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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER4XR earbuds are a great choice if you're looking for a high-quality listening experience at a more affordable price, offering excellent sound isolation and a secure fit which make them good for travel and environments with lots of background noise. However, if you prioritize sound quality above all and don't mind a higher cost, the HifiMan Arya Stealth headphones provide superior overall sound quality and a more expansive soundstage suitable for critical listening, but they are bulkier, lack portability, and are less suited for use in noisy settings or during exercise due to their open design. Neither option includes features like active noise cancelling or wireless connectivity. 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
- The Etymotic ER4XR has no clear advantages over the HifiMan Arya Stealth.
Advantages of the HifiMan Arya Stealth
- Best in class for music
- Good for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
10.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the Etymotic ER4XR is very good.
Gaming
6.2
7.1
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
8.1
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
TV and Video
7.4
9.4
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent for TV and video, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
Cost
$234
$599
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the HifiMan Arya Stealth costs $599.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.7
5.1
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and Etymotic ER4XR are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Etymotic ER4XR and HifiMan Arya Stealth both have excellent build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the HifiMan Arya Stealth compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | HifiMan Arya Stealth |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $599 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | November 1, 2018 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 2.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 408.2 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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."
HifiMan Arya Stealth
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | October 2022
"The Arya can easily be end-game headphones for 99% of consumers, satisfying most audio desires. Priced well above USD$1000, the Arya are obviously and gloriously not for the mass market consumer; they are designed and built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts – especially those who view their expenses on this level of gear as investments."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER4XR or the HifiMan Arya Stealth
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 HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
Luis Torres
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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