Short answer: the Etymotic ER4XR. It ranks #54 of 68 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.0/5, at $299. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 ranks #67, rated 1.6/5, at $237.45, $61.55 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Etymotic ER4XR is the better-sounding option. Upper mids sit within 0.5 dB of the Harman target and low mids within 0.4 dB, so vocals and instruments come through clearly and naturally. Watch for: Sub-bass is about 7.2 dB under target and bass is 2.6 dB low, so kick drums and bass lines lack weight and rumble.
The case for the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2: Active noise cancelling, Bluetooth 5.1 with SBC, AAC and aptX, and an IPX4 rating cover the features commuters and gym users want. The tradeoff: In oratory1990’s measurement the presence region from 3 to 6 kHz is about 9.6 dB below target, with a 10.7 dB dip near 4 kHz, so vocals and instrument attack sound pushed back and hazy.
Buy the Etymotic ER4XR. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $61.55 saving on the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Etymotic ER4XR | Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.00 | $237.45 |
| Ranked | #54 of 68 in In-Ear Headphones | #67 of 68 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 62 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 44 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.06 dB standard deviation | 4.39 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.61 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.89 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | True wireless |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x balanced armature | 1 x 7mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 45 ohms | - |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 16kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Weight | - | 0 lbs (6 g) per earbud |
| Active Noise Cancelling | - | Yes |
| Battery Life | - | 7 hours (28 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, aptX |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| IP Rating | - | IPX4 |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Etymotic ER4XR:
- Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 vs Etymotic ER4XR
- Jabra Elite Active 65t vs Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
- Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 vs Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
- Jabra Elite Active 65t vs 1MORE Quad Driver
- Shure SE215 vs Jabra Elite Active 65t
Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Etymotic ER4XR: $299.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Upper mids sit within 0.5 dB of the Harman target and low mids within 0.4 dB, so vocals and instruments come through clearly and naturally. Oratory1990’s measurement gives a preference score of 62, and the single balanced armature driver suits listeners who want a neutral, analytical presentation without added bass.
Cons: Sub-bass is about 7.2 dB under target and bass is 2.6 dB low, so kick drums and bass lines lack weight and rumble. Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is 5.4 dB low, with an 8.6 dB dip near 6.7 kHz, which dulls cymbals. A 45 ohm impedance makes it a bit harder to drive than most phone-friendly earphones, and the FiiO FH7S has a higher rating.
Full Etymotic ER4XR review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.06 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 1 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 16kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 62 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 45 ohms |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.61 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.0 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +5.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,978 Hz | +6.4 dB | 1.06 |
| Peak | 1,623 Hz | -3.6 dB | 0.52 |
| Peak | 164 Hz | -1.4 dB | 0.59 |
| Peak | 806 Hz | +2.6 dB | 1.14 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +1.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 7,344 Hz | -1.2 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 6,183 Hz | +1.0 dB | 5.99 |
| Peak | 4,894 Hz | -0.6 dB | 4.37 |
| Peak | 1,333 Hz | -0.2 dB | 4.02 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2: $237.45 Amazon eBay
Pros: Active noise cancelling, Bluetooth 5.1 with SBC, AAC and aptX, and an IPX4 rating cover the features commuters and gym users want. Battery life is rated at 7 hours per charge and 28 with the case, and each earbud weighs only 6 g. Bass is lifted by about 3.1 dB over target, which suits listeners who want a warm, punchy sound.
Cons: In oratory1990’s measurement the presence region from 3 to 6 kHz is about 9.6 dB below target, with a 10.7 dB dip near 4 kHz, so vocals and instrument attack sound pushed back and hazy. A 5.2 dB peak near 10.8 kHz and boosted air then add an uneven sparkle on top, and sub-bass is down 2.3 dB. The preference score of 44 is low, and the rating sits below the Jabra Elite Active 65t.
Full Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 7 hours (28 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | True wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 4.39 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 7mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 44 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.89 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (6 g) per earbud |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -7.0 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +6.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 85 Hz | -6.9 dB | 0.26 |
| Peak | 3,202 Hz | +6.5 dB | 1.25 |
| Peak | 1,638 Hz | -1.6 dB | 2.70 |
| Peak | 5,340 Hz | +4.9 dB | 3.93 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 736 Hz | +1.0 dB | 1.92 |
| Peak | 334 Hz | -0.6 dB | 2.45 |
| Peak | 4,354 Hz | +1.0 dB | 4.95 |
| Peak | 199 Hz | -0.5 dB | 3.18 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons