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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER4XR excels in sound quality and noise isolation, perfect for critical listening and noisy environments, but may be less comfortable for long sessions and is higher priced. The Sennheiser CX300S, while more affordable and comfortable, offers good sound but less precise noise isolation, suited for casual music listening and everyday use without breaking the bank. Neither have a microphone nor wireless capabilities, so if you need these features for calls or freedom from cables, you may want to consider other options. Choose the Etymotic for top-notch audio in a premium package or the Sennheiser for comfort and value. 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
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sennheiser CX300S
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.0
6.9
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the Sennheiser CX300S is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.7
3.0
The Etymotic ER4XR and Sennheiser CX300S are both poor for phone calls, though the Etymotic ER4XR is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
4.7
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sennheiser CX300S is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
7.0
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sennheiser CX300S is good.
Cost
$234
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Sennheiser CX300S costs $50.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the Sennheiser CX300S has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
6.2
6.1
The Etymotic ER4XR and Sennheiser CX300S are both only fair for gaming.
TV and Video
7.4
7.3
The Etymotic ER4XR and Sennheiser CX300S are both good for TV and video.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Sennheiser CX300S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Sennheiser CX300S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | February 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 3.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 6.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 12 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 CX300S
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Carroll Moore | April 2019
"Sennheiser offers impressive bang for your buck when it comes to the CX 300S. Built like a tank and sounding surprisingly good for such a budget-minded earphone, the CX 300S out-classes many of its would-be competitors. Functional but beautiful, it’s the perfect in-ear listening solution for anyone who wants to hear everything and look good doing it."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER4XR or the Sennheiser CX300S
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
Luis Torres
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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