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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If sound quality for music is your top priority and you don't mind a higher price, the Etymotic ER4XR offers excellent noise isolation and very good music performance, but lacks features like wireless connectivity and has poor comfort and mic quality which may not be ideal for calls and long listening sessions. Conversely, the JBL Live 670NC offers good mic quality, active noise cancelling, comfortable on-ear design, and app support with equalizer customization at a lower cost, but their sound quality is less suited for critical listening. Choose the JBL if you need a versatile, feature-rich set for everyday use and travel, or the Etymotic for focused music listening in quiet environments. 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
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the JBL Live 670NC
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
6.5
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the JBL Live 670NC is only fair.
Gaming
6.2
5.4
The Etymotic ER4XR is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live 670NC is poor.
Phone Calls
4.7
7.4
The JBL Live 670NC is good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
8.6
The JBL Live 670NC is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
TV and Video
7.4
5.5
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live 670NC is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
6.7
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the JBL Live 670NC is only fair.
Battery
N/A
65.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery. The JBL Live 670NC has 65 hours of battery life.
Cost
$234
$100
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the JBL Live 670NC costs $100.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live 670NC has very good build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the JBL Live 670NC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | JBL Live 670NC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | March 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 65 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 217 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Etymotic ER4XR
See more
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."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER4XR or the JBL Live 670NC
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 JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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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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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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