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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER4XR offers excellent noise isolation, which is ideal if you want to focus on your music without interruption, but they lack wireless capabilities, and their design may not be as comfortable for everyone. They have a higher build quality but might not suit calls and meetings or use during exercise as well as the Skullcandy Hesh ANC. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC headphones feature active noise cancelling, better comfort, and a longer battery life for wireless use which suits travelers or those looking for convenience. However, their overall sound quality and noise isolation are slightly less impressive compared to the Etymotic ER4XR. If you're on a tighter budget and prioritize modern features like wireless connectivity and ANC, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC might be the choice for you. 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
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Skullcandy Hesh ANC
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.0
6.7
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Gaming
6.2
5.6
The Etymotic ER4XR is only fair for gaming, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Phone Calls
4.7
5.3
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Etymotic ER4XR are both poor for phone calls, though the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
6.0
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
TV and Video
7.4
5.8
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for TV and video, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Battery
N/A
23.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has 23 hours of battery life.
Cost
$234
$135
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC costs $135.
Build Quality
9.0
7.0
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER4XR to be excellent for noise reduction, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is very good.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Skullcandy Hesh ANC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $135 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | December 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 23 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.6 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 8.8/10 | |
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 | 7.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 226.7 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."
Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Maike Paeßens | 2021
"Skullcandy’s Hesh ANC are compact, wireless over-ears for everyday use that are tuned for bass and designed to suppress or amplify ambient noise as required. In addition to Bluetooth 5.0, optional tracking via the Tile app is supported so that these headphones can be found if they get lost."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER4XR or the Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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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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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