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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you are looking for earbuds that block out a lot of noise, prefer a more neutral sound, and need a portable solution for commuting or quieter environments, the Etymotic ER4XR would be a good choice, but they might be less comfortable during extended use. Whereas, if you're interested in headphones that provide a larger soundstage and are more suited for critical listening in a home environment where sound leakage isn't an issue, the HifiMan Sundara would serve you well. Keep in mind that the Sundaras are bulkier and not as easily transported as the Etymotic earbuds. Both of these are wired and do not have active noise cancellation nor microphones for calls. 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 Sundara.
Advantages of the HifiMan Sundara
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
8.0
9.3
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Etymotic ER4XR is very good.
Gaming
6.2
7.2
The HifiMan Sundara is good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
7.8
The HifiMan Sundara and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the HifiMan Sundara is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.4
8.8
The HifiMan Sundara is very good 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 Sundara is poor.
Cost
$234
$279
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the HifiMan Sundara costs $279.
Build Quality
9.0
8.2
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the HifiMan Sundara has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.7
4.9
The HifiMan Sundara and Etymotic ER4XR are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the HifiMan Sundara compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | HifiMan Sundara |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $279 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 8.8/10 | |
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 | 8.2/10 | |
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 | 394.6 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 Sundara
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | July 2023
"The HiFiMan Sundara is the set of headphones to get if you want high-end audio, but don't want to shell out a king's ransom for it. These planar magnetic headphones are comfortable, straightforward, and excellent performers."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER4XR or the HifiMan Sundara
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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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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