Etymotic ER2SE/ER2XR VS Kiwi Ears ETUDE
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Etymotic ER2SE/ER2XR and Kiwi Ears ETUDE are in-ear monitors. Etymotic ER2SE/ER2XR costs $110 while Kiwi Ears ETUDE costs $119. Kiwi Ears ETUDE is $9 more expensive. Kiwi Ears ETUDE holds a slight 0.1-point edge in reviewer scores (6.5 vs 6.6).
Insights
| Metric | Etymotic ER2SE/ER2XR | Kiwi Ears ETUDE |
|---|---|---|
| Mids | 6.5 | 6 |
| Treble | 6.5 | 5 |
| Soundstage | 6.5 | 6 |
| Dynamics | 6.5 | 7 |
| Tonality | 7.5 | 6.9 |
| Technicalities | 6.5 | 6.4 |
Etymotic ER2SE/ER2XR Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Kiwi Ears ETUDE Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Etymotic ER2SE/ER2XR Details
Driver Configuration:
Tuning Type: Neutral
Price (Msrp): $110
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Kiwi Ears ETUDE Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+3BA+1VT
Tuning Type: V-shaped with tactile bass
Price (Msrp): $119
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Etymotic ER2SE/ER2XR User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
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Kiwi Ears ETUDE User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
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Etymotic ER2SE/ER2XR Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
6.8Gaming Grade
B+Kiwi Ears ETUDE Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
6.6Gaming Grade
B+Etymotic ER2SE/ER2XR Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- Well-executed tonal character. No major flaws with good technical control. Smooth presentation works with multiple genres.
Average Technical Grade
B+- Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
Kiwi Ears ETUDE Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B+- Generally enjoyable tonal character with some noticeable unevenness. Maintains listenability while showing room for refinement in frequency balance.
Average Technical Grade
B- Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
Etymotic ER2SE/ER2XR Reviews
6.5
Reviewer Score
Slightly less detailed than the ER4, but without the usual BA timbre. Crin Youtube Channel
Kiwi Ears ETUDE Reviews
7
Reviewer Score
This is a unique sound, for neutral I prefere Airoso. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
6.5
Reviewer Score
Reverby, bouncy, and extended decay in the sub-bass. Unique bass play back and adds more texture to the low-end. Although reverb can bleed into the vocals - maybe the drivers work too well lol. A bassier 5+2 with better texutre and scaling. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Z-Reviews
2025-08-09
6
* score normalized
IEMRanking AI
2025-07-12
7
Reviewer Score
The Kiwi Ears Étude offers a distinctive listening experience centered around its Kiwi Vibration Transducer (KVT), which adds a subtle tactile sensation to bass frequencies. This isn’t a gimmick—it lends sustained notes like bass guitars or synth lines an organic, textured quality that feels immersive without overpowering the mix. That said, the KVT can introduce mild reverb in lower-mid frequencies, occasionally coloring male vocals in podcasts or sparse tracks.
Tuning-wise, the Étude follows a mild V-shaped signature with an 8dB sub-bass lift and smooth, relaxed treble. The midrange remains relatively neutral, though vocals can lack body in acoustic tracks without bass accompaniment. While the beryllium dynamic driver delivers punchy kicks, the real star is the KVT’s physicality, which creates a holographic low-end that enhances EDM and hip-hop. Technical performance is competent for the price, with average soundstage width and decent separation, though imaging lacks precision.
Fit may be divisive due to the large shells housing the transducer, and the nozzle’s lack of ridges limits eartip options. Source pairing is critical too: the KVT scales noticeably with powerful amplification, unlocking fuller dynamics. Despite quirks, the Étude succeeds as a fun, genre-specific IEM that stands out in a crowded market.
Etymotic ER2SE/ER2XR User Reviews
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