Etymotic ER4XR vs Research HF5: Which Headphones Are Better? - RTINGS.com

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Etymotic ER4XR

Etymotic Research HF5

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Jul 18, 2025 06:31 PM

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Apr 10, 2024 06:09 PM

Etymotic ER4XR Picture

Etymotic Research HF5 Picture

TypeIn-ear

EnclosureClosed-Back

Noise CancellingNo

WirelessNo

TransducerBalanced Armature

MicNo

TypeIn-ear

EnclosureClosed-Back

Noise CancellingNo

WirelessNo

TransducerBalanced Armature

MicNo

Our Verdict

Etymotic ER4XR

Etymotic Research HF5

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.

Variants

ER4XR (Black)

HF5 (Black)
HF5 (Blue)

Review

See Etymotic ER4XR Review

See Etymotic Research HF5 Review

Check Price

Black

ER4XR

Black

HF5

Black

ER4XR

Blue

HF5

Black

ER4XR

Black

ER4XR

Black

ER4XR

Main Differences for

Mixed Usage

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

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Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

Neutral Sound

0.0

0.0

Commute/Travel

0.0

0.0

Sports/Fitness

0.0

0.0

Office

0.0

0.0

Wireless Gaming

0.0

0.0

Wired Gaming

0.0

0.0

Phone Call

0.0

0.0

Design

Style

Design Picture 2

Etymotic ER4XR Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Wireless

Locked

Locked

Transducer

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Comfort

N/A

N/A

Comfort Picture

Etymotic ER4XR Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weight

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Clamping Force

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Show Text

Controls

N/A

N/A

Controls Picture

Etymotic ER4XR Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility

Locked

Locked

Ease Of Use

N/A

N/A

Feedback

N/A

N/A

Call/Music Control

Locked

Locked

Volume Control

Locked

Locked

Microphone Control

N/A

N/A

Channel Mixing

N/A

N/A

Noise Cancelling Control

N/A

N/A

Talk-Through

N/A

N/A

Additional Buttons

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Breathability

N/A

N/A

Breathability After Picture

Etymotic ER4XR Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg.Temp.Difference

Lock °C

Lock °C

Show Text

Portability

N/A

N/A

Portability Picture

Etymotic ER4XR Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

L

Lock"

Lock"

W

Lock"

Lock"

H

Lock"

Lock"

Volume

Lock in³

Lock in³

Transmitter Required

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Case

N/A

N/A

Case Picture

Etymotic ER4XR Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

L

Lock"

Lock"

W

Lock"

Lock"

H

Lock"

Lock"

Volume

Lock in³

N/A

Show Text

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build Quality Picture

Etymotic ER4XR Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Stability

N/A

N/A

Stability Picture

Etymotic ER4XR Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Headshots 1

Angled Picture

Etymotic ER4XR Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Side Picture

Etymotic ER4XR Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2

Front Picture

Etymotic ER4XR Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture

Etymotic ER4XR Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Top

Top Picture

Etymotic ER4XR Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In the box Picture

Etymotic ER4XR In the box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 In the box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Sound

Sound Profile

Frequency Response

Etymotic ER4XR Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Frequency Response Consistency

N/A

N/A

Consistency L

Etymotic ER4XR Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Consistency R

Etymotic ER4XR Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg. Std. Deviation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Raw Frequency Response

Raw FR L

Etymotic ER4XR Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R

Etymotic ER4XR Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Bass

Etymotic ER4XR Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Low-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Mid Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Mid

Etymotic ER4XR Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Treble Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Treble

Etymotic ER4XR Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Peaks/Dips

N/A

N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph

Etymotic ER4XR Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Peaks

Lock dB

Lock dB

Dips

Lock dB

Lock dB

Imaging

N/A

N/A

Group Delay

Etymotic ER4XR Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Phase Response

Etymotic ER4XR Phase Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Phase Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weighted Group Delay

Lock

Lock

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Frequency Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Phase Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Soundstage

N/A

N/A

PRTF

Etymotic ER4XR PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)

N/A

N/A

PRTF Size (Avg.)

N/A

N/A

PRTF Distance

N/A

N/A

Openness

0.0

0.0

Acoustic Space Excitation

0.0

0.0

Show Text

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

N/A

N/A

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

Etymotic ER4XR Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

WHD @ 90

Lock

Lock

WHD @ 100

Lock

Lock

Isolation

Noise Isolation

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation

Etymotic ER4XR Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Isolation Audio

Overall Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Cancelling

Locked

Locked

Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Leakage

N/A

N/A

Leakage

Etymotic ER4XR Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio

Overall Leakage @ 1ft

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Microphone

Microphone Style

Integrated

Locked

N/A

In-line

Locked

N/A

Boom

Locked

N/A

Detachable Boom

N/A

N/A

Mic

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Recording Quality

N/A

N/A

Microphone Frequency Response

Etymotic ER4XR Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech

LFE

N/A

N/A

FR Std. Dev.

N/A

N/A

HFE

N/A

N/A

Weighted THD

N/A

N/A

Gain

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Noise Handling

N/A

N/A

SpNR

Etymotic ER4XR SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Speech + Pink Noise

Speech + Subway Noise

SpNR

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Active Features

Battery

N/A

N/A

Battery Type

N/A

N/A

Continuous Battery Life

N/A

N/A

Additional Charges

N/A

N/A

Total Battery Life

N/A

N/A

Charge Time

N/A

N/A

Power Saving Feature

N/A

N/A

Audio While Charging

N/A

N/A

Passive Playback

N/A

N/A

Charging Port

N/A

N/A

Show Text

App Support

N/A

N/A

App Picture

Etymotic ER4XR App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

App Name

N/A

N/A

iOS

N/A

N/A

Android

N/A

N/A

macOS

N/A

N/A

Windows

N/A

N/A

Equalizer

N/A

N/A

ANC Control

N/A

N/A

Mic Control

N/A

N/A

Room effects

N/A

N/A

Playback Control

N/A

N/A

Button Mapping

N/A

N/A

Surround Sound

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Connectivity

Bluetooth

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth Version

N/A

N/A

Multi-Device Pairing

N/A

N/A

NFC Pairing

N/A

N/A

Line of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

Default Latency

N/A

N/A

aptX Latency

N/A

N/A

aptX(LL) Latency

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Non-Bluetooth Wireless

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Line of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Latency

N/A

N/A

Wired

N/A

N/A

Cable Picture

Etymotic ER4XR Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Analog Audio

Locked

Locked

USB Audio

Locked

Locked

Detachable

Locked

Locked

Length

Lock ft

Lock ft

Connection

Locked

Locked

Wired Latency

Lock ms

Lock ms

Show Text

PC / PS4 Compatibility

PC / PS4 Analog

Locked

Locked

PC / PS4 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PC / PS4 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Compatibility

Xbox One Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Wireless

Locked

Locked

Base/Dock

N/A

N/A

Type

N/A

N/A

USB Input

N/A

N/A

Line In

N/A

N/A

Line Out

N/A

N/A

Optical Input

N/A

N/A

RCA Input

N/A

N/A

Dock Charging

N/A

N/A

Power Supply

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Check Price

Black

ER4XR

Black

HF5

Black

ER4XR

Blue

HF5

Black

ER4XR

Black

ER4XR

Black

ER4XR

Etymotic ER4XR

Etymotic Research HF5

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 2 years ago

Etymotic ER4XR vs Etymotic Research HF5: Main Discussion

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