Good vacuum headphones. Choosing the best vacuum headphones (plugs)

In 2016 worldwide famous company Apple presented its unique new product – AirPods. These wireless headphones are compatible with any branded device, and also reproduce sound from devices that support Bluetooth 4.0 and higher.

Advantages of AirPods headphones are considered:

• mobility,
• compactness,
• 5 hours of work without recharging,
• easy control by tapping + voice commands,
• the quality of the charging case itself,
• quick connection of headphones to branded devices.

At the same time, users note and AirPods disadvantages:

• the device works as required only with iOS 10 software,
• the sound quality does not correspond to the very high cost of the device (about $200),
• voice control of playback is not very convenient in noisy conditions,
• the fit in the ear is not secure enough,
• no soundproofing.

Despite the popularity of AirPods, many buyers have decided to find an alternative to this advanced device for the reasons described above. Our material will help such buyers with their choice.

How to choose in-ear headphones (“plugs”)

1. Since users looking for an alternative to AirPods are price-sensitive, it's important to understand what factors influence the cost of wireless headphones:

• location and version of built-in Bluetooth modules;
• battery capacity and charging features;
• quality of additional device control sensors;
• built-in memory;
• the presence of codecs that improve sound quality (such as aptX);
• quality of microphones;
• soundproofing;
• noise suppression;
• trademark;
• materials.

Thus, the large price spread of models depends on the above variables. Choose headphones based on the conditions of use and those components that are really important to you.

1. The location of the Bluetooth module in one “ear” (and its quality) in some models affects communication with the phone/other source. So, if the receiver is in the right earphone and the phone is in the left pocket, some devices have problems with the signal. If you need such headphones for home use, then they will do just fine; but they are unlikely to be suitable for driving on the street.
2. Not all wireless AirPods alternatives are noise-cancelling, and not all are perfectly soundproof. By the way, owners of the original Apple model also point out these errors. Therefore, planning to use the device in public transport in order to isolate yourself from outside world, and at the same time, without disturbing anyone, make sure that the device will satisfy your needs.
3. If long battery life is important to you, note that most wireless in-ear headphones of this type range from 3 to 5 hours. Absolute mobility has such disadvantages.
4. The ease of fitting in the ears must be checked. Some models have a strict “fit” in one position. Some can be rotated inside the ear. Sometimes this affects the sound quality and always affects the overall wearing comfort.

TOP 10 best wireless earbuds, alternatives to AirPods

Let's take a look at ten of the best AirPods alternatives at several price points. From the first models in the review, the cost will rise to more expensive ones. Let’s complete our selection with three models that can actually be called “competitors” of AirPods.

“Budget” (up to 5000 rubles)

QCY Q29 Pro

Perhaps, in addition to the low price, the unconditional advantage of this model is the battery life of the device - 4 hours. Its own charging base charges the battery in just 1 hour. The sound quality of the headphones is quite decent, however, according to reviews from many users, the model does not have a good connection to the source.

The sound sometimes disappears when you turn your head and the smartphone is in a pocket opposite to the Bluetooth module, which is located in the right earpiece. Most buyers like the good fit in the ears and the nice, convenient case.

Characteristics:

• Frequency range: 20-20000 Hz;
• Impedance: 16 Ohm;
• Range: 10 m;
• Headphone battery capacity: 80 mAh;
• Charging case battery: 220 mAh;
• Working time: 4 hours;
• Charging time: 1 hour;
• Set: cable, charging case, silicone tips (3 pairs).
• Colors: grey, black, white.

Advantages:

• low cost;
• mobility;
• battery 40 mAh;
• high-quality boxing case;
• nice, consistent design: translucent box;
• With the button you can switch tracks and answer calls.

Flaws:

• inconvenient (very large) buttons: pressed when not necessary;
• connection is lost;
• I get defective headphones ;
• no volume control;
• very strong bass (plus/minus);
• not a perfect microphone.

ELARI NanoPods

Quite simple wireless earbuds, which produce sound of good quality (at a low price). At the same time, the design allows you to adjust the position of the headphones in your ears. Headphones support profiles: A2DP (transmission high quality sound), HFP+HSP (smartphone contact), AVRCP (audio and video remote control). The model is not suitable for sports, as the device loses connection with the phone during sudden movements.

Characteristics:

• Frequency range: 20-20000 Hz;
• Wireless: Bluetooth 4.2;
• Range: 10 m;
• Battery capacity (each earphone): 50 mAh;
• Charging case battery: 250 mAh;
• Operating time: up to 4.5 hours;
• Charging time: 2 hours;
• Set: charging cable, magnetic charging case, 3 pairs of ear pads.
• Weight with case: 38.5 g.
• Colors: black, white.

Advantages:

• inexpensive;
• wireless;
• quite good sound;
• voice notifications in Russian;
• comfortable fit;
• soundproofing;
• high-quality magnetic case-charging base.

Flaws:

• it is difficult to find the position of the earphone in the ear so that it sounds perfect;
• When the connection source is on the left, the connection is lost, because The Bluetooth module is located in the right earphone;
• the music does not turn off if you put the headphones in the case and forgot to turn it off;
• after use, short battery life - 3-3.5 hours;
• when answering a call, the interlocutor’s voice sounds only in one ear;
• no volume control;
• there is no button to switch between tracks;
• no active noise cancellation.

Motorola Stream

This is a branded budget alternative to AirPods from the famous Motorola brand. The manufacturer has equipped this model with high-quality Bluetooth modules and a microphone and recommends it for sports and outdoor activities. In fact, the device demonstrates high-quality sound and a fairly stable signal. Additional bonuses models: voice assistant call button (including compatibility with Siri, Google Now services), Multipoint support, dust and moisture protection (protection class IP54). According to user reviews, the disadvantage of the product is its short battery life.

Characteristics:

• Frequency range: 20-20000 Hz;
• Impedance: 32 Ohm;
• Range: 18 m;
• Battery life: 3-3.5 hours;
• Kit: silicone tips, microUSB charging case.
• Colors: black, red.

Advantages:

• inexpensive;
• wireless;
• quick connection to any device;
• convenient control;
• Multipoint;
• comfortable fit;
• stereo sound;
• noise suppression;
• high-quality microphone;
• moisture and dust protection;
• voice prompts;
• there is volume control;
• there is track switching;
• Manufacturer's warranty – 1 year.

Flaws:

• after use, short battery life (2-3 hours);
• not everyone likes the design.

In the middle price category (more than 5,000 rubles)

AirOn AirTune

The headphones are beautifully packaged and are in a pleasant-to-touch and functional metal case that can be used to charge the headphones themselves and your phone (via an additional USB Type-A connector). Case – the battery has a capacity of 2100 mAh. You should also take into account that the case automatically charges the device in standby mode.

AirOn AirTune headphones are very compact, and replaceable ear pads will help you choose best option ear tips for different ears. As for the sound, it is not ideal: volume control, unfortunately, is not provided on the headphones, and the mid frequencies are poorly defined. However, given the relatively low cost and other advantages of the device, many buyers choose this model.

Characteristics:

• Frequency range: 20-20000 Hz;
• Sensitivity: 90 dB;
• Impedance: 16 Ohm;
• Wireless: Bluetooth 4.1;
• Range: 10 m;
• Battery capacity: 55 mAh (1 earphone) / charging case – 2100 mAh /;
• Battery life: 3 hours;

Advantages:

• compactness,
• fast connection;
• the headphones in the case are located on magnets / do not fall out,
• You can also charge your phone from the battery case (2100 mAh);
• build quality;
• comfortable fit in the ear;
• pronounced bass (plus/minus);
• beautiful box (suitable for a gift).

Flaws:

• 3 hours of battery life;
• not ideal sound of mid and high frequencies;
• You cannot change the volume or switch tracks;
• Sometimes the connection is lost.

Meizu POP

Wireless headphones with original design, equipped with a Bluetooth 4.2 module. A touch panel for controlling tapping (switching tracks), as well as moisture protection according to the IPX5 standard, provide the “sporty” qualities of this device. Meizu POP also boasts quite high-quality sound and noise reduction function when talking on the phone via Bluetooth. The dynamic graphene diaphragm installed in the headphones provides Hi-Fi sound. The charging case with a capacity of 700 mAh can charge the headphones 4 times.

Characteristics:

• Frequency range: 20-20000 Hz;
• Sensitivity:101 dB;
• Impedance: 16 Ohm;
• Wireless: Bluetooth 4.2;
• Range: 10 m;
• Battery capacity: 85 mAh (each earphone) + case with a capacity of 700 mAh;
• Battery life: 3 hours;
• Kit: charging case, replaceable silicone pads.

Advantages:

• cost/quality ratio;
• sound quality (pleasant mids and highs);
• case with a capacity of 700 mAh;
• moisture protection;
• good fit in the ears;
• active noise cancellation;
• good microphone;
• build quality;
• backlight with battery charge indicator on each earphone.

Flaws:

• short battery life (3 hours);
• low frequencies are poorly expressed.

JBL Free

This model can be compared with the WF-1000X from Sony described below, but at the same time it is more affordable. Wireless in-ear headphones JBL Free supports Bluetooth 4.2 and has fairly stable connection quality.

The manufacturer presents them as a sports model with a waterproof function and the ability to adjust the fit in the ear using various options for overlays on the body and ear pads. The battery capacity of the case is 1500 mAh. The headphones can work for 4 hours on a single charge. Some users note the difficulty of pairing headphones: first you need to take the right earphone out of the case, and then the left one. In this case, the device will work as expected.

Characteristics:

• Frequency range: 20-22000 Hz;
• Wireless: Bluetooth 4.2;
• Range: 10 m;
• Battery capacity: 85 mAh + charging case – 1500 mAh;
• Working time: 4 hours;
• Kit: charging case, three pairs of silicone pads and two pairs of body pads.
• Colors: black, white.

Advantages:

• optimal cost;
• build quality;
• moisture protection IPx5;
• stylish design;
• backlight;
• simple touch control;
• comfortable fit.

Flaws:

• relatively large case;
• weak bass.

Huawei FreeBuds CM-H1

AAC sound quality, active noise cancellation, touch control and built-in infrared sensors - these are the features of the high-tech model of Huawei FreeBuds CM-H1 wireless headphones.

Two MEMS silicon microphones in each earbud provide near-perfect sound. This model also has touchpad, responding to user gestures. These headphones do not have a long battery life - this is the standard 3 hours, typical of most competing models in this price category. 10 hours of operation - when charging from the case. The main convenience for the user is the gravity sensor (G-Sensor): pause playback when pulling the earphone out of the ear.

Moisture protection and communication quality allow this model to be used in different conditions.

Characteristics:

• Frequency range: 20-20000 Hz;
• Wireless: Bluetooth 4.2;
• Range: 10 m;
• Battery capacity: 55 mAh / charging case – 410 mAh /;
• Working time: 3 hours / with case – 10 hours /;
• Set: silicone tips, charging case.
• Colors: black, white.

Advantages:

• price-quality ratio;
• sound quality;
• connection quality;
• control of accelerometers (shock to the body);
• Convenient on/off: