Wired IEMs
Etymotic ER4XR Earphones
78Great
$299
Full review dataEtymotic ER4XR Earphones vs FiiO FD7: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the FiiO FD7 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: FiiO FD7 - Great overall at around $445.
Wired IEMs
FiiO FD7
84Great
$445
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Etymotic ER4XR Earphones
Sound8.0
Value7.0
FiiO FD7
Sound8.5
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Etymotic ER4XR Earphones | FiiO FD7 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Wired IEMs | Wired IEMs |
| Price (USD) | $299 | $445 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 84 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2016 | 2023 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Balanced Armature (BA) | 12mm pure beryllium diaphragm dynamic driver |
| Driver size | - | 12 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-16kHz | 10Hz-40kHz |
| Impedance | 45 Ω | 50 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW | 111 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Battery | ||
| Wireless charging | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| ANC type | none | - |
| Transparency mode | No | - |
| Companion app | No | - |
| Custom EQ | No | - |
| Wear detection | No | - |
| Controls | none | buttons |
| Design | ||
| Weight | - | 11 g |
| Detachable cable | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C | No | - |
What reviewers said
Etymotic ER4XR Earphones
The Etymotic ER4XR is a compact, wired in-ear monitor built around a single balanced-armature driver, delivering a detailed and analytical sound signature with crisp mids and highs. Its deep-insertion design provides excellent passive noise isolation and a secure fit, though the unusual fit and lack of onboard controls make it better suited for professionals or critical listeners than casual users. With a detachable cable and replaceable filters, it's a durable, portable choice for travel or office use, though the bass response is lean and the feature set is minimal.
- Pro:Exceptional mid and treble detail
- Pro:Superb passive noise isolation
- Pro:Compact, durable, and highly portable
- Con:Deep insertion fit may be uncomfortable
- Con:Bass-light tuning not for bass lovers
- Con:No inline remote or controls
FiiO FD7
The FiiO FD7 is a wired, flagship-grade in-ear monitor built around a single 12mm pure beryllium dynamic driver, housed in a semi-open design. It offers a spacious, refined sound with clean tonality, strong dynamics, and impressive detail retrieval, supported by a modular cable and tuning accessories. While easy to drive from most sources, its premium price and semi-open nature mean it targets enthusiasts seeking a high-end, natural presentation rather than casual listeners.
- Pro:Excellent clarity and natural tonal balance
- Pro:Wide, well-defined soundstage with strong imaging
- Pro:Highly resolving with good dynamics and detail
- Con:Lacks noise isolation due to semi-open design
- Con:Premium price may not suit budget-focused buyers
- Con:Requires burn-in or source matching for best results
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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