07 Sept, 2019 – People have been asking me for what is the best earphone or headphone for them, so I’m going to start what I call zpolt’s Earphone Top Charts ( ETC ), which will be my Top Recommended Earphones per price range and type. I will grow this list as I review a lot more gear! Top 1 will be my favorite of course, and take note these are my personal preferences so it may differ for you as well but hopefully these choices will help you on buying what you need. Updated with 2019 earphones! ( Edited : Updated with new earphones for Sept 2019 )
Sub $20 / 1000php Earphones
> NiceHCK DB3 – fairly neutral sig, slight u shape, crazy sig for under $20 iem, nice detail across the range – 950 php, $19
NiceHCK DB3 ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/DGAvVG7W
> VE Bonus IE – Natural sound, punchy bass – 950 php, $20
BUY from ALIEXPRESS➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/C9sIi2FQ
> KZ ZSN Pro – KZ ZSN got even better, and the same price range – 700 php
Take the KZ ZSN, the top recommendation here in the channel, and make it even better. Good detail across the range, now acceptable mids, crispy highs, better imaging, and good looks. Definitely my top pick now in the price range.
BUY from Amazon ➡️ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q2RTPFD
BUY KZ ZSN PRO➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/cSkCapoU
> TRN IM2 – Smooth and Fluid, One of the Most Relaxed Soothing Listens under – $20
BUY TRN IM2 ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/cbp1REXI
> KZ ZSN – Daily Driver Material All Rounder and Better Built than ES4 – 700 php
Well resolving across the range, awesome build for the price, best KZ yet under $20 usd. Good for daily use, and general usage, good for any genre. Definitely a top contender.
BUY KZ ZSN ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/VvlLSgg
> TRN V30 – KZ ZSN competitor, but more for bassheads – 1000php
TRN makes a KZ ZSN competitor, and it didn’t disappoint. It made also some tuning to make it different from the competitor specially for bassheads!
BUY TRN V30 ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/cUk7pMmM
> TRN IM1 Pro – Monitoring that has some Fun to it
BUY TRN IM1 Pro ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/rDwHDkjA
> TRN IM1 – Best Detail in the Pricerange, Not for everybody – 1100php
Prolly my new favorite in the price range, but its not for everybody. Good detailed pair, but definitely tuned to be a monitor. Check out my review here :
BUY TRN IM1 ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/cjXPTS8C
> KZ ES4 – Daily Driver Material All Rounder – 1000php
Whole spectrum is nicely done, all meaty and good body, no fuss sound. Not strident and quite balanced in approach, substantial bass and mids as well. Good for daily use def my top recommendation and an all rounder. Full review here :
BUY KZ ES4 ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/cjXPTS8C
Sub $30 / 1500php IEM Style Earphones
> Blon 03 – Crazy Value, Maybe one of the Best Value in Chi-Fi right now – $30 / 1500 php
Buy BLON 03 ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/KSxtXL1m
> KZ ZS10 Pro – Well rounded IEM, good detail across the range, good bass – $30 / 1500 php ( Cheaper now so its in $30 )
BUY from ALIEXPRESS➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/b35JCSIG
> CCA C10 – Detail at the price range, good mids, nice signature, daily driver material – $30 / 1500 php
BUY CCA C10 ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/chJahOSk
> Senfer DT6 – Fairly Neutral, Great Value – $26 / 1100php
> Yinyoo Ash – An upgraded ZSN Pro – $25 / 1200php
BUY Yinyoo Ash ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/ysNXays
> Yinyoo V2 – Balanced, and relaxed – $30 / 1500php
BUY Yinyoo V2 ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/b5zzidEo
> KZ AS06 – Vshaped but well done and detailed – $30 / 1500php
BUY KZ AS06 ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/2xWX38G
Sub $50 / 3000php IEM Style Earphones
> TRN BA5 – Detailed, rich sounding, fast – 3,000php, $59
> TFZ T2 – Better than the S2, well bodied across the range and awesome build – 3,000php, $50
Well controlled across the range and well bodied as well. Good resolution across the range. The build is really good as well. Soundstage is big and the sound is just meaty across the range. This is now our top 1 contender and a TFZ S2 killer.
BUY TFZ T2 ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/E9M4Ncc
> Tinaudio T3 – Precision King
BUY Tinaudio T3 ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/cGI3CMKk
> Blon 03 – One of the best value in budget-fi right now
Buy BLON 03 ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/KSxtXL1m
> CCA C12 – The best KZ so far
BUY from ALIEXPRESS➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/MBDp5WdE
> KZ ZSX – A Legit Terminator
BUY from ALIEXPRESS➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/p9wSNvcM
> TRN V90 – Neutrality, Accuracy, Soundstage – Best TRN!
