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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize audio quality and noise isolation for an immersive music experience, the Etymotic ER4XR stands out, despite being pricier. However, the SteelSeries TUSQ offers better comfort, a more versatile microphone for gaming and calls, and is more budget-friendly. The ER4XR has a closed, stemless form factor with a remarkable noise isolation quality but lacks a microphone and built-in controls. The TUSQ is also stemless and closed but has superior mic quality, built-in controls, and is optimized for gaming. Choose the ER4XR for critical listening and noise isolation or the TUSQ for comfort, versatility, and a more forgiving price point. 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 podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Steelseries TUSQ
- Very good for gaming
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
6.2
8.5
The Steelseries TUSQ is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
4.7
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
6.0
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Steelseries TUSQ is only fair.
Cost
$234
$55
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Steelseries TUSQ costs $55.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the Steelseries TUSQ has very 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 Steelseries TUSQ is good.
Phone Calls
4.7
5.2
The Steelseries TUSQ and Etymotic ER4XR are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
7.4
7.3
The Etymotic ER4XR and Steelseries TUSQ are both good for TV and video.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Steelseries TUSQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Steelseries TUSQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $55 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Steelseries | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 6/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 11 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
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."
Steelseries TUSQ
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Dig into reviews and images
Can Buy or Not
Aloysius Low | March 2021
"The SteelSeries Arctis Tusq is a great headset for those on a more modest budget. You can use it for gaming or music, and I daresay it's also great for Zoom meetings when you don't want to be wearing on-ear or over-ear headphones."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER4XR or the Steelseries TUSQ
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 Steelseries
Steelseries is a Danish gaming products manufacturer founded in 2001 and owned by GN Store Nord. Beside a large variety of gaming peripherals like mice, keyboards, and mousemats, Steelseries markets the Arctis line of gaming headsets which feature integrated boom microphones and RGB lighting. Steelseries has partnered with several game publishers and studios for limited editions of their products like a line of Cyberpunk 2077 themed headsets in 2020.
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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.
By the numbers
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Earbuds and headphones evaluated
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Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
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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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
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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