Best Budget Gaming IEMs

Blon X Z Jojo

Some of the best budget IEMs can last you a long time, especially ones that are built like the Jojo. Not only does it get style points for its look, but the shell is made from a zinc alloy die casting, and a front plate made of real 18k gold. Even selections that are much more pricey don’t have this kind of design. It’s not all about the looks though, and thankfully the Jojo also brings everything you need for the price. The Jojo will do your gams justice with good imaging, width, and explosive bass.

Final Audio VR2000

Final Audio is no stranger to supplying quality budget IEMs, which makes the VR2000 a great choice. While the E series IEMs might also give your games what they need to sound authentic and immersive, the VR2000 is specifically made for gaming. If you find some gaming IEMs too weighty, then the VR2000 should be a great alternative. It’s light and easy to wear for many hours, matching up to your ear like a puzzle piece. In terms of sound, the VR2000 has a neutral timbre that will make dialogue very clear, but what gives it flavor is its highs that give height to many different gaming environments.

Moondrop Aira 2 

The last time I made a list of top gaming IEMs, the first Aria was included. So, it only makes sense to include its latest version in this list. It makes some notable improvements to its build, including a great new stock cable. The sound should allow for balanced effects and music that feel separated and easy to point to sonically. Should also get some good detail in the midrange for the price, highlighting steps and other specific sounds well.

Shure Aonic 215

One of the best budget reference IEMs also makes for one of the best budget gaming IEMs too. They’re common in the music world and used for production and on-stage performance. This is suitable for a good gaming IEM as well, with its reliable accuracy and spatial positioning. The SE215 offers great width and depth for the price, with a full spectrum of frequency content that will add realism to your game audio.

Moondrop Kato

If you like Moondrop, and you have a bit more money to spend than what the Aria 2 goes for, the Kato is the next step up. Everything about the Kato is elevated compared to the Aria. The soundstage has a holographic appearance, which is very helpful for immersion, and its frequency response is rich and tight for textured instruments and effects. With the Kato, there’s almost no disadvantage, making it one of the best options for gaming for less than two hundred dollars.

Meze Alba

One of the most recently released IEMs makes a great budget gaming option. Meze is known for its high-end, audiophile items, and the Alba brings those sensibilities to a more affordable product. The Alba is uniquely elegant for the price, with its anodized aluminum shell and quality 2-pin stock cable. Its sound signature reflects the Alba’s outer design with exceptional spatial accuracy and detailed response across each range of frequency. Its crisp, precise details will help envelop you in your game with ease, and it also includes its own USB-C DAC dongle.

Sennheiser IE 200

Another reference monitor from a reliable name. The Sennheiser IE 200 makes for a perfect inexpensive game audio companion. Its design is smaller than most, so if you’re displeased with bigger IEM shells the IE 200 might be the best fit for you. Either way, you won’t be disappointed by the IE 200’s accurate, warm, and intimate sound. It’s like the SE215 but more lively and detailed.

Best Mid-Fi Gaming IEMs 

TRN BAX 

You might not have heard of the brand, but the TRN BAX should be on your radar. The BAX has a powerful sound that immediately jumps out at you. Its bass will be the first thing you take notice of, and it’s quite enticing, but it’s also very spacious and balanced. Each range of frequency has a special quirk that adds flavor to your game audio, resulting in a very colorful presentation. This is one of the best affordable mid-fi gaming IEMs you can get before getting into the five-hundred-dollar range.

Campfire Audio Cascara

Campfire Audio is synonymous with high-end IEMs, and the Cascara is one of their best mid-budget options. It serves as a great gaming IEM, with its broad stereo field and deep, rumbly bass response. The rest of the sound signature is very dynamic, with warm mids and sparkly highs that amplify theatrical sound effects and music very well.

Moondrop Variations

It’s no surprise to see Moondrop show up multiple times on this list. The Variations are one of Moondrop’s best IEMs, featuring an impactful bass and wide stage for you to enjoy. Your game audio should sound very clear, showcasing a large scope and theatrical tonality.

