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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER4XR earbuds provide excellent noise isolation, a high overall sound quality with a balanced armature driver, but lack wireless connectivity and are recommended for a more premium price. For those who prioritize a tether-less experience and are looking for midrange pricing, the Soundcore Space Q45 headphones offer good sound quality, active noise cancelling, and a comfortable over-ear design. The Q45 is versatile with both wired and wireless capability, has a longer battery life and is equipped with an integrated microphone for calls. If you engage in activities such as air travel, the Q45's notable noise cancellation and comfort may be advantageous.
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Advantages of the Etymotic ER4XR
Very good for music
Good for TV and video
Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Space Q45
Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.0/10
7.1/10
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is good.
Gaming
6.2/10
5.4/10
The Etymotic ER4XR is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3/10
5.9/10
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is poor.
TV and Video
7.4/10
5.6/10
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is poor.
Battery
N/A
41.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery. The Soundcore Space Q45 has 41 hours of battery life.
Cost
$234
$130
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Soundcore Space Q45 costs $130.
Build Quality
9.0/10
8.5/10
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Space Q45 has very good build quality.
The Soundcore Space Q45 and Etymotic ER4XR are both poor for phone calls.
Noise Reduction
9.1/10
8.7/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER4XR to be excellent for noise reduction, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is very good.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Soundcore Space Q45 compare to other earbuds and headphones
"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."
"The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 is a great pair of active noise canceling (ANC) headphones, and the $150 USD price tag only sweetens the deal. Unlike many mid-tier wireless headphones, the Q45 microphone system rejects quite a bit of background noise, making this a great work headset too."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER4XR or the Soundcore Space Q45
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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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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