The Best Cheap Earbuds Your Money Can Buy This Year

Selecting the best headphones or earbuds to buy can be tricky if you don’t know what to look for; even if you do, it can often be very time-consuming and cause a lot of headaches. Unfortunately, most products on the market are just average, especially when it comes to the best cheap earbuds. Unless you are willing to invest in some expensive earbuds, it can be very easy to be fooled into buying something that is just mediocre.

If you are serious about purchasing some earbuds that deliver great music, then there is no need to spend any more time than it takes to read this article. 

What are the Best Cheap Earbuds?

We have made it our mission to find the best cheap earbuds. If you’re looking for earbuds with better performance, check out our guides. We personally test and review nearly every available product on the market within this category, and narrow it down to the best cheap earbuds on the market today.

Sony MDRXB50AP Review

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Introduction

The Sony XB Series came out with its flagship Extra Bass earphones in 2017, the Sony MDR-XB50AP EXTRA BASS In-Ear Headphones. XB means extra bass, and the Sony delivers just that – a hefty amount of bass for any lover of lower frequencies. This model comes in the middle of the XB line.

Style and Design

Right out of its box, the MDR-XB50AP is lined with a tangle-free, non-detachable, Y-type cord, covered in rubber for durability. Attached to the flat litz chord is an inline microphone, which has a multipurpose button that works seamlessly with every smartphone we tested it on. The MDR-XB50AP also comes with a soft fabric carrying pouch for storage. What is great about the overall construction is that it is both durable and flexible. This allows it to be super reliable and you can use them in a variety of environments without worry.

The Sony MDR-XB50AP, having been made for a more massive, and stylish customer base, comes in 5 different color options: black, white, blue, yellow and red; matched by the rubber coating of its flat, tangle-free wires. These different color options make this pair of headphones ideal for younger people who really want their gear to compliment their style. The earpiece is designed with a brushed steel finish that sticks out of the ears when worn, all in all giving it a stylish and heavy-duty, heavy-bass look that the MDR-XB50AP does not fail in delivering.

Unwrapping the MDR-XB50AP, three pairs of silicone earbuds are available for different sizes of ear holes. And because these earbuds are removable, this makes cleaning your headphones super easy. Everything is packed in clean and small packaging, with the Extra Bass flagship written in a big bold script so if you’re looking into owning an excellent pair of deep bass earbuds, make sure you get one of these.

The Sony MDR-XB50AP does not fail in delivering that EXTRA BASS. With audio coming in through a gold-plated plug, what comes out of the eight-gram earphones is a clear and precise bass without failing all the other, higher frequencies. Bass frequencies come out better and more enjoyable without the extra weight because the MDR-XB50AP uses lightweight neodymium magnets.

Unfortunately, for the sports-minded audiophile, the Sony MDR-XB50AP is not wireless which means it cannot be worn while running, swimming or working out. Well, it can, but the cables might get caught in your arms and be a distraction. Besides, these budget earbuds are not waterproof. If you are looking for a good pair of headphones that you can use to listen to your favorite tunes as you train, you can opt for a wireless Sony sports earbuds that are water resistant so you don’t worry about damaging your headphones as you go into the water or sweat too much.

Lightweight

Although light, the Sony MDR-XB50AP does not easily fall off users’ ears, provided the correct earbud tips are chosen among the ones that come with the package. The earbuds also provide remarkable sound isolation. The sound that leaks out of the MDR-XB50AP are very low, almost non-existent. It’s a great companion at libraries and for listening to loud tracks while still maintaining some privacy.

Power Handling

The MDR-XB50AP responds amazingly well with more advanced amplifying and equalizing skills. When pushed for that EXTRA BASS, this lightweight IEM (in-ear monitor) can deliver almost to the bass and sub-bass level comparable to that of the Sony MDR-EX7550/800st, from Sony’s line of professional studio IEMs. Without a doubt, this is the best option for people looking for the best wireless earbuds with a bass enhancer.

Sony has decided to rate the maximum power handling of the Sony MDR-XB50AP to 100mW, meaning it can handle monstrous quantities of power. At the same time, it’s not very difficult to use with a normal phone or PC.

Normally, V-shaped sound signatures mean vocal lines sit in the background of the treble and bass sounds. However, the Sony MDR-XB50AP delivers V-shaped sound signatures—that may have non-piercing peaks or sibilance—while all instruments in a track are still distinctly audible, together with the subtle sounds that enhance the personal listening experience.

Conclusion

Who would most benefit from what the Sony MDRXB50AP has to offer? Someone who: (1) Is looking for quality sound that easily competes with more expensive earbuds, whilst staying on a budget; (2) Emphasizes equal importance of deep, rich bass and crystal-clarity in mids and highs; (3) Expects to listen to a variety of different styles of music; (4) Chooses comfort over any exceptionally remarkable style; (5) Is looking for some built-in, easily accessible volume and microphone controls.

Sony, one of the most trusted brands for earphones, has consistently provided consumers with high-quality products, and the Sony MDRXB50AP earbuds are no exception. These compact earbuds are quite powerful, and deliver decent bass, along with the high-quality, detailed mids and highs that certain genres require.

If you are looking for a reliable pair of affordable earbuds under 50, you know you can always trust Sony.

MEE Audio M6 Pro Review

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Sound

The M6 Pro from ME Electronics is a warm sounding earphone. It has good impact and superior bass depth. The clarity throughout the frequency range is solid, making the MEE Audio M6 Pro a favorite among musicians. While the treble may not be sibilant, the M6 Pro can be a bit tiring when playing some sparkly tunes. This will gradually disappear in time after some burn-in time, and it is something you will get accustomed to in time.

The sound does not scale up a lot, even with amplification. The earphone, in fact, can fare just as well on my mobile phone as on a 4-amp unit. This is not at all bad since most people prefer to use them on their mobiles. In most cases, they will not be disappointed.

The earpiece responds satisfactorily to equalizers, and with EQ, you can expect a good amount of bass depth. When tested, there wasn’t too much impact when the distortions started.

Comfort and Fit

In terms of isolation, the MEE Audio M6 Pro can be considered as an average performer for a universal in-ear monitor. It is decent enough with not too many extra ports that can allow noise to flow in and out. It comes with Comply isolation tips that keep a lot of external noise out.

Comfort level is excellent. You can wear the earphone for many hours. You can even sleep while wearing the device, and there will usually be no problems. (though we strongly do not recommend doing that, especially if your audio is still playing). 

Placing the audios into your ears may require a little getting used to. Since they are intended to be fitted upside-down, the cable’s top part, which is made stiffer than other parts because of the extra tubing, bends around and over your ears. This provides a more secure fit compared to traditional buds that easily pop in and out.

While it may be a bit inconvenient to put on, you may find interruptions that will require you to take them off more irritating. Nevertheless, when worn, the audio phones are comfortable and can easily withstand occasional tugs on the wire. This level of comfort does make these headphones the ideal option to go with, especially if you are looking for a solid pair of running headphones. 

Style and Build

Being transparent, the well-crafted housing may invite scrutiny to the soldering and circuitry work. You can even clearly see the circuit board for the in-line mic/remote through the casing. While there is nothing to hide, there is likewise nothing to scoff at. While this transparent construction may be cool and unique, it is off-putting for some. 

Overall, the build quality is exemplary. Each part is made to last. Two cables are provided – with and without a mic/remote. Also included are standard accessories usually only found in more expensive models. These include a 6.3 mm adapter, wallet-sized casing, and 7 pairs of tips (1 Comply, and 6 silicone).

It is worth mentioning that the 6.3 mm adapter is intended to complement 4-pin cables. Unlike many similar models, it works well with headset cables. While it is currently not sold separately, there are indications that it will be – eventually.

Conclusion

To sum everything up, the MEE M6 Pro is worth your money. It’s the perfect choice for people looking for good, affordable earbuds that have a somewhat warm and balanced sound signature. It’s also one of the best-sounding IEM’s in its class. It offers a more balanced tonal character than more expensive in-ears. They are comfortable, have interchangeable cables and are unique with their clear casing – very stylish.