Sennheiser IE 600

One of the best IEMs for less than a thousand dollars is the Sennheiser IE 600. Every reason that the IE 200 is a good option goes for the IE 600 as well, but with even more fidelity and versatility. Everything has a distinct shape, which will help immensely with sweeping musical scores and soundscapes.

Best HiFi Gaming IEMs

Shure SE846

Another incredible stage monitor that doubles as a great IEM for gaming. The Shure SE846 is as much a dependable tool as it is a casual listening item. This makes it suitable for detecting precise sound elements in your games, and it perfectly replicates their scale with its soundstage and imaging.

64 Audio Duo

Everything about the 64 Audio Duo feels high-end, and its open-grille design helps achieve that through its impeccable sound signature. Its depth is unparalleled compared to a lot of other IEMs, with a deep bass and immersive soundstage that any gamer can get behind.

Beyerdynamic Xelento Remote

This is the second generation of this model, and it’s one of the best IEMs for gaming. The Xelento supplies swift technicalities to your sound, supported by an open headspace that makes soundscapes feel so engaging. There’s a musicality to its performance that not a ton of other IEMs have, so scores and dialogue should feel completely transparent.

Campfire Audio Supermoon

There’s so much rich texture to the Supermoon, and it makes it an ideal way to experience your game audio. It’s one of the few planar IEMs on this list, which tend to serve games more than traditional dynamic drivers. Everything that comes through it is incredibly smooth, and it quickly became one of my new favorites from the brand after the Andromeda.

Sennheiser IE 900

It’s no surprise to see the flagship IEM from Sennheiser take the final spot here. The Sennheiser IE 900 is one of the best IEMs you can get, supplying fantastic detail and coloration to your game audio. Its sleek balance should do a great job putting all of your game’s complicated sound elements in their place and making them easy to consume all at once. This is thanks to great channel balance, dimensional imaging, and a fully transparent frequency response.

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Final Audio E500

Some of the most inexpensive IEMs can be found in Final Audio’s library. The E500 is one of the newest IEMs to be featured on this list, and it will only set you back $24.99. They’re a simple set of earbuds that demonstrate exceptional value. Its sound is surprisingly tactile for its price, with a clear midrange and high-end detail. The earphones are small and easy to wear, with a lightweight and comfortable design.

Strauss & Wagner EM205

Another simple set of wired earbuds is the Strauss and Wagner EM205. While they’re not the fanciest-looking set of IEMs, the EM205 supplies you with clear, energetic bass and a wide soundstage that is hard to pass up. For only $39.95, the EM205 is one of the best traditional earbuds you can find on the market.

Moondrop LAN

Moondrop has a great selection of IEMs. Their standard for quality across a big selection like theirs is impressive, especially with their budget IEMs. The LAN is one of their cheapest sitting at $33.99. This is also one of the most inexpensive options to feature a detachable cable, which allows for potential upgrades to improve sound quality. This is also one of the best designs you can get for the price, with a MIM stainless steel shell that you usually get from more expensive IEMs.

Blon x Z Jojo

The Jojo is certainly one of the flashiest IEMs you can get for the price. Its zinc alloy housing, gold plates, and purple finish certainly get a ton of style points. This is also true for the cable design as well, feeling like one of the best stock cables for an IEM in this price range. In terms of sound quality, its best properties are its soundstage and its bass. It’s a wonderfully wide sound that features more depth than you expect, with a thumpy bass that is very impactful.

Final Audio E3000

This list is fittingly bookended by Final Audio IEMs. The E3000 also has a stainless steel design, which is always great to see on a set of budget IEMs. What the E3000 excels most in though is rich, clean sound across the frequency spectrum. If you’re looking for something wide, dynamic, and elegantly performed instruments on the cheap, the E3000 might just be the whole package.

