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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 and noise isolation, ideal for an audiophile who prioritizes listening experience in a quiet environment. However, if you require a headset with a built-in microphone for calls or gaming, the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is the better option. The Recon 70 also offers better comfort, which is crucial for prolonged usage. Cost-wise, the Recon 70 is much less expensive and also scores high for multimedia content like movies, TV, and especially for gaming due to its mic quality—something the ER2SE lacks entirely. Choose Etymotic for top-notch music fidelity and noise isolation or Turtle Beach for cost-effectiveness, comfort, and versatile communications. 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 Turtle Beach Recon 70
- Best in class for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Music
8.8
7.1
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is good.
Gaming
6.2
8.4
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER2SE is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.9
9.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is best in class for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER2SE is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
5.6
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is poor.
Cost
$100
$40
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 costs $40.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the Turtle Beach Recon 70 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
7.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 and Etymotic ER2SE are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
7.8
7.5
The Etymotic ER2SE and Turtle Beach Recon 70 are both good for TV and video.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Turtle Beach Recon 70 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Turtle Beach | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | May 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 4.3/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 10/10 | |
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 | 309 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."
Turtle Beach Recon 70
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Moore | September 2022
"There aren’t many considerations to make here. The Turtle Beach Recon 70 sounds decent, offers solid chat audio, feels good to wear over long periods, and it works everywhere. If you’re in the market for a simple plug-and-play option, you could do a whole lot worse (and spend a whole lot more money). Regardless, if getting something cheap that works well is the only thing you care about, this is a great option."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the Turtle Beach Recon 70
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.
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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
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
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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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