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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, being a premium product, offers exceptional noise isolation and a very specific sound signature which might be preferred by audio enthusiasts but it lacks features like wireless connectivity, built-in controls, and may not be as comfortable for longer use. On the other hand, the "Nothing" Ear Stick is more affordable, offers a more comfortable fit, wireless convenience, and built-in controls that make it suitable for a variety of uses. It also supports low latency mode which makes it better for watching videos or gaming. However, it might not isolate sound as effectively as the Etymotic ER4XR, which can be a consideration if you often find yourself in noisy 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 "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
6.1
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is only fair.
Gaming
6.2
8.1
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.7
8.6
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
8.4
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery. The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$234
$99
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick costs $99.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.4
7.5
The "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for TV and video.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Etymotic ER4XR and "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick both have excellent build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $99 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | "Nothing" Brand | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | November 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 22 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 2.5/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 4.4 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 Stick
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | December 2022
"If the Ear (stick) fits your ears, its light weight means you can easily wear it until the unimpressive battery life totally drains. The IP54 rating of the buds lends some confidence that it’ll survive some light abuse too. Finally, for the person who only wears earbuds at their desk, the Nothing Ear (stick) with its decent microphone could offer a reasonable Zoom meeting solution."
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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