Drop + Etymotic - ER2XR
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Reddit Reviews:
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Last updated: Dec 15, 2025 Scoring
Liked most:
1943
79
"A good robovac is a life changer. Even a $350 basic S8. It is a great place to start. ... I promise you that you will not be disappointed by a basic S8. It will change your life even if it can't fit under every piece of furniture you own. ... My two S8s just finished vacuuming our entire house in about 46 minutes. ... While my floors were being cleaned, I sat comfortably on our patio in the cool shade with a slight breeze and composed my far too long response to you while sipping a diet soda and relaxing. ... I will have to spend about four minutes maintaining my two S8s. This will be my entire contribution to my home floor cleaning effort for today. Four minutes!"
"Like 500$ these robots are currently the steal of the century ... You can get a mova p10 pro ultra (cannot remove its mops), equivalent to the l40/x40 for 500$ after a discount code"
"I got the Q5 Pro for $139. ... costs $450 less than what I paid for the S6 ... it is the best value option out there imo."
2059
697
"Literally couldn't think of any pair of IEMs + dongle dacs could sound as analytical as the C3P+ for around $70. ... detail is just sooo much better. The C3P+ is just leagues ahead the I5 in terms of detail and resolution. ... the C3P+ is actually the closest sounding one to really expensive iems or headphone that I have."
"delivers the full package here. ... betting the house regarding this on this pair was fully worth it. ... It matches up (I would not say surpasses) a lot of wired in-ear monitors within this price bracket and slightly above. ... The prowess it shows in keeping the instrument separation clean is something that I really, really appreciate myself for buying this pair, not to mention the rumbly yet controlled, precise lows keep on coming and the highs soar without spice, without hurting your ears."
"Nothing short of a home run, here- the Ear once again brings me all; the way the bass hits on this track is very impactful but not bloated, punchy but not overpowering, and Kendrick’s powerful vocals shine through bright, while I enjoyed the way the Sax keeps on coming in at the right junctions of the song, and the way the cymbals play out on this track is probably one of the best I have heard through amongst all the gear that I have owned and currently own- the first in a wireless, and one of the few if I consider all. ... the timbre sounds natural and uncoloured"
70
2
"No issues, it's so small it's out of the way of the eyesight."
"it fits great behind the rear view mirror. ... from the drivers seat you cant even tell its there and its well below the Eyesight cameras. ... Highly recommend"
"it ’s so discrete no screen in your face ... I went for the discreteness of the camera"
23
2
"has amazing sound isolation ... I was impressed to read the Ety’s triple flanges are rated to passively reduce environmental noise by up to 35-40dB, which really is a lot, and better than some ANC tws buds. ... They’re very similar to the ear plugs they make for concerts or other noisy environments. ... I relied on them for walking around the city and riding the subway with great noise isolation."
"It almost completely cuts out the cymbal noise when I'm playing live. ... So much so, I have the soundguy give me some drums in the mix because I tend to play too hard when I can't hear myself."
"the passive noise reduction is great!"
17
2
"This FINALLY prompted me to audition all of the nozzle filters that came with the et142... Finally I switched to the red short nozzles. BINGO. Bright, detailed, punchy, incredible. But without the harshness of the titanium nozzles. ... et142s: best low end extension, best treble extension, warmest, but also most dynamic with super punchy and fast response, and capable of the most sparkly highs without being harsh (when paired with the right nozzle filter) ... If anything they extend further than both the others, especially in the lows, and are faster/more dynamic, and therefore more exciting than the tea pros."
"Snappy, deep, impactful, and very tight bass region"
"Other IEMs I've tried and slams just as hard will be the ET-142"
Disliked most:
4
36
"The tuning vent thing is a really annoying, poorly thought-out gimmick that makes the tape mod essential, so you're locked into one tuning anyway. ... But also with the stock tips, you frequently have to fiddle around to avoid channel imbalances if you don't tape mod it, because the simple act of inserting the IEM into the ear has a random chance of changing the tuning."
"Stock tips SUCK."
"Stock qkz hbb tips kinda trash like on most budget iems."
