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IN-EAR EARPHONE REVIEW LIST

Welcome to the headphone list, where we have listened to and evaluated hundreds of in-ear headphones to help you find the best fit for your needs and preferences. This is ljokerl’s table in interactive format that provides an easy way to narrow your selection down to fit your needs. To view all reviews (sorted by most recent), see here: All IEM Reviews. We are constantly adding new reviews, so be sure to check back or follow us on facebook, twitter, or google+.

Don’t see your model listed? Try checking the “Show Discontinued Products” box.

For a more concise listing of our favorite sets for various tastes and budgets, check out our continuously updated Earphone Buyer’s Guide by Sound Signature.

Color coding:
Blue = denotes custom-fit earphones (CIEMs)
Red = denotes discontinued models (select “Show discontinued products” checkbox on left to display)

i column denotes Headset functionality:
blank = no headset functionality
1 = mic + 1-button remote (universal)
3 = mic + 3-button remote for Apple iOS devices
a = mic + 3-button remote for Android devices
v = mic + 1-button remote + analog volume control (universal)

Rating Breakdown
All ratings are scaled to how the particular IEM peforms compared to the best set I’ve heard to date in a particular category.

Accessories: Depends on both quantity and quality of the accessories, as well as on how well-suited they are for the earphone.
Build Quality: Based on choice of materials, assembly quality, physical design, and overall feel. Also includes any observations on the durability of the earphones while in my care.
Isolation: Amount of reduction in ambient noise provided by the IEM. All IEMs isolate external noise by virtue of sealed ear coupling, some more than others. The most isolating IEMs are capable of providing is upwards of 30db of attenuation, an 8-fold reduction in ambient noise volume (enough to reduce the volume of a vacuum cleaner to a whisper).
Microphonics: Susceptibility to cable noise, a common malady affecting in-ear earphones. See here for more info. Mitigating factors such as the inclusion of a shirt clip or cable cinch and the ease of wearing the IEMs over-the-ear are taken into account.
Comfort: How comfortable the earphone is over long stretches of time. Typically tip- and ear-dependent, but general trends still apply.

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1,181 Responses

  1. The VSD3S uses a proprietary cable connector and replacement cables aren’t very easy to come by last I checked, which negates any real advantage. I’d personally go for the fixed.

  2. Just one more question, would you recommend detachable or non-detachable cable version? I really consider detachable version, because all my IEM’s suffer from faulty jack problem, and buying a new cable is a real save, but I’ve read that it also has it’s disadvantages.

  3. I always recommend the VSD3S unless you’re specifically looking for the most flat and analytical sound.

  4. Thanks, didn’t notice that post.
    Anyway how W100 compared to Alclair Reference? You mentioned Alclair would be upgrade from gr07 as well.
    For shipping reason i’d choose W100, but if Alclair sonically better it would be another story.

  5. The W100 is the best progression from the GR07 in the AAW lineup. All the others are either brighter and/or warmer. You can read more here.

  6. No, it does not sound like a Westone 4R. And I only have the old detachable-cord VSD3S, though given the choice I would probably get the fixed cable version. VSonic doesn’t have a great track record with detachable cables and the VSD3S detachable cables are proprietary.

  7. It said that the vsd3s sound like the Weston 4R in there description. Do you think they sound the same

  8. Wait so ur saying the rha 750 is better then te dunu 2000? I never heard the 2000 but the 750 is way to airy for me.

    And joker if I was either to get a dunu 2000 or a 1000 + fiio e11 amp which one is better pick?

  9. Oh, there’s one thing I would disagree on your review: Build quality.
    It’s pretty good but the RHA MA750 is definitely superior.

  10. Thanks joker, I finally took a bigger step and got the Dunu DN-2000 and they are incredible.
    There’s literally nothing that doesn’t sound good with them.
    They sound kind of neutral, but they have a very deep bass. They also have very crisp highs and warm mids.
    These are the first In-Ears that are on-par with the Beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro that I mainly use, actually they very much sound the same, slightly v-shaped but with no quality loss in the mids.

  11. Not much in that price range with great isolation and good sound quality except for Etymotics, and in that price range you’ll probably only get the volume-limited EtyKids model. If you’re in the US you can get a SteelSeries Flux in-ear in that price range for a small isolation boost with good SQ.

  12. Interesting question. I would say the Fidue A31s if you don’t mind its form factor. It’s one of the smallest (by volume) IEMs I’ve encountered. Very comfortable and doesn’t really stick out.

    If not, I would consider one of the small bulb-shaped ones like the H2O Audio Flex or Sennheiser 1.00. These should fit completely inside an average-sized outer ear with nothing sticking out.

