Etymotic ER4XR vs Westone W40: Which Headphones Are Better? - RTINGS.com

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Products

Westone W40

Etymotic ER4XR

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Apr 10, 2024 08:13 PM

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Jul 18, 2025 06:31 PM

Westone W40 Picture

Etymotic ER4XR Picture

TypeIn-ear

EnclosureClosed-Back

Noise CancellingNo

WirelessNo

TransducerBalanced Armature

MicYes

TypeIn-ear

EnclosureClosed-Back

Noise CancellingNo

WirelessNo

TransducerBalanced Armature

MicNo

Our Verdict

Westone W40

Etymotic ER4XR

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.

Variants

W40

ER4XR (Black)

Review

See Westone W40 Review

See Etymotic ER4XR Review

Check Price

Standard

W40

Black

ER4XR

Standard

W40

Black

ER4XR

Standard

W40

Black

ER4XR

Standard

W40

Black

ER4XR

Standard

W40

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

Westone W40 Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR 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

Westone W40 Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR 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

Westone W40 Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility

Locked

Locked

Ease Of Use

Locked

N/A

Feedback

Locked

N/A

Call/Music Control

Locked

Locked

Volume Control

Locked

Locked

Microphone Control

Locked

N/A

Channel Mixing

N/A

N/A

Noise Cancelling Control

N/A

N/A

Talk-Through

N/A

N/A

Additional Buttons

Locked

N/A

Show Text

Breathability

N/A

N/A

Breathability After Picture

Westone W40 Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR 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

Westone W40 Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR 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

Westone W40 Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

L

Lock"

Lock"

W

Lock"

Lock"

H

Lock"

Lock"

Volume

Lock in³

Lock in³

Show Text

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build Quality Picture

Westone W40 Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Stability

N/A

N/A

Stability Picture

Westone W40 Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Headshots 1

Angled Picture

Westone W40 Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Side Picture

Westone W40 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2

Front Picture

Westone W40 Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture

Westone W40 Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Top

Top Picture

Westone W40 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In the box Picture

Westone W40 In the box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR In the box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Sound

Sound Profile

Frequency Response

Westone W40 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR 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

Westone W40 Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Consistency R

Westone W40 Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg. Std. Deviation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Raw Frequency Response

Raw FR L

Westone W40 Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R

Westone W40 Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Bass

Westone W40 Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR 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

Westone W40 Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR 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

Westone W40 Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR 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

Westone W40 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR 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

Westone W40 Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Phase Response

Westone W40 Phase Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR 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

Westone W40 PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR 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

Westone W40 Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR 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

Westone W40 Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR 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

Westone W40 Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio

Overall Leakage @ 1ft

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Microphone

Microphone Style

Integrated

Locked

Locked

In-line

Locked

Locked

Boom

Locked

Locked

Detachable Boom

N/A

N/A

Mic

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Recording Quality

N/A

N/A

Microphone Frequency Response

Westone W40 Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech

LFE

Lock Hz

N/A

FR Std. Dev.

Lock dB

N/A

HFE

Lock Hz

N/A

Weighted THD

Lock

N/A

Gain

Lock dB

N/A

Show Text

Noise Handling

N/A

N/A

SpNR

Westone W40 SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Speech + Pink Noise

Speech + Subway Noise

SpNR

Lock dB

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

Westone W40 App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR 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

Westone W40 Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Etymotic ER4XR 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

Standard

W40

Black

ER4XR

Standard

W40

Black

ER4XR

Standard

W40

Black

ER4XR

Standard

W40

Black

ER4XR

Standard

W40

Black

ER4XR

Westone W40

Etymotic ER4XR

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 2 years ago

Westone W40 vs Etymotic ER4XR: Main Discussion

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