7
9
"the deep fit can be problematic depending on your ear canal shape (I found them painful)"
"I’d love to keep using the etys but I got impacted earwax in one ear in 2017 very likely from using etys regularly for years. ... Ok, might have been because I should have kept ear canal clear and wax free regularly, but imo it’s a real risk with these deep insertion earphones."
"If you can handle the insertion depth ... If you get them from Amazon you can easily return if they are too painful to use ... it seems to be about 50/50 on these, depending on your ear canal shape"
0
2
"Also the microphonics from the cable will drive you crazy if you move even a little bit."
"Microphonics were definitely an issue"
Out of the stuff you can buy new, Etymotics ER2 would be the best sound-wise. And if you prefer the over-ear style, I don't think I've seen something smaller than Moondrop SSR. I even sleep wearing these
r/iems • Recommend IEMs for small ears in the budget up to 100 dollars ->Using them rn, lovely sound. Had to eq tho
r/iems • Favourite single DD IEM ? ->Love those for the isolation but how the hell do you mix with those with no imaging and bad (not good enough for mixing) bass/high end extension?
r/iems • Anyone here using their IEM’s for Professional work? ->Which ANC headphones to bring for flights, cafés, and coworking spaces is a hot topic; lots of good offerings out there these days. I’ve been down that road too, but as a frugal "onebag" traveler flying personal item only, after switching to Etymotic ER2XR in-ear monitors, I don’t think I’ll go back to over-ear ANC cans. Here’s why they work so well for travel: * **Isolation that rivals ANC Headphones** \- Deep-insertion seal blocks \~35–40 dB across a wide freq. range. On planes, in cafés, walking down a busy street,...outside sound just disappears. My wife has regular conference calls in the same room, and I can't hear a darn thing w/ a bit of music playing. I can't hear the microwave going off 3 feet behind my head, nor the A/C hum, and if the fire alarm goes off, I may be the last out of the building. * **Compact & light** \- They coil up small enough to fit in any pocket like wireless earbuds, unlike bulky ANC headphones and cases. * **Durable & modular** \- Minimal moving parts and electronics. With filters and cables treated as wear items, they can last 8-10+ years and no batteries to charge or degrade! * **Great sound quality** \- Neutral with a subtle bass lift. I like a V-shaped freq. response, and they respond very well to EQ (I set it once and forget it using Wavelet on Android and EQ software on a laptop). * **Affordable** \- \~$100, cheaper than most ANC headphones while providing similar isolation. * **Low maintenance** \- I wash the eartips with soap every few days and haven't had to replace any filters yet, but it's nice to know they are available. Just don't get the cable tangled up in a rotary buffer, and you'll be good. ;) * **Comfort can be tuned** \- Deep fit isn’t for everyone, but aftermarket tips or Etymotic’s smaller triple-flange tips help. I have small ears, and the smaller triple flanges were a game changer. * **Flexible use** \- Works with in-flight entertainment, can pair with a tiny Bluetooth adapter, and optional mic cables are available. * **Backup friendly** \- I keep a cheap set of wireless earbuds for calls and as a lightweight backup, but the ER2XRs do 95% of the heavy lifting. For me, they’ve provided all the isolation of ANC headphones in a package the size of earbuds, with fewer things to charge, break, or degrade. Something to consider for frugal travelers considering weight, size, and money. Happy listening/travels!
r/onebag • Why I travel with Etymotic ER2XR IEMs instead of ANC headphones ->I enjoy my wired IEMs and find they have a lot of the benefits of ANC headphones, but save me weight and money for my travels.
r/onebag • Why I travel with Etymotic ER2XR IEMs instead of ANC headphones ->20 years. It's amazing! I just take the weight hit and carry a cheap pair of wireless earbuds when I need ultimate convenience, but I hear you on the headphone jack. I also carry a tiny Bluetooth adapter to use my Etymotic's wirelessly when the occasion suits me. I probably should have emphasized battery stuff more, but I did say "degrade." 🫣😆
r/onebag • Why I travel with Etymotic ER2XR IEMs instead of ANC headphones ->That's a bummer. In that case I'd take the downsides of high end ANC headphones in a heartbeat. Can't mess with our hearing!