Symphonized NRG Review

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Who would most benefit from what the Symphonized NRG Premium Genuine Wood Headphones has to offer? Someone who: Enjoys the standard Apple earbuds but is looking for a step or two up in sound quality. Prefers less bass in music and enjoys crystal-clear mids and highs. Chooses style over any exceptionally remarkable comfort.

Although we have stated, Symphonize NRG earbuds are not the most comfortable, it does not mean that we found them to be uncomfortable. Remember, each product is compared with each of the previous earbuds we have tested, and we found these to be slightly less comfortable than the Razer Hammerhead Headset or the Sony MDRXB50AP earbuds.

Most consumers probably will not notice much of a difference, and if you enjoy the wooden body style that these earbuds provide, you should not refrain; these earbuds utilize soft silicone inserts and are of high quality. Clearly, these affordable earbuds are for the audiophile who seeks the unique sound signature offered by Symphonize NRG as well as the classic, elegant design. While they work best with the latest version of iPad, iPod, and iPhone, these budget earbuds work equally well with tablets, Androids, and other devices that have a 3.5mm jack.

Senheiser CX 300 II Review

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Great quality usually comes with an equally large cost: Good quality items are usually more expensive. As a result, people were led to believe that they have to pay more in order to get more out of items. Otherwise, they have to content themselves with products of substandard quality. However, what most people don’t know is that the greatest products are those which give you high-quality performance but has a low cost. And the Sennheiser CX 300 II Noise Cancelling Earbuds is a perfect sample of that.

Sound Qualit

The Sennheiser CX 300 II is an in-ear device which offers bass-driven stereo sound with its high-quality speaker system. It has great sound and voice clarity with improved dynamics, in contrast to standard earbuds available in the market. The ear adapters have a customized fit and function like earplugs to block out the noise. It also comes with various sizes to choose from, ensuring that anyone will find the one that perfectly fits his or her ears.

Cable and Design

Another great feature of the Sennheiser CX 300 II Noise Cancelling Earbuds is its asymmetrical cable. The longer end is wound behind the neck and into the opposite ear to reduce the amount of cable in front of the user. This safety feature and ergonomic design allow users more flexibility and freedom of movement during physical activities. This cable design also reduces tangle and clutter.

This earpiece comes with a convenient carrying pouch which is intended to prevent cable tangles while in transit. Although the cables look thin, this lightweight and attractive earpiece are actually built to be tough and durable with a 2-year warranty. You can even use it to listen to music with the latest generation of tablets.

But the best part of it is that you can get all these amazing features of the Sennheiser CX 300 II Noise Cancelling Earbuds on a budget. This clearly shows that cost does not define the quality of the product. Despite its low retail cost, the Sennheiser CX 300 II Noise Cancelling Earbuds delivers its promise of great sound reproduction, making it stand out among the available earpieces in the market.

Symphonized MTL Review

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Have you almost given up looking for earphones with high-quality bass, but that are also affordable? Worry no more because the next bass master is now available in the market.

Sound Quality

Fortunately, your demands for a high-quality pair of earbuds will be met with the Symphonized MTL Dual Driver Heavy Bass earbuds. The reasonable sound it produces, despite being cheap, is definitely its foremost quality to take pride in. You can hear the vocals clearly with no distortions at all. This way, you will hear a clear “s” just the way it is supposed to be in the first place.

Enhanced by its noise-isolation feature, the earbuds lets let you enjoy your music without unnecessary outside crowd noise or coming from the background. Of course, the highlight is focused on the individual frequency spectrum for the left and right ears. With its non-dominating 100Hz-range bass in the foreground, this enables a balanced sound to maintain good, non-hollow beats and an acoustical mix.

Comfort

Also, one of the ultimate reasons why these earbuds are heavy-duty beyond the bass quality is its comfort guarantee. Its big housing enables a perfect fit in the ears to prevent easy pull-offs. The earbuds’ soft silicone texture is another feature that will allow you listening relief for long hours without any discomfort.

Durability

While most earbuds are being lambasted for losing its durability, this one is the opposite. Because of its convenient flat wiring cable, the usual tangle problem is finally resolved. Now, you do not have to consistently solve the maze of your wiring but, instead, savor the audio experience to the fullest.

