Review Of The Best IN-Ear Headphones

Unsurprisingly the most popular category of headphones is without doubt in-ear sound isolating (also called In-Ear Monitors or IEMs), due mainly to the massive growth in popularity of portable MP3 players like the iPod, iPhone and smartphones, but also due to the accuracy of audio reproduction they offer.

This article is a brief introduction to in-ear headphones with our reviews of the top ten best earphones on the market.

Why In-Ear?

In-ear sound isolating earphones are convenient and can offer very high levels of audio clarity and detail.  Listening with IEMs is a different experience to listening to speakers or full size over the ear headphones, but the fact that the sound is being funnelled directly into your ear can bring out small details in your music that you didn’t know existed. Many in-ear monitors are based on technology developed for hearing aids, so it's little wonder that levels of accuracy are high.

At first IEMs can take some getting used to.  It often takes some practice to get a good fit in the ear and it can tickle the ear at first.  Take your time and make sure to try all the different ear tips out.

Getting A Good In-Ear Fit

Nearly every model of in-ear earphones have a slightly different method required to get a good fit.  Take the time to get the fit and seal in the ear right.

Earphones with cabling that goes over the ear can initially be a little frustrating to fit, but it's worth taking the time to get the hang of it as this fit system stays the most secure and also reduces cable microphonic noise (a dull thud sound or squeaking noise that travels up the cable with some earphone cabling).

Fitting in-ear earphones with cable over ear

Where’s the Bass?

If your IEMs are lacking bass or sound thin and tinny then it’s most likely that the earphones are not sealing in your ear correctly.  Some earphone are biased towards clarity and detail, rather than powerful bass response (e.g. Etymotics, lower end Shures and Ultimate Ears), but generally if your earphones are lacking bass response then spend some time trying out the different size ear tips supplied.  It can make a huge difference to the sound.

The way to guarantee good fit in the ear is by fitting Comply Foam tips to your earphones.  Comply tips are also very comfortable and help keep the earphones in your ear, making them ideal for using while at the gym or for running.

In-Ear Headphone ReviewS - Top 10

Below is our review of the ten best in-ear earphones available - reviews are in price order from LOWEST to HIGHEST:

SoundMAGIC PL11

SoundMAGIC have pushed the boundaries of what can be expected from an entry level earphone with the SoundMAGIC PL11 (RRP £22.95).  The sound is a quantum leap up from the cheap earbuds supplied with most MP3 players, with warm deep bass and plenty of detail in the trebles.

While you might expect a cheap earphone to be badly made, the PL11 comes fitted with good quality cabling and strain relief that is built to last.  The quality of the product is truly commendable.

Supplied with a neat carry pouch that is very usable and three size ear tips to get a good seal, the SoundMAGIC PL11 is a very well thought out package.

HiFi Headphones Verdict

In times past the Sennheiser CX300 was the first choice for entry level in-ear earphones, but the PL11 has just stolen that spot.  Sound quality compares with earphones costing two or three times the price.

Sennheiser CX300-II

A good entry into the in ear sound isolating variety is the ever popular Sennheiser CX300-II in ear headphone, which is actually a hybrid of the humble ear bud and the full blown ear canal earphone. The CX300-II actually seals just outside the ear canal, rather than inside.

The CX300-II is a good quality headphone for the price (RRP is £39.99). Some find the CX300'-IIs bass a little undefined and overpowering, but the improvement over stock earbuds makes it a worthy upgrade.

Watch out for fake versions of this earphone on eBay and even Amazon.  If the price looks to good to be true, it probably is!

HiFi Headphones Verdict

While the sound quality won't blow audiophiles away, they are a big improvement over standard iPod ear buds.

SoundMAGIC PL30

Another value for money offering is the SoundMAGIC PL30, which offers well balanced, accurate sound at a price that is hard to beat (RRP £34.95).  The cabling is designed to run up and over the ears to the back of the neck, which means they stay very securely on your head.  This fit system works very well for sports use, although it does take a bit of practice to get the hang of - it really is worth the effort.

The SoundMAGIC PL30 is robustly built, with well made cables and good strain relief to protect the cabling from damage. The PL30 comes supplied with a handy travel case (small enough to put in a pocket) and plenty of different size ear tips to ensure you get a good in-ear fit.  Comply Foam T-400 tips work with this earphone, which gives the best possible seal and noise isolation.

