Etymotic ER4XR
Etymotic ER4XR
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MUSIC: Very Good—8.0/10
CALLS: Poor—4.7/10
GAMING: Fair—6.2/10
TV: Good—7.4/10
PODCASTS & AUDIOBOOKS: Good—7.3/10
EXERCISE: Poor—4.0/10
AIR TRAVEL: Fair—6.7/10
NOISE REDUCTION: Excellent—9.1/10
BUILD QUALITY: Excellent—9.0/10
The Etymotic ER4XR earbuds are a premium-priced, wired model known for their exceptional noise isolation quality. They offer good sound quality, soundstage, and imaging, making them suitable for enjoying music. They're very well built but lack in comfort and microphone quality. Users looking for earbuds with detachable cables and balanced armature drivers will appreciate these. Nonetheless, their isolation and sound quality come with the drawbacks of being less suited for exercise, not optimized for wireless use, nor calls and meetings. They are also not recommended for gaming and TV due to their fair scores in these areas. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Evaluation
Pros
- Excellent noise isolation
- Very good overall sound quality
- Detachable cable enhances durability
- Good for music listening
Cons
- Poor comfort for some users
- Poor microphone quality
- Lacks built-in controls
- Not suitable for exercise
Ratings by Category
Music:4.4
The Etymotic ER4XR earbuds are acclaimed for their excellent overall sound quality and soundstage or imaging capabilities, which means they offer a high-fidelity audio experience with a precise placement of instruments and vocals, creating a more realistic listening environment. This performance in conjunction with their wired design and closed enclosure ensures an immersive music-listening experience without the need for virtual surround features or lossless codecs associated with wireless options.
TV & Video:4.2
This score evaluates the earbuds or headphones when used to watch videos, movies and TV. In the case of wireless products, it takes into account latency - the perceived delay between the action on screen and the sounds playing in your ears. The score also considers soundstage quality, whether they have a virtual surround feature, and overall comfort.
It’s important to note that the device paired with the earbuds heavily influences their performance in regards to latency or delay.
Podcasts & Audiobooks:4.1
This score evaluates the product when used solely to listen to podcasts or audiobooks. It takes into account sound quality and sound signature, to be able to keep voices clear and intelligible. It also considers battery life, when available, and comfort.
Air Travel:3.8
This score evaluates the product for use on airplanes and other similar kinds of travel. It takes into account noise reduction and portability, including case shape, case size, and weight. It also incorporates the battery life of the product, long-haul comfort, noise reduction (both active and passive), and sound quality. We generally consider wireless products to be more suitable for air travel.
Gaming:3.3
The Etymotic ER4XR earbuds are wired which eliminates latency issues, making them suitable for gaming, but they lack a wide soundstage and imaging which is crucial for identifying the direction of in-game sounds. Additionally, they do not include a microphone, which is essential for communicating with teammates during gameplay.
Full Specs
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Price | $289 | ||
Brand | Etymotic | ||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | ||
Form Factor | Earbuds | ||
Connectivity | Wired | ||
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score  | 8/10 | ||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | ||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | ||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | ||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | ||
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | No | ||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | ||
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | 9/10 | ||
Comfort score | 6/10 | ||
Size | Small | ||
Weight of single earbud | 4 Grams | ||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | ||
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."
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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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