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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER4XR provides exceptional noise isolation, which is excellent for air travel and busy environments, but may not be as comfortable for all users due to their design, and they're wired, lacking the convenience of wireless connectivity. On the other hand, "Nothing" Ear (2) earbuds offer a more comfortable fit and are wireless, featuring an app that allows you to customize settings, plus they support low-latency mode for gaming and AAC codec for Apple devices. They are better for casual use, sports, and offer a longer battery life with wireless charging, making them more versatile albeit with lower noise isolation capability. 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 "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
7.0
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good.
Gaming
6.2
8.5
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.7
7.9
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
9.1
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
TV and Video
7.4
8.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good for TV and video, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.0
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good.
Battery
N/A
6.7 Hours
The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery. The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$234
$149
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) costs $149.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Etymotic ER4XR and "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) both have excellent build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | "Nothing" Brand | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | March 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 7.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6.7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3. | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 8/10 | |
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 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 4.4 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."
"Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | March 2023
"For the price the Nothing Ear (2) is pretty good. It fits well, and the IP54 rating (and IP55 with case) is durable enough for daily life. Most of its unique features are found in the Nothing X app, such as personalized frequency responses, and personalized, adjustable ANC."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER4XR or the "Nothing" Brand Ear (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.
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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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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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