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ER4XR
Company ProductName Specs




Dime
Company ProductName Specs




What we think

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The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·

Choosing between the Etymotic ER4XR and the Skullcandy Dime, you'll find that the ER4XR, while much more expensive, provides superior noise isolation and overall sound quality, which could be important for critical listening or environments where you want to block out the outside world. However, they are wired and may not be as convenient as the wireless Dime, especially during exercise or when on the go. In contrast, the Dime is more affordable, offers built-in controls, and better suits calls and meetings, with a lighter build perhaps more comfortable for long periods. It also has a higher portability score due to its wireless nature and additional features like sweatproof certification, which could make it a better option for active users. 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 Skullcandy Dime
  • Very good for air travel

Key differences

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Music

8.0
ER4XR
Dime
5.7
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the Skullcandy Dime is poor.

Gaming

6.2
ER4XR
Dime
4.8
The Etymotic ER4XR is only fair for gaming, while the Skullcandy Dime is poor.

Phone Calls

4.7
ER4XR
Dime
6.2
The Skullcandy Dime is only fair for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.

TV and Video

7.4
ER4XR
Dime
5.3
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for TV and video, while the Skullcandy Dime is poor.

Noise Reduction

9.1
ER4XR
Dime
6.5
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Skullcandy Dime is only fair.

Battery

N/A
ER4XR
Dime
3.5 Hours
The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery. The Skullcandy Dime has 3.5 hours of battery life.

Cost

$234
ER4XR
Dime
$29
Product image
Product image

$0

$50

$100

$150

$200

$250

$300

$350

The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Skullcandy Dime costs $29.

Build Quality

9.0
ER4XR
Dime
8.5
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the Skullcandy Dime has very good build quality.
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Key similarities

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Podcasts and Audiobooks

7.3
ER4XR
Dime
7.1
The Etymotic ER4XR and Skullcandy Dime are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.

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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Skullcandy Dime compare to other earbuds and headphones

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Spec Comparison

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Etymotic ER4XRSkullcandy Dime
Etymotic ER4XRSkullcandy Dime

GENERAL

Price
$234
$29
Brand
EtymoticSkullcandy
Release Date
June 1, 2016March 1, 2021
Form Factor
EarbudsEarbuds
Connectivity
WiredWireless

SOUND

Music Score
8/105.7/10
Phone Calls Score
4.8/106.2/10
Gaming Score
6.3/104.8/10
TV and Video Score
7.4/105.4/10
Exercise Score
4.1/106.6/10

PERFORMANCE

Battery life
N/A3.5 Hours
Wireless charging
N/ANo
Charging time
N/A1 Hours
Bluetooth version
N/A5
Case Battery Life
N/A12

FEATURES

Active Noise Cancelling
NoNo
Noise Reduction Score
9.1/106.5/10
Virtual Surround
N/ANo
Android App
N/ANo
iOS App
N/ANo
Mic Quality
N/A7/10

BUILD AND DESIGN

Build Quality
9/108.5/10
Comfort score
6/107/10
Size
SmallSmall
Weight (headset or single earbud)
4 Grams4.5 Grams
Microphone style
N/AIntegrated

Shopping

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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."

Skullcandy Dime

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Dig into reviews and images

PC Magazine

Tim Gideon | April 2021
"For $25, the Skullcandy Dime True Wireless Earbuds deliver a powerful, balanced, rich, and bright sound signature. There’s really not much else to talk about, but the audio is better than you would expect for the price."

Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER4XR or the Skullcandy Dime

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 Skullcandy

Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.

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Why trust us

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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.

By the numbers

108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,900
Recommendations made
18,435
Consumer hours saved

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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