Etymotic Research HF2

651 reviews

Jan, 2025

Positive
sound (572)
comfort (190)
usability (161)
noise isolation (132)
bass quality (122)

Negative
reliability (66)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 651 reviews of Etymotic Research HF2. The average rating for this product is 3.8/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other Headphones for all reviews. Reviews about the price and bass quality are generally positive. The usability and comfort also get good opinions, but there are some less positive reviews about the reliability.

sound, comfort, usability, bass quality, price

reliability

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Headphones the Etymotic Research HF2 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 83/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 651 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(41% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (27% of reviews)
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Features

sound
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comfort
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usability
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bass quality
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price
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Showing 562 review(s)

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Showing 1 - 545 of 562 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (83)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Etymotic Research HF2

alaTest has collected and analyzed 101 user reviews of Etymotic Research HF2 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 3.5/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Headphones on Amazon.co.uk. People are impressed by the noise isolation and comfort. The usability and price also get good feedback. Many are critical about the size and reliability, while there are mixed opinions on the durability and bass quality.

sound, price, usability, comfort, noise isolation

reliability, size

69% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Jan, 2025

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Etymotic Research HF2

alaTest has collected and analyzed 434 user reviews of Etymotic Research HF2 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 3.8/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other Headphones on Amazon.com. People really like the durability and bass quality. The usability and comfort are also mentioned favorably. Many are negative about the reliability, while opinions about the soundstage and mids quality are different.

sound, comfort, usability, bass quality, durability

reliability

81% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Jan, 2025

Expert review by : Jasmine France (cnet.com)

Etymotic hf2 review

The iPhone is a great multimedia device, but it's not perfect. One of the most glaring oversights for this music phone is the lack of stereo Bluetooth (A2DP) compatibility. As a result, you're limited to clunky adapters or wired headsets if you want to...

The Etymotic hf2 earphones offer great sound quality, and there's a built-in mic for making and receiving calls. A couple of useful accessories, such as a case, are included.

The Etymotic hf2 earphones don't work with all MP3 players. They may be uncomfortable for those who don't like sticking things far into the ear.

For iPhone users with a penchant for improved sound quality and a willingness to stick things in their ears, the Etymotic hf2 earphones are a reasonable option.

Apr, 2008

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Expert review by : Tim Gideon (pcmag.com)

Etymotic hf2

The hf2 works with the iPhone and sounds amazing.

Superb audio performance. Reasonable price, considering sound quality. Works with iPhone to place and answer calls.

The unattractive foam tips will fit some users better than the flanges. Not gym-friendly.

More Headset Reviews:

Apr, 2008

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Nir Schneider (gadgetmac.com)

Etymotic HF2

The HF2 by Etymotic are very popular in the audiophile community and so are other products by Etymotic. I am very impressed by the sound quality they produce, the highs are silky crisp and clear and that makes the HF2 the ideal earphones for classical...

In the box you get a nice handy carry pouch, ear tips and a filter changing tool with extra filters. The HF2 are available in a non headset version called the HF5 that is also costs less. The HF2 are available in 3 colors. Price is $179. Available for...

May, 2010

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Expert review by : Chris Boylan (bigpicturebigsound.com)

Etymotic Research HF2 Stereo Headset (iPhone compatible) Review

iPhone fans looking to improve on the sound quality of their stock earbuds will appreciate this stereo headset which features outstanding noise isolation and excellent sound quality.

If you're happy with your iPhone, Blackberry Curve, or other media-enabled smart phone, but you're looking for better sound than what you get from the stock headset, the HF2 provides a high quality alternative, albeit at a slightly steep price. The...

May, 2009

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Expert review by : Dan Frakes (macworld.com)

Etymotic Research HF2 Headset + Earphones

As true in-ear-canal headphones, it's vital to get a complete seal in the ear canals with the HF2. Etymotic includes three different kinds of earpieces to help achieve this goal: one pair of large, three-flange silicone tips; one pair of small,...

Jun, 2008

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Expert review by : Jeremy Horwitz (ilounge.com)

Review: Etymotic Research hf2 Noise-Isolating Headset + Earphones

This month, Etymotic unleashed two separate iPhone headsets-one a markedly superior wired alternative called the hf2 ($179), and the other a monaural Bluetooth wireless product called EtyBLU ($129). The two headsets are substantially different in...

Overall, Etymotic's hf2 is a fantastic headset option for iPhone owners, and highly deserving of the 2008 Best of Show award it has already received. Apart from the fact that it's the most expensive iPhone mic and earphone combination we've yet...

Jan, 2008

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Expert review by : Hugo Jobling (trustedreviews.com)

Etymotic Research hf2 Custom Noise Isolating Earphones

Etymotic Research partners with ACS to bring custom-fitted tips to its hf2 earphones.

Etymotic Research's partnership with ACS has undoubtedly created the best sounding pair of iPhone-centric earphones available to buy. Just, be prepared to pay a sizeable premium for the privilege of enjoying them.

May, 2009

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Expert review by (whathifi.com)

Etymotic Research HF2

The same money buys punchier headphones, but not ones that fit quite so well

Excellent fit; balanced sound

You can get better performance for this sort of money

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Expert review by : Stuart Miles (pocket-lint.com)

Etymotic/ACS hf2 custom fit headphones

The Etymotic Custom fit headphones are an interesting premise. Buy a pair of standard Etymotic hf2 headphones, then go through a fitting process to make them unique to you. But is the end result worth the hassle? To be honest you might as well stop...

You won't hear anything other than the music you are playing, comfortable, fitting process easy

Take a bit of getting used to putting them in, the standard clear design shows ear wax

As we said at the beginning these headphones are amazing, amazing in that they are comfortable; there is little or not movement making them ideal for runners, and that they sound great. The fitting process is painless and the end result is that you get...

Apr, 2009

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Jonny Evans (techadvisor.co.uk)

Etymotic hf2 review

On the back of the release of the iPhone, headphones with a built-in microphone are becoming increasingly popular, so Etymotic enters the market with its effort, the £99 Etymotic hf2.

A phenomenal set of earphones. While the Etymotic hf2 is at the top end of our pricing comfort zone, we believe they deliver the kind of sound reproduction you could pay a lot more for. We also found them to be among the most comfortable in-ear...

Sep, 2008

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