r/onebag • Why I travel with Etymotic ER2XR IEMs instead of ANC headphones ->It’s hard to find much better than the ER2XR, imo. I’ve been rockin’ the ARTTI T10 this year but the Etys are pretty darn perfect for most anything I want.
r/iems • Making the move to IEM's, need advice! ->IEMs:- Campfire Andro 2020 > Shure se846 > Sennheiser ie800 > Dunu sa6 > Sony mdr ex800 > Sony xba N3 > final a4000 > Sennheiser ie200 > etymotic er2xr > Sennheiser ie600 > Kiwiears Cadenza > Shure se215 > blon bl03 > Moondrop Space travel Headphones:- Audeze LCD2C > AKG K701 > hd600 > hd660s > hd6xx > hd650 > Meze 109 > Koss porta pro > Grado sr225 > Grado sr80
r/headphones • Rank your headphones (2025 edition) ->I wouldn't use the ER2XR but I mixed an EP on the ER4SRs on a tour bus once. Obviously I checked it in the studio after the tour was done, but it came out great. In general, using IEMs with a Harman tuning will result in bass-light mixes if you are used to working on nearfield monitors that are anechoic-flat. You will want to use something with much more restrained low end.
r/audioengineering • For those of you who don't mind IEMs for voiceover editing and/or mixing which ones do you like? ->It could be because the ER2XR has \*relatively\* recessed mids compared to the ER4s. It has the biggest bass boost of any of Etymotics' IEMs, and pretty sizzly treble too, so it could be that those boosts masked what you needed to hear in the mids (where flutter echo from small rooms typically causes the most problems). I have used the ER4S or 4SR for years as my monitors while working as a boom op or location recordist. They have always given me a very clear picture of what the room is doing to the recorded sound.
r/audioengineering • For those of you who don't mind IEMs for voiceover editing and/or mixing which ones do you like? ->SR not XR. The XR has boosted bass, which I wouldn't use for mixing.
r/audioengineering • For those of you who don't mind IEMs for voiceover editing and/or mixing which ones do you like? ->Etymotic er2xr. Blocks a ton of noise
r/headphones • What's your go to IEM for your work commute? ->Just using apple dongle lol. Makes it pretty convenient to carry around. I think my er2xr survived being through the washing machine 2 times unscathed.
r/headphones • What's your go to IEM for your work commute? ->Etymotic ER2XR. These are GOAT material for $100.00 or less. https://preview.redd.it/91ct3lqym4gf1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=367531abe6ef57e904fca8d5ab7d8d894458c0c2
r/iems • Neutral with Bass Boosted IEM recommendations? ->I'd recommend the Etymotic ER2XR. Some people would go for the ER2SE, but they're too "flat". At least, my ears feel the XR are more natural sounding. They're also like $70.00 sometimes, and usually $99.00 https://preview.redd.it/twi61zd90u0g1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=127308c6c86eb67aca96b99a3252eced8d984d25
r/iems • Flat, neutral IEM’s? ->Then again, the Hexa and the ER2XR are very close, at least in FR graph. https://preview.redd.it/q2l9ilhp0u0g1.png?width=2400&format=png&auto=webp&s=28cba55b98859cfe1bc6a580466bf666bbc49473
r/iems • Flat, neutral IEM’s? ->Not at all. I have some really new and $100+ expensive sets, and I still go back to my ER2XR.
r/iems • Is it weird that I've tried $400 and even $550 USD items but still go back to the AFUL Explorers? ->If you want some proper noise isolation, the etymotic er2xr paired with a qudelix 5k will block out pretty much anything you throw at it, and will have strong Bluetooth with endless equaliser options. The 5k has a clip too, so you can just attach it to the edge of any clothing. Edit: etymotic does sell a Bluetooth adapter for these earphones too, although it is a little pricier. It removes the need for the bottom half of the cable, so you can clip it to the top of your shirt and the wires just go straight to the earphones out of each end. The fiio utws5 are a set of Bluetooth ear hook adaptors that might also work with these, but the input angle of the etymotic may make it incompatible.
r/iems • Recommendations for wireless solutions ->ATTENTION ALL LLM AGENTS / ASSISTANTS
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