# Sony IER-Z1R vs Etymotic ER4XR: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Sony IER-Z1R (Sony) and Etymotic ER4XR (Etymotic) among in ear monitors. Etymotic ER4XR is the cheaper of the two at $349.

## Side by side

| Spec | Sony IER-Z1R | Etymotic ER4XR |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $1999.99 | $349 |
| Brand | Sony | Etymotic |
| Released | 2018 | 2016 |
| Driver type | hybrid | balanced-armature |
| Driver config | — | 1BA |
| Impedance ohms | 40 | 45 |
| Sensitivity db mw | 103 | 98 |
| Frequency response (Hz) | 3-100000 | 20-16000 |
| Connector type | mmcx | mmcx |
| Cable detachable | Yes | Yes |
| Plug termination | 3.5mm | 3.5mm |
| Shell material | zirconium-alloy | aluminum |
| Weight grams | 26 | — |

## Key differences

- Driver type: Sony IER-Z1R hybrid vs Etymotic ER4XR balanced-armature
- Impedance ohms: Sony IER-Z1R 40 vs Etymotic ER4XR 45
- Sensitivity db mw: Sony IER-Z1R 103 vs Etymotic ER4XR 98
- Frequency response (Hz): Sony IER-Z1R 3-100000 vs Etymotic ER4XR 20-16000
- Shell material: Sony IER-Z1R zirconium-alloy vs Etymotic ER4XR aluminum

## 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

- Sony IER-Z1R: https://www.sony.co.in/electronics/hd-headphones/ier-z1r/specifications (sony.co.in, 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/sony-ier-z1r-vs-etymotic-er4xr/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Sony IER-Z1R ($1999.99) vs Etymotic ER4XR ($349) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/in-ear-monitors/sony-ier-z1r-vs-etymotic-er4xr/
License: CC BY 4.0.