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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER4XR excels in noise isolation, offering a more immersive experience for focused listening environments and travel. However, they're wired and may not be as convenient as wireless options during exercise. In contrast, the JBL Live Pro 2 is a more budget-friendly choice, providing a good balance for calls and meetings, and is suitable for a wide range of activities, including exercise, given its wireless design and sweatproof feature. The JBL earbuds also support active noise cancelling and have a longer battery life. If portability and convenience for varied use are your priorities, JBL Live Pro 2 would be a better fit, whereas if you prioritize sound isolation and don't mind a wired connection, the Etymotic ER4XR would be the way to go. 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 Pro 2
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.0
5.9
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Gaming
6.2
5.3
The Etymotic ER4XR is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
5.8
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
TV and Video
7.4
5.5
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Battery
N/A
8.3 Hours
The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery. The JBL Live Pro 2 has 8.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$234
$90
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the JBL Live Pro 2 costs $90.
Build Quality
9.0
7.0
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Pro 2 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.7
5.2
The JBL Live Pro 2 and Etymotic ER4XR are both poor for phone calls.
Noise Reduction
9.1
9.1
The Etymotic ER4XR and JBL Live Pro 2 are both excellent for noise reduction.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the JBL Live Pro 2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | JBL Live Pro 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $90 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | June 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 8.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
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 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 4.8 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."
JBL Live Pro 2
See more
Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | February 2023
"The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS occupy an interesting space in the wireless earbuds market. They’re a step up from cheap wireless earbuds and allow you to access better sound quality without having to make the jump to more premium options from the likes of Bose, Sony and Sennheiser. They’re an entertaining listen, easy to use and manage to pack in a lot of useful features. We think they’re well worth a listen."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER4XR or the JBL Live Pro 2
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
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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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