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Bluetooth Headphones

Sony WH-1000XM5

It’s the most obvious pick for a reason. Most of that has to do with its superb noise-canceling, which is likely what you’ll favor most if you’re buying headphones for travel. The XM5 might not have the best sound quality compared to the other selections on this list, but the comfort and isolation are unlike anything else you’ll find on the market. It’s not like the XM5 has bad sound quality though, as the bass is very energetic and you can personalize the sound through in-app EQ.

Sennheiser Momentum 4

While the noise-canceling isn’t as strong as the XM5, the Momentum 4 still offers great isolation with better sound quality. Everything from the bass to the highs has better resolution while still providing impact to the sound. You also get a better stereo soundstage that separates the instruments more favorably. It also features the best battery life on the market for ANC headphones, with a maximum of 60 hours of playtime off a complete charge.

Bowers & Wilkens PX7 S2e

The PX7 S2e is one of the best-looking wireless headphones on the market, but it’s not all about style. Thankfully, the PX7 S2e is more than just its looks; its sound and comfort are great, too. It has a compact design that makes them easy to carry around and rest on your shoulders when you’re not using them. You also get good separation and a fun sound signature that combines texture and detail. The noise-canceling also gets the job done, combined with natural isolation from the ear pads. These headphones also have the best color variations, from ocean blue to forest grey.

Focal Bathys

Now we are starting to get into the audiophile territory. Focal is known for its high-end headphones and speakers, and its Bluetooth option is one of the best. The Bathys is not only one of the best sounding wireless headphones, it’s just a great sounding headphone regardless of its Bluetooth capabilities. It also has a sleek design that is comfortable to wear for many hours. The cups are very breathable and have naturally isolated properties on top of good ANC. Sound quality is what you’re buying these headphones for through, and it is nothing short of amazing. This is the closest thing to having audiophile-grade headphones that are wireless.

DALI 10-12

If you’re really looking to go all out, I highly recommend the Dali IO-12. It’s one of the priciest selections on this list, but it offers you so much. The sound is nothing short of spectacular, containing little difference from some of the best closed-back wired headphones out there. They’re bigger than most headphones on this list too, but that’s mostly do to the large ear pads, which are super comfortable. It’s one of the few Bluetooth headphones out there that truly makes you feel like you’re listening to a luxury product.

Wired Headphones

Sivga SV021

If you’re looking for a closed-back headphone that is inexpensive, has good sound quality, and is comfortable, then the Sivga SV021 might be the whole package. For on-the-go listening, the SV021 offers these big ear pads that rest on your head comfortably while forming a tight seal on your ears. It also has a very clean sound that has a kick to its bass. The aesthetic of the SV021 is also on-point, especially te rosewood variation.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

You can never go wrong with a classic like the M50x. These headphones are bound to show up on many lists out there regarding headphones, so it’s safe to say that they make great travel companions as well. With the M50x, you’ll be able to enjoy studio-quality sound anywhere, with a classic build that always comes out with some assortment of color variations. Most of its parts are replaceable too, like the ear pads which tend to wear over time.

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro X 

Another studio legend that I have no problem traveling with is the Beyerdynamic DT 770. I choose the recent edition of the 770 mainly because of the quality of life differences, like the replaceable cable and more comfortable ear pads for the easier-to-drive version. These headphones can withstand more than the M50x can, and although they are slightly bigger, the sound is exactly what you need.

Meze 99 Classics

Like the SV021, the 99 Classics is another simple plug-and-play headphone. It’s also another stylish wooden design with a compact look and comfortable ear pads. What elevates the 99 Classics is Meze’s sound signature, which enhanced vocals and instruments to great transparency. Upgrading the stock cable also makes the 99 Classics an even better investment.

