# Shure SE846 Gen 2 vs Etymotic ER4XR: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Shure SE846 Gen 2 (Shure) and Etymotic ER4XR (Etymotic) among in ear monitors. Etymotic ER4XR is the cheaper of the two at $349.

## Side by side

| Spec | Shure SE846 Gen 2 | Etymotic ER4XR |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $899 | $349 |
| Brand | Shure | Etymotic |
| Released | 2022-09 | 2016 |
| Driver type | balanced-armature | balanced-armature |
| Driver config | 4BA | 1BA |
| Impedance ohms | 9 | 45 |
| Sensitivity db mw | 114 | 98 |
| Frequency response (Hz) | 15-20000 | 20-16000 |
| Connector type | mmcx | mmcx |
| Cable detachable | Yes | Yes |
| Plug termination | 3.5mm | 3.5mm |
| Shell material | — | aluminum |
| Weight grams | — | — |

## Key differences

- Driver config: Shure SE846 Gen 2 4BA vs Etymotic ER4XR 1BA
- Impedance ohms: Shure SE846 Gen 2 9 vs Etymotic ER4XR 45
- Sensitivity db mw: Shure SE846 Gen 2 114 vs Etymotic ER4XR 98
- Frequency response (Hz): Shure SE846 Gen 2 15-20000 vs Etymotic ER4XR 20-16000

## What reviewers say

**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.)

## Sources

- Shure SE846 Gen 2: https://www.shure.com/en-US/newsroom/shure-unveils-next-generation-of-acclaimed-se846-sound-isolating-tm-earphones (shure.com, verified 2026-07-11)
- Etymotic ER4XR: https://etymotic.com/product/er4xr-earphones/ (etymotic.com, verified 2026-07-11)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/in-ear-monitors/shure-se846-gen-2-vs-etymotic-er4xr/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Shure SE846 Gen 2 ($899) vs Etymotic ER4XR ($349) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/in-ear-monitors/shure-se846-gen-2-vs-etymotic-er4xr/
License: CC BY 4.0.