Short answer: the Sony INZONE Buds. It ranks #398 of 467 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.1/5, at $149.99; the Etymotic ER3XR ranks #414, rated 2.8/5, at $149.99. With prices this close, go by the sound-quality ranking rather than the cost.
The Sony INZONE Buds is the better-sounding option. Active noise cancelling, an IPX4 rating and a USB transceiver connection with up to 11 hours of battery (longer over Bluetooth LE Audio) make it a convenient gaming earbud. Watch for: Bluetooth is LE Audio only with the LC3 codec, so many older phones and laptops cannot use it without the dongle.
The case for the Etymotic ER3XR: At 22 ohms and 102 dB/mW it runs fine from a phone, and its single balanced armature design keeps things simple. The catch: In oratory1990’s measurement treble falls about 8.5 dB below target from 6 to 16 kHz, with a 13.1 dB dip near 11.9 kHz, so cymbals sound dull and fine detail fades.
Buy the Sony INZONE Buds. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Etymotic ER3XR at the same price, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony INZONE Buds | Etymotic ER3XR | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $149.99 |
| Ranked | #398 of 467 in In-Ear Headphones | #414 of 467 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 63 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 59 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.99 dB standard deviation | 3.48 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.22 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 28 Hz (-6.0 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | True wireless | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 1 x 8.4mm dynamic | 1 x balanced armature |
| Weight | 0 lbs (6.5 g) per earbud | - |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | - |
| Battery Life | 11 hours (12 with ANC off via USB transceiver; 18 / 24 via Bluetooth LE Audio, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LC3 (LE Audio only) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | - |
| Impedance | - | 22 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 102 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | - | 20Hz - 16kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Sony INZONE Buds compares with other leading options:
- Shure SE215 vs Sony INZONE Buds
- Etymotic ER3XR vs Master & Dynamic MW07
- Tipsy Dunmer Pro vs Etymotic ER3XR
- Shure SE215 vs Etymotic ER3XR
- Etymotic ER4XR vs Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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
Sony INZONE Buds: $149.99 TWS Amazon $149.99 eBay
Pros: Active noise cancelling, an IPX4 rating and a USB transceiver connection with up to 11 hours of battery (longer over Bluetooth LE Audio) make it a convenient gaming earbud. In hobbyist measurements on squig.link the overall tilt is nearly flat and the deviation is a moderate 3 dB, so it suits listeners who want a warm to neutral balance.
Cons: Bluetooth is LE Audio only with the LC3 codec, so many older phones and laptops cannot use it without the dongle. A 5.5 dB dip near 4 kHz recesses vocals, a 6.6 dB peak near 8 kHz adds some sibilance, and sub-bass falls 6 dB below target by about 28 Hz. The FiiO FH3 rates higher for less money. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full Sony INZONE Buds review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 11 hours (12 with ANC off via USB transceiver; 18 / 24 via Bluetooth LE Audio, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LC3 (LE Audio only) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | True wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 2.99 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 8.4mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 63 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 28 Hz (-6.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (6.5 g) per earbud |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Etymotic ER3XR: $149.99 Amazon $149.99 eBay
Pros: At 22 ohms and 102 dB/mW it runs fine from a phone, and its single balanced armature design keeps things simple. The warm, treble-shy balance fits listeners who are sensitive to sharp highs and want nothing glaring up top. It rates above the Jabra Elite Active 65t and Master & Dynamic MW07 at a similar price.
Cons: In oratory1990’s measurement treble falls about 8.5 dB below target from 6 to 16 kHz, with a 13.1 dB dip near 11.9 kHz, so cymbals sound dull and fine detail fades. Sub-bass drops 6 dB below target by 30 Hz, and both the Shure SE215 and FiiO FH3 rate higher for less money.
Full Etymotic ER3XR review and specifications →
| Released | 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.48 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 | 59 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 22 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.22 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.6 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 | +4.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 7,475 Hz | +6.8 dB | 0.67 |
| Peak | 1,644 Hz | -3.2 dB | 0.62 |
| Peak | 167 Hz | -3.3 dB | 0.48 |
| Peak | 877 Hz | +2.4 dB | 1.64 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +4.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,614 Hz | -1.8 dB | 1.69 |
| Peak | 5,600 Hz | +1.5 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 42 Hz | -0.2 dB | 1.75 |
| Peak | 4,774 Hz | -0.5 dB | 3.58 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons