In-ear headphones

The best in-ear headphones

At Zococity.es we only work with the best brands and manufacturers of in-ear headphones, but to define what characteristics the best in-ear headphones should have, we have to go back several years and focus on earbuds, which Although they maintained the compact character of current IEMs, they were not fully inserted into the ear canal and therefore did not achieve the level of detail necessary to taste the music properly.

Edifier TWS NB2 PRO - The Edifier TWS NB2 PRO is Edifier's in-ear with active noise cancellation and enhanced 3D panoramic technology. Its structure of 2 internal and external microphones guarantee clear transmission and gives rise to the so-called hybrid active noise cancellation. With Edifier Connect we can configure and control everything that happens in the management of the headphones.

FiiO FH5s : The FiiO FH5s are in-ears with a semi-open design to improve the soundstage and four drivers with two dynamic and two BA, to respond perfectly at all frequencies. They also have 3 customizable sound filters and a wide assortment of accessories that complete the experience.

Sennheiser IE300 - With innovative acoustic technologies, the Sennheiser IE300s are the best version of an IEM. Vocals are reproduced naturally, the treble is crisp and the bass is clean and punchy. A miniature acoustic chamber helps manage airflow behind the transducer. All the peace of in-ear headphones starts here.

FiiO FD7: these FiiO FD7 mount a 12mm dynamic driver made of beryllium. They incorporate an acoustic prism system to ensure a crisp, balanced frequency response across all frequencies. In addition to its spectacular response, the best thing about the FD7 is its premium cable, and the option to interchange the connectors between 3.5mm, 2.5mm and 4.4mm to combine with the most demanding sound sources.

Campfire Audio Holocene: The triple driver of the Campfire Audio Holocene reproduces a smooth and subtle response. MMCX connectors over custom beryllium are fused with a tangle resistant Smoky Glow cable. SEAQUAL® THREAD sheath and glow-in-the-dark overmolds make Holocene a premium alternative.

In order to achieve maximum detail and to stand up to the good results that hifi headphones offer in portable listening, brands began to design and launch in-ear headphones, also called intraural headphones, which receive this name because they are fully inserted into the ear canal. Thus, the result is a type of headset that manages to squeeze every detail but that stands out for its comfort, grip and fixation to the ear.

The best wireless in-ear headphones

In recent times, in-ear bluetooth headphones and true wireless in-ear headphones have been sweeping sales due to their willingness to get rid of cables and take advantage of the benefits of bluetooth connectivity, remote control via application or from the streaming platform that we are using.

Associated with 100% portable listening, bluetooth in-ear headphones are divided into two groups: wireless in-ear headphones and true wireless headphones.

-Wireless in-ear headphones: this category includes all in-ear bluetooth headphones, but they differ from TWS because a cable connects both capsules. The wireless in-ears can be placed directly with the cable behind the neck or with a kind of adapted "collar" in which components such as the battery or the controls are housed, hence they are called neckband headphones. Their autonomy, robust construction, assortment of accessories and ergonomics make them a perfect option for the most active users.

-True wireless headphones: true wireless in-ear headphones are completely wireless and have no cable between the capsules. They are the most used for sports, video conferencing and traveling on public transport due to their comfort, good ear grip and hands-free options. Most models on the market integrate protocols that are resistant to sweat, rain or dust, and in general, they are very intuitive to use and are increasingly compatible with current voice assistants. As a counterpart, and although it is already a sufficiently developed technology, occasional disconnections between the two headphones can be experienced that interrupt the listening process.

To choose the perfect in-ear bluetooth headphones we can look at two key elements: the bluetooth version and the wireless codecs.

Bluetooth version: the more advanced the Bluetooth version, the more ergonomic our wireless in-ear headphones will be, since this technology pursues the objective of being sustainable and optimizing aspects such as energy saving through the battery, increasing the range of distance to the one that we can move away from the sound source, or the reduction of latency if we use our headphones to watch movies or play video games. Thus, the wider the bluetooth version, the better quality in general we will obtain.

Bluetooth codecs – Just like audio formats, wireless codecs have become an important specification when buying a bluetooth in-ear headset. Beyond the basic SBC, it is advisable to look at IEMs that decode at least aptX fluently, or go further with aptX HD, aptX LL and even LDAC. In order to take full advantage of the benefits of bluetooth, it is essential to use a sound source prepared for it and for this reason, it is advisable to combine our headphones with a Hi-Res player to match.

The options to find the in-ear headphones that best suit us are multiple and varied. At Zococity.es you have the best in-ear bluetooth headphones at the most competitive prices.

Characteristics of an in-ear or intraural headset

In-ear headphones have a series of characteristics that differentiate them from the rest of the options, not only due to their size and dimensions, but also due to the type of user for whom they are intended.

Fixation and support: intraural headphones are your alternative if you are looking for headphones with which you can move as freely and lightly as possible. Its ability to integrate into the ear is complete and with it, aspects such as fixation and support, so important when buying in-ear headphones, are ensured.

In general, dedicated brands carry a good assortment of accessories and ear tips designed to make it easy to fit and adapt to each type of ear, but our recommendation is that you try as many models as you can and choose the one that best suits your needs.

Passive isolation : we do not neglect the importance of sealing the ear canal because if in-ear headphones stand out for something, it is for offering high-level passive isolation. Passive isolation is the ability of headphones to prevent outside sounds from interrupting your music listening without the need to use additional technologies such as active noise cancellation. The ability of the IEM to achieve this isolation is linked to the fixation to the ear and the good choice of the pads. If, while listening to music, we find that the in-ear earphone suddenly or recurrently falls out of the ear, we must pay attention and choose the appropriate size of the silicone or foam pads that come with our headphones.

Versatility: when buying in-ear headphones it is important to pay attention to their technical specifications, although initially they are usually more versatile than those of hifi headphones. Although there are models of in-ear headphones that reach demanding impedance and sensitivity figures, most of them adapt to sound sources and home devices such as smartphones, PCs or tablets due to their ease of "movement". Of course, if you are really looking to enjoy a good musical experience, it is best to purchase a Hi-Res player or DAC/Amplifier that is capable of extracting all the detail of the sound.

Easy to transport: compact, small, light and highly transportable. In-ear headphones are the best option to always carry with you on the street, on public transport, when you work at home or while playing sports. To ensure their longevity and useful life, IEMs can be stored in a rigid or cloth carrying case, avoid pulling on the cable and control the folding of the cable so that it does not break. It is also essential to carry out periodic cleaning of the tubes of the capsules to avoid ear infections caused by excess earwax.

As for components and technical specifications that we can take into account if we consider purchasing in-ears, it is important to know the type of driver, know how to read its technical specifications, and consider the usefulness of balanced outputs. All are elements that, well chosen and studied, will help improve the sound experience.

Types of drivers : the choice of the type of driver in in-ear headphones will mark the sound profile of the same, and its behavior in the frequency response and the musical genres that we play. Size is also important, although we must bear in mind that in-ear capsules are more compact and lighter than those of hifi or on-ear headphones, and therefore are not comparable to them. However, the structure of in-ear headphones can be complex and versatile. Take note:

Dynamic driver: the dynamic driver is the most common in this type of headphones and its size is larger than the other types. It is the controller in charge of reproducing low frequencies and therefore, a successful structure to enjoy genres such as electronics, rock or hip hop. If our headphones mount a single dynamic driver, we will have a magnificent response in bass and midrange, but not so much in treble that they will sound less defined and detailed.

Balanced-Armature Driver: Balanced-armature drivers are small in size and take up little space in the IEM's internal structure. They are responsible for faithfully reproducing the medium and high frequencies but have as a counterpart their lack of forcefulness in bass and sub-bass. Balanced-armature drivers are indicated for instrumental genres and those with a great vocal load that require a natural sound, but in general, they are almost always accompanied by a dynamic one that ensures versatility and good response throughout the audible range.

Electrostatic driver: The electrostatic driver is rare in in-ear headphones due to its difficulty in moving them with limited sound sources. It stands out for transitioning very quickly between frequencies and for its excellent definition. For bass and sub-bass reproduction, the electrostatic driver will be scarce, but it will shine in genres whose treble load is considerable.

Hybrid configuration: the hybrid configuration is increasingly present in the in-ear structure because its objective is to collect the best characteristics of each one and deliver them in a single earphone. It is usual to combine dynamic drivers with balanced-armature so that each one is in charge of its frequency, and to be able to obtain a totally defined sound. Brands like FiiO or Campfire Audio are good examples of this.

Technical specifications: knowing how to understand the technical specifications of headphones is interesting when opting for one model or another. Part of the choice will be made by the sound source that we use, since it is the one that is in direct contact with the headset and other aspects such as the type of music that we listen to or the use of an external amplifier. As always, we have to tread carefully when analyzing the specifications, but we can take the following into account:

Impedance : It is the resistance of the earphone to electrical current. If our impedance is very high and the output power of the sound source is low, our headphones will not reach the volume necessary for the listening process to be optimal. Due to their portable nature, in-ear headphones usually have lower impedance levels than hifi headphones, although like everything else, this is not definitive. The in-ears are designed to be easily driven by the phone, tablet or player, but there are many models on the market and from dedicated brands that have hard IEMs to move if we do not use a portable or stationary amplifier. Everything will depend on the use you are going to give it and what you are going to use it with.

Sensitivity: it is closely related to impedance and is the parameter that tells us at what volume we can listen to our headphones with a given power level. It is not a determining characteristic, but knowing it is useful if we combine it with the impedance figure to achieve the round in-ear headphone according to our needs.

Frequency range: it is the most dangerous indicator and in which many manufacturers tend to exaggerate when they present their specification sheets. The human ear is capable of reproducing frequencies ranging from 20Hz to 20kHz, therefore, all higher or lower values ​​will be inaudible to us and of little use when considering the purchase of in-ear headphones.

Frequency response: although it is not decisive, the frequency response will help us when it comes to understanding how the headset behaves with respect to the reproduction of frequencies and understanding if it is more sibilant, dark or balanced. By learning to read this graph, we will obtain technical information on the headphone's profile and, therefore, some light to launch ourselves in our purchase if we are looking for headphones that suit our musical tastes.

Balanced cables and outputs: Balanced cables have become a claim among audiophiles for their good results in improving the listening experience. These types of cables are compatible with balanced outputs that can be 2.5mm, 4.4mm or balanced XLR from dedicated devices that generally reach more output power than the standard 3.5mm input. The purpose of the balanced cable in in-ear headphones is twofold: to significantly reduce distortion and to take advantage of all the connections of the Hi-Res player or DAC/Amp of choice.

Tips for preserving my in-ear headphones

Like any technological device, in-ear headphones also have a "ritual" of conservation and use that is not mandatory but is important to guarantee its useful life. For this, accessories such as the cable and the ear pads must be kept free of tangles and clean respectively if we want to have a pleasant and hygienic listening experience.

Cable: in theory, the more premium the headphone cable, the better sound definition we will obtain, although it is true that if your ear is not trained enough, you may not be able to differentiate the benefits of a good cable from one lower rank. Characteristics aside, keeping the cable and the connectors if it is detachable from the capsules, is essential for your in-ear headphones to last as many years as you want. The best advice is to avoid unnecessary pulls, fold and collect it correctly, and of course, do not expose it to extreme conditions of heat, cold, water or dust.

Earpads: Earpads are the queen of the accessory assortments that come with in-ear headphones. In general, and most of the brands present in Zococity.es, are quite generous in this aspect and offer us different options for customizing listening and comfort. Silicone pads are the most common and some of them are designed to emit according to what frequencies. They are very comfortable and ergonomic, but it is important to choose the ones that guarantee the best grip in our ears, in fact, they work for sizes similar to those of clothing (S, M, L, etc.). The foam pads, for their part, are indicated for sports due to their malleability when inserted into the ear and a broad and forceful bass response. They are made of a resistant foam that prevents itching and irritation and, in general, makes it easier to hold in the ear canal. Cleaning the ear cushions and the ear cups of the in-ear headphones are essential to avoid the accumulation of earwax. There are headphone accessories like cleaning fluids and anti-wax tools ready for the job.

Carrying case: the carrying case of some in-ears is an ideal accessory to store them and take them with you wherever you go. The most basic are made of fabric, compact and without internal compartments to add other accessories such as ear cushions, however, major brands such as Campfire Audio already incorporate velvet covers with enough space to allow the headset to "breathe" and not fold it more than as necessary, thus preserving the cable in the best conditions. If you play sports or move outdoors such as rivers, swimming pools or mountains, it is advisable to choose a "pelican" or rigid case, designed to resist shock. As a note, the carrying cases for the true wireless in-ear headphones also work as a wireless charger so that the battery reaches its full autonomy.