As you know, the main difference between conventional in-ear headphones and in-ear headphones is that they do not require deep immersion in the auditory canal, but are placed in the auricle between the tragus and antitragus. This wearing option does not lead to discomfort during prolonged listening, however, passive isolation and the quality of reproduction of the low-frequency range suffer with it. However, many audiophiles prefer this type of headphones because of the comfort of wearing, and the sound quality is ensured by the use of advanced drivers and original acoustic design.
Tin HiFi G2
Price – $60
The most inexpensive headphones in the selection from the Tin HiFi brand are equipped with a dynamic driver with a 14.2 mm composite material membrane, which promises good bass. The headphone housings are made of anodized aluminum alloy, the pair is equipped with a detachable cable with gold-plated MMCX connectors on one side and a 3.5 mm mini-jack on the other. The nominal impedance of the model is 22 ohms, the sensitivity is 101 dB, the kit includes three pairs of foam rubber ear pads.
NiceHck EBX21
Price – $170
Headphones of classic design boast housings machined from a single billet of aluminum. Inside, a dynamic driver with a 14.2 mm liquid crystal polymer membrane and an N52 neodymium magnet system is installed. The kit comes with a detachable cable with MMCX connectors and silver-plated copper conductors. When ordering, you can choose between three cable termination options – unbalanced 3.5 mm mini-jack, balanced 2.5 mm or balanced 4.4 mm. The sensitivity of the model is 101 dB, the nominal impedance is 32 ohms. Each earpiece weighs about 4 grams.
Ostry KC08T
Price – $200
The presence of a driver with a diameter of 16 mm ensures that the sound of the model will definitely not be lightweight. The transducer diaphragm is made of polymer, while the body is made of a combination of metal and plastic. The model has a non-removable cable, its main part is enclosed in a woven cotton shirt, while the part that is included in the headphones has polymer insulation. Connector – mini-jack 3.5 mm. The shape of the acoustic grille is designed to ensure that the correct phase of the signal is observed, the package includes two pairs of foam rubber ear pads and a carrying case. The declared sensitivity is 105 dB, the impedance is 40 ohms.
Smabat Super One
Price – $300
The model with a sonorous name is distinguished by the use of a large dynamic driver and an original load chamber. The emitter in the headphones has a diaphragm with a diameter of 15.4 mm, made of a biological composite. The driver is loaded on a waveguide of the original form, 9 mm long and 1.5 mm in diameter, which prevents the occurrence of internal resonances. The headphones come with two detachable cables, balanced with a 2.5mm plug and unbalanced with a 3.5mm mini-jack. Claimed sensitivity model – 115 dB, impedance – 100 ohms at a frequency of 1 kHz, the frequency range extends from 10 to 20,000 Hz. It comes with two pairs of foam and one pair of silicone ear tips.
Fiio EM5
Price – $300
The popular brand’s in-ear headphones feature 3D printed housings and a large dynamic driver. Its 14.2mm diaphragm is beryllium-coated for greater dynamics, detail and higher levels of undistorted volume. The cable included in the kit has 120 pure silver conductors and is equipped with interchangeable connectors for connecting to a signal source – balanced 2.5 mm and 4.4 mm and unbalanced 3.5 mm. The headphones come with a leather case for carrying and storage, as well as 18 (!) Pairs of foam rubber ear pads.
Moondrop CHACONNE
Price – $360
As always, the headphones from Moondrop are distinguished by their exquisite design. The cases are made of aerospace grade TC4 titanium alloy, internal volume and shape designed to eliminate standing waves. The diaphragm of the dynamic radiator is made of a combination of conventional and liquid crystal polymer, the sensitivity of the model is 124 dB, the impedance is 24 ohms. The complete cable has a total cross section of 24AWG, it uses pure monocrystalline copper conductors and silver-plated oxygen-free copper conductors. The cable is terminated with a 3.5 mm mini-jack.
Astrotec Lyra Nature Limited Edition
Price – $440
The limited edition of Astrotec’s top-of-the-line in-ear headphones features dynamic sound and an additional 4.4mm monocrystalline copper balanced cable. The second cable supplied with the headphones is unbalanced with silver-plated oxygen-free copper strands and a 3.5 mm plug. Headphones of classic design are additionally equipped with silicone ear cushions, which provide a snug fit to the ear. The headphone impedance is 150 ohms, the sensitivity is 108 dB. The declared frequency range is from 15 to 40,000 Hz. A distinctive feature of the headphone design is the use of a labyrinth membrane from closely adjacent copper balls to absorb back radiation.
