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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize noise isolation and prefer earbuds for their smaller size, the Etymotic ER4XR is a more premium option that excels in blocking ambient noise and has top-notch build quality; however, they may not be as comfortable for long listening sessions and are not optimized for exercise or calls. The Sennheiser HD 400S headphones, on the other hand, are more affordable and very comfortable, with good sound quality and a microphone for calls. They are also suitable for gaming and have a slightly wider soundstage but are bulkier and offer less isolation from external noise. 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 HD 400S
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.0
7.1
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is good.
Gaming
6.2
8.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.7
8.2
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
5.3
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is poor.
Cost
$234
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Sennheiser HD 400S costs $50.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the Sennheiser HD 400S has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
7.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
7.4
7.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for TV and video.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Sennheiser HD 400S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Sennheiser HD 400S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | January 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 7.7/10 | |
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 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
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 | 213 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 HD 400S
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphone Dungeon
Jim | August 2022
"Sennheiser has done it again. The HD 400S performs well beyond its price range and is one of the better budget model headphones I’ve tried. It has very few bells and whistles and offers a simple means of listening that still delivers amazing clarity and quality. If you need a good first pair of headphones or need something that you can take out of the house, then the HD 400S is definitely for you."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER4XR or the Sennheiser HD 400S
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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