  13. Isolation – not really (slightly, perhaps) but the sound is more balanced (less bassy) and accurate. If you originally got the VSD1S because you really wanted a GR07, get the VSD3S because it’s closer to that type of sound 🙂

  14. For fun, I would take the Piston2, followed by the E10. The E10 does have a nice, punchy sound but the Piston is warmer and bassier (and more MA750-like).

  15. Or do you recommend anything better for the 45-$50 range I love my vsd1s but isolation is not so good in loud buses or noisy area the sound is so tiny and have to crank up the volume

  16. What would you recommend for the best overall sound in the smallest package here? I need the slimmest form factor possible and the least protrusion from the ear, I’d like a poor man’s Q-Jays 😉

  17. Is the vsd1s worth returning and paying $10 extra for vsd3s non detachable chord will the isolation and sound be better

  18. Thanks for that 🙂 Will have a look at the Piston 2. Your final verdict(Don’t want to pull this query thread any longer!), VSD3S/Piston 2/Soundmagic E10S?(I owned E10 a year ago. Liked them for the fun sound they had. I feel it had a decent low end yet not sounding very boomy or overshadowing other frequencies). Appreciate your inputs 🙂

  19. The RE-300 is more on the warm and dark side. It has strong bass but lacks in treble energy compared to the VSD3S/MA750, which makes it sound even bassier. It’s enjoyable as a warm and smooth, borderline basshead earphone but isn’t really a VSD3S or MA750 alternative in terms of sound sig. The Xiaomi Piston 2 makes for a better inexpensive MA750 match than the RE-300.

  20. Oh! RHAs do sound fun. Something like that would be great for casual listening. I was also wondering, how do the HiFiMan RE300 range compare to VSD3S/RHA MA750?

  21. The VSD5 is brand new, I don’t really know anything about it. The VSD3 definitely offers a more accurate sound than the MA750 – not sure if that’s going to be a pro or con in this case. Its bass doesn’t have quite as much power/slam, the overall tone is not as warm, and the treble is not as forgiving. Granted, clarity is excellent and the value for money is superb, but the end listening experience is somewhat different from the less accurate-sounding and more “fun” RHA.

  22. Hi Joker,

    Firstly, thanks for the wonderful and extremely helpful reviews! Got the RHA MA750i. Absolutely loved them 🙂 I’m looking for another pair for a friend. My friend loved the how MA750i sounded. So, looking for something in that line. Thinking of VSD3S and the VSD5. Any recommendations in that price bracket(Sub 70$)? Couldn’t find much on VSD5. So not sure how that is.

  23. Thanks, and glad to hear you’re enjoying your UE600s! Sugru seems like a good idea as long as it doesn’t void whatever warranty your pair has.

  24. Based on your recommendation, I just picked up a pair of UE600s from Amazon and although I haven’t broken them in much, I am in love with the sound! It is a head and shoulders improvement over my Super.Fi 3s, which surprised me. I was expecting a much more subtle improvement.

    One thing that a lot of Amazon reviewers mentioned about the UE600 (and I have confirmed) is the fragility of the connection at the jack. I believe you mentioned this also (inadequate strain relief), so I will definitely be applying Sugru to the jack/wire as soon as I can.

    Once again, thank you! You really know how to identify sound signatures and your recommendation was spot on!

  25. are the Custom Art Music One or the ctm 200 not good for edm or any custom iem or are they more the hifiman re 400 neutral?

  26. The Yamaha EPH-100 is worth considering.. it does well with EDM and isolates quite well, too. Might be a little TOO bassy coming from the VSD1S and RE-400 but it has very decent clarity considering the bass. RHA MA750 is in the same boat, though it isolates a little less (more on par with the DN-1000). It has some upper midrange lift which you might actually likely based on your VSD1S comments. DN-1000 is a good choice of course, nothing bad to say about that one if you can swing $200. GR07 BE is great also but it isolates even less than these three (more similar to VSD1S) so maybe not the way to go for that reason.

  27. Hello i am looking for a 100-$300 iem depending how much money i will get. I am looking for a good edm house dubstep trace kpop dance music pop but mainly edm. looking something with good bass and vocal, Warm and isolation. But i prefer the vocal over bass i be traveling to Korea in about 3 months so you can recommend me some korean iems if you want. i loved the vsonic vsd1s vocals i feel like they are better then the hifiman re 400 one but only problem is that the isolation on the vsd1s are not that great and the male vocal is to thin but the female vocals are amazing. Here are some Music genre i like to listen to help better understand. also can you make a $100 section $200 section and $300 section. I was thinking about the Vsoinc Gr07 bass edition or the dunu dn 1000 because i heard you recommend the 1000 over the 2000 for edm.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67qworViFpY

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOSsDbbiHZQ

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoOGDoYiVWw

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrCKvKXvN2c

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtmqFmXPysI

    Thanks Joker ur the best 😀

  28. Ah yes, I believe both of those are included with most Etymotic IEMs these days. Good tips for isolation.

    Glad you’re liking the SE215!