Sound quality with the PL30 is exceptional considering the cost and compares well with earphones costing two or three times as much. The PL30 has plenty of punch at the bass end and the clarity is exceptional in the trebles.  Highly recommended.

HiFi Heapdhones Verdict:

A well thought out product with high standards of build quality and clear, balanced sound.  Hard to beat at the price.

Ultimate Ears Super.fi 3 Studio

The Ultimate Ears Super.fi 3 Studio is an excellent introduction to the world of higher end in-ear canal sound isolating headphones (with a modest RRP of £69.99).

The build quality of the Super.fi 3 Studio is excellent, and the over ear cable fit system means the earphones fit very securely. Sound quality is very good with plenty of detail and clarity, although the bass is a little on the light side. The in-ear fit affects bass response dramatically, so it's worth spending some time getting the seal right in your ear. Comply Foam tips help with bass response if you are not able to get a good fit with the standard tips.

With a name that is frankly a bit of a mouthful (you can tell the Californian marketing team got a bit carried away) this set of ear canal headphones offer a very accurate and clean sound that will open your ears to a new level of detail that is not discernible with cheaper headphones. If you are a bass head you may find you are wanting more low end kick.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

A good introduction to In Ear Monitor (IEM) earphones, with a secure fit system that is good for listening while active. Bass response is a bit light.

Klipsch Image S4

Klipsch have been steadily releasing some truly excellent earphones over the last couple of years, and the Klipsch Image S4 is no exception. Compare the Image S4 (RRP £69.99) with many other earphones in the same price range and you may be surprised how far ahead of the field Klipsch are.

The Klipsch Image S4 sounds very balanced, with nice warm bass response and excellent clarity of trebles. They have a very dynamic sound that suits all styles of music.

We really like the snug in-ear fit, which seems to be due to the excellent quality silicone ear tips and the round-the-corner design of the earphone nozzle. The ear tips are oval shaped (similar to the shape of the ear canal), which Klipsch are so proud of that they have patented the design. This all ensures a proper seal in the ear, which is vitally important with IEMs. Without a good seal the sound will be very thin and tinny, due to low frequency (bass) leakage.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

If you're upgrading from the standard iPod earbuds, the Klipsch Image S4 is guaranteed to impress with it's dynamic sound and comfortable in-ear fit.

Phonak Audéo PFE Perfect Bass 012

With 60 years experience developing hearing devices, Phonak have the know-how when it comes to getting a comfortable and secure in-ear fit, which makes the Phonak Audeo Perfect Fit Earphones (PFE) aptly named.

The new Perfect Bass PFE models (the PFE 012 and PFE 022 fitted with iPhone mic) are supplied with an acoustic filter to give clear, well defined bass response.  The sound signature of the entire PFE range is accurate, but these new models add low end punch for music that demands more powerful bass response.

Based on high end balanced armature technology, rather than the much cheaper to manufacture dynamic drivers used in most earphones at this price point, the PFE offers audio performance that equals that of high end in-ear monitor earphones.  All PFE models have the same well made cabling and robust build, so this is a pair of earphones you can expect to continue enjoying for many years to come.

We think Phonak have got the sound balance just right with the new PFE Perfect Bass models.  The detail and instrument separation is incredible for an earphone at this price point and the comfortable fit is as good as it gets without moving up to custom fit earphones. Even people with the smallest ears will find the PFE fits comfortably.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

These innovative Swiss designed, precision made earphones are very comfortable for all ear sizes and have clear, detailed sound that will satisfy audiophiles, with enough power to satisfy bass lovers. Highly recommended.

Sleek Audio SA6

The innovative Sleek Audio SA6 secured a first in earphone design with the possibility of customising the audio response to match the individuality of your ears and musical tastes. Sleek Audio call it finding your audio fingerprint. It's a great idea and it actually works.

It's at this price point where ear canal headphones get really interesting, the sonic improvements become dramatic and of course the headphones get more expensive. The Sleek Audio SA6 comes in at a RRP of £179.99.

These miniature earphones are very comfortable and easy to fit due to their diminutive size.  The SA6 also comes with a wireless option that makes this earphone even more unique.