Compatibility

Portability-wise, the Symphonized MTL Dual Driver Heavy Bass earbuds are also compatible with various gadgets aside from regular MP3 players and smartphones. You can also plug it into Androids, iPods, iPads, iPhones, and even CD players. It is that quick, easy, and convenient.

Style

Finally, style should never be sacrificed. Its audio jack comes in gold plating for that more legit look to match the flat cable wiring. It also has a built-in microphone to maximize efficiency. Furthermore, there are three sets of earbuds available, designed to fit different ear sizes — all-inclusive in the package. Definitely, the Symphonized MTL Dual Driver Heavy Bass earbuds are worth your money.

If you are therefore looking for good earbuds that give you deep bass, comfortable fit, and stylish design, the Symphonized MTL is your best bet.

Sennheiser CX 200 Review

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Next up on our list of best cheap earbuds is the Sennheiser CX 200’s. Sennheiser is a popular brand and is well-liked among the headphones community largely due to their consistency in delivering high-quality headphones and earbuds. The CX 200’s deliver some high-quality sound, and they cost half as much as some of the other products we have reviewed above.

Comfort

One of the most impressive characteristics of these earphones is the comfortable design. We went for over 4 hours of nonstop use when testing these in a variety of settings, and were never once irritated or sore. It is more common than not to find yourself with some uncomfortable earbuds.

Sound Quality

The frequency response is less than ideal, ranging from 20 Hz to 20kHz (this covers what the human ear is able to hear). Other earbuds will actually go outside of this range; although we may not actually “hear” certain ultrasonic or subsonic frequencies, they do give the music an additional sense of depth and dimension.

If you’re looking for the best of the best when it comes to music quality, you may want to go with one of our other top picks, such as the Razer Hammerhead’s, the Sony’s MDRXB50AP’s, or the Symphonized NRG’s, all of which have larger drivers. Generally, the larger and more powerful the driver, the better the sound quality.

Panasonic RP-HJE125 Review

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Inexpensive

A decent sounding in-ear monitor is hard to come by on a budget, like the RP-HJE120’s. Panasonic cannot be beaten when it comes to earphones. The Panasonic had to compete with other earbuds costing far more and still managed to make the top five. These earphones are comfortable, they sound pretty good, and you won’t have to worry about them falling apart on you, because they cost about as much as a value meal at McDonald’s and can be easily replaced.

Sound Quality

Sound quality is comparable to many products we have tested. There is a decent amount of bass, and the mids and highs are detailed. When listening to bass-heavy tracks at high volumes, the music may begin to distort or feel muddled. I personally found them to sound best when listening to rock, jazz, or classical music.

Style

The Pansonic ErgoFit RP-HJE120’s aren’t the most stylish headphones you will find, in fact, they actually look pretty cheap. They look a lot like the white Apple earbuds that may have come with your phone, but instead of being a complete hard-bud earphone, soft silicone ear tips are utilized.

This allows more noise-isolation capabilities and ensures a more comfortable fit, so if you are looking for affordable earbuds that will allow you to block ambient noise so you can focus on relishing your favorite songs but are not ready to invest in wireless, noise-canceling sports headphones, the Panasonic RP-HJE125 is for you.

Color Options

Additionally, they come in a variety of colors. Because they are so cheap I have heard of people buying a few different sets of colors just to match the outfit they happen to wear that day – for pennies, why not, right? The cable is pretty thin and does not do much to stop itself from being tangled in knots.

Overall, if you only have a few bucks and are looking for the best pair of earbuds, both in comfort and sound, the Panasonic ErgoFit RP-HJE120’s are your best bet.

Things To Consider Before You Buy

Three things you must consider when figuring out which earbuds provide the highest quality sound: Bass, mids, and highs. If you’re looking for some deep bass that thumps, make sure you choose a product that emphasizes a quality bass in it’s audio.

If you can do without intense pounding in your ears, you should choose some earbuds that provide crystal clear mids and highs. Most consumers choose to go for a product that provides a decent amount of clarity in the bass, but also excellent quality mid and high tones, so it’s crucial to check your headphone’s sound signature before purchasing one.

