Sennheiser
Sennheiser IE 600
$699
Released 2022-03
Best In Ear Monitors · head-to-head
Sennheiser IE 600 vs Etymotic ER4XR
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Etymotic ER4XR is cheaper at $349. Every spec and price links to its source.
Etymotic
Etymotic ER4XR
$349Cheaper
Released 2016
Which is better: the Sennheiser IE 600 or Etymotic ER4XR?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Etymotic ER4XR is the cheaper at $349.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Sennheiser IE 600 | Etymotic ER4XR |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $699 | $349 |
| Brand | Sennheiser | Etymotic |
| Released | 2022-03 | 2016 |
| Driver type | dynamic | balanced-armature |
| Driver config | 1DD | 1BA |
| Impedance ohms | 18 | 45 |
| Sensitivity db mw | — | 98 |
| Frequency response (Hz) | 4-46500 | 20-16000 |
| Connector type | mmcx | mmcx |
| Cable detachable | Yes | Yes |
| Plug termination | 3.5mm | 3.5mm |
| Shell material | amorphous-metal | aluminum |
| Weight grams | 6 | — |
Sources — Sennheiser IE 600: us.sennheiser-hearing.com (verified 2026-07-11). Etymotic ER4XR: etymotic.com (verified 2026-07-11).
What's the difference between the Sennheiser IE 600 and Etymotic ER4XR?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 10). Matching specs are omitted.
- Driver type: Sennheiser IE 600 dynamic vs Etymotic ER4XR balanced-armature
- Driver config: Sennheiser IE 600 1DD vs Etymotic ER4XR 1BA
- Impedance ohms: Sennheiser IE 600 18 vs Etymotic ER4XR 45
- Frequency response (Hz): Sennheiser IE 600 4-46500 vs Etymotic ER4XR 20-16000
- Shell material: Sennheiser IE 600 amorphous-metal vs Etymotic ER4XR aluminum
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Sennheiser IE 600
All three whitelisted testers (SoundGuys, Tom's Guide, TechRadar) recommend the IE 600 as a premium wired IEM with outstanding detail and a durable zirconium build; only SoundGuys measured anything (5-10 dB foam-tip sub-bass isolation). Chief gripes are the high list price across all three, plus Tom's Guide's harsh-treble warning and a polarizing housing texture. (3 sourced reviews, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Exceptional detail retrieval and clear, balanced sound; Durable, premium aerospace-grade ZR01 zirconium housing; Generous accessories: dual 3.5mm/4.4mm cables, foam and silicone tips, case.
Flagged: Expensive at list price; Very confident high frequencies can tip into harshness on bright sources; Textured housing finish is polarizing and can feel uncomfortable over time.
Etymotic ER4XR
Three whitelisted testers (What Hi-Fi, TechHive, TechRadar) reviewed the ER4XR; TechRadar's is a joint ER4SR/ER4XR piece that discusses the XR trim explicitly. All three praise reference-grade midrange clarity, and two single out a tasteful bass lift over the ER4SR, but none ran lab measurements. Fit divides them: two call the deep insertion invasive or strange, one finds the flanges very comfortable. (3 sourced reviews.)
Praised: Reference-grade, near-perfect tuning with excellent midrange detail and clarity; Tasteful bass lift over the ER4SR without bloat or losing accuracy; Class-leading passive noise isolation from the sealed, non-ported design.
Flagged: No in-line mic or remote; wired-only connection; Deep-insertion, triple-flange fit feels invasive or strange for some; Analytical, sibilant sound that punishes low-quality sources.