In contrast to the approach taken by dual driver designs such as the Ultimate Ears Super.fi Pro 5 and Shure SE420, the Sleek Audio SA6 is a single wideband driver design (the Klipsch Image X10 is another single driver design). The result is a very balanced sounding earphone. In fact we feel that the sound from the SA6 is more balanced than the similarly priced dual driver designs. Sleek Audio claim this is due to the lack of crossover electronics, which is required for dual driver designs.

The Sleek Audio SA6 sounds very impressive, with an excellent level of musical detail in the mid-range and a punchy bass response. The SA6 is an great choice for upgrading an iPod or MP3 player and can be driven without a dedicated headphone amplifier, although reports on the Head-Fi forums suggest that a headphone amp extends the bottom end and highs very nicely.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

The SA6 is very comfortable for everyday use, with robust replaceable cables, and offers well balanced sound reproduction across the entire audio range.

Klipsch Image X5

If you are prepared to spend more on your earphones then the Klipsch Image X5 is an superb introduction to the world of higher end in-ear canal sound isolating headphones (with a RRP of £179.99).

The design of this earphone is the first thing that catches your attention, but this earphone is not just about good looks as the sound quality is truly excellent. The Klipsch X5 has plenty of punch at the bass end and lots of lovely mid-range treble detail. The X5 earphone gives the higher end Klipsch Image X10 a serious run for it's money. It is the case that the Klipsch X5 has a larger earphone body than the absolutely miniature X10, but it is still smaller than most earphones and is comfortable for most people's ears.

The only negative thing we can say about the Klipsch X5 is that noise does transmit up the cable quite easily when brushing against clothes, which makes it less suitable for wearing while running or at the gym (although clipping the cable to clothing helps).

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

Well balanced sound, easy in-ear fit and beautiful design make this earphone a winner in it's class.

Sennheiser IE8

Highly respected in the full size over ear headphone category and lower end in-ear earphones, it took Sennheiser a few years to launch a higher end IEM earphone.  The Sennheiser IE8 is the result of many years watching the market and learning from the competition (RRP £269.99).

Like most higher end earphones the IE8 has a relatively large earphone body, but the design is excellent and fits comfortably in the ear.  The earphone fit is very secure with over the ear cabling (also comes with over-ear cable guides).  The cables are made from a soft, supple material and are replaceable, which is reassuring when spending this much on earphones.  Supplied with lots of different ear tips (including their own foam tips), it's likely you'll find a good seal.  If not Comply Foam tips work well with the IE8.  For the best possible fit think about upgrading to Custom Earphone sleeves, as this also gives better definition to the sound.

Sound is big and powerful, with a real sense of scale when listening to music with energy, e.g. a large orchestral piece or a lively dance track.  The is no shortage of kick to the bass, when required.  The clarity and detail is very good, although the midrange is not quite up there with the Shure SE530. Overall the sound is warm and very well defined.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

A very well thought out product with excellent sound quality and ergonomic in-ear fit.  One of the best earphones available at a price that makes some of the competition look expensive.

Ultimate Ears Triple.fi 10 Pro

The top of the range Ultimate Ears Triple.fi 10 Pro is a truly incredible set of in ear sound isolating headphones, but don't come cheap with a RRP of £249. The three drivers of the UE Triple.fi 10 Pro provide amazing clarity and definition, from the deepest bass notes right through the upper registers.

The UE 10 Pro earphones are fitted upside down with the cable running over the ear. The cables are malleable and hold the earphones securely over your ear. This fitting system works really well for most people and means they can even be used for sports such as running and jogging. The cables can also be detached and replaced in case they get damaged - a very useful feature when you are spending so much money on your earphones.

The fit system does take some getting used to and we would highly recommend reading the manual for tips.  We had one member of staff who spent two months wearing these earphones in the wrong ear!

The sound is very balanced, and sits somewhere between the powerful bass response of the Sennheiser IE8 and the clarity and accuracy of the Shure SE530.

HiFi Headphones Verdict:

If you are serious about your music then the UE Triple.fi 10 Pro should satisfy your craving for the best possible quality earphones you can get your hands on. In our opinion the Triple.fi 10 Pro is equally as good as the top end Shure SE530 , and also offers better value for money.

More Information

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