The best inexpensive in-ear headphones. How to make the right choice of vacuum headphones

Choosing truly high-quality earphones has become increasingly difficult over the years, because not all headphones have good noise insulation and rich, realistic sound. What are the most popular headphone plugs today? A review is presented to the attention of audiophiles - TOP 10 earbuds at the beginning of 2017. We hope that the 2017 headphone rating will allow you to choose and buy reliable headphones for your gadget.

10. Beyerdynamic DX160IE Premium In-Ear Headphones

German manufacturing company Beyerdynamic presents a new product DX160IE– portable closed-type headphones with premium quality.

Exquisite ergonomic design and excellent balanced sound are the main characteristics due to which this device is appreciated. Durable all-metal black membrane housing with aluminum rings ensure reliable operation.

The set includes a leather case for storage and transportation, a clip for attaching to clothing, an adapter for connecting 7 pairs of replaceable silicone tips, and an extension cable.

The Beyerdynamic DX 160 iE in-ear headphones meet almost all the standard requirements that apply to good quality headphones. They have an attractive appearance, are comfortable, functional and, most importantly, produce excellent balanced sound.

The only drawback is that the earplugs use a flat wire that does not tangle, but it is not of very good quality - it is thin, hardens at low temperatures and can fail quite soon. And this is 10th place in our rating of earbuds in 2017. You can buy DX160IE headphones for an average of $75 .

9. Alpha & Delta AD01

In 9th place in our TOP is a new product Alpha & Delta AD01– dynamic headphones with interesting sound tuning – from a rather little-known Singaporean manufacturing company.

These 2017 earphones will be appreciated by many music lovers due to such important characteristics - high-quality assembly, solid metal case, removable durable cable, comfort, impressive equipment. But besides this, the device has good warm sound and a discreet traditional design.

The set of accessories includes a spacious zippered case, 10 pairs of different silicone and foam ear tips, and a spare cable.

Minor disadvantages of AD01 are that these plugs are a little heavier than regular ones, because... they are not plastic; fairly average sound insulation; The markings of the left and right earphones are not clear enough. The price of the gadget is $109 .

8. Bowers & Wilkins C5 S2

C5 Series2 from the British brand Bowers & Wilkins– true luxury for connoisseurs of high-quality, rich and professional sound. The price range of the gadget is quite wide from $150 to $270.

Plug-in plugs with a headset made in a laconic black design have become even more solid and attractive. The new model features improved internal speakers, excellent noise isolation and a durable cable with an innovative safety loop for an even better fit and performance.

The device is compatible with all mobile devices. The sound in such headphones becomes even more natural, brighter and surprisingly richer. The set includes several pairs of interchangeable ear pads of various sizes for maximum comfort.

Bowers & Wilkins C5 Series 2 earbuds are considered one of the most advanced in-ear headphones in terms of sound quality and clarity. And these headphone plugs take 8th place in our TOP review

7. Etymotic Research HF5

Headphones plugs Research HF5 Portable from an American manufacturer Etymotic are in 7th place among the top models of 2017.

These headphones have triple cone-shaped silicone seals that provide the most comfortable fit and perfectly suppress extraneous sounds and noise. As a result, music lovers will receive high-quality universal genre sound.

The in-ear headphones are made in a durable plastic case with a matte Soft Touch finish. The cable is non-replaceable, with a pleasant rubber braiding, 1.20 m long.

The microphone effect is almost completely absent. The cable has a clip-latch that allows you to attach the headphone plugs to clothing.

Research HF5 comes with a set of accessories - a compact case for storage and transportation, 4 pairs of spare ear tips (two pairs of triple rubber tips, 1 pair of foam tips and special soft tips for easy and comfortable insertion of headphones into the ear), a filter changing tool and an additional set of filters.

The only drawback for most potential buyers may be the rather high price, which today is about $111 .

XBA series from Sony is rightfully considered one of the best in the world in the line of hybrid armature earplugs. Decent sound at an optimal price - $108 .

Original, ergonomic design, competent color coding of each earphone. These plugs will suit any of your outfits, be it casual wear or a tracksuit.

The gadget has a durable body, an interesting red-black tangle-free cable that does not stiffen in the cold and remains just as smooth and elastic.

The XBAH1 hybrid block combines the attributes of a dynamic and balanced reinforcement design. As a result, your ears will enjoy the best sound in the world. Thus, the Sony XBAH1 Hybrid 2-Way earbuds provide deep bass and excellent highs, which makes the sound quality more driving and at the same time balanced.

The set comes in a stylishly designed package and a black box with a soft, pleasant-to-touch surface. The set of accessories includes a branded case, a clip-latch for attaching to clothing, a bar for adjusting the required cable length, and a set of 7 pairs of silicone and foam ear pads of different sizes.

5. Jaybird X2 Sport Wireless

If high performance, ease of use and full sound are of great importance to you, then consider the model Jaybird X2 Sport Wireless, which is in 5th place among the top devices of 2017 .

Wireless headphones with a sporty design guarantee excellent audio support (listening to your favorite music, receiving incoming calls), which can be compared with high-quality wired headphones. The wireless gadget uses Bluetooth technology and allows you to simultaneously connect up to 8 devices.

The patented form of the Secure membrane will provide convenience and reliability in use, no matter what you do and no matter where you are. New capacitive battery technology doubles the runtime of the JayBird X2 earbuds to 8 hours, giving you a full week of athletic training or a full workday of listening time.

The set comes with an original case for storage and carrying, 6 pairs of ear tips of different sizes, 3 pairs of ear clips-wings of different diameters, a clothespin for adjusting the length of the cord, and a USB cable.

The only stumbling block is the overpriced gadget ( $142 )

In-ear headphones Sphear– the first headphones of this type for the French brand Focal, made in the company’s traditional Spirit of Sound technology, and fourth in our rating of earbuds in 2017.

Classic design, high-quality performance, a functional headset, a universal remote control with a traditional type of navigation for switching/rewinding your favorite tracks and answering calls, compatibility with all types of mobile devices makes this device interesting and popular.

With in-ear headphones, you can hear the clearly defined sound of each instrument, rich bass and a sense of sound detail, fullness and spaciousness of sound, and also provide decent noise insulation.

The set of included accessories includes: a hard, good-quality case with a zipper, instructions, an adapter for an audio jack, two sets of ear tips - silicone and foam, which will provide music lovers with increased comfort when listening to music for a long time.

Musical sound emitters will cost the amount $100 .

An honorable third place in our review is occupied by flagship headphone plugs costing $200 .

The body of the RHA T10i headset is made of durable stainless steel - the original metal trim around the plug and cable. In this regard, there is a minor drawback - these headphones are somewhat heavier than other standard ones made of titanium or aluminum.

The design of the earplugs has a specific anatomical shape and resembles a hearing aid, thereby providing incredible sound quality and ease of use. The soundproof design eliminates all extraneous sounds and allows you to fully enjoy your favorite high-quality music.

Music lovers will also be pleased with the impressive equipment: 9 pairs of ear tips-adapters located on a special metal plate - five pairs of silicone pads of different sizes, two pairs of herringbone tips, two pairs of adaptive foam tips with a memory function (Memory Foam). On another metal surface there are filters that correct the sound of the device. The set also includes a leatherette case for storage and carrying, and a clothespin clip for attaching to clothing.

Another disadvantage is that the RHA T10i in-ear headphones with remote control and built-in microphone are only compatible with iOS devices.

American company Shure is a well-known brand in the acoustics market. Model SE425 is an updated and improved version of SE420. This device is characterized by excellent noise insulation, comfortable and rich sound, and laconic design.

The obvious advantage of these plugs is the removable cable. If the cable is damaged, the earbuds may still work, so you just need to buy and connect a new cable.

SE425 guarantees the best sound in Shure's premium line - deep bass, transparent high frequencies. For its price approx. $300 – the sound quality is excellent.

The manufacturer paid due attention to the packaging - the premium kit has a small durable case for storage and transportation, an adapter, and ear adapters of different sizes.

A small minus is that the built-in remote control is only for iOS.

1. Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear

The best earbuds of 2017 and 1st place in our ranking are occupied by in-ear headphones Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear. This premium device combines a luxurious red and black appearance, ergonomic design and superb, realistic sound. The cost of a new item is about $100 .

A convenient 3-button remote control with microphone located in the cable allows you to easily switch your favorite tracks and answer incoming calls. The model is compatible with devices based on Apple iOS, Samsung Galaxy, and Android mobile OS.

The miniature Momentum In-Ear headphones impress not only with impeccable balanced sound, but also with technological details - stainless metal air ducts for acoustic accuracy, a multifunctional control panel, individual ear adapters and a two-color durable cable.

The German company Sennheiser pays special attention to configuration and packaging. When you open the box, you will see headphones, a premium case and a set of 4 ear pads of different sizes.

Vacuum headphones- a type of headphones that differ from any other in size and special ear pads. Their meaning is that the sound duct of the earphone is inserted deep into the ear canal, with the help of ear pads the remaining lumen is blocked, thus achieving complete isolation of the ear from external noise. It is this effect that is popularly called “vacuum”, because The ear pad blocks out all external sounds allowing you to hear only the sound from the earphone clearly and clearly. Vacuum headphones are also often called “plugs” because of the way they are used; the headphones seem to plug the ear, like earplugs.

Vacuum headphones are very convenient for use outside the home, because... They are very small, light, but allow you to listen to music with very high sound quality. Many people make one simple but very common mistake - they do not select ear pads for their ear. Each person's ear is very different not only on the outside, but also on the inside, so it is extremely important to choose the size and shape of the ear pads so that they are comfortable when listening to music, but at the same time create reliable noise insulation. Only in this case will you hear what vacuum headphones are capable of. Believe me, good vacuum headphones can compete with many full-size models in sound quality.

In this rating of vacuum headphones in 2018, I tried to collect exactly the best models, so don’t be surprised that some of them will cost serious money. I think you understand that truly high-quality things cannot be cheap. If you are looking for affordable and inexpensive plugs, there is a separate rating for that.

Technical requirements of vacuum headphones for telephones and other sound sources

Before introducing you to the list of the best vacuum headphones, I want to make a small technical digression. The fact is that many people a priori consider vacuum headphones not serious, that they are created purely to listen to music from the phone while a student is traveling to university on the bus, and they are not capable of anything more. Obviously this is not the case. Good vacuum headphones can sound like you wouldn’t even expect when looking at their modest size and technical specifications on the package.

Precisely for the reason that people consider them frivolous, they believe that plugs can be connected to any sound source, be it a mobile phone, a computer sound card or an mp3 player, and a priori they should play perfectly. This is not so, good headphones place very serious demands on the sound source, both in terms of the quality of the analog signal and from a purely technical point of view: resistance, signal strength, signal purity, absence of extraneous interference and clicks from static electricity.

Some vacuum headphones have a serious resistance value, up to 130 Ohms. It is clear that such headphones are not like a telephone, and not every computer or special music player can cope. Therefore, be careful, if you like some headphones from the current rating of earplugs, read their technical requirements before purchasing.

Typically, vacuum headphones have an impedance of 16-32 ohms. All mobile phones and mp3 players should be able to cope with this resistance, however, do not forget that the quality of the analog signal is also very important and it can vary greatly from phone to phone, from player to player. Therefore, if you bought good and expensive vacuum headphones, and they sound bad when paired with your phone, do not rush to blame the headphones for this, it is very likely that the problem is in the phone.

Another technical feature concerns such a parameter as “Sensitivity”. This parameter, roughly speaking, determines how loud the headphones will play. Some of the models presented in this rating have relatively low sensitivity and therefore if you want to get a loud volume level from them, you need to make sure that the sound source to which you connect them can “drive” them. In other words, if you suspect that your player or phone with conventional vacuum headphones does not play very loudly, you may not want to pair it with good headphones with relatively low sensitivity.

Model	Headphone type	Peculiarity
	Closed	Stainless steel case, BTE, DualCoil™ magnetic ring driver
	Semi-closed	Very light, behind the ear, hybrid driver system (1 dynamic + 1 armature)
	Closed	Metal case, behind-the-ear mount, driver made using Tesla technology
	Closed	Titanium case, an excellent match for Apple technology
	Closed	Aluminum housing, hybrid driver system (5 armature drivers)
	Closed	Anodized metal housing, single studio quality armature driver
	Closed	Very light, large diameter driver (10.8 mm) whose membrane is made of Mylar
	Closed	Natural wood body, very light
	Semi-closed	Metal body, natural live sound
	Closed	Stainless steel housing, rugged construction, detachable cable
	Closed	BTE, signature sound signature
	Closed	Metal body, hybrid driver system (1 dynamic + 3 armature drivers)
	Closed	Metal body, unusual appearance
	Closed	Metal body, monitor sound
	Closed	Very light, very high quality manufacturing
	Closed, wireless
	Closed, wireless	Collar mount, active noise canceling
	Closed, wireless	Splash resistant, aluminum alloy body, collar mount
	Closed, wireless	Collar fastening, semi-aniline leather trim
	Closed, wireless	Aluminum alloy body, very light, unique way to charge the battery

RHA T20

Peculiarities: RHA T20 are in-ear dynamic headphones with a behind-the-ear mounting type. The durable metal case, the wire with a powerful silicone braid and the metal parts of the jack and divider guarantee you the reliability and durability of the headphones. The kit includes special acoustic filters that are screwed onto the sound guide in the form of attachments and give the sound the shade you like: with a slight emphasis on high frequencies, natural sound or a slight emphasis on bass. Filters do not distort the sound, they only give it a particular shade due to special materials that are located inside the filter through which the sound passes. For my daily listening to music, I chose a bass filter.

Sound: The main feature of the RHA T20 vacuum headphones is the driver technology - DualCoil™. Typically, a dynamic driver has one magnetic ring that transmits vibrations to the membrane, causing you to hear sound. The RHA T20 has two such rings: internal and external, due to which sound transmission is carried out with more accuracy and dynamics than in conventional drivers. At the same time, low frequencies affect the mid and high frequencies to a much lesser extent and do not overlap or muffle them. The sound is cleaner, more detailed and natural. If you want to fully experience the difference in sound, I recommend that you compare these headphones with any others in a store, and you will be convinced that they sound cleaner and more pleasant than competitors with conventional dynamic drivers.

Pros:

• Quality materials and workmanship
• Pure and natural sound character
• Replaceable acoustic filters
• BTE type of attachment
• Rich set of ear pads
• Good case for storage and transportation
• Reliable design
• Hi-Res Audio Certification

Minuses:

• Demanding on the quality of the sound source

AKG N30

Peculiarities: AKG N30 are semi-closed in-ear headphones with a hybrid driver system. Vacuum headphones have a wider variety of driver systems than any other. At the same time, different systems can be successfully combined with each other, resulting in a very beneficial symbiosis. This happened with the AKG N30 model, it combined an armature driver with a dynamic one. For the listener, this provides very significant advantages: clean and very detailed mid and high frequencies due to the armature driver, powerful and deep low frequencies due to the dynamic driver.

N30 has a behind-the-ear type of attachment. The shape of the earpiece cannot be changed; it is made of soft flexible plastic that fits the shape of your ear and you stop feeling and noticing it within a few minutes after you start listening to music. At the same time, if you use headphones outside the home, the earpiece greatly helps to keep the headphones in your ear without having to adjust them if you accidentally touch or even pull the wire.

N30 vacuum headphones have a semi-closed acoustic design, which gives the listener a wider imaginary sound stage, natural sound character and almost complete absence of sound reflection inside the acoustic chamber of the headphones. But there is also a negative effect - a decrease in passive noise insulation. The headphones are quite suitable for comfortable listening to music at home or on the street, but it will be difficult to listen to them on the subway, because they are less effective at reducing carriage noise than clean, enclosed models. But it seems to me that the advantages that the semi-closed design provides in terms of sound more than cover this minor drawback.

The headphone wire is soft, from the divider to the jack it is protected by braided braiding, which means it is very reliable. The most important thing is that the wire is replaceable, even if you damage it, you won’t have to buy new vacuum headphones, you just need to buy a separate wire. Thanks to the standard MMCX mounting type, you have a very wide selection of wires to suit every taste.

It should be added that the headphones included have 2 replaceable acoustic filters: for neutral sound and bass enhancement. However, due to the nature of the sound of the headphones, I see no reason to enhance the bass; with a neutral acoustic filter it sounds almost perfect. But if you are an ardent fan of boosting low frequencies, the bass filter will be a pleasant bonus for you.

Sound: The N30s sound like you're listening to full-size headphones and it's amazing, the sound is very spacious, there is a good sense of space and texture of the sound. Low frequencies are fast, deep and powerful, yet they sound detailed and lively. The headphones delicately but noticeably enhance the bass, but without negative effects such as the feeling of a kick drum on your head or rumble. The bass plays accurately, powerfully, capaciously, but delicately - exactly as good musical headphones should play. The armature driver makes a noticeable contribution to the formation of sound; mid and high frequencies sound very detailed and without the slightest distortion. The singers' voices are natural, and the live acoustic instruments sound as if the musician is sitting in front of you and playing specifically for you.

Pros:

• BTE type of attachment
• Semi-closed design type
• Hybrid driver system
• Very light
• Rich equipment
• Reliable wire
• Pleasant and high-quality sound
• Good ergonomics

Minuses:

• Not very suitable for listening to music on the subway due to the semi-closed design

Beyerdynamic Xelento

Peculiarities: Beyerdynamic Xelento are flagship in-ear headphones with a behind-the-ear mounting type and a dynamic driver. The main feature of the model is the dynamic driver, which is created using the unique Tesla technology, which was developed by Beyerdynamic engineers. The main idea of ​​this technology is that with its help it is possible to create a magnetic field much more powerful than in conventional dynamic drivers. And where there is a powerful magnetic field, there is better sound. A more powerful magnetic field allows you to more confidently, efficiently and quickly control the vibrations of the dynamic driver membrane. The sound becomes very detailed, full-sounding and powerful even at an average comfortable volume, and thanks to much more precise control of the membrane, the driver does not need additional loudness compensation, which is used by most headphone manufacturers with conventional dynamic drivers. Loudness compensation is needed in order to compensate for the nonlinear sensitivity of human hearing to different frequencies at a certain volume level. The driver of the Beyerdynamic Xelento vacuum headphones puts enough energy into the sound at any volume level so that your ears can hear it well.

If you listen to this model in a store, you will instantly feel the vibration coming from the headphones even at a medium volume level, and if you listen to a musical composition rich in low frequencies, you can feel the vibration on your skin even at a low volume level - this is an obvious indicator of the high power of the driver. These sensations are difficult to describe, you need to experience them once and you won’t need words.

Sound: all the best vacuum headphones sound good, we just need to describe the sound features of each model. Beyerdynamic Xelento probably sound like a reference, thanks to fine tuning and a very powerful driver. It’s not for nothing that I pay so much attention to power; according to the technical specifications, the driver power is 100 mW. A typical dynamic vacuum headphone driver has a power of 1 to 5 mW, some outstanding models have a power of 20 mW, and a few models have a power of up to 40 mW. Now do you understand why the Beyerdynamic Xelento model is so unique? High power gives the headphones the ability to play sound like no other model can. This effect can be compared to cars, a powerful engine can very quickly accelerate you to 100 km/h, while a regular car can also reach this speed, but it will take much longer. The same is true for the driver in headphones; the greater the power, the greater the control over vibrations, the brighter, more accurate, dynamic and deep the sound we hear. Just come to the store and listen to these vacuum headphones and all questions regarding the cost will disappear by themselves. These are unique headphones, there are no others like them.

Pros:

• Unique driver created using Tesla technology
• Very high ergonomics, headphones are not felt in your ears
• Premium materials used in manufacturing guarantee long service life
• Replaceable cable, 2 cables included: one with microphone, one without
• 7 pairs of anatomical silicone ear pads included and 3 pairs of foam ear pads of different sizes
• Hard case for transportation

Minuses:

• The three-button control panel is small, so false button activations are likely.

