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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 offers superior sound quality, isolation in noisy environments, and a detachable cable, which is ideal for focused listening sessions and durable builds. However, they are not suitable for exercise due to their poor fit for activities, no sweatproof certification, and a wired design. In contrast, Shokz OpenMove headphones provide an open design for situational awareness, bone conduction technology that's great for calls and outdoor activities, a lighter build, sweatproof features, and they are especially suitable for use during exercise due to better stability. These are wireless with a decent mic and practical controls, but they won't isolate noise as effectively as the ER4XR and are not the best for high-fidelity music listening. The choice depends on whether you prioritize sound isolation and audio quality over situational awareness and exercise-friendliness. 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 TV and video
Advantages of the Shokz OpenMove
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Music
8.0
4.8
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the Shokz OpenMove is poor.
Gaming
6.2
4.9
The Etymotic ER4XR is only fair for gaming, while the Shokz OpenMove is poor.
Phone Calls
4.7
7.8
The Shokz OpenMove is good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
7.9
The Shokz OpenMove and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Shokz OpenMove is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.4
5.0
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for TV and video, while the Shokz OpenMove is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Shokz OpenMove is poor.
Battery
N/A
6.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery. The Shokz OpenMove has 6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$234
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Shokz OpenMove costs $80.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the Shokz OpenMove has very good build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Shokz OpenMove compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Shokz OpenMove |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Shokz | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | September 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 7.1/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.1 | |
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 | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | 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 | 7.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 29 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."
Shokz OpenMove
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"The Shokz OpenMove are a bit more affordable than the company's other bone conduction headphones, making them a more appealing option for athletes on a budget. These headphones support premium features like multipoint connectivity and a durable build, but you lose other niceties like fast charging and a long battery life. Still, for less than $80, these are nice bone conduction headphones that will keep you safe when exercising."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER4XR or the Shokz OpenMove
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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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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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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