Earphones: Reviews

Updated June 2009

Compare All

Best-value earphones

Reviews say the Etymotic ER-6i earphones are a great match for iPods and other portable music players, and they cost far less than other high-end, in-canal earphones. Most reviews say bass is a little thin, but users… indicate you can get a realistic bass response if you fit them in your ear properly. All reviewers are impressed with how well these passive noise-isolating earphones block outside noise. The ER-6i comes with several ear tips for different ear sizes and shapes. However, not everyone likes the feel of in-canal earphones.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

Expert & User Review Sources:

CNET: Steve Guttenberg describes the Etymotic ER-6i sound as "extraordinarily fine." Compared to the full-size Grado SR60 headphones, ...

iLounge.com: This site reviews iPod and iPhone accessories, including an extensive list of headphones and earphones. Jeremy Horwitz is ...

GoodGearGuide.com: Australian review site Good Gear Guide lauds the Etymotic ER-6i for its "amazing" middle and high ranges. Though bass response is ...

PCMag.com: In this short review, Bill Machrone says the Etymotic ER-6i have "brilliant clarity," though he found bass response disappointing ...

Amazon.com: Amazon users are impressed with the Etymotic ER-6i's sound quality and passive noise cancelation. Many found them comfortable, ...

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Budget earbuds for the gym

Sennheiser MX75 Sport

*Est. $30 Compare Prices

You can find generic earbuds for $10 or $15, but reviewers say you shouldn't expect much from them. If you can spend a bit more, experts like the Sennheiser MX75 Sport earphones, which have a twist-to-fit design to help… them stay comfortably in your ears during exercise. The majority of users say they work well, but a minority finds getting the right fit is tricky; some users just couldn't manage it. Once you figure that out, however, reports say they stay put and deliver clear sound across all ranges, though detail doesn't match up to more expensive in-ear earphones from Shure and Etymotic. Be aware, however, that these earphones are neon green, which may not appeal to everyone.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

Expert & User Review Sources:

CNET: Reviewer Tim Gideon recommends the MX75 for "workout enthusiasts with a penchant for bright green," citing its audio clarity and ...

PCMag.com: PCMag.com's Jamie Lendino notes that the Sennheiser MX75s stays securely in the ear without entering the ear canal and says they ...

OnHeadphones.com: The Sennheiser MX75 gets a near perfect score from OnHeadphones.com and is called "the active person's paradise." Cons include ...

Amazon.com: More than 550 users at Amazon.com give the Sennheiser MX75 generally positive reviews. Most of the reviews are rather long and ...

NewEgg.com: The MX75 gets mostly positive reviews at NewEgg.com, where more than 40 users have chimed in. Reviews here are more technical ...

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Best noise-canceling earphones

Panasonic RP-HC55

*Est. $60 Compare Prices

Many in-canal earphones are effective at passively blocking outside noise, but few earphones have active noise-canceling technology, which can do a better job at blocking low, droning sounds like airplane engines. Among… noise-canceling earphones, experts say the Panasonic RP-HC55 earphones are most effective. The HC55 runs on a single AAA battery, and battery life is very long. Noise-canceling circuitry is built into a pen-sized unit along the cord, which can pull on the earbuds if not clipped to a shirt pocket. Reviewers note that the HC55 earphones fit comfortably, but do not have the best sound quality available.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

Expert & User Review Sources:

Choice.com.au: Similar to Consumer Reports in the U.S., this Australian publication rigorously tests seven noise-canceling earphones. Editors ...

consumer.org.nz: This New Zealand-based consumer publication tests five noise-canceling earphones under controlled conditions. They evaluate ...

HeadphoneInfo.com: HeadphoneInfo.com evaluates a wide range of headphones and earphones. Reviewer Mark Brezinski isn't terribly impressed with the ...

Amazon.com: The Panasonic RP-HC55 receives only about 25 user reviews on Amazon, but most are positive. Users confirm that fit, noise ...

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Best audiophile earphones

Shure SE530

*Est. $450 Compare Prices

The Shure SE530 (previously known as the E500 PTH) earphones have been one of the top choices among discerning listeners for some time. Reviewers find these triple-driver earphones have exceptional sound, including… excellent bass response, a feature often lacking in underpowered earphones. The SE530s are also reported as being quite comfortable. However, they are very expensive. For those on a tighter budget, reviewers say the single-driver Shure SE310 (*Est. $200) are a good compromise.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

Expert & User Review Sources:

CNET: CNET's Jasmine France lists the Shure SE530 as her top choice among high-end earphones. She praises their stellar sound quality, ...

PCMag.com: In addition to occasional roundups, editors at PCMag.com also review new headphones individually. The Shure E500PTH (now the ...

iLounge.com: iLounge.com reviews iPod and iPhone accessories, including headphones and earphones. Writeups by editor-in-chief Jeremy Horwitz ...

EarphoneSolutions.com: EarphoneSolutions.com tests and sells earphones, ranking the best models. Grado headphones are used as reference, and all ...

OnHeadphones.com: This site gives provides ratings with pros, cons and a bottom line. Editors' Choice designations don't appear on summary pages; ...

HeadRoom: While HeadRoom only rates headphones it sells, editors give useful overviews based on technical testing (though they tend to push ...

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Etymotic ER-4P/ ER-4S *Est. $185

3 picks by top review sites.

Ultimate Ears TripleFi 10 Pro *Est. $320

3 picks by top review sites.

Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 5 Pro/EB *Est. $200

2 picks by top review sites.

Etymotic hf2 Headset + Headphones *Est. $180

2 picks by top review sites.

Shure SE110 *Est. $65

2 picks by top review sites.

Audeo Perfect Fit Earphones with Microphone *Est. $160

2 picks by top review sites.

V-Moda Vibe/Vibe II *Est. $50

2 picks by top review sites.


	Etymotic ER-4P Portable In-Ear Earphones from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Ultimate Ears TripleFi 10 Noise Isolating Earphones from Amazon.com New: $315.00 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5 EB Earphones (White) from Amazon.com New: $199.95 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Etymotic Research HF2 Earphones / Headset (iPhone Compatible) - Black from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Shure SE110 Sound Isolating Earphone with Balanced Armature Driver (Black) from Amazon.com New: $58.88 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Audeo Perfect Fit Earphones - White - With Microphone from Amazon.com Average Customer Review:


	V-Moda Vibe Earbuds (Gunmetal Black) from Amazon.com New: Too low to display In Stock. Average Customer Review:

Earphones: Reviews

Best-value earphones

Budget earbuds for the gym

Best noise-canceling earphones

Best audiophile earphones

Earphones by Price Range