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Specifications

It is understandable that you wouldn’t really pay attention to the details and specs written on the back of a product’s packaging. After all, they are mostly numbers with labels that don’t really make sense to you. However, they are important to determine the quality of the earphones you are getting and letting you match your PMP (Perfect Music Purifier) — if you have one — with the right IEMs. And once you become familiar with them, you will have a better understanding of common audio engineer lingo.

By default, you should make sure that the earphones you are getting have a nominal impedance of around 16 to 32 ohms. Having a spec like this will make sure that you will get a decent volume or drive without getting an amplifier.

In layman’s terms, having higher nominal impedance will make it easier for your sound source or amplifier to make your speaker produce sound. Imagine a garden hose with water flowing from it. Restricting the flow of water on the end of the hose using your thumb will make the water pressure go up. Nominal impedance works like your thumb in the garden hose. Impedance reduces the “amount of sound” that flows to the speaker to “raise its pressure.” And the right amount or proper “nominal” impedance makes sure that the volume gets through well without sacrificing too much sound quality.

A high impedance speaker driver will make sound clear. This is crucial if you do not want to put so much pressure on your PMP. However, expect that the max volume of your setup will have a limit. Choosing a low impedance speaker driver, on the other hand, will let the speaker capable of having loud volume. Balanced armature drivers often have low impedance, and can stress amplifiers. Dynamic drivers, alternatively, usually have high impedance, which might force you to use a headphone amplifier to boost the low volume.

Other details that you need to consider are magnet types, frequency response, and sensitivity. Sound going through drivers with high sensitivity are easier to amplify. When it comes to magnets, remember that neodymium magnets are good for bass and ferrite magnets are cost-effective materials that are good for mid and highs. When it comes to frequency response, you do not need to delve too much into it. In this aspect, most speakers are usually equal in quality. There are outliers, however, with extreme unsatisfying frequency response, so be sure to still check them out.

Types of Drivers

When it comes to earbuds or in-ear-monitor (IEM) drivers, the truth is that you do not have a lot of choices. You either get balanced armature (BA) or dynamic drivers. Of course, you have another option, which is a hybrid configuration. To know more about those driver types, read on.

Noise Isolation / Noise CancellationStyleAdditional PerksDynamic DriverBalanced Armature DriverHybrid Configuration

To compensate for the lack of dynamic and balanced armature drivers, midrange and regular tweeters are used together. This configuration is typical and is usually referred to as a hybrid setup. Due to the cost-effectiveness of dynamic drivers and the relative cheapness of balanced armature, the hybrid setup is an economical way to create high-quality earbuds that can be as a good as a pair of earphones passing the standards of Hi-Res audio.

Aside from the quality, hybrid configurations are electrically efficient, which renders it capable of making more crisp and detailed sounds. However, due to the introduction of other types of speakers and the lack of power that it can push, bass quality only passes as average. Other multiple balanced armature driver combinations to make the cut for good speakers. With the employment of splitting bass, mid, and treble range, this is accomplished. Nonetheless, the best hybrid setup always includes both dynamic and balanced armature drivers.

Some Useful Tips

Once you’ve purchased the IEMs of your choice, don’t forget to experiment with different types of ear tips to fine-tune the sound signature to your liking. Doing so can also help you figure out if you need to get a separate headphone amplifier or not. One of the simplest things you can do to improve the sound of your earbuds is to change ear tips.

This might sound a bit silly, but the small cushions that you place between your speaker and auditory canal can really affect your speaker’s sound signature. Because sound travels from the speaker to your ear via air, the more tight-fitting your ear tips are, the less leakage of air or sound happens. And that leads to more solid sound — this is crucial if you want to make sure that the bass tones in your audio get through well.

On the other hand, you should also consider your comfort and ergonomics when choosing ear tips. You do not need to make your ears suffer just to get the perfect audio. In terms of materials, it is recommended to use silicone tips. It is a much better material than rubber because it is more comfortable, hygienic, and durable. Of course, getting cheap IEMs will definitely land you a rubber ear tip. It is not bad to get cheap earbuds, but do make sure to get something with silicone ear tips — it is a cheap investment that goes a long way. If you have some cash to spare, you can opt for foam ear tips.

