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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The Etymotic ER4XR earbuds deliver superb sound isolation and are wired, which can be a plus for audiophiles preferring high fidelity, but they lack built-in controls and are not the best for calls or exercise due to poor mic quality and no sweatproof certification. Conversely, if you prioritize wireless convenience, active noise cancelling, and exercise suitability, the JBL Live Beam 3, despite being pricier, offers these features along with a smart charging case with a display and touch controls, better suited for traveling and use on-the-go. The JBL's also support LDAC for higher-quality Bluetooth streaming, which the Etymotic lacks. 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
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Live Beam 3
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
6.2
5.4
The Etymotic ER4XR is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.7
5.2
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Etymotic ER4XR are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Live Beam 3 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
5.9
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
TV and Video
7.4
5.6
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.3
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is very good.
Battery
N/A
12.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery. The JBL Live Beam 3 has 12 hours of battery life.
Cost
$234
$216
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the JBL Live Beam 3 costs $216.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Beam 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.0
7.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER4XR to be very good for music, while the JBL Live Beam 3 is good.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the JBL Live Beam 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | JBL Live Beam 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 12 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 36 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 8.8 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."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER4XR or the JBL Live Beam 3
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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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.
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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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