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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize an immersive music experience and are okay with wired earbuds, the Etymotic ER4XR delivers high-fidelity sound with stronger noise isolation, which is great for focused listening and air travel. On the other hand, the Sony WF1000XM4 provides the convenience of wireless use, a comfortable fit, and features like active noise cancelling, making them well-suited for a variety of uses like exercise, calls, and gaming. The Sonys also support an app for customization, and have a more spacious soundstage that may enhance the listening experience for different audio content. If call quality is a significant factor, note that while the Sonys have a microphone, the Etymotics do not. Choose the Etymotics for critical listening and noise isolation or the Sonys for wireless convenience, comfort, and versatile features. 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
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Etymotic ER4XR is very good.
Gaming
6.2
5.6
The Etymotic ER4XR is only fair for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.7
6.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
TV and Video
7.4
6.0
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.3
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is very good.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$234
$220
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER4XR to have excellent build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM4 has very good build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Etymotic ER4XR
See more
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."
Sony WF1000XM4
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER4XR or the Sony WF1000XM4
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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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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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