Truthear
Truthear Nova
$169.99Cheaper
Best In Ear Monitors · head-to-head
Truthear Nova vs Etymotic ER4XR
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Truthear Nova is cheaper at $169.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Etymotic
Etymotic ER4XR
$349
Released 2016
Which is better: the Truthear Nova or Etymotic ER4XR?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Truthear Nova is the cheaper at $169.99.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Truthear Nova | Etymotic ER4XR |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $169.99 | $349 |
| Brand | Truthear | Etymotic |
| Released | — | 2016 |
| Driver type | hybrid | balanced-armature |
| Driver config | 1DD+4BA | 1BA |
| Impedance ohms | 14.8 | 45 |
| Sensitivity db mw | — | 98 |
| Frequency response (Hz) | 8-40000 | 20-16000 |
| Connector type | 2pin-0.78mm | mmcx |
| Cable detachable | Yes | Yes |
| Plug termination | — | 3.5mm |
| Shell material | resin | aluminum |
| Weight grams | — | — |
Sources — Truthear Nova: truthear.com (verified 2026-07-11). Etymotic ER4XR: etymotic.com (verified 2026-07-11).
What's the difference between the Truthear Nova and Etymotic ER4XR?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 10). Matching specs are omitted.
- Driver type: Truthear Nova hybrid vs Etymotic ER4XR balanced-armature
- Driver config: Truthear Nova 1DD+4BA vs Etymotic ER4XR 1BA
- Impedance ohms: Truthear Nova 14.8 vs Etymotic ER4XR 45
- Frequency response (Hz): Truthear Nova 8-40000 vs Etymotic ER4XR 20-16000
- Connector type: Truthear Nova 2pin-0.78mm vs Etymotic ER4XR mmcx
- Shell material: Truthear Nova resin vs Etymotic ER4XR aluminum
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Truthear Nova
No sourced tester review yet.
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.