Our Verdict
Decent for mixed usage. The Etymotic ER4XR are fairly straightforward headphones that block a lot of noise passively with their unique in-ear fit that doesn't leak. They're also very portable and will easily fit into most pockets so you can have them on you at all times. This makes them an above-average choice for commuting and traveling and a decent option for the office. They're also stable enough for sports. Unfortunately, they do not have the most balanced sound for critical listening which is their intended use case and they have no control scheme which is not ideal when on the go.
- Excellent noise isolation.
- Very low leakage.
- Durable build quality.
- Mediocre bass-light sound.
- No control scheme.
- Slightly uncomfortable fit.
Below-average for neutral listening. They have a decent representation of the mid-range but push instruments and vocals a bit too forward in the mix. That and their slight lack in bass and pronounced treble range make them sound sharp and slightly bright. Also since they are small in-ears that go deep into the ear canal they do not interact with your outer-ear and therefore cannot create a soundstage that feels like your listening to good speakers set-up in a good room. They won't be the ideal headphones for more neutral listeners.
Above-average for commuting. The ER4XR have the best passive isolation that we've measured. They block noise better than some active noise-cancelling headphones and would be a good choice to use in the loud environments involved in commuting. They're also very portable and come with two travel-friendly cases. Unfortunately, they have no control scheme and their fit may not be the most comfortable to wear for the entire duration of a long flight or bus ride.
Above-average for sports use. They have a stable in-ear fit with many varying tip sizes. They're also very easy to carry on your person at all times. Unfortunately, they do not come with a cable that has an in-line remote so you will have to change songs directly on your phone or audio device. Also since they are wired headphones they may get yanked out of your ears if the cable gets hooked on something.
Above-average for office use. They prevent a lot of noise from seeping into your audio and do not leak so you won't distract your colleagues even at higher volumes. Unfortunately, they have a mediocre sound and their unique in-ear fit may not be as comfortable for everyone during long listening sessions.
Sub-par for gaming. The Etymotic ER4XR have a wired connection with no latency and will provide audio when connected to your console controllers. Unfortunately, they have no mic, no customization options, and they're not the most comfortable headphones to use for long gaming sessions. On the upside, they block a lot of noise and don't leak so you can be fully immersed in your game.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated May 25, 2018: Review published.
- Updated May 24, 2018: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Etymotic ER4XR are well-built but average sounding in-ears. They have an excellent noise isolation performance which makes them a good choice for almost every environment. They block enough noise passively for commute and travel, and since they do not leak, you can use them at the office and not distract the people around you. They have a good build quality that feels premium and comes with a detachable cable that can be replaced and they're stable enough for the gym. Unfortunately, their in-ear fit won't be as comfortable as some of the competing wired in-ears below and their sound quality is not ideal for critical listening despite being their intended use case. See our recommendations for the best earbuds for bass, the best earbuds and in-ears, and the best noise cancelling earbuds.
The Westone W40 are slightly better-wired in-ears than the Etymotic ER4XR. The Westone come with an additional cable in the box. The extra cable also has a mic and in-line controls, which makes the Westone bit more versatile than the Etymotics. The Westone are also a bit more comfortable since they do not enter the ear canal as deeply as the Etymotic with their in-ear tips. On the upside, the Etymotics have better isolation thanks to their unique in-ear tips, which makes them a lot more suitable to listen to in noisy conditions. They also have a slightly better sound than the Westone with a bit more balanced mid-range and a slightly better treble.
The Etymotic ER4XR are better critical listening headphones than the Etymotic Research HF5. The ER4XR have a better more premium build quality with dense durable earbuds and a detachable, braided audio cable that you can replace if it ever gets damaged. They also have a slightly better sound than the HF5 with more bass. However, the HF5 are a better value for your money since they cost much less for a similar sound. They also isolate as much as the ER4XR in noisy conditions which makes them a great choice for loud noisy environments and for commuting.
The 7HZ Timeless are better IEMs than the Etymotic ER4XR. The 7HZ are planar-magnetic headphones that are more comfortable. However, the Etymotic are better built and can block out more background noise.
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