Beyerdynamic iDX 200 iE

Peculiarity: The Beyerdynamic iDX 200 iE are in-ear wired headphones with a classic fit, designed specifically to work with Apple technology. Among the features we can highlight the case, which is entirely made of titanium. This material is much more durable and wear-resistant than aluminum or other metals. Of course, I doubt that during the operation of the headphones you can even damage the aluminum case so much that the headphones stop working or lose their attractive appearance. But, you must admit, when your own headphones are made of titanium, it gives a pleasant feeling of superiority over any other models.

The cable is also quite interestingly designed. It does not detach from the headphones themselves, however, in the middle it has the ability to connect to two different cables that come with the kit: for working with Apple equipment and for working with any other audio equipment. However, if you carry your player or phone in your chest pocket, you can disconnect the second wire altogether and connect the headphone wire directly to the playback device. The length of this cable is about 50 cm.

Sound: The sound of the Beyerdynamic iDX 200 iE vacuum headphones cannot be called studio or reference; they color the sound. But they do it competently, slightly raising the mids and bass. Thanks to this, the sound becomes very detailed, and slightly enhanced low frequencies make you feel the drive of the music. These headphones are designed for daily listening to music for pleasure, so that you can enjoy it. You will recognize the signature Beyerdynamic sound immediately; it cannot be confused with anything else. In general, I can only say one thing about the sound: if the price of the headphones doesn’t bother you, feel free to buy them, you won’t be disappointed, on the contrary, many of your favorite musical compositions will sound new.

Pros:

• Rich scope of delivery
• Excellent sound with slight emphasis on low frequencies
• High level of comfort, the headphones are not felt in the ears
• The headphone body is made of titanium alloy
• The lower part of the cable is replaceable, even if it fails you can buy a new one and continue to use the headphones

Minuses:

• The wire is slightly thinner than the standard solution, handle it with care
• Full functionality is not guaranteed with Android phones and other non-Apple devices.

Campfire Andromeda

Peculiarities: Campfire Andromeda are in-ear wired headphones with a behind-the-ear mounting type and numerous armature drivers. The main feature of these vacuum headphones is the system of armature drivers, of which there are as many as 5 pieces inside each headphone. They are mounted inside unique acoustic chambers developed by Campfire and called T.A.E.C.

The body of the headphones is made of aluminum with zirconium coating; you don’t have to worry about their durability and reliability; if you don’t drive a tractor over them, they will work forever. It should be added that all Campfire Andromeda headphones are assembled by hand and have a unique serial number.

The cable is removable and has a standard MMCX connector type, so you can purchase any cable, or use the one you already have if something happens to the supplied cable.

The body of the headphones is quite large, so if you have small ears, this model may cause discomfort during use. During testing, the headphones fit well in my ears and I did not experience any problems.

Sound: good vacuum headphones should sound full, so that you won’t even suspect that you are using miniature headphones and not full-size ones. All the efforts of the engineers when creating Campfire Andromeda were aimed at creating the most reliable, pleasant and detailed sound, while maintaining a neutral presentation, i.e. make sure that the headphones do not embellish the sound at any frequencies. Thanks to the use of 5 high-class reinforcement drivers, they succeeded. The headphones sound honest, but very expressive. I want to warn you that not everyone will like this sound, many may find it too boring, others may think that there are not enough low frequencies. However, all this depends only on what headphones you listened to before Andromeda. If you connect them to a high-quality sound source and listen for a couple of tens of minutes, you will get used to the clean, detailed, neutral and natural nature of the sound, and after putting on your headphones you will instantly hear how they color and distort the sound. Of course, if before Andromeda you listened to ordinary inexpensive headphones. Andromeda can give many, many hours of pleasure, but only to those who want to hear the sound the way the sound engineer heard it in the studio - honestly.

Pros:

• Highest sound quality
• Durable aluminum housing
• Excellent quality complete cable
• Rich complete set of accessories

Minuses:

• Large headphone body size, they may not suit everyone

Etymotic ER4XR

Peculiarities: Etymotic ER4XR are in-ear headphones with a classic fit and a single armature driver. Everything about Etymotic headphones is unusual: the design, the fit in the ear, and the approach to sound generation.

Let's start with the design. The first thing that catches your eye is that there are no silicone ear pads of the usual shape; all ear pads are of the herringbone type. Also included is a pair of unusually shaped foam ear pads. This is because the headphones need to be inserted very deeply into the ear canal, in fact, as deep as the inner curve of the ear canal allows you to make. This fit guarantees the most effective passive noise insulation and the minimum distance from the earphone to the eardrum. This way, you will hear sound with maximum detail and minimal distortion. But the main reason is that the headphones use one armature driver.

The armature driver is renowned for its ability to reproduce sound with very high detail and minimal distortion, but with a limited frequency range. Etymotic ER4XR headphones reproduce sound in the range of 20 Hz - 16 kHz. You may be surprised, because any, even the simplest vacuum headphones are capable of reproducing sound with a frequency of up to 20 kHz. The idea is that Etymotic headphones are designed for professional use, and only secondarily for the general public. Yes, they have a limited frequency range, but the headphones reproduce this entire range with excellent accuracy and clarity, without sound coloration or other distortion. By ear, you will never notice that the headphones have any frequency limitation.

Sound: Etymotic ER4XR vacuum headphones can be used in professional studios due to their clear and honest sound. You can mix musical material in these headphones and you will never encounter the fact that the mixing was performed incorrectly due to the color of the sound. Etymotic ER4XR were created specifically for fine work with sound. And it is precisely for lovers of the most honest and calm sound that they went on sale. Each profession has its own tool and different manufacturers. Some make the instrument better, some make it worse. Etymotic ER4XR is one of the best tools for working with audio at a professional level.

Pros:

• Great sound quality
• Very compact
• Replacement cable
• Rich complete set
• Hard carrying case
• Excellent build quality.

Minuses:

• Sensitive to the quality of the sound source
• Unusually deep fit in the ear, not suitable for everyone

Focal Shear

Peculiarity: Focal Sphear are in-ear headphones with a classic fit. Of the features, I can highlight the driver; it does not differ in any outstanding and unique technologies that were used in production. However, it is made to last. The first thing you need to pay attention to is the diameter of the membrane, it is 10.8 mm. This is not a record, however, for in-ear headphones this is a pretty serious argument. Secondly, the material from which the membrane is made is Mylar. Mylar is a special synthetic material that is very light in weight but has high rigidity, making it very suitable for the production of dynamic driver membranes. During operation, the membrane experiences very serious loads, because it has to constantly change the amplitude of vibrations and frequency. Under such a load, deformation occurs inevitably, mylar is less susceptible to deformation and therefore we hear the sound more pure, detailed and honest than when using a driver with a membrane made of a classic material.

I would also like to note the rather curious shape of the acoustic chamber of the headphones; it is made in the shape of a hemisphere and is quite large in size, which also has a beneficial effect on the sound quality.

The headphones, despite their apparent bulkiness, sit comfortably in my ears and I did not experience any negative sensations while listening.

Sound: Focal Sphear vacuum headphones cannot boast of crystal clarity of sound or indescribable detail, however, they have a very pleasant warm dark sound timbre, slightly enhancing the low frequencies and muffling the highs. I am sure that many people will consider this sound character to be almost ideal, because... it allows you to listen to recordings in mp3 or aac format without any discomfort and not hear compression artifacts. But don’t think that the headphones have average sound quality, not at all, they sound good, and in some places excellent. It’s just that Focal engineers decided to release headphones that are ideal for listening to music using streaming services such as Deezer, Yandex.Music, Spotify or any other similar ones. All these services offer you music in compressed form, and therefore the headphones must play it pleasantly, powerfully, but at the same time mask the artifacts that will inevitably become audible if you listen to a similar format in more serious headphones. So if you're looking for inexpensive, but good, durable headphones for your daily listening to music on your phone, I think the Focal Sphear would be a great candidate for this role.

Pros:

• Good ergonomics, the headphones fit comfortably and firmly in the ears
• Stylish appearance
• Durable, relatively thick cable that will last a long time
• The original design of the jack, it is tilted at an angle of 45 degrees, which provides excellent ergonomics of use
• Convenient control panel
• 6 pairs of ear pads included, both silicone and foam
• Hard case for transportation
• Excellent quality of honest sound reproduction

Minuses:

• The button on the remote control has a slight play
• The wire has a memory effect, if the headphones are in the case for a long time, then you will need some time for the wire to straighten out
• Headphone housing may be too large for use by children

Meze 12 Classic

Peculiarity: Meze 12 Classic are in-ear headphones with a classic fit and dynamic driver. One of the main features of these one of the best vacuum headphones is the body, which is entirely made of natural wood. It's not plastic with a wood texture, it's real wood. And, as you understand, this had a significant and extremely positive effect on the sound character of the headphones.

The second interesting feature is related to the driver: copper-plated aluminum is used as the winding for the coil, this made it possible to obtain greater accuracy when converting electrical signals into oscillations.

In my opinion, the third feature may be the headphone cable; it is quite rigid when compared with other headphones from the current selection, while it has a fairly durable silicone braid; together, these two factors give us a cable that does not get tangled in a pocket at all. I don’t know which property influenced this to a greater extent, but the fact is that during the entire testing period I never encountered the need to untangle the cable.

Sound: Meze 12 Classic vacuum headphones sound harmonious, soft and detailed. They will not give you crystal clear high frequencies, but mid and low frequencies are the strong point of headphones, they sound clean, natural and natural. The wooden body gives the sound softness, warmth and a very low coefficient of reflection inside the acoustic chamber. While listening to the Meze 12 Classic, I caught myself thinking that if these closed headphones had an open case, they would sound simply great. But they are completely closed, and therefore are perfect for listening to music on the street and in transport, losing a certain amount of the breadth of the audio scene.

Pros:

• Good sound quality, which is given a characteristic shade by the wooden body of the headphones
• Compact
• Natural wood body
• Tangle-free, durable wire
• Good microphone

Minuses:

• It is not advisable to expose the wooden headphone case to prolonged exposure to water.
• One control button

Philips Fidelio S2

Peculiarity: Philips Fidelio S2 are in-ear headphones with a classic fit, a dynamic driver with a semi-closed housing. One of the main features of the headphones is a dynamic driver with a record diaphragm diameter of 13 mm. At the same time, the driver is quite powerful - 40 mW. Add to this a very high resolution and competent calibration, and the result is outstanding vacuum headphones for home use.

I selected the Philips Fidelio S2 headphones as home headphones because they have a semi-closed acoustic design, which means they do not have very good passive noise isolation. This means that it will be very pleasant to listen to them at home or in the office, but in transport you will lose all the low frequencies, because. they will be drowned out by the noise from the operation of a bus or subway car.

I would like to note the very good ergonomics of the headphones; if you choose the right ear pads, you won’t feel them in your ears at all.

The body of the headphones is not plastic, it is made of metal and covered with enamel on the outside, making the headphones look simply amazing.

Sound: The headphones sound very balanced and pleasant. There is a slight emphasis on the mid frequencies; it is very pleasant to listen to a recording of live instruments in headphones. Thanks to the high power of the driver, they confidently convey not only the sound, but also the texture of the instrument. This is a rare quality for vacuum headphones, because... For the most part, the driver power is not enough to convey the voltage of the instrument's sound. The Fidelio S2 do this very well, without thinking that they are unable to reproduce low frequencies. They play the bass honestly, i.e. where it is, you will hear it, but where it is not, you will not. At the same time, those musical compositions where the sound engineer in the studio made sure that the low frequencies should be very powerful and booming will sound like that in the Philips Fidelio S2. This is their main difference from ordinary headphones, which either add bass wherever they can, or simply cannot cope with it at the proper level. S2, as a professional, does not waste their talent, but if they come across complex and dynamic music, they will play it like no other headphones.

Pros:

• Comfortable fit
• Balanced sound
• Great design
• Rich equipment
• 7 pairs of ear pads included, including 2 pairs of foam ear pads
• Convenient flat cable
• There is a microphone and a Play/Stop button

Minuses:

• Insufficient noise insulation for listening to headphones in transport

DUNU Titan 5

Peculiarities: DUNU Titan 5 are in-ear headphones with a classic fit and a dynamic driver. Engineers are constantly looking for new materials or combinations of materials to create the ideal dynamic driver membrane. Each material, which undergoes numerous tests and becomes a membrane in serial products, has its own advantages and disadvantages, and, as a result, its own sound character. When designing the DUNU Titan 5 vacuum headphones, the engineer came up with the successful idea of ​​creating a hybrid material for the membrane. Press releases from the DUNU company are silent about what material is used to produce the membrane base, but they readily share that this material is coated with titanium microparticles. This approach made it possible to obtain a lightweight but very durable material that is excellent for creating a membrane for a dynamic driver. As a result, we got headphones that sound very detailed, sometimes, due to this parameter, they can be confused with the sound of reinforcement headphones. But at the same time, the driver retained the ability to reproduce the full range of audible frequencies.

DUNU Titan 5 are equipped with a removable cable with a standard MMCX connector, so damage to the cable is not a reason to replace the headphones; you just need to buy any cable with a similar connector and continue enjoying your favorite songs.

Sound: I liked the sound of the TITAN 5, they sound powerful, enveloping, with sparkle in the high frequencies and good detail. After listening to several test music tracks, it becomes obvious that the headphones have a V-shaped sound tuning, i.e. Bass and treble are emphasized, while mids are slightly pushed into the background. In this case, the emphasis on low frequencies prevails. This sound setting is perfect for listening to electronic and modern popular music, as well as various calm genres like Lo-Fi Hip-Hop, Lounge music and similar ones.

Due to their sound nature, headphones are perfect for computer games and watching movies.

The sound will appeal to lovers of powerful, spacious bass; it envelops and softly but persistently creates a musical background for any melody.

Pros:

• Rich equipment
• Good ergonomics
• High-quality materials and high level of assembly
• Excellent sound, especially for lovers of powerful, serious bass
• Excellent price/quality ratio

Minuses:

• In cold weather the wire becomes slightly dull

Sennheiser IE 80s

Peculiarities: Sennheiser IE80S are in-ear headphones with a mixed fit and one dynamic driver inside. The mixed fit means you can wear them either classic or with an over-the-ear design. The earhook is removable and is included with the headphones. Depending on where you plan to listen to the headphones, you can change the fit. For example, if you listen to headphones at home, you don’t need a earhook and you can remove it. If you go outside, then earbuds will be very useful so that you don’t have to adjust the headphones in your ears.

The headphones are also equipped with an interesting function of multi-stage bass adjustment. On the outside of the case there is a special mechanism that looks like a screw. Next to it is a scale of intensity of low frequencies. The kit includes a special tool with which you can turn this control, thereby changing the intensity of the bass. Reliable and original. The bass responds quite sensitively to this tuning, and the sound is not distorted, as happens if you increase the low frequencies using an equalizer.

The cable is removable, however, it uses a proprietary contact developed by Sennheiser, so only the original one will fit the replacement cable. But in any case, this is a plus of headphones, because... If the cable is damaged, there is no need to buy a new pair.

Sound: Sennheiser IE80S vacuum headphones reproduce sound very clearly and in detail. The sound character is light, however, using the bass controls you can slightly shift the shades of the sound towards the dark side. In general, the headphones perfectly convey details, have a good power reserve and therefore are suitable not only for listening to music in transport, but also for home listening in silence. You'll get the most out of your sound. Timbre, dynamics, texture - nothing can be hidden from the Sennheiser IE80S and you will be sure that you heard in the phonogram everything that was intended by the sound engineer.

Pros:

• Good sound quality
• Detachable cable
• Mixed planting type
• Rugged housing
• Rich scope of delivery
• Mechanical bass intensity control

Minuses:

• The removable cable is proprietary, which means it can only be replaced with exactly the same one from Sennheiser

1MORE Quad Driver In-Ear

Peculiarities: 1MORE Quad Driver are in-ear headphones with a classic fit and a hybrid driver system. The main feature of the headphones is the unique combination of price and technology that was used to create these vacuum headphones. Inside there are: 1 dynamic driver and 3 reinforcement ones. Compared to its competitors, the headphones use a somewhat unusual division of driver responsibilities. The dynamic driver voices the low frequencies and low mids, the remaining 3 armature drivers took over the mids, high mids and highs. Typically, with a similar layout, the dynamic driver is responsible only for low frequencies.

The headphone body is entirely made of metal, and therefore reliable and beautiful. The cable is not removable. Please note: the sound duct of the headphones is short, so only the supplied ear pads will fit it. This also affects the fit; in some ears, the headphones may simply not fit properly. When purchasing, it is advisable to try on the model in person. In my case, everything was fine, the headphones fit in my ear as they should and did not cause any discomfort.

Despite the affordable price, the headphones have a rich set of equipment and stylish packaging. This model of vacuum headphones can be safely given on birthdays, anniversaries and other holidays; I am sure that your gift will not get lost and will attract everyone’s attention.

Sound: 1MORE Quad Driver In-Ear vacuum headphones sound very clear and detailed. Don’t be surprised if you read the entire article; I write these exact words about every headphone. But don’t forget, this is a selection of the best headphones, but how can some of the best sound dull and muffled? There is no such thing, so I, observing formalities, continue to write about each model that it sounds good. As for the features of these vacuum headphones, their low frequencies are somewhat tidied up, while they do not disappear, but are played fairly. Where the bass should have been according to the sound engineer's idea, it will be there, and where it is not, it will not be. The mids are slightly relegated to the background, but thanks to the armature drivers they are detailed enough to be noticeable in normal day-to-day listening. There is a slight peak in the high frequencies to make the sound more airy and open. As a result, we received a model of vacuum headphones that are perfect for those who are looking for honest sound with a stylish appearance and a very affordable price.

Pros:

• Good design
• Rich equipment
• Excellent build quality
• Reliable cable

Minuses:

• Fixed cable

Peculiarities: Master & Dynamic ME05 are in-ear headphones with a classic fit and one dynamic driver inside. Some interesting features of the model include the all-machined brass, black chrome-plated and hand-polished headphone housings. The manufacturer also claims that the driver membrane is coated with titanium, which gives the membrane greater strength and increased sound detail.

The headphones fit very comfortably in your ears; you just need to choose the size of ear pads that suits you and you won’t have any problems with comfort.

Sound: vacuum headphones have a slightly dark sound, powerful and punchy bass, while the high frequencies are also slightly raised to make the sound more pleasant and contrasty. The sound is very dynamic, perfect for those who primarily seek drive and inspiration in music. Of course, the headphones are omnivorous, they can play any melody or genre, but they manage to prove themselves especially well in music with an abundance of low frequencies and drums. Thanks to titanium coating, the sound remains detailed at all frequencies, without turning into mush anywhere.

Pros:

• Durable and beautiful brass body
• The driver membrane is titanium coated
• Simple but durable design
• Premium Look
• Good sound quality, especially when reproducing low frequencies

Minuses:

• Not everyone will like the appearance of the headphones.

Peculiarities: ADVANCED M4 are in-ear headphones with a classic fit and one dynamic driver. There are no special frills in these headphones. There is a twisted wire that prevents tangling, more reliable and beautiful than the usual smooth cable with silicone braid. The set includes many ear pads of different shapes, both silicone and foam. The aluminum body of the headphones makes them reliable and beautiful.

Probably the main feature of the ADVANCED M4 vacuum headphones is their sound. The headphones were created for musicians and those who are professionally involved in sound and music, and the model costs very little money. Two conclusions follow from this:

1. The sound tuning was aimed at achieving a smooth and honest studio character. I think that everything was done correctly and within the current price of headphones they fulfill their role perfectly.
2. Headphones are created for musicians; not all ordinary listeners will like their sound. The headphones hardly add any color to the sound, which means it is not as beautiful as in conventional models, and this can turn off many unprepared music lovers.

The ADVANCED M4 vacuum headphones fit very comfortably in your ears, but to do this you need to choose the right size and type of ear pads for you. After this, you can listen to the headphones for many hours in a row and not notice them.

Sound: ADVANCED M4 sounds balanced, smooth and clear. They are perfect for those who are looking for an honest, calm sound, so that the headphones do not hit the ears with bass or anything else, but sound calm, measured and professional. There is no emphasis on the bass; it sounds very neat, fast and detailed. Mid and high frequencies merge into a single whole, perfectly conveying every detail of the musical instrument. Probably, for the price they ask for headphones, this is one of the best models for working with sound. You'll hear every detail, never miss a thing, and have complete control over the sound.