  29. Hey Joker:

    Thanks for your help on the SE215s. I am using them as my airplane/subway/street IEMs and love them for that. As an FYI, for better isolation than Shure triple flanges or Shure olives, I’m using the Etymotic ER38-17 Glider Eartips and the ER38-14E Black Foam Eartips. Give’em a shot!

    DC

  30. Thanks! Glad you like the Pistons.

    So far I don’t hear the RE-300 surpassing the Sony MH1C in sound quality (though the overall design is more agreeable). It’s nice for a warm-sounding, bass-heavy IEM but it’s not as accurate and resolving as a VSD3S or Ostry KC06 (or HiFiMan’s own RE-400, of course).

    The VSD3S should score an 8.5 or 8.6. Last time I used it was when I was reviewing the Sennheiser Momentum, and I didn’t think either had a clear upper hand.

    No plans to review any Zero Audio IEMs at this time.

  31. Yes, if it doesn’t break your spending limit that’s not a large premium at all for what you’re getting.

  32. Hey joker,

    what do you think. Would you go for the Fischer Audio DBA-02 mkII over the Brainwavz B2 if you had to pay 10€ more for the Fischer due to build quality/accessories?

  33. First off, thank you so much for this incredible resource! I’m just a beginner in the world of earphones, but I can see how it could be addictive. I recently bought the Piston 2.0, based on your review, and I have to say that I’m blown away by the level of sound quality available for $25! I’ve compared it against the Monoprice and E10 I already had, and I think your relative sound quality rankings are very accurate. I know you’re still evaluating the Hifiman RE-300, but is it too early for you to hazard an estimate as to the sound quality ranking of these earphones? Also, have you been able to narrow down the 8.4 – 8.7 preliminary sound quality value that you assigned to the VSD3S? Lastly, any plans to review the Zero Audio Carbo Tenore? Is it even in the queue? Thanks again for all your hard work!

  34. Finally I make my choice and I bought a FiiO X5 with a Dunu DN-1000. As a free gift I will receive a Brainwavz S5.

    I hope FiiO and DUNU will play well together.

    Ciao!
    Daniele

  35. Sure, all of those would work. I just try to keep my buyer’s guide to a maximum of three sets per sound signature in each price bracket. There’s a lot of competition for balanced-sounding earphones in the $50-100 and $100+ ranges.

    For forgiving treble your best bet are the UE600 and A151P (I prefer the UE600), followed by the Etys and GR01s. You’re missing the TDK BA200, which is also discontinued but excellent for the price. It’s balanced with a slightly warm tilt – just a bit more so than the A151P – and sounds really good overall.

  36. Hi Joker,

    Appreciate all your work!

    I have an ancient, 9 year old pair of Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 3s that I still love, but I’m looking to upgrade. I’ve reviewed your “Buyer’s Guide By Sound Signature”, looking at your recommendations for the “balanced” sound signature, as this is my general preference (though with some forgiveness in the treble)

    In looking at the “balanced” recommendations, I noticed that only the Etys and DBA02 are Balanced Armatures.

    Are there any other BAs that you think might work for me? I’m thinking the MEElec A151P, UE600, SBA03/A161P and VSonic GR01; are these in the same sound signature ballpark and do they offer at least a touch of treble forgiveness?

    I know that most of the models I mentioned above are discontinued (but generally still available); are there any other decent BAs (with slightly forgiving treble) under $200 that I’m missing?

    Thanks,
    Dan

  37. Yep, a more flexible table with more selectable columns is on my wishlist for a future site update. It’ll happen eventually :).

    Thanks!

  38. A fantastic review and it really helps remove much of the guesswork from headphone shopping.

    Any chance you’ll be able to update the database to also filter ‘specialized’ features like wear style & detachable cables? It’s the last determining factor to help me decide what IEM (or IEMs I should get).

    Thanks again!

  39. tcm125 and hje120 look similar, but I’m not sure those have a same driver, or may be the iem just doesn’t fit to you even though the they tagged with ergofit word.
    but you can try the hje125, the tcm125 without mic, cheaper 😀

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