses. 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 Q45
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.8
7.1
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is good.
Gaming
6.2
5.4
The Etymotic ER2SE is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
5.9
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
5.6
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is poor.
Battery
N/A
41.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery. The Soundcore Space Q45 has 41 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Space Q45 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.9
4.9
The Etymotic ER2SE and Soundcore Space Q45 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 Space Q45 is very good.
Cost
$140
$130
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $140 and the Soundcore Space Q45 costs $130.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Soundcore Space Q45 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Soundcore Space Q45 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$140 | $130 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 41 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
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 | 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 | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 294.8 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 Q45
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Riley Ballantyne | June 2023
"The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 is a great pair of active noise canceling (ANC) headphones, and the $150 USD price tag only sweetens the deal. Unlike many mid-tier wireless headphones, the Q45 microphone system rejects quite a bit of background noise, making this a great work headset too."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the Soundcore Space Q45
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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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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