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Audeze Maxwell

Even though Audeze is now part of Sony Interactive, the Maxwell still has all the sonic characteristics that make their headphones so special. Their planar headphones have been a favorite amongst audiophiles, and they successfully translate that quality to a gaming headset. It’s one of the most expressively detailed gaming headsets around, balancing its powerful bass with crisp highs that reveal the layers of each sound effect and musical note so precisely.

You can also listen to the Maxwell in the spatial audio format of your choice, whether that be Dolby Atmos or Sony’s Tempest 3D audio. This makes the Maxwell sound like one of the most expansive headphones on the market, immersing you in your games like you never have before. There are different versions of the Maxwell depending on your preferred game console, but I highly recommend the Maxwell for the PC so you can download the Audeze HQ gaming app that gives you access to the EQ so you can personalize your experience even further.

Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Pro

The MMX 300 Pro is one of the most recent gaming headsets to launch, and it earns the “pro” in its name. Everything about the MMX 300 Pro’s sound reminds me of their rich and reliable studio headphones. It’s more of a natural sound compared to most other gaming headphones, especially next to the previously mentioned Maxwell. The MMX 300 Pro cares more for accuracy and natural details, acting like a robust studio headphone. You can still expect some compelling bass qualities though, with a tonal balance that never results in disorganization. With its clear, studio-like response, the MMX 300 Pro is able to take your game audio and place the dialogue, effects, and music on an equal playing field. On top of this is one of the best onboard mics on a gaming headset, giving your voice some of the best clarity.

Sony PlayStation Pulse Elite

This is the first Sony PlayStation over-ear gaming headphone to implement a planar driver, and the results are quite impressive. Paring it with the PS5 brings out its best qualities, such as 3D Audio. The imaging and soundstage are at their best here, successfully wrapping your head around the ambiance and music of the game world you’re in. There’s a lot more controlled bass here too compared to most other Sony headphones, maintaining stacks of frequencies that don’t bleed into each other. In terms of usability, the Pulse Elite also features multipoint Bluetooth and a lightweight design for one of the most surprisingly inexpensive picks on this list.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xSTS

One of the most famous headphones regardless of application is the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. Whether you’re a creator or a music lover the M50x is one of the best decisions you can make on an entry-level headphone. It doesn’t take much thought to see way a gaming version of this headphone would be so compelling. Like the MMX 300 Pro, the M50x is a simple wired headphone that relies on its studio-level sound to make your game audio feel like a complete experience. Making the M50x a gaming headset is as simple as attaching a microphone to it and terminating it to USB-A with a Type C adapter. It almost sells itself at this point.

Audio-Technica ATH-GL3

If you’re not as into the sound of the M50x, Audio-Technica has another headset that is more catered to gaming. The GL3 has a ton of character. It’s wide, dynamic, and detailed with its high and low frequencies. Your music and sound effects should sound very individualized and out of the background. Add onto that some dimensional imaging, a detachable mic, and an inexpensive price point giving you a solid choice for a gaming headphone.

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Meze Alba

The Alba has been freshly released, and as soon as I started listening to it I knew it would be one of my new favorites. Meze has made a few IEMs before, but the Alba is the most affordable one they’ve made. Nothing about it looks or sounds like a downgrade from their higher-end models though. Tons of details come across over the Alba, from its bass warmth to its focused midrange and top-end glisten. Add some of the most precise imaging and stereo-scope you’ll find over IEMs for this price and you have one of the best sounds you can hear. As an added bonus, the Alba also comes with its own USB-C DAC dongle that will do the sound justice over any smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

Sennheiser IE 200

It’s never a surprise to see Sennheiser show up on a list regarding anything labeled “best” of audio products. Their IE line of IEMs has been very successful, with the IE 200 being their most affordable. The housing is smaller than every selection on this list, making them comfortable to wear for long periods. Its sound is very lively, combining accuracy with intimate imaging and detailed performances. Some of the treble can get hot, but it matches the energy provided by the rest of the sound profile.

