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Etymotic Er 4PT Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£260Form factor:in-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Etymotic Er 4PT Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Etymotic Er 4PT
6.1/10

Overall score

Score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 57% of models
Score components

80%

5.7

Technical score

20%

7.7

User score

â–¼Worse than 57% of headphones
7.0

Value for money

Value for money
7.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Score components

70%

6.1

Overall score

30%

9.2

Price

â–¼Worse than 73%
5.7

Technical score

Technical score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 62% of models
Score components

52%

6.0

Sound

20%

5.4

Features

10%

7.9

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.0

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 62%
7.7

User score

User score
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
Score components

70%

8.2

User ratings

30%

6.4

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 69%
  • etymotic-er-4pt
  • etymotic-er-4pt
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etymotic-er-4pt
Where to buy
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Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Etymotic Er 4PT

Technical score
Technical score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 62% of models
Score components:

52%

6.0

Sound

20%

5.4

Features

10%

7.9

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.0

Calls & Controls

5.7
User score
User score
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
Score components

70%

8.2

User ratings

30%

6.4

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
7.7
Popularity
Popularity
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 56% of models
Popularity:
Etymotic Er 4PT has a popularity score of 6.4 points, which is higher than that of 56.3% of products in this category.
6.4
Value for money
Value for money
7.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Score components:

70%

6.1

Overall score

30%

9.2

Price

7.0
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
balanced armature
Driver size
?
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
20 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 20 Hz, higher lowest frequency than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 47.3% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
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Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
yes
This pair of headphones supports EQ customization. 76.8% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
yes
This pair of headphones supports voice assistants. 39.2% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Etymotic
Form factor
in-ear
Weight
28 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 28 g, lighter than 83% of headphones and equal to 0.2% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
N/A
Show more

Etymotic Er 4PT vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • EQ customization
    This pair of headphones supports EQ customization, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
  • 87.2% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (28 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    28 g vs 218 g
  • Sidetone support
    This pair of headphones supports sidetone, the average pair of headphones does not. 25.3% of headphones support sidetone.
  • 10x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (1,000 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1,000 mW vs 100 mW
  • 0.32 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (1.5 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    1.52 m vs 1.2 m
  • 12 dB higher max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (122 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    122 dB vs 110 dB
  • 87.2% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (28 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    28 g vs 218 g
  • 0.32 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (1.5 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    1.52 m vs 1.2 m
  • 10x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (1,000 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1,000 mW vs 100 mW
  • 12 dB higher max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (122 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    122 dB vs 110 dB
  • Sidetone support
    This pair of headphones supports sidetone, the average pair of headphones does not. 25.3% of headphones support sidetone.
  • EQ customization
    This pair of headphones supports EQ customization, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • 0.7 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    1 % vs 0.3 %
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 2.89x more expensive
    Etymotic Er 4PT is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£260 vs £90).
    £260 vs £90
  • No neodymium magnet
    This pair of headphones does not use neodymium magnets, the average pair of headphones does. 81.9% of headphones use neodymium magnets.
  • 2.89x more expensive
    Etymotic Er 4PT is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£260 vs £90).
    £260 vs £90
  • 3.8% worse value for money
    Etymotic Er 4PT has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (7.01 vs 7.3).
    7.01 vs 7.27
  • 4.4% lower user score
    User score
    7.7/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Etymotic Er 4PT
    the average pair of headphones
    Etymotic Er 4PT has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.66 vs 8).
    7.66 vs 8
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • 0.7 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    1 % vs 0.3 %
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • No neodymium magnet
    This pair of headphones does not use neodymium magnets, the average pair of headphones does. 81.9% of headphones use neodymium magnets.
  • 0.5 dB looser channel balance
    This pair of headphones has a higher channel balance tolerance than the average pair of headphones (1 dB vs 0.5 dB). The average headphones have channel balance tolerance of 0.5 dB.
    1 dB vs 0.5 dB
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 5 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2011 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    April 2011
    2011 vs 2016

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Etymotic Er 4PT

  • Unmatched sound isolation (up to 35-42dB), effectively blocking out significant environmental noise like jet engines
  • Exceptional clarity and detail retrieval, allowing listeners to hear subtle recording nuances like a singer's breath
  • Extremely accurate and flat frequency response with neutral tonal balance
  • High-quality, robust build design described as a 'precision tool' that can last a decade
  • Extensive accessory bundle including multiple ear tips, filters, and a carrying case
  • Fast transient response and superb instrument separation
  • Highly portable and easy to drive directly from smartphones or low-power digital audio players

What customers don't like about Etymotic Er 4PT

  • Deep-insertion fit can be uncomfortable or invasive for users not used to triple-flange ear tips
  • Cable is prone to significant microphonics (cord-related vibrations/noise) during movement
  • Lean bass presentation that may lack 'oomph' or 'punch' for listeners who prefer heavy low-end
  • Relatively narrow and 'in-your-face' soundstage compared to open-back headphones or multi-driver IEMs
  • Stiff and heavy cable can be unwieldy and may restrict access to devices in thick cases
  • Highly revealing nature can make poorly recorded or low-quality source material sound harsh or unforgiving

Verdict

The Etymotic ER4PT is a precision-engineered in-ear monitor featuring single high-performance balanced armature drivers that provide a highly accurate frequency response of 20Hz–16kHz with 86%+ accuracy. Specifically designed for travelers and mobile professionals, it features a low impedance of 27 ohms for easy use with portable devices without an external amplifier and offers industry-leading passive noise isolation between 35dB and 42dB. Main pros include its unsurpassed tonal transparency, exceptional detail retrieval, and a comprehensive accessory kit that includes a channel-matching compliance graph signed by an engineer. However, users often note cons such as a polarizing deep-insertion fit that can be uncomfortable for some, a lean bass profile that lacks 'oomph' for enthusiasts, and a relatively narrow, 'in-your-head' soundstage presentation.

Compare Etymotic Er 4PT with other products in the Headphones category

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