Drop + Etymotic - ER2XR
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Reddit Reviews:
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Based on 1 year's data from Feb 15, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
8
1
"they always provide the best possible bass response and it's very noticeable."
"It adds more bass but it's actually bringing it to the correct amount of bass."
"a well-managed bass boost in the case of the XR for those who would prefer it"
15
1
"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."
"Blocks a ton of noise"
"Same I use a BTR 5 with the Er2XR. ... I always bike with the maximum noise blocking possible."
16
2
"they always provide the best possible bass response and it's very noticeable."
"tonality is unmatchable for me"
"the treble and mids to me are crystal clear without being peaky"
4
0
"tonality is unmatchable for me"
"These are GOAT material for $100.00 or less."
"tonality is unmatchable for me ... Exactly!"
3
0
"With the dual flange tips they disappear in my ears after a few minutes."
"Something more upscale and very small would be an Etymotics ER2XR. ... Its small bullet shape is about as good as you can find. ... They sound terrific and are as small as you’ll get"
"They coil up small enough to fit in any pocket like wireless earbuds, unlike bulky ANC headphones and cases."
Disliked most:
3
3
"the deep fit can be problematic depending on your ear canal shape (I found them painful)"
"If you can handle the insertion depth ... if they are too painful to use ... it seems to be about 50/50 on these, depending on your ear canal shape."
"If she ’s super afraid of the triple flange tip (which really won’t puncture her brain) or can’t get used to it, there are other tips included such as foam tips that can be more comfortable."
1
3
"the deep fit can be problematic depending on your ear canal shape (I found them painful)"
"If you can handle the insertion depth ... if they are too painful to use ... it seems to be about 50/50 on these, depending on your ear canal shape."
"If she ’s super afraid of the triple flange tip (which really won’t puncture her brain) or can’t get used to it, there are other tips included such as foam tips that can be more comfortable."
0
2
"Also the microphonics from the cable will drive you crazy if you move even a little bit."
"Microphonics were definitely an issue"
Agedfeetcheese 1.0Using them rn, lovely sound. Had to eq tho
AntiGroundhogDay 1.0Which 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!
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.
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." 🫣😆
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!
BigNewsII 1.0It’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.
Black_Sarbath 1.0IEMs:- 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
calvinistgrindcore 1.0I 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.
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.
SR not XR. The XR has boosted bass, which I wouldn't use for mixing.
Captain_slowly189 1.0Etymotic er2xr. Blocks a ton of noise
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.
cdsolidsnake 1.0Etymotic ER2XR. These are GOAT material for $100.00 or less. https://preview.redd.it/91ct3lqym4gf1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=367531abe6ef57e904fca8d5ab7d8d894458c0c2
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
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
Not at all. I have some really new and $100+ expensive sets, and I still go back to my ER2XR.
CNG_again 1.0If 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.
C-Van-Sky 1.0Etymotic ER2XR with the dual flange tips.
For me Etymotic ER2XR with the dual flange tips.
Not on your list but check out the Etymotic ER2XR. $100 new and just perfect to my ears. With the dual flange tips they disappear in my ears after a few minutes.
Etymotic ER2XR with dual flange tips. Like and use them more than my HD600s and Auteur Classics.
Check out the Etymotic ER2XR with the dual flange tips. I love them for the same past times.
I'd start with the Etymotic ER2XR with the dual flange tips.
ER2XR has replaceable cables. MMCX.
These are the ones.
Etymotic ER2XR is the classic neutral IEM with a tasteful bass boost. ER2SE will be true neutral.
I'm in the same boat. If I could only keep one set it would be the ER2XR.
danielplaysvioli 1.0Yes! I’ve tried the er2xr and the overall tonality is great, but the technical performance like sound stage aren’t great imo
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