Queen Of Audio Gimlet 

One of the first of many “I forgot those existed” picks on this list, the Gimlet is a solid option for the price. Not everything about its sound is perfect, but it has strong low frequencies with a huge scale. It’s really impressive, especially for only sixty bucks. Plus, its ceramic build is very unique for its aesthetic value, as well as its durability.

Final Audio A4000

There are tons of great budget IEMs you can find from Final Audio. The A4000 is one of my favorites from the brand, being one of their most comfortable pairs on top of its great sound. While the A4000 can be a bit sibilant at times, the crispness of its midrange and treble is hard to come by in this price range. Add a wide soundstage and natural separation onto that, and the A4000 becomes hard to deny.

Sivga SM003

Sivga isn’t really known for their IEMs, but the SM003 is a very impressive effort from them. You won’t find any other pair of IEMs on this list that have a gunmetal housing after all. What the SM003 does best though is its vocal response. Performances, especially from female singers sound incredibly expressive for the price, full of lush details and realism. The soundstage is also very immersive, making what feels like one of the brand’s best-kept secrets.

Dunu Titan S 

Inexpensive, lots of bass, a wide soundstage, and plenty of detail make for one of the most sure bets you can make on an IEM. The Dunu Titan S is a ton of fun, especially with its bass. However, nothing about the Titan S is sloppy. It’s a concise response that also gives texture to its tone. This is also an IEM that only gets better the more you upgrade it, like replacing the cable or using a different DAC.

7Hz Timeless

The Timeless was very popular when it was initially released, and have kept up its reputation ever since. Even though these are the most unusual-looking IEMs on this list, that’s barely a deterrent considering what the Timeless sounds like. With the Timeless, you get a level of depth and texture that only a planar driver can deliver. It’s spacious, colorful, and has a ton of power that puts weight behind each track.

Letshuoer S12 Pro

Another great planar IEM is the Letshuoer S12. I decided to give the Pro a slot over the original due to its enhanced sound properties. The soundstage has better layering on the Pro version, as well as better midrange definition and bass clarity. The S12 Pro also has a great cable with switchable adapters.

Moondrop Aria

Like the Titan S, the Moondrop Aria is another easy bet. There’s also the Aria 2, but I personally prefer the sound of the original Aria. The only thing that the Aria 2 has over the original is the improved cable, but you can always replace it anyway. I prefer the original Aria for its smooth bass and midrange which feels like it has surprisingly more detail than the new one.

Kiwi Ears Cadenza

One of the most affordable on this list, the thirty-five-dollar Cadenza from Kiwi Ears is a solid choice. If you’re really strapped for cash, the Cadenza is an easy choice to make, supplying you with natural details with smooth bass and highs that are easy to digest. It might be one of the cleanest sound signatures you can hear for less than fifty bucks.

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Of course, only headphones that feature 3.5mm headphone connectors will work with the Speiz, but that still includes some strong options. Most HiFiMAN headphones support 3.5mm connectors. Meze Audio also has some great options with dual 3.5mm, including the 109 Pro and both versions of the Liric. Imagine being able to use these amazing headphones both for listening and voice chatting. With the Spiez, these could be your next headphones for your gaming setup.

Strauss & Wagner Speiz Sound Impressions

The Spiez made a great paring with the HiFiMAN Edition XS, letting me game with complete immersion while chatting with my friends over Discord. Even with open-back headphones, the sound doesn’t leak through to the mic as much as you’d think. My voice comes through with a good level of intelligibility, with everyone on the other end able to understand everything I say. Its timbral quality is what you’d expect from most gaming headphones, a bit staticky but mostly clean.

If you’re worried about the game interfering with your headphones’ sound signature, the Speiz is carefully crafted using silver and nylon. The properties of a silver cable exist here, including better separation and slightly amplified treble. This was easy to notice on the Edition XS, but switching to the Meze 99 Classics made these modifications even more apparent. Better separation in the soundstage benefits the many intricate parts of a game’s soundtrack, making sense of all of its sound effects, music, and dialogue. The Speiz makes that possible, with a smooth performance and organized sound elements.