Pros:

• Rich equipment
• Honest smooth sound
• Aluminium case
• Good price
• Durable twisted cable

Minuses:

• Headphones may not be suitable for those looking for bold sound

Peculiarities: Shure SE112 are in-ear headphones with a classic fit and one dynamic driver inside. The headphone body is plastic, the cable is ordinary, it only boasts a nice divider with protection and an unusual jack shape. Otherwise, these are traditional vacuum headphones.

The most important thing about these headphones is the price/quality ratio. They are not expensive, but they sound great. If you're looking for inexpensive, lightweight, and nicely made headphones, check out the Shure SE112.

Sound: The headphones sound pleasant, there is no distortion or blocking of the sound. Low frequencies, as it should be for the mass listener, are enhanced, the bass sounds powerful, driving and confident. The speed is average, as is the detail, but this is only noticeable when directly comparing the headphones with competitors. The mids are detailed enough that you don't mind it and enjoy the material you're listening to. High frequencies sound clean, transparent, but not so bright as to distract the main attention when listening to music. Overall, the sound is tuned to appeal to most listeners, making modern electronic and pop music sound impactful and smooth. Ideal for daily listening to music from your phone while traveling or walking.

Pros:

• Affordable price
• Very light
• Reliable cable
• Soft pleasant sound
• High level of ergonomics

Minuses:

• The cable is not removable
• In cold weather the cable becomes slightly dull

Peculiarities: Bose QuietControl 30 are wireless in-ear headphones with a collar style and active noise cancellation. Bose is famous for building one of the most effective noise reduction systems into its headphones, and the company's engineers are very strong at this. Indeed, using these vacuum headphones, even in a subway car, you can very comfortably listen to music or audiobooks on headphones. The noise from the carriage is, of course, audible, but it no longer interferes with enjoying the music. And this is in a subway car rushing at full speed through the tunnel. On the street or in another noisy environment, the noise becomes completely insignificant. You don’t even have to listen to music and walk completely oblivious to the noise from the cars. Active noise cancellation works very effectively.

Sound: Bose classically focuses on drive, power and good bass in its headphones. This happened with the Bose QuietControl 30, they are best able to cope with modern electronic and pop music, it sounds very impressive and powerful. Of course, you can listen to any music, but it is modern genres with a lot of bass and drums that are the strength of these vacuum headphones. Classical music will also sound good, but not great due to the noticeable emphasis on bass. Lovers of honest sound should look for other models. I am sure that the remaining 80% of listeners will like the sound character of the Bose QuietControl 30.

Pros:

• Excellent performance of active noise cancellation system
• Pleasant driving sound
• Comfortable collar
• Long battery life up to 10 hours

Minuses:

• Active noise cancellation at maximum power may cause discomfort for some people

Peculiarities: Sony WI-1000X are wireless in-ear headphones with a collar type mount and active noise reduction system. These are new flagships from Sony and therefore there are some very interesting technologies hidden inside.

The Sony WI-1000X vacuum headphones have active noise cancellation and work very effectively. The hum and noise of the streets is perfectly filtered, even when traveling in the subway, the noise from the carriage and the roar of the tunnel is greatly reduced. Of course, you will hear it, but at a much lower volume, which significantly affects comfort on long trips, and you won’t have to turn up the volume of the music you’re listening to to hear it well. Anyone who has at least once tried good vacuum headphones with active noise canceling continues to use them in the future; this function is indispensable on the street.

The Sony WI-1000X model supports both wired and wireless connections via Bluetooth. Today, there are 3 main codecs that can transmit music with high quality: , aptx HD and LDAC. The most progressive codec is LDAC. If your phone supports this codec, then when you connect Sony WI-1000X headphones to it, you will get amazing sound quality that will not differ from wired ones.

Also, the Sony WI-1000X vacuum headphones use two proprietary technologies that improve the sound transmitted wirelessly: DSEE HX and S-Master HX. Without delving into the technical jungle, I will note that these technologies always work automatically. Their task is to make the sound signal as high quality as possible. If you listen to compressed audio in mp3 or any other format, then the headphones try to restore the original type of signal so that you do not hear compression artifacts, which always appear when listening to music in mp3 format in good headphones. Almost always mp3 music sounds more pleasant and dense than other wireless headphones. Sony did everything so that you enjoy music and don’t think about how you do it.

A hybrid driver system is responsible for the sound in the WI-1000X: 1 dynamic and 1 armature. Thanks to this tandem, the sound turned out to be very detailed, but at the same time capacious and dynamic.

Sound: WI-1000X vacuum headphones have a very rich, rich dark sound. This type of sound can be considered proprietary to Sony wireless headphones. The bass is slightly boosted, the mids are smooth and detailed, and the highs are pushed into the background. The result is a soft, ingratiating yet detailed and powerful sound. Of course, any sound signature has its fans and haters. Personally, I like this sound delivery, but there are people who cannot listen to music without sharp and overly bright high frequencies. WI-1000X is not suitable for them.

Also, when directly comparing the WI-1000X with the sound of other wireless headphones of similar prices, I noticed that Sony slightly changes the timbre of the singers' voices. This is neither good nor bad, it is a fact. The voice does not deteriorate or improve, it just becomes a little different, not like with regular headphones. Obviously, this is the result of DSEE HX and S-Master HX technologies that improve overall sound quality. But once you listen to the WI-1000X, you will completely stop noticing this effect and will just enjoy the music.

Pros:

• Comfortable collar
• Effective active noise cancellation system
• Good sound quality
• LDAC codec support
• Long battery life - up to 13 hours with noise cancellation
• Compressed audio restoration technologies DSEE HX and S-Master HX
• Possibility of wired and wireless connection

• Voices of singers are slightly distorted when connected wirelessly

RHA MA650 Wireless

Peculiarities: RHA MA650 Wireless are in-ear wireless headphones with a collar mount and a single dynamic driver.

The “collar” is completely covered with silicone to prevent splashes and sweat from affecting the electronic components of the headphones. Vacuum headphones are IPX4 certified, which means that you can safely play any sport (except swimming) or walk in the rain.

The headphone body is made of aluminum alloy, there is no doubt about its reliability. The shape of the headphones is not accidental; it is called Aerophonic and is RHA’s own development. Aerophonic allows you to deliver sound to your ears with a minimum of distortion and reflections inside the acoustic chamber, making the sound natural and realistic.

It is worth noting the long battery life - up to 12 hours at a volume no higher than 70% of the maximum possible. I assure you, you will not turn up the maximum volume; the headphones are loud enough to listen to music in a subway car at about 60-70%.

Sound: RHA MA650 Wireless vacuum headphones are tuned to sound as expressive as possible. Yes, honest sound delivery suffers from this, but in return you get a very bright and powerful sound. Low frequencies and upper mids are slightly boosted. The result is a sound that is contrasty, powerful and elegant. This type of sound is especially suitable for listening on the street and in transport, so you will not miss the character of the sound and can enjoy the music even while in a noisy carriage or on a flying plane.

I don't think it's worth mentioning that the headphones provide very clear sound without the slightest hint of distortion, sand or sibilance. It is obvious.

Pros:

• Sweat- and splash-proof IPX4
• Bright, powerful, pleasant sound
• Good ergonomics
• Rich equipment
• Long battery life up to 12 hours
• Premium materials
• 3 years warranty

Minuses:

• The USB port is not covered with a plug

Sennheiser MOMENTUM In-Ear Wireless

Peculiarities: Sennheiser MOMENTUM In-Ear Wireless are premium wireless in-ear headphones with a collar mount. There are ordinary wireless headphones, there are sports ones, there are special and curious ones, and there are premium ones. Sennheiser MOMENTUM In-Ear Wireless vacuum headphones belong to the premium class.

The first thing that catches your eye is the style and decoration. The headphones have a simple design; these headphones can be worn with a T-shirt or a business suit. Moreover, with a suit they will look even better. The main distinguishing feature of this model from any other is the collar trim; it is made of semi-aniline leather and has noticeable red stitching. Obviously, the headphones were created to emphasize the style of their owner, his taste and social status.

As for technology, there is plenty of it. Let's start with battery life - up to 10 hours. Codec support: aptX, AAC and SBC. Support for voice assistants and vibration alarm for incoming voice calls.

The sound is controlled by one dynamic driver, developed by leading Sennheiser engineers and, believe me, the headphones sound great.

Sound: If you've ever heard Sennheiser headphones, you can already get an idea of ​​the sound character of this model. Sennheiser MOMENTUM In-Ear Wireless vacuum headphones sound full-bodied, serious, and balanced. There is no emphasis on any frequencies; they all sound assertive and confident. The detail is excellent, especially if you listen to headphones with the active aptX codec. The headphones are absolutely omnivorous, they will happily play the next set from Armin Van Buuren, after which they will effortlessly cope with any classic work by Beethoven. Soft, confident presentation, high detail and overall balanced sound will give you true pleasure from owning premium wireless vacuum headphones.

Full review of Beyerdynamic Byron BTA headphones
Peculiarities: Beyerdynamic Byron BTA are in-ear wireless headphones with a classic fit. These vacuum headphones do not have any significant features; they are two housings connected by a wire, on which there is a lightweight, fully rubberized control panel with a microphone.

The headphone body is made of black matte aluminum alloy, which guarantees high reliability and durability of the design.

There is one interesting engineering solution - a way to charge the headphone battery. Typically, wireless headphones have a USB socket into which a wire is connected. In this model, the engineers decided to do a little experiment. The fact is that the traditional USB socket, although it is a rather convenient and universal solution, is not without its drawbacks - if used carelessly, it becomes loose and loses good contact, which can lead to rapid failure of the headphones. To avoid possible problems, the engineers decided to equip the headphones with a separate charger. The charger itself plugs into USB, but there's no need to unplug it. There are a pair of contacts on the headphone remote control; to start charging, you need to place the headphone remote control into the recess on the charger and the battery will begin charging. As soon as you need the headphones, you just need to take them from the charger and that’s it, no further action is needed on your part. Convenient, simple and elegant solution.

