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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER4XR offers a premium listening experience with high sound quality and excellent noise isolation, making it a great choice for immersive music sessions and travel. However, it lacks the convenience features of modern wireless earbuds, having a wired connection and no built-in microphone for calls. In contrast, the Google Pixel Buds A Series, while typically much less expensive, deliver very good sound quality, are wireless with a low latency mode, making them suitable for videos and gaming. They also offer integrated mics, are sweatproof, and optimized for Android devices, appealing for active use and convenience. 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 ER4XR
- Very good for music
Advantages of the Google Pixel Buds A Series
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for exercise
- Good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
6.4
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is only fair.
Gaming
6.2
8.6
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.7
8.5
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
8.4
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
4.6
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery. The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$234
$58
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Google Pixel Buds A Series costs $58.
Build Quality
9.0
7.4
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series has good build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.4
7.8
The Google Pixel Buds A Series and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for TV and video.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Google Pixel Buds A Series compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Google Pixel Buds A Series |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $58 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 7.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 5.1 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Etymotic ER4XR
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | May 2015
"The Etymotic ER4XRs' top qualities are the detail and definition of the midrange, rewarding the closest listening. While the soundstage is large rather than gigantic, the excellent separation and spatial precision mean you can dive deep into music just as much as when wearing a pair of full-size open-backed headphones."
Google Pixel Buds A Series
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | October 2022
"For the person who doesn’t want to think about their earphones while using them, Google has created the Pixel Buds A-Series. For a reasonable price, Google packs in a bevy of features like touch controls and a good fit into this Android-friendly set of earbuds to make productivity and life easier."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER4XR or the Google Pixel Buds A Series
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 Google
Mainly known as the most popular search engine on the planet, Google is a multinational technology company that also offers a variety of audio-oriented products. Beside their smart speakers under the Nest product line, Google offers several models of true wireless earbuds under the Pixel line, some of which happen to be an affordable but very powerful option for those already in the Android ecosystem.
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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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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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