The Strauss & Wagner Spiez is available at Audio46.

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One area where IEMs might not be preferable is if you’re planning on using voice chat. Most IEM cables don’t even provide remote mics and the ones that do don’t always ensure the best quality. Thankfully, there’s a way to get the benefits of both IEMs and gaming headphones with onboard boom mics.

Strauss & Wagner Sallion

If you use IEMs for gaming, chances are they use either 2-pin or MMCX connectors if the cable is detachable. The Sallion doesn’t just take an IEM cable and add a remote mic to it, it gives you a detachable boom arm like over-ear gaming headphones do. This cable costs $49.95 and features both MMCX and 2-pin options. It will work with any 3.5mm headphone port and also offers a USB-C variation.

Not only will it give your IEMs a mic for voice chat, but this cable also works to upgrade the sound of your IEMs. It does this by using materials like OFC silver to reveal more detail in the highs and widen the soundstage. The microphone makes your voice very clear and easy to understand. You can use the Sallion to talk with your friends on Discord, use in-game voice chat, or even for meetings on Zoom. No matter what you use it for, the Sallion will deliver enhanced clarity for both your sound and voice.

The Strauss & Wagner Sallion is available at Audio46.

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While there are tons of DAWs(Digital Audio Workstations) that offers tons of plugins and meters that will help you control your audio and make it better, there’s definitely a learning curve. Audio software like the IZotope RX Suite can take time to learn, and your audio content might not be that complicated to warrant learning these services in the first place. These tools are worth learning if you’re looking to be an audio professional, but they might be too much of a monetary commitment for people just looking to put out content from their bedrooms. That’s where Audyllic comes in.

What Is Audyllic?

Audyllic is a new software as a service platform that is designed for content creators to help ensure broadcast quality audio. They achieve this by featuring Obran Opti-mod technology, which has been renowned for over five decades for its unparalleled
audio enhancement solution. Optimod’s algorithm allows for audio files to be processed six times faster than real time. This is a free platform that anyone can download, with purchasable credits for larger projects.

When To Use It 

What you would need Audyllic for depends on the type of audio content. For instance, podcasters looking to join networks will need to abide by their set parameters that Audyllic makes easy to achieve. If you work with audiobooks, ACX can be pretty strict with their desired levels. Using Audyllic will make that whole process a lot less stressful. Any other content creator can use Audyllic for general clarity and legibility. Not everyone is going to have access to the best gear, so using Audyllic will help put your content on the same level as the pros.

What It Does

Essentially, this professional quality that Audyllic promises is achieved through the reduction of dynmiac range for speech and music audio files. This makes listening in noisy environments (particularly the car) much less difficult and a more pleasant experience. Speech and especially music uses a wide dynamic range. For speech it’s softly spoken words that may be hard to hear contrasted with ones with more energy behind them. These softer words leads for more opportunity for background noise to bleed through and absorb them.

Audyllic, with the help of Optimod naturally reduces this contrast. Its algorithm has many tools, including gain control, automatic equalization, multiband gain control, peak level control, peak to average reduction as well as stereo enhancement and phase skew correction (for best mono compatibility) with intelligent automatic loudness control applied to the -16LUF standard. It also features a speech detection engine to ensure that any music is perfectly balanced in level for optimum listener satisfaction.

How To Use It

Audyllic is a downloadable VST3 plugin that you can use with free DAWs like Audacity and Reaper. It’s interface is simple to use, and doesn’t take too much time to learn. Most audio formats and bitrates are supported by Audyllic. You can download Audyllic, as well as other usfull information about the service here.

The post How Audyllic Helps Your Audio Content Reach Broadcast Quality appeared first on Major HiFi.

