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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If audio fidelity and noise isolation are your top priorities, the Etymotic ER4XR earbuds, with their in-ear design and balanced sound signature, would be ideal for critical listening, despite their higher price. However, if you prefer the convenience of wireless connectivity, longer battery life, and the added feature of a built-in microphone for calls, the Sennheiser 450BT headphones would cater better to your needs, especially for everyday use and commuting, at a more affordable price point. Remember, the Sennheiser's over-ear style may also be more comfortable for longer periods, while the Etymotic's deep ear insertion provides more noise isolation which could be a factor if you're sensitive to fit. 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 Sennheiser 450BT
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.0
6.2
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the Sennheiser 450BT is only fair.
Gaming
6.2
8.8
The Sennheiser 450BT is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.7
6.9
The Sennheiser 450BT is only fair for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
7.9
The Sennheiser 450BT and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Sennheiser 450BT is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.4
8.1
The Sennheiser 450BT is very good for TV and video, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
Battery
N/A
27.5 Hours
The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery. The Sennheiser 450BT has 27.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$234
$139
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Sennheiser 450BT costs $139.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the Sennheiser 450BT has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
9.1
9.1
The Etymotic ER4XR and Sennheiser 450BT are both excellent for noise reduction.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Sennheiser 450BT compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Sennheiser 450BT |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $139 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | February 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 6.1/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 27.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2.3 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 | 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 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 240.4 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."
Sennheiser 450BT
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | March 2022
"The Sennheiser HD 450BT is a very good pair of headphones for the price, noise canceling is good and sound quality is great—quite rare at this price point. Like any product, this headset isn’t without its faults."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER4XR or the Sennheiser 450BT
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 Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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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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