Many audiophiles swear on using foam ear tips — even if they are less durable and more expensive than silicone tips — because of their effective noise isolation feature. Also, they are very comfortable to wear. They fit snugly in your ear canal and do not produce a lot of friction. The downside with foam ear tips, however, is their tendency to cause an imbalance in the lows and highs of your audio. The workaround here is to get an earphone that sounds bright since combining a darker-sounding IEM with foam will only produce boomy sounds, which does not really work well with every type of audio or music.

Debunking Earbud Myths

Myth: The headphones and earphones with the widest range of frequency produce the best sounds. Experts say: false. You do not need to have a pair of earphones that can play frequencies below 20Hz and above 20kHz. The reason is that the human ear can only register sounds between 20Hz and 20kHz. It is true that some people can hear beyond that range, but there are only a few of them. Another thing you should take note of is that human ears usually become the most sensitive in the 100Hz and 10kHz range. Myth: Loud sounds can damage headphones and earphones. Expert say: false. Even small earphones and headphones can generate sounds that are above dangerous SPLs (Sound Pressure Levels) before they reach their maximum breakdown volume. And when they reach that limit, the sounds they produce become distorted and the volume stops increasing. High sound pressure levels are not enough to damage those devices. The electrical signal that is required to create damage is higher than the ones needed to produce dangerous SPLs. Also, you should be more worried about your ears since hearing high SPL can do permanent damage to your sense of hearing. Myth: Sound-isolating headphones are inferior compared to noise-cancelling headphones. Experts say: false. They are only different, and it does not mean that one is better or worse than the other. Noise cancellation is an audio technology that uses ambient noise around the user using a microphone. The inversed ambient noise picked up by the microphone is then added to the signal in the earphone to cancel the same noise. It works very well in canceling frequencies below 1kHz. A few examples of such noises with frequencies around that range are the whirring of an electric fan and low-frequency audio hum.

The downside with noise cancellation, though, is that it cannot remove speech sounds. Another downside is that noise canceling in headphones requires additional electricity — and the electricity used in the noise cancellation circuitry generates noise as well. On the other hand, sound-isolating headphones work mechanically. The material in the headphones makes sure that no air or sound can come out or into your ear and the phones. And to be honest, sound isolation is a nicer and simpler option than noise cancellation. Still, the former (sound isolation) is not ideal for all kinds of situation.

Simply put: Choosing one over the other is a matter of preference. If you want to listen to music and still be aware of your surroundings, getting a pair of noise-canceling headphones is a nice choice. If you can be in a place that’s isolated and just want to listen to your audio without external and internal noise disturbances, then opting for sound isolation is ideal for you.

Myth: Too much sweat can damage earphones. Experts say: false. Singers, bands, and even fitness gurus have been using headphones and earphones on stage for a long time now. Even if they were not using the modern and high-end earphones that exist today, a handful can only tell stories of having an onstage headphone malfunction caused by sweat due to the long hours and uncomfortable environment. In addition, high-end earphones have been tested against salt sprays, high humidity, and even high heat. However, even if damage will not occur, performance degradation may happen if your earphones are exposed to excessive moisture. Output level and sound quality can easily suffer if the earphones get wet. Thus, letting them air dry overnight will alleviate the degradation of wetted earphones. And even if sweat cannot do damage to earphones, it is still recommended that you wipe the moisture off with a tissue or towel after you use it or if they were soaked with sweat.

This is especially important if you use headphones with foam ear tips. And if your foam tips are always wet with sweat, be sure to regularly replace them. You would not some bacteria to grow in there and produce some awful smell, or worse, cause an infection. It works very well in canceling frequencies below 1kHz. A few examples of such noises with frequencies around that range are the whirring of an electric fan and low-frequency audio hum. The downside with noise cancellation, though, is that it cannot remove speech sounds. Another downside is that noise canceling in headphones requires additional electricity — and the electricity used in the noise cancellation circuitry generates noise as well. On the other hand, sound-isolating headphones work mechanically.