BUY TRN V90 ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/oqO3J26U
> Guideray GRi-18 – Mature Sounding for the Price Range – 2,300php
BUY from ALIEXPRESS➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/bSnosJk4
> TFZ S2 Pro – Mature Sound, Better than S2 – 2,300php
BUY from Hifigo ➡️ https://hifigo.com/products/tfz-s2-pro-in-ear-headphone-hifi-earphone-earbuds?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=TechManZ&utm_campaign=tfzs2pro
> ZS10 Pro – The New KZ King
BUY from ALIEXPRESS➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/b35JCSIG
> TFZ S2 – The All Rounder Soundstage Beast – 2,300php
A solid everyday earphone, nice and big soundstage, relaxed sound but still has that sparkle and not dull, still quite musical, and a fair price. Definitely a good pick for a first pair, or somebody looking for a versatile earphone. Full review here :
BUY TFZ S2 ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/cTLwMHcc
> TinAudio T2 Pro – Soundstage and Imaging Beast – 2700php
One of my top favorites in the price range, super solid pick and maybe most neutral i’ve tested in the price range. It is also a looker and the best soundstage and imaging for the price. Check out the full review here :
BUY TinAudio T2 Pro ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/qq9hxzI
Sub $20 Earbuds
> Faaeal Snow Lotus 1.0 – The All Rounder Good Clarity and Energy – 600php
Good sounding across the range, nice and big soundstage, not overdone treble and not strident, good build, overall good value.
BUY Snow Lotus ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/cfPSxr2o
> Vido – Best Value Earbud Ever – 150php
The best value earphone I’ve reviewed yet. Good sound across the range, nice treble extension, enough bass, mids substantial, big soundstage and did I mention its super duper hyper cheap?!
BUY Vidos ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/b6hQsqTO
> EMX500 – Clarity focused earphone, nice extension, good build – 800php
If you like clarity, this is for you. Nice energy in the sound, best built in the price range, hyper extended highs, sometimes near strident.
BUY EMX 500 ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/bzrrNWxW
> VE Monk Plus – Warm, well bodied sound for cheap – 250php
Before I reviewed the Vido, this is my recommendation for $5 earphones. Good sounding for the price, well bodied, and nice bass as well. Still a good buy imho!
BUY Monk Plus ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/c4CBetNe
> VE Monk Lite – Easy to use form factor and Good Value Sound – 800php
Easy to use form factor, sound great for the price across the spectrum, quite balanced in approach and quite musical as well. Nice pick for someone who is into this form factor. Full review here :
BUY Monk Lite ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/RUO183m
Sub $5 Earphones
> Sony MH755 Review – 150php / $3 – Natural Sounding and Cheap!
BUY from ALIEXPRESS➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/43jYt2Ok
> Xiaomi Piston Fits – 250php / $5
Xiaomi is now taking the crown back under $5 with the new Piston Fits! Balanced sound, good detail and incredible value.
BUY Piston Fits ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/tiKdlXE
> QKZ CK5 – 200php / $5
Cheapest IEM under $5, definitely a looker, and a likeable sound as well. Overall a great package, something to really consider at this price range.
BUY QKZ CK5 ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/SdVgMiG
> Xiaomi Piston In Ears – 200php / $5
Good sound across the range, and acceptable build, and did I say its cheap? Check out my full review here.
> QKZ CK8 – 200php / $5
Dual driver at this price is outstanding, it has good clarity but the rest of the spectrum needs some work. Still notable though for the price. Check out my full review.
BUY QKZ CK8 ➡️ http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/4vYg8v2
Top 5 Videos – Earphone Awards Videos
1/ Earphone Awards 2018
2/ $50 Earphone Awards 2019 – Top 5 Budget IEMs
3/ $20 Earphone Awards 2019 – Top 5 Budget IEMs
Disclaimer
I won’t put earphones that I haven’t fully reviewed here in this list, so definitely if you have some suggestions on earphones / headphones that will be the ones in these list, let me know down in the comments, and I’ll be sure to look at them in my channel and do a full review. Also, as I mentioned, these list are based on my preference, so your choice may differ, but hopefully with this list, I can help you choose the right earphone for you.
Like us https://m.facebook.com/zpoltlabs/
Follow us https://mobile.twitter.com/zpolt?lang=en
Subscribe https://www.youtube.com/user/zpolt
Check out more reviews in my lab!
1more triples and focal sphears!
LikeLike
What’s a good upgrade from ZSTs?
LikeLike
TFZ S2 or Codonguri
LikeLike
Tin Audio T2 pls. 🙂 Then compare like this: TRN V80vs. Tin Audio T2 vs. KZ AS10 vs. Co-Donguri. Or maybe like this KZ AS10 vs. Co-Donguri then Tin Audio T2 vs. TRN V80. 😀
LikeLike
no recommendations for tin audio?
LikeLike
Hey man, thats true, I haven’t updated this with the tinaudio. That guy is top 3. I’ll update this.
LikeLike
Hi, How would you compare the ZS10 Pro to the Tennmak Pro?
LikeLike
I wonder how you feel about the mipro hd, I’d love to see a review on that , I know it’s a leap in price from the psitons but does have a ba. Honestly I just want want to hear your opinion and review on it
LikeLike
is it possible to do one of these charts for headphones? Youre my number 1 go to when it comes to audio.
LikeLike
Why ibasso it01 not in the list?
LikeLike
The TFZ King
LikeLike
zpolt, any plans on reviewing the Drop’s TinHifi P1?
LikeLike
Does CCA C10 has almost the same level of sound quality of TFZ T2? And would you recommend that for a dubstep / EDM type of music?
LikeLike
Hi how would you compare the ZS10 pro and the Tennmak pro?
LikeLike
What can be good upgarde for ES4. Mostly I listen to pianos and cellos. I also like bass. $20 below is my budget…
LikeLike