Etymotic Research HF2 review

These customised headphones will fit your ears perfectly – and they don't perform too bad, either Tested at £180.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

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

Pros

  • +

    Excellent fit

  • +

    balanced sound

Cons

  • -

    You can get better performance for this sort of money

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

Tiny, lightweight headphones with a 'push-to-talk' button which means you can listen to music on your phone without missing calls sound like a fine proposition.

And if you're prepared to double the money you spend (the standard-fit headphones cost £90), you can use a voucher enclosed in the HF2s' packaging to a) book yourself an appointment with a representative of Advanced Communications Solutions; b) allow said rep to fill your ears with what looks suspiciously like grout; and c) wait a couple of weeks for some bespoke tips that fit your ears exactly.

It's certainly worth the hassle. The Etymotic HF2s aren't the last word in low-end punch, but they're a balanced and musical listen with just the right amount of bite at the top end and a stirringly intimate way with a vocal.

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.


Read more about how we test