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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize precise sound quality for music with excellent noise isolation and you don't mind wires, the Etymotic ER4XR might be the better choice for you, as they are known for good sound reproduction, but they lack features like wireless connectivity and are less comfortable for long periods. On the other hand, if you're looking for versatile wireless earbuds with good sound that are also suitable for exercise, calls, and watching videos due to their low latency mode, then the JBL Tune Flex might be the better option. They also offer a longer battery life, an app with equalizer settings, and are optimized for Android devices, all at a lower cost. However, they don't isolate noise as well as the Etymotics, which could be a concern in noisier 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
Advantages of the JBL Tune Flex
- Very good for gaming
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
7.3
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the JBL Tune Flex is good.
Gaming
6.2
8.5
The JBL Tune Flex is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.7
6.3
The JBL Tune Flex is only fair for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
9.0
The JBL Tune Flex is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
6.5
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the JBL Tune Flex is only fair.
Battery
N/A
6.5 Hours
The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery. The JBL Tune Flex has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$234
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the JBL Tune Flex costs $60.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the JBL Tune Flex has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.4
7.8
The JBL Tune Flex and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for TV and video.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the JBL Tune Flex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | JBL Tune Flex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | September 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 6.5/10 | |
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 | 5.1/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 9 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 Flex
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Dig into reviews and images
MajorHiFi
Gabby Bloch | May 2023
"JBL is offering a similar design and arguably better resolution than the more expensive AirPods 3rd Generation. Add to that a comfortable and versatile fit, an equalizer and pretty decent ANC, and you’ve got a quality wireless earphone. I would have loved longer battery life and more crystal calls, but for the price, you can’t complain. A solid deal overall."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER4XR or the JBL Tune Flex
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
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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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