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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and noise isolation in a more compact, earbud form, the Etymotic ER4XR would be a better fit, especially for critical music listening and travel scenarios where blocking out ambient noise is desired. However, if you're seeking headphones that are better suited for casual use, provide the convenience of wireless connectivity and have a longer battery life, the JBL Tune 660NC is a suitable option and also comes with active noise cancelling at a lower price point. The Etymotic is wired with excellent build quality, while the JBL offers more comfort and ease of use with built-in controls and the possibility to use them without a cable. 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 Tune 660NC
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.0
6.1
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the JBL Tune 660NC is only fair.
Gaming
6.2
5.4
The Etymotic ER4XR is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Tune 660NC is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
5.7
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Tune 660NC is poor.
TV and Video
7.4
5.6
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for TV and video, while the JBL Tune 660NC is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
6.0
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the JBL Tune 660NC is only fair.
Battery
N/A
42.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery. The JBL Tune 660NC has 42 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 Tune 660NC costs $100.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the JBL Tune 660NC has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.7
5.1
The JBL Tune 660NC and Etymotic ER4XR are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the JBL Tune 660NC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | JBL Tune 660NC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | February 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 42 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 172 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 Tune 660NC
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Chase Bernath | April 2023
"The JBL Tune 660NC is the best value you can get from a set of on-ear headphones. There's no companion app so you don't get many additional features, but everything the JBL Tune 660NC sets out to do, it does well. At this price, the JBL Tune 660NC is an easy recommendation for on-ear headphone lovers"
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER4XR or the JBL Tune 660NC
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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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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