Moondrop Dawn PRO

This is the most inexpensive option while also being a genuinely good-sounding DAC dongle. Moondrop has a wide selection of IEMs that are popular among audiophiles, and their accessories like the Dawn Pro are highly favored as well. It’s a small device that has an aluminum housing and it’s one of the cheapest options to include a 4.4mm headphone output.

iFi Go Link

In terms of well-known audiophile brands, iFi is at the top of a lot of lists. Like the Dawn Pro, the Go Link is built well for how inexpensive it is. It uses an ESS Sabre Hyperstream DAC chipset and can support resolutions up to PCM384kHz. Emphasis if put on having the highest dynamic range possible, which suits games very well. Chances are you’ll hear more defined backgrounds and scaled effects through the iFi Go Link.

iBasso DC06Pro 

If you’re looking for power, the DC06Pro is a great choice for more power-hungry headphones and IEMs. It has a dedicated volume control and can provide efficient volume. You get dual ES9219C quad DAC chips that not only support high sample rates, but its sound profile helps eliminate fogginess, organizing frequencies more coherently. Of course, this response will benefit games greatly, with the many sound elements being put together more accurately through the DC06Pro.

Questyle M15

One of the simplest, but more reliable DAC dongles around is the Questyle M15. Its flagship DAC provides tons of clarity and power similar to the DC06Pro, but with even more drive and organization. If you’re looking for more coherent game audio, with natural sound reproduction that displays everything with balance and range, then the M15 is one of the best choices you can make.

iFi Go Bar

This last entry has something that none of the others do, and that is spatial audio capabilities. For gaming, this is more of a deciding factor compared to recommending a DAC dongle just for music listening. With the Go Bar, you get iFi’s XBass, and XSpace feature, which can add a lot of theatrical elements to your game’s sound.

The post Best USB-C DACs For The Nintendo Switch 2024 appeared first on Major HiFi.

Strauss & Wagner EM8C

The Strauss and Wagner EM8C is a favorite here, offering a fun sound with surprising detail for the price. These are comfortable, simple earbuds that make for a great companion with any Type C smartphone.

JBL Tune 310C

Most of you are probably familiar with the name JBL. They usually offer good inexpensive products with textured bass response. You can rely on them to offer good value for the price, and the 310C is a good option if you’re looking for Type C earbuds. If you’re looking for something relatively simple, that can make calls and is from a brand you know, then you can’t go wrong with the Tune 310C.

Moondrop JIU

Here is where Type C earbuds start to mix with the audiophile market a bit. Moondrop makes a lot of great IEMs, and the Jiu is one of their cheapest options for USB-C. Its shell design takes after their popular and similarly inexpensive Chu model, which offers something a little different compared to other Type C earbuds. The sound is cleaner and wider than other USB-C earbuds in a similar price range.

Moondrop May

The Moondrop May is a bit pricier than most USB-C earbuds, but it’s the closest you can get to IEMs for less than a hundred bucks. Looking at the design of these earphones, they have the design that people most familiar with Moondrop will have. It’s one of the few Type C earbuds with this kind of ergonomic shell. In terms of sound, you won’t be disappointed, as the May contains a dynamic and planar hybrid design that will offer a level of detail you can’t get from any other pair of Type C earbuds.

Questyle NHB15

If you’re okay with the price hike, the Questyle NHB15 is one of the best IEMs in its price range regardless of having a Type C termination. Built into the NHB15 is a special DAC that can deliver 192kHz sample rates for accurate lossless sound. It comes with a detachable cable like the Moondrop May, but it includes an additional 3.5mm cable so you can switch between both options at will.

Strauss & Wagner Lyss

Those who already own a pair of great IEMs with an MMCX connection, and don’t want an entirely new pair of earbuds can look to this cable. The Lyss is compatible with a variety of IEMs, including selections from Campfire Audio, Final Audio, Sennheiser IE series, and Westone. It’s a braided OFC silver cable that terminates to a USB-C connector with a special 32-bit DAC.

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