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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize precise sound isolation and portability, the Etymotic ER4XR earbuds might be the better choice, as their in-ear design offers a seal that can block out external noise effectively, making them ideal for noisy environments or travel. However, the Sennheiser 560S headphones, with their over-ear design, generally provide a more open and natural soundstage, which can be more comfortable for long listening sessions at home or in quiet places; their larger drivers typically offer better bass response and an overall fuller sound. If you engage in activities that require awareness of your surroundings, such as outdoor running, the Sennheisers' open design allows some ambient sound to filter through, whereas the Etymotics create a more isolated listening experience. Keep in mind that over-ear headphones like the Sennheiser 560S can also be less portable than in-ear options. Depending on your primary uses—mobility and isolation versus home use and soundstage—you can make a more informed decision. 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
- The Etymotic ER4XR has no clear advantages over the Sennheiser 560S.
Advantages of the Sennheiser 560S
- Best in class for music
- Excellent for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
9.5
The Sennheiser 560S is best in class for music, while the Etymotic ER4XR is very good.
Gaming
6.2
6.9
The Sennheiser 560S and Etymotic ER4XR are both only fair for gaming, though the Sennheiser 560S is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
8.1
The Sennheiser 560S is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
TV and Video
7.4
9.1
The Sennheiser 560S is excellent for TV and video, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sennheiser 560S is poor.
Cost
$234
$180
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Sennheiser 560S costs $180.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the Sennheiser 560S has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.7
5.1
The Sennheiser 560S and Etymotic ER4XR are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Sennheiser 560S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Sennheiser 560S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $180 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | September 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 6.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 9.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 2.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 244.9 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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 560S
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | March 2022
"Sennheiser made a near perfect pair of studio monitors with the HD 560S. Flat bass response? Check. Neutral and uncolored midrange? Check. Extended treble with a bit of lower-treble emphasis to highlight mastering flaws? Check. Fairly easy to drive? Check. Good soundstage and imaging? Check, and check."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER4XR or the Sennheiser 560S
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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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.
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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.
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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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