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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If your priority is sound isolation and you prefer earbuds, the Etymotic ER4XR would be good for you despite the higher price point; they have excellent noise isolation, making them suitable for environments where you want to block out external noise. However, the Sony WH-CH520 headphones are much more comfortable and have better features for modern conveniences, including wireless connectivity, a built-in microphone, and virtual surround sound, which could elevate your experience during calls, meetings, or while watching TV and gaming. They also offer significantly more battery life. Go for the Etymotics if isolation is paramount and you're okay with wires; otherwise, the Sonys provide greater comfort and versatility for everyday use. 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 Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
6.2
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.7
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
8.0
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
TV and Video
7.4
8.2
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
4.6
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
N/A
52.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$234
$40
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
9.0
7.0
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.0
7.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER4XR to be very good for music, while the Sony WH-CH520 is good.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 147.41 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."
Sony WH-CH520
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER4XR or the Sony WH-CH520
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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Why trust us
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
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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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