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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Etymotic ER2SE and the Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones depends on your priorities. The Etymotic earbuds offer significantly better overall sound quality, which is ideal if music listening is your main focus. They also provide excellent noise isolation, making them a good option for noisy environments or air travel but require a wired connection. The Youthwhisper headphones, being bone conduction and open-enclosure, are suitable for staying aware of your surroundings, like when exercising outdoors. They are less expensive, wireless, and include sweat and dust resistance, hence more convenient for active use despite offering lower sound quality and noise isolation. 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
Advantages of the Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones
- Good for exercise
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.8
4.8
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones is poor.
Gaming
6.2
4.9
The Etymotic ER2SE is only fair for gaming, while the Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones is poor.
Phone Calls
4.9
6.5
The Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones is only fair for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER2SE is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
8.2
The Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER2SE is good.
TV and Video
7.8
5.1
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones is poor.
Battery
N/A
8.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery. The Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones has 8 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$36
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones costs $36.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones has very good build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $36 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Youthwhisper | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | June 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 7.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 8 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | Unknown | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 29 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."
Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones
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Stozz Audio
Stozz Audio | October 2023
"If you're looking for a pair of headphones that can be worn while running or cycling, these Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones are a great alternative to more expensive models. They're lightweight and compact, so they won't get in the way when wearing them while exercising. Plus, they have a built-in microphone so you can take calls during your workout without having to stop and fumble with your phone. The sound quality is great for this style of headphones, and it has many other cool features."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones
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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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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