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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER2SE provides superior overall sound quality, better noise isolation, and is praised for music listening, but they may not be as comfortable and lack a microphone, which means they're not ideal for calls. The Steelseries TUSQ, on the other hand, is more affordable and includes a good quality microphone suitable for gaming and calls, also featuring a higher comfort score. They do have lower sound quality compared to the Etymotics, and their noise isolation isn't as effective. If sound fidelity and isolation are your top priorities, the ER2SE is the better choice, but if you're looking for a versatile and comfortable option with a microphone for gaming or calls, consider the TUSQ. 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 podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Steelseries TUSQ
- Very good for gaming
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.8
7.6
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Steelseries TUSQ is good.
Gaming
6.2
8.5
The Steelseries TUSQ is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER2SE is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
4.7
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
6.0
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Steelseries TUSQ is only fair.
Cost
$100
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the Steelseries TUSQ costs $30.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the Steelseries TUSQ has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.9
5.2
The Steelseries TUSQ and Etymotic ER2SE are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
7.8
7.3
The Etymotic ER2SE and Steelseries TUSQ are both good for TV and video.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Steelseries TUSQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Steelseries TUSQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Steelseries | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 6/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 11 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
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."
Steelseries TUSQ
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Can Buy or Not
Aloysius Low | March 2021
"The SteelSeries Arctis Tusq is a great headset for those on a more modest budget. You can use it for gaming or music, and I daresay it's also great for Zoom meetings when you don't want to be wearing on-ear or over-ear headphones."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the Steelseries TUSQ
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 Steelseries
Steelseries is a Danish gaming products manufacturer founded in 2001 and owned by GN Store Nord. Beside a large variety of gaming peripherals like mice, keyboards, and mousemats, Steelseries markets the Arctis line of gaming headsets which feature integrated boom microphones and RGB lighting. Steelseries has partnered with several game publishers and studios for limited editions of their products like a line of Cyberpunk 2077 themed headsets in 2020.
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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