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Premium in-ear monitors on an enthusiast’s budget.
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Aluminum appears on 18% of the 49 in-ear monitors we've cataloged (of 38).
Wired-3.5mm is the most common — on 95% of the 37 in-ear monitors we've cataloged (of 38).
Memory foam is the most common — on 20% of the 51 in-ear monitors we've cataloged (of 38).
False is the most common — on 68% of the 34 in-ear monitors we've cataloged (of 38).
Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Etymotic ER2SE Frequency Response (measured on a B&K 5128)
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Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | -9.9 |
| 25 | -8.5 |
| 32 | -7.4 |
| 40 | -6.5 |
| 50 | -5.7 |
| 63 | -5.0 |
| 80 | -4.5 |
| 100 | -4.1 |
| 125 | -3.8 |
| 160 | -3.6 |
| 200 | -3.6 |
| 250 | -3.6 |
| 315 | -3.4 |
| 400 | -2.9 |
| 500 | -2.7 |
| 630 | -2.5 |
| 800 | -1.4 |
| 1000 | 1.2 |
| 1250 | 3.9 |
| 1600 | 6.5 |
| 2000 | 8.3 |
| 2500 | 10.7 |
| 3150 | 10.3 |
| 4000 | 7.6 |
| 5000 | 5.1 |
| 6300 | 1.3 |
| 8000 | -1.3 |
| 10000 | -2.0 |
| 12500 | 1.0 |
| 16000 | -3.8 |
| 20000 | -24.4 |
Etymotic ER2SE Attenuation (measured on a B&K 5128)
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Solid lines: passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 16.5 |
| 26 | 12.2 |
| 33 | 11.9 |
| 41 | 12.7 |
| 52 | 13.6 |
| 65 | 14.4 |
| 82 | 15.1 |
| 103 | 18.2 |
| 130 | 15.2 |
| 163 | 16.8 |
| 205 | 15.7 |
| 259 | 13.4 |
| 325 | 10.5 |
| 410 | 10.3 |
| 516 | 25.9 |
| 613 | 23.4 |
| 772 | 20.5 |
| 972 | 21.4 |
| 1220 | 25.2 |
| 1540 | 29.3 |
| 1940 | 33.0 |
| 2440 | 38.5 |
| 3070 | 40.0 |
| 3870 | 38.0 |
| 4870 | 35.7 |
| 6130 | 34.4 |
| 7720 | 32.1 |
| 9720 | 43.1 |
| 12200 | 35.1 |
| 15400 | 43.8 |
| 19400 | 31.5 |
The verdict
The Etymotic ER2SE is a great piece of hardware for enthusiasts. As with all Etymotic IEMs, you’re paying for sheer performance rather than gimmicks. The detachable housings elongate the ER2SE lifespan as listeners can easily replace the cable if it frays. The small-diameter nozzles are extremely comfortable, even more so than the famed Shure SE215. If you’re looking for high-quality in-ears, Etymotic’s headset is a smart pick.
✓Liked: Excellent isolation, Carrying case, Removable MMCX cable, Multiple ear tips of varying materials
✕Could be better: Earbuds protrude a lot, Quiet bass response, Can be uncomfortable
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Owner reviews are not paid for, not solicited from specific owners, and not rewritten by us: at most we proofread typos, which is shown on the review’s own page and which the author can undo. The commission SoundGuys may earn on this page comes from retail links, never from owner reviews.
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What readers ask about the Etymotic ER2SE, answered by the people who own it.
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0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Expected more from the cable




1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
The isolation beat their expectations