The material in the headphones makes sure that no air or sound can come out or into your ear and the phones. And to be honest, sound isolation is a nicer and simpler option than noise cancellation. Still, the former (sound isolation) is not ideal for all kinds of situation. Simply put: Choosing one over the other is a matter of preference. If you want to listen to music and still be aware of your surroundings, getting a pair of noise-canceling headphones is a nice choice. If you can be in a place that’s isolated and just want to listen to your audio without external and internal noise disturbances, then opting for sound isolation is ideal for you.

Myth: Dual or single driver earphones are inferior to quad driver earphones. Experts say: false. Again, this is another case of subjective preferences. A single driver earphone is usually enough for day-to-day applications. You will be able to hear the music and audio you want without camping out your speakers. Of course, for those who demand more quality, there is a good reason why quad or even double will be the right choice. After all, a single driver earphone has a few limitations.

Some of those limitations are:

1. An equalizer or other audio processes is required to shape the sound.
2. Again, shaping can be too limiting, and pushing audio processing tools or programs to the limit to change the shape of the audio can lead to lower quality and tedious adjustments.
3. The volume limit of the speaker can be too low.

If you push the volume a bit above the limit, it can lead to clipping or distortion. To remove these limitations, the easiest solution is to use additional drivers. With the application of special filterings, you can easily shape the ranges of the frequencies that you want to adjust. With a single driver, it is often limited such that the change you can do is with the audio channels only. Aside from that, having multiple drivers can make it easy for you to nudge the volume higher without worrying about distortion. The additional drivers allow you to have more audio paths that you can tinker with. However, despite the versatility when it comes to audio shaping, it does not automatically mean that the audio quality of single drivers will be inferior. Again, this is all about preferences. But in common or usual scenarios, a pair of single driver earphones would normally do the trick.

On the other hand, poorly made multi-driver earphones are not uncommon. Such earphones are often prone to artifacts and anomalies. Frequency response can be dissatisfying. And ultimately, they may not allow you to hear the audio engineer’s intended audio. In addition, high-end earphones have been tested against salt sprays, high humidity, and even high heat. However, even if damage will not occur, performance degradation may happen if your earphones are exposed to excessive moisture. Output level and sound quality can easily suffer if the earphones get wet. Thus, letting them air dry overnight will alleviate the degradation of wetted earphones. And even if sweat cannot do damage to earphones, it is still recommended that you wipe the moisture off with a tissue or towel after you use it or if they were soaked with sweat. This is especially important if you use headphones with foam ear tips. And if your foam tips are always wet with sweat, be sure to regularly replace them. You would not some bacteria to grow in there and produce some awful smell, or worse, cause an infection.

It works very well in canceling frequencies below 1kHz. A few examples of such noises with frequencies around that range are the whirring of an electric fan and low-frequency audio hum. The downside with noise cancellation, though, is that it cannot remove speech sounds. Another downside is that noise canceling in headphones requires additional electricity — and the electricity used in the noise cancellation circuitry generates noise as well.

On the other hand, sound-isolating headphones work mechanically. The material in the headphones makes sure that no air or sound can come out or into your ear and the phones. And to be honest, sound isolation is a nicer and simpler option than noise cancellation. Still, the former (sound isolation) is not ideal for all kinds of situation.

Simply put: Choosing one over the other is a matter of preference. If you want to listen to music and still be aware of your surroundings, getting a pair of noise-canceling headphones is a nice choice. If you can be in a place that’s isolated and just want to listen to your audio without external and internal noise disturbances, then opting for sound isolation is ideal for you.

Final Review of the Best Cheap Earbuds

Choosing the most affordable earbuds without compromising quality can be a bit challenging, but if you have gone through our review of the best cheap earbuds, you will have found that you can actually buy good earbuds without breaking the bank.

Products to suit the varying preferences of different people are available. Whether you like high frequencies or deep bass, you can always choose from the list we have so carefully put together for you in this extensive review.

Additional Resources

Last update on 2021-04-24 at 05:46 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API