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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize highly accurate sound reproduction and isolation, the Etymotic ER4XR would be the better choice, as they're known for their exceptional clarity and noise isolation, ideal for audiophiles and in noisy environments. However, their deep-insertion design may be uncomfortable for some users, and they lack the convenience features of wireless earbuds. Meanwhile, the Soundcore Space A40 is more budget-friendly and offers the convenience of wireless connectivity, a more comfortable fit for everyday use, and additional features like touch controls and possibly active noise cancellation. If you often make calls or listen to music while exercising or on the go, the Soundcore Space A40 may be more suitable for your lifestyle. 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 Soundcore Space A40
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
6.2
4.9
The Etymotic ER4XR is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
4.9
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
TV and Video
7.4
5.3
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
Battery
N/A
8.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery. The Soundcore Space A40 has 8 hours of battery life.
Cost
$234
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Soundcore Space A40 costs $80.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Space A40 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.0
7.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER4XR to be very good for music, while the Soundcore Space A40 is good.
Phone Calls
4.7
4.8
The Soundcore Space A40 and Etymotic ER4XR are both poor for phone calls.
Noise Reduction
9.1
9.1
The Etymotic ER4XR and Soundcore Space A40 are both excellent for noise reduction.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Soundcore Space A40 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Soundcore Space A40 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 8 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 32 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 4 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."
Soundcore Space A40
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Smart | May 2023
"The Anker Soundcore Space A40 is an excellent deal if you want affordable noise canceling earbuds with great sound. The baseline frequency response is enjoyable, and the many EQ presets to choose from plus the ability to customize your sound profile makes it good for pretty much anyone. The noise canceling is quite good, and the many ear tips to choose from ensure a good fit for the noise canceling and isolation to do its job."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER4XR or the Soundcore Space A40
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 Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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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
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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