Sound: Byron BTA headphones are the older model of this series, support the aptX codec and Bluetooth 4.2, and also use a modern DSP processor for sound processing. And these are not empty words, the headphones really play music perfectly.

I would like to note that the headphones have a neutral sound character; there is no enhanced bass or emphasized mids or highs. Headphones try not to introduce distortion into the sound.

Thanks to this approach, during the first cursory listen, I noted to myself that the sound was slightly boring. But as soon as I listened to them carefully, I realized that behind the apparent screen of simplicity, details and character were hidden.

Byron BTA play the sound carefully, delicately, as if they were carefully carrying a crystal vase on a velvet napkin; one extra or sudden movement, and the vase will break. Headphones are also careful about sound. You will not hear deafeningly deep bass or sharp and ringing high frequencies from them. The sound is soft, insinuating and intelligent. He doesn't try to please everyone, he's just neat and delicate.

Pros:

• Compact size
• Magnets in the headphones for comfortable wearing around the neck
• Convenient charger
• Excellent sound quality
• Good equipment
• Aluminium case
• Long battery life

Minuses:

• It takes a few days to get used to the remote control.
• No protection against sweat and moisture
• The maximum stated battery life is only possible when connected to a device that supports Bluetooth 4.2

Music lovers love this same music to accompany them everywhere: from simple jogging in the morning to the way to work or school. It is music that can relax, tap into emotions and improve your mood. Today we will talk about which headphones to choose so that the sound is of the highest quality.

Today the choice fell on vacuum headphones: the most comfortable, the smallest and, perhaps, the most effective for listening to music. After all, you can put this type of headphones in your pocket or bag due to the fact that they take up very little space. The only downside is the fact that they often break and get tangled. But you must understand that careful handling and the ability to “wind up” the headphones will increase their vital activity significantly.

Music sound quality

The sound quality of the music played depends on several factors. I will try to arrange them in descending order of importance: track bitrate, quality of the device on which the sound is output (speakers, headphones), quality of the device from which the sound is output (player, phone, computer).

We can conclude that the difference in sound if you listen to the same track on a personal computer, player or mobile phone will be negligible. The bitrate directly affects the file size of the track, and you cannot change it. But choosing headphones that make a huge difference will be a piece of cake.

Today we will look at five vacuum headphones that are impossible to pass by, which can deservedly be called leaders among their “brothers”. After all, headphones are often included with a mobile phone or MP3 player. But in 9 cases out of 10, these “ears” deserve the maximum so that they are not thrown into the trash and put on a distant shelf, awaiting a dark streak in the owner’s life.

Sony MDR-EX10LPB

It's no secret that the best manufacturer of a product will be a company that fully devotes itself to creating headphones. The representative of our fifth place is an exception. These are headphones from the famous Japanese company Sony MDR-EX10LPB. The first plus that catches your eye is the price. It is quite low for high-quality headphones - around $10. Their service life is also quite long. The disadvantages include the rather quiet sound. And how many of us like to “crank it up”, despite the harm to hearing, I consider this a minus. Still, this can be considered a limitation on the ability to fully experience the pleasure of music.

Koss SparkPlug Pathfinder

Our next leader is the Koss SparkPlug Pathfinder. For me, these were the first headphones that I admired. Just look at the ear pads, which need to be squeezed before being inserted into the ear. And in the ear they “straighten out” and you, completely isolated from the outside world, feel every bass, every sound. At the same time, the headphones hold on “like nails.” The disadvantage of these ear pads is that over time their elasticity is lost and they become hard. Not to mention, bits of your earwax form on the surface and scab over directly. There is a volume control on the wire. I didn’t like it because it moves very easily and it often happened that clothes “helped” make the sound quieter. The price ranges around $20.

AKG K350

3. Another pair of “ears” that you can’t ignore is the AKG K350. They attract with a cute design and a convenient remote control. This is what sets him apart from other “brothers”. Quite comfortable and fits easily in the ears. The sound is quite high quality. But problems were noticed in high frequencies. I see the downside in something else. Here the price is around 70 $. I think it's a little overpriced. But the quality of the material and the brand determine such a price.

Sennheiser CX 200 Street II

The Sennheiser CX 200 Street II truly feels like the best headphone ever made. At a price of $45, it looks like $100. Quite compact. Sennheiser has generally released a fairly large number of high-quality headphones. But this model won the hearts of many buyers. The sound is quite loud, compact design, long life - this is not a complete list of the advantages of these headphones. Apparently due to the small size there were minor problems in the high frequencies and bass.

Beats by Dr. Dre Tour

Beats by Dr. Dre Tour. Relatively recently, these headphones appeared on the market. As the story goes, they were originally created to listen to hip-hop. But they can handle any type and style of music. The design does not create any complaints. The cords are unusually wide. Again, as the story goes, this is so that they do not get confused, which is remarkably implemented in practice. When you walk down the street wearing these headphones, it's like a branded Gucci handbag. But that's the problem. The original Beats cost a lot of money compared to others. For example, this model will cost around $120. Therefore, you can buy an excellent copy or replica. But you must understand that these are not the headphones they should be, that they are fake. That's why I compared these headphones to a handbag. Beats is a big brand. You give money for it.

Headphone selection

The choice of headphones is yours. Of course, you can go to the nearest hardware store and buy the cheapest headphones, but you will not feel the pleasure that you will get from high-quality, often expensive, headphones. In these five headphones, I included those that, in view of my relatively rich experience of listening to music in different headphones, are worthy of attention. Among the huge selection of vacuum headphones, these five leaders will allow you to completely immerse yourself in the world that you want. And if you are interested not only in vacuum headphones, then be sure to read the article.

Reading time: 15 minutes.

Dear readers, we present to you a selection of the TOP 5 best headphones according to BigRating

Sennheiser CX 280

An eminent company that is a leader in the audio equipment market. Undoubtedly, when you mention this brand, an image of incredibly high-quality equipment, but at the same time very expensive, appears in your head. But this time the story is slightly different, because the headphones are very budget-friendly while maintaining the general quality trends of the company.

The main advantages include low cost and high quality of low-frequency reproduction.

Design

It would seem, how can you surprise the average user? Sennheiser has always been distinguished by its design, which has been worked out to the smallest detail and the excellent quality of materials. It’s funny, but even here the model differs significantly from general trends - you can determine whether you belong to a brand only by examining them in more detail.

The product looks like ordinary headphones from the budget segment of the market. Classic design and dark tones of the body finish. To make the case, ordinary plastic was used. Users may assume that the plastic will have a wood or metal finish, but this is not the case. The products look like ordinary cheap headphones, of which there are tons on the market.

Ergonomics

The design of the headphones is not at all different from the bulk of their “brothers”. The silicone ear pads fit quite well in the ears. The packaging allows you to choose the most convenient option, because there are three pairs in the package. Sound insulation is not perfect, but it is performed at the proper level. The wire is equipped with a volume control.

It is worth focusing special attention on the wire, because it is surprisingly thin and delicate. In defense of the manufacturer, one can only say that it will not break easily, but you should be very careful in use. The most vulnerable is the sore spot of all headphones - the mount at the plug. We advise those who like to pull out their headphones by the cord to think twice...

Technical features

Undoubtedly, anyone who wants to purchase this model expects to see praise for its high-quality and rich sound. You'll be a little disappointed here. No, the sound is not terrible, it's just ordinary, normal. Unfortunately, the manufacturers did not please us with the wide detailing.

But there is a significant plus - it is very deep bass. In general, the implementation is good for this price segment of the audience. We dare to assume that this model is aimed at a wide range of consumers who are not very picky about sound quality and want to buy branded headphones.

Brainwavz M3

Unexpectedly, a Chinese company also made its way into our top list. The brand is very unusual and has not gained popularity everywhere. So, for example, he is not particularly popular in the Russian Federation, and judging by official sources, he even tries to hide his origin.

It is not surprising that the young company is trying to occupy as many business niches as possible. Specifically, the Brainwavz M3 model is designed for young people and other lovers of modern music. The product is original and has nothing to do with counterfeits. This can be confirmed by the relatively considerable price for a Chinese company - 100 dollars.

The main advantages of the brand are sound purity and bass quality. It is also worth noting the good choice of materials for the case.

Design

The body is made of several materials, the predominant one being metal. In appearance, the headphones can be classified as expensive and solid, because their shape is very unusual. The whole point is that from the cups there are a kind of extensions from a single piece of metal. Surprisingly, even the mesh on the speaker is also made of iron. This greatly improves the quality of the bits. In defense of the Chinese manufacturer specifically, one can attribute no squeaks or backlashes. This is very rare for the Chinese market.

Ergonomics

The package includes 2 pairs of silicone ear pads. Sound insulation is of high quality, but there are some difficulties in fixation due to the non-standard shape. We should also highlight the cable - it is very durable, but has little flexibility. It may not be very comfortable, but we can confidently say that these headphones will last a long time.

Technical features

The main feature is the non-standard choice of membrane, specifically 10.7 mm. Metal parts of the body significantly improve the sound quality, and it becomes rich and noble. There is no noise as such at all frequencies. The headphones themselves are aimed at bass – their depth and quality are amazing.

They are adjusted moderately and this does not affect the high and mid frequencies at all. They are legible and sound very natural. This model is an excellent quality option for its price. Some people may be afraid to buy headphones from an untrusted manufacturer, but they may well be suitable as a headset for daily use.

Monoprice 9927

The manufacturer is a so-called reseller and sells a large number of products. Surprisingly, such high-quality headphones must be paid for only 15 dollars. Undoubtedly, such a balance of price and quality deserves third place in the ranking of the best headphones.

Among the main advantages of the Monoprice 9927, it is necessary to highlight its unusually low price, unique design and good selection of materials.

Design

It's funny that for such a price the headphones have an original design. They are made of black soft touch, which is very pleasant to touch. The headphones themselves are shell-shaped and have small indentations.

The cable is the weak point of any headphones, but Monoprice solved the problem with a fabric braid that not only protects the cable well, but also gives it solidity. It is also worth noting the high build quality - the complete absence of squeaks.

Ergonomics

A small drawback is the rather large size. Due to this, people with small ears may experience discomfort, because with prolonged use the headphones will put pressure on their ears. Yes, the set includes 3 pairs of silicone ear pads, and perhaps the average user will not experience any discomfort during use. Noise insulation at a high level.

Technical features

Surprisingly, at $15, the sound is even better than its closest competitors. Undoubtedly, users will be pleased with the good quality of bass. They are of high quality and depth. Perhaps some will be put off by the presence of noise at mid frequencies, but at this price the presence of a small amount of noise is justified. There is also a small nuance - there is a very noticeable peak at high frequencies, but this can be corrected by equalizer settings. Spending 5 minutes of time and forgetting about the problem forever is significant.

Detail is average, and frequencies are slightly blurred, but overall the sound is transparent and natural. As a clear advantage of this model, it is worth noting that it is often compared with more expensive competitors (usually 5 times or more), which already says a lot.

Beats Urbeats

Beats Audio is gaining an ever-increasing army of fans all over the world every year. Mostly these are people in the age category from 15 to 25 years. The headset is very popular among young people, and this is confirmed by a group of analysts. They stated that Beats Audio headphones confidently accounted for a third of total sales in the global market. Only original models are taken into account; all kinds of fakes, of which there are countless, were not counted. This, of course, also creates a kind of PR for the company.

The main advantages are the original style, as well as brand recognition. High quality and good sound - the headphones produce very rich and deep bass. From an ergonomic point of view, they are also impossible to tamper with.

Let's take a closer look Beats Urbeats design

In appearance, these are ordinary vacuum headphones, but they have a very rich design that is full of aggression. Imagine a situation where people contact you without noticing that you are wearing headphones. Now imagine the same situation, but when you are wearing Beats Urbeats headphones. Is it really ridiculous?

With such a colossal range of colors that are used when decorating the case, the headphones can be seen from 15-20 meters.

This design is very multitasking. Not only do the headphones look very nice, but they also speak for themselves. Now you don’t have to explain to your friends what this miracle of technology in your ears is.

The materials were chosen wisely: high-quality metal body and rubberized wire. The company offers a wide selection of colors, but the most popular and famous is the combination of red and white. An important point is the matte surface of the cup - this guarantees the absence of fingerprints on the case.

Ergonomics

When we mention the comfort and ease of use of Beats Audio headphones, we are not wasting our time. The set of headphones alone speaks for itself: a set of four pairs of ear pads made of silicone will allow you to use the headphones for a long time. The “plugs” fit tightly into the ears and provide ideal sound insulation.

Life is greatly simplified by using a flat headphone cord. Probably each of us has encountered the problem of tightly tangled headphones that we just don’t want to untangle. Well, Beats Audio solved this problem. This form of wire does not get tangled at all when carried in a bag or pocket. The cord itself is 1 meter long and this is quite enough for comfortable use with a player or smartphone.

In addition, the wire is equipped with an adjustment unit, which has a built-in microphone. The only drawback and weak point of all headphones is the mounting area and this company, unfortunately, is no exception.

Upon purchase you will receive a branded carrying case.

Technical features

The headphones fully support the requirements of their target audience. Note that the buyers are mainly young people who like to listen to dubstep and R`n`B. Accordingly, the headphones are “sharpened” for lower frequencies. This occurs due to oversaturation and part of the mid and low frequencies is simply eaten up. Perhaps the average user will not notice this, but for a person who has worn high-quality headphones at least once in his life, the difference is amazing.

Sony MDR-XB50AP

Sony has long been entrenched in the audio equipment market, because it was the company that created the first cassette player. It was with her that our memories of the first imported equipment began. Prices, of course, were steep at that time, but now the situation has changed slightly. Specifically, the MDR-XB50AP model is significantly different from its previous competitor.

We consider the positive qualities to be a well-designed design, sound quality and a good microphone.

Design

Sony has always approached such an important moment with great responsibility. When buying Sony, we take the design standard - jewelry shapes and edges. The cups are made with corrugated metal inserts, which perfectly matches the black body. In terms of color design, we are presented with 4 colors: black, yellow, blue and white. Due to this, the company is trying to expand the circle of consumers, because black color can be suitable for business people, and bright colors for teenagers.

Ergonomics

In relation to the MDR-XB50AP, everything is not entirely simple. A set of ear pads will allow you to provide high-quality sound insulation for any ear, but at the same time, the significant weight, like for droplets, makes long-term use difficult. After all, then the ears quickly get tired. A significant advantage is the selection of materials - every part of the headphones is pleasant to the touch and is of high quality. It is almost impossible to tear them in everyday use.
Separately, it is worth highlighting the microphone unit. This is a very convenient device, equipped with a special button for receiving calls and a volume control.

Technical features

Sony is one of the few companies that keeps its word in everything. They promised us budget headphones with great bass quality, and we get the MDR-XB50AP. Of course, the mids and highs are slightly cut, but the headphones were aimed at an audience that loves Basshead.

The headphones are suitable for absolutely any digital source and are generally good both from an aesthetic point of view and from a sound point of view.

As a result, it is worth highlighting 3 out of 5 representatives for the better. They fully live up to expectations, and the best, of course, were the headphones Sony. Yes, the price is a little more than $15, but for this money we get a number of advantages, with virtually no disadvantages.

Few people now imagine their daily life without music and headphones in their ears. Especially somewhere on the road. The most optimal and convenient for everyday use are in-ear headphones (the correct name), which are popularly called vacuum or earplugs. In general terms, both the official and colloquial names capture the essence and explain the main feature of this type of headphones: they are inserted directly into the ear canal. Thanks to this, good isolation from external noise is achieved, and the emitter (or emitters) are located deeper in the ears. And there are also many types of such in-ear headphone plugs, and they should be classified according to a large number of features and factors. In 2019, first of all - by price. The most popular segment of “droplets” are budget models. This price range can be limited to a conditional 400 or 600 UAH; variations are possible depending on the contents of the wallet and personal psychological barrier. We will not consider options up to 200 UAH; this is already a category of consumables that can be purchased at any crossing. I personally have extremely high criteria for the sound quality of headphones; I believe that the sound quality of the vast majority of headphones under 3000 UAH does not even come close to suiting me. But I am often asked for advice on choosing simpler headphones. Therefore, here are cheaper options for headphones that will more than suit part of the audience. Below are more expensive options.

Cheap in-ear headphones

In this case, the word “plugs” best reflects the essence: at the moment, in this price segment there are models only for the most unpretentious listeners, for the most part - “to play.” And the number of models is sky-high and you should choose based on personal impressions and preferences, plus pay attention to the design: there are two types of mounting for in-ear headphones. Classic - just put it in your ears and you're done. And behind the ear, which came from professional IEMs (In-Ear-Monitor) for musicians. The cable from the earphone goes behind the ear, resulting in a more secure fit. These headphones are better suited for sports. It is extremely difficult to select any specific models in this range, because there are so many of them. Most of them will be able to provide the listener with a very dense bass, which will turn into a hum; however, other frequencies will also not be transmitted well. Among the well-known brands you can see:

Koss Plug, SparkPlug, Pathfinder

The Koss Plug model and its subsequent variations (Spark Plug, PathFinder) can hardly be imagined. The model has been produced since 1999 and is still very popular. Every day on public transport you can see them in someone's ears. The headphones have a rather unusual design. They are large, and instead of standard silicone tips, they use cone-shaped ones made of memory foam. The headphones have very good sound insulation and are especially suitable for bassheads: the headphones have a lot of low frequencies, they use 22 mm dynamic drivers, frequency range: 10 - 20,000 Hz, impedance 16 Ohms, sensitivity 112 dB/mW. The model costs 600-650 UAH.

Sony MDR-EX155

Sony MDR-EX155 are standard small-sized earbuds with a classic way of wearing, dynamic drivers, a 1.2 meter cable, without a headset microphone and with a standard set of three pairs of interchangeable tips of different sizes in order to choose the size to suit your ears. They have low resistance and any (or almost any) smartphone will handle them. The price is 600 UAH, they come in different colors. Among the “branded” models, there are also options from JBL, Philips, Panasonic, Pioneer and so on; they will not differ much in quality and sound, so you can choose by appearance.

SoundMAGIC PL11

SoundMAGIC PL11

Inexpensive and interesting in terms of price/quality ratio, on-ear headphones from China with a nice design and metal cases.

It's time to get rid of the stereotype that Chinese electronics are only of low quality. The Chinese have learned to do everything in the world, and a lot of things turn out to be good enough for a place in the top, this also applies to electronics: there are already a lot of large and small companies, this generates competition and, as a result, the quality of devices increases. Thanks to the lack of price tag, you can get a more interesting sound for the same money. For example SoundMAGIC PL11. They are small in size, the body is made of metal. The sound is produced by 9 mm dynamic drivers, frequency range: 20 - 22,000 Hz, impedance 12 Ohms, sensitivity 100 dB/mW. They sound more interesting, more detailed and smoother than the above-mentioned models, and the price tag is 560 UAH. As a nice bonus, the kit includes a clip for attaching to clothes and a small carrying case.

FiiO F1

All previous models are headphones, not headsets, and lack a microphone for use with smartphones. And potential buyers of such models listen to music mainly from their smartphone, so a remote control with a microphone will be very useful. FiiO is better known for its players, but the line of headphones appeared relatively recently and is produced by the company DUNU. F1 is the most budget model in the manufacturer’s line and it is equipped with a three-button control panel on a cable (by the way, it only works adequately with Android). Dynamic drivers of 9.2 mm are used, frequency range: 20 - 20,000 Hz, impedance 16 Ohms, sensitivity 97 dB/mW. The sound is aimed at bass lovers, but it does not clog the rest of the range and the mid frequencies remain distinguishable, the highs are pushed into the background. Price - 520 UAH.

MEE audio Sport-Fi M3P

We haven't forgotten about sports fans. Inexpensive in-ear headphones MEE audio Sport-Fi M3P have an ear mount for a secure fit, are suitable for running and exercising in the gym, and are protected from sweat and splashes. There is also a remote control with a microphone, but the only button is for receiving a call. The sound also emphasizes low frequencies in order to set the desired rhythm during training. Again, dynamic drivers are 9 mm (there are no fittings or hybrids in this price segment), frequency range: 20 - 20,000 Hz, impedance 16 Ohms, sensitivity 98 dB/mW. Price - 480 UAH.

Earbud headphones up to 3000 UAH

If you understand that the quality of very cheap headphones is no longer enough for you and you want something more serious, there are a lot of interesting options up to 3000, both Chinese and A-brands. It would be a shame to lose or tear such headphones and you should treat them more carefully. Let's start with branded ones.

Sennheiser IE4

The Sennheiser IE4 model is a familiar type of black earphones without a microphone; the company has been producing them for many years. Initially they were positioned as consumables for Sennheiser radio systems, so they are supplied in a simple bag with three pairs of replaceable attachments and small instructions. They use dynamic drivers, frequency range: 10 - 18,000 Hz, impedance: 16 Ohms, sensitivity: 106 dB/mW. In practice, they turned out to be very durable: the official guarantee was 24 months, but in reality they worked for about 4 years until they were lost (and they would have lived like that for some time). Price - about 2800 UAH.

Audio-Technica ATH-LS50iS

Audio-Technica ATH-LS50iS

In-ear headphones with a behind-the-ear mount, a microphone and a remote control, suitable for both a smartphone and a player. Reliable fit in the ears allows you to use it for sports.

Amazon

Another model, this time from the famous Japanese company Audio-Technica. The ATH-LS50iS headphones are available in various colors, are equipped with a detachable 1.2 m cable with A2DC connectors and a remote control with a microphone. So if there are problems with the cable, you can simply replace it with a new one, rather than taking the headphones to a service center. Dual Symphonic Drivers 8.8 mm are responsible for the sound. The ear hook ensures a good fit; the headphones are suitable for sports. Frequency range: 5 - 25,000 Hz, impedance: 11.5 Ohm, sensitivity: 103 dB/mW. Now their price is 2400 UAH.

Sony XBA-100

Those who want to get acquainted with the sound of armature headphones can look towards the Sony XBA-100. This is the basic, simplest Sony model with one armature emitter. They promise that the balanced armature driver installed in the headphones is perfect for any music, but reproduces vocals especially well. The headphones are very small and light (4 g), so there will be no problems with ease of use. Bassheads are not suitable due to the small amount of low frequencies. Frequency range: 5 - 25,000 Hz, impedance: 16 Ohm, sensitivity: 105 dB/mW. Price - 3000 UAH.

Shure SE215

Another model that does not quite fall into the price range (costs about 3100 UAH), but is very interesting and popular is Shure SE215. They have an excellent, comfortable and secure behind-the-ear fit and very decent sound for such a price. A very useful addition is a replaceable cable with standard MMCX connectors, which will allow you not only to replace it with a branded one, but also to select something from a third-party manufacturer. Dynamic emitters are used, frequency range: 22 - 17500 Hz, impedance: 20 Ohms, sensitivity: 107 dB/mW.

Ostry KC06A

Now let's move on to Chinese models. Ostry KC06A, popular among fans of inexpensive but high-quality Chinese headphones, now costs just over 2,000 UAH. They use dynamic emitters, the housings are made of metal, and they look very interesting. Suitable for both behind-the-ear and classic wearing methods. The set includes a bunch of different types of attachments and removable ear hooks for secure fixation. The Ostry KC06A has a slight emphasis on low frequencies; for those who like a more neutral sound, there are the Ostry KC06, which are a little cheaper. Frequency range: 20 - 20,000 Hz, impedance: 16 Ohm, sensitivity: 105 dB/mW.

MEE Audio Pinnacle P2

The MEE Audio Pinnacle line currently consists of two models, P2 is the youngest. But some of the important features were carried over from the flagship P1, namely a very convenient shape and a removable cable. The shape is provided for both the classic and behind-the-ear method of wearing, as you like; in any of the options, the headphones fit perfectly in the ears and do not fall out. Included cable - with microphone for use with smartphones. It is connected to the headphones using standard MMCX connectors, this makes it possible to replace it if necessary. Dynamic emitters, frequency range: 17 - 20,000 Hz, impedance: 16 Ohm, sensitivity: 100 dB/mW. Price - 2800 UAH.

HiFiman RE-400

The HiFiman company is known primarily for its Hi-Fi players, but recently it has also actively taken on headphones. HiFiman RE-400 are interesting vacuum headphones at an adequate price and are available in three different versions: HiFiman RE-400 - without a microphone and remote control, suitable for use with a player. Cost 2660 UAH. RE-400i and RE-400a - versions with microphones and remote controls for smartphones on iOS and Android, respectively, price - 2800 UAH. 8.5 mm dynamic drivers are responsible for the sound; they sound relatively smooth, with a slight emphasis on the mids and are well suited for vocals. Frequency range: 15 - 22,000 Hz, impedance: 32 Ohm, sensitivity: 102 dB/mW.

Vacuum headphones up to 10,000 UAH

Now we move on to a more serious weight category. Buyers of headphones with a price tag of up to 10,000 UAH have already figured out what they want from the sound, are mentally ready to shell out a tidy sum and, with a high degree of probability, have already acquired a separate Hi-Fi player.

AKG N40

AKG N40

Hybrid in-ear headphones with a replaceable cable and the ability to adjust the sound using replaceable filters on the sound guides.

Let's start, as always, with more well-known brands. AKG is a popular Austrian manufacturer, which is now part of the Harman International Industries concern. The manufacturer has a lot of headphones, both frankly cheap and weak in quality, and serious ones. AKG N40 is a hybrid model, with an armature driver responsible for high and mid frequencies, and a dynamic driver for bass. The range of reproduced frequencies is from 10 to 40,000 Hz. Some nice extras include a replaceable cable with a microphone and a set of replaceable filters on the sound guides for tuning the sound to your own taste. Wearing method: behind the ear, impedance: 20 Ohm, sensitivity: 115 dB/mW. Price - 10,000 UAH.

Audio-Technica CK90PRO MKII

An interesting and unusual sounding armature model Audio-Technica CK90PRO MKII. Dual radiators with a balanced armature are responsible for the sound. The headphones sound very detailed, which is typical for reinforcement headphones, but there are noticeably more low frequencies than usual in such cases. As a result, the sound does not turn out to be too dry; there is still room for drive in addition to analytics. Frequency range: 20 - 15,000 Hz, impedance: 37 Ohm, sensitivity: 111 dB/mW. The price is more humane than the previous model: 6440 UAH.

DUNU DN-2000J

Well, now to the Chinese manufacturers, and they have something to offer. At one time, the top hybrid model DUNU DN-2000J is still on sale and has not lost its relevance. The headphones have a 10 mm dynamic driver and a dual Knowles TWFK reinforcement driver, the reproduced frequency range is from 4 to 40,000 Hz. The headphones sound very detailed, precise, yet dense and massive. The kit includes a bunch of attachments for sound tuning and more secure fixation of the headphones. Impedance: 8 Ohm, sensitivity: 102 dB/mW. Price - a little less than 10,000 UAH.

MEE Audio Pinnacle P1

The older in-ear model MEE Audio Pinnacle P1 is rightfully worthy of attention: like the P2, the fit in the ears is excellent in both the classic and behind-the-ear versions. Even despite the weighty zinc alloy housings, they do not interfere with the ears. This is also a dynamic model, but with a very unusual sound for dynamics: very detailed mids and highs, and less lows than you might expect. So it’s not recommended for bassheads; others should at least listen to it. Pinnacle P1 has a replaceable cable, and there are two of them in the set: one of higher quality for the player, the second is simpler for a smartphone. Frequency range: 20 - 20,000 Hz, impedance: 50 Ohm, sensitivity: 96 dB/mW. Price - about 5600 UAH.

Fiio F9 Pro

A little cheaper, there is an interesting hybrid model FiiO F9 Pro, which combines a 9.2 mm dynamic driver and dual armature Knowles 30017. The result is an energetic and driving sound with a slightly V-shaped amplitude-frequency response. The cable is removable MMCX, there are two of them in the set: a regular one with a 3.5 mm jack and microphone and a braided balanced 2.5 mm one for use with players with a corresponding output. Frequency range: 15 - 40,000 Hz, impedance: 28 Ohm, sensitivity: 106 dB/mW. Price - about 4600 UAH.

In-ear headphones "for all the money"

There is no limit to perfection, this also applies to in-ear headphones. And if you have an amount of up to 100,000 UAH and want to spend it not on Daewoo Lanos, but on headphones, it is absolutely possible to do this. Yes, there are few such fans of high-quality sound, but they do exist, and in general, the demand for such a premium segment is always very small, but stable. We are sure that such sound lovers clearly know what they want. And below are just a couple of models for the general development of everyone else who is not aware of how wide the spread in prices for headphones can be.

DITA Dream

DITA Dream

Premium Japanese-made in-ear headphones with dynamic drivers.

DITA Dream - Japanese in-ear headphones with dynamic drivers made of lavsan with multi-layer coating and an optimized acoustic chamber, housings made of titanium or aluminum. The cable is removable with a 2-pin connector (for headphones). On the connector side, the player has a modular design that allows you to change 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm or 4.4 mm connectors. Cable of original design and production of VAN DEN HUL company. How do they sound? Yes, they sound great, with a corresponding player of a commensurate price, and in this case it is almost 58,000 UAH.

Audeze LCDi4

Very unusual and unique - Audeze LCDi4. These are in-ear planar magnetic (or isodynamic) headphones; the number of such models in the world can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Typically, planar magnetic headphones are full-size models. The emitters are a very thin and light diaphragm that oscillates between two magnetic coils. Such emitters sound very accurate and detailed. In this case, the emitters are 30 mm, so they are located outside the ear, and a sound guide leads inside. Audeze LCDi4 are semi-open, so they are not best suited for use in transport or on the street. Although the price of almost 70,000 UAH is not entirely compatible with public transport or noisy places.

This is not a complete list of interesting in-ear headphones that are worth paying attention to. And not even half, but few people would want to read a “sheet” on 80-100 models, right? If we forgot something or you think that we shouldn’t have mentioned it, write in the comments.

Honorable Mention

And as a bonus, it is worth mentioning the Kyiv company Ambient-Acoustics, which produces hearing aids, earplugs, headsets and in-ear headphones with prices starting at $420 for both Pro-musicians and lovers of high-quality sound. There are both serial models, and individual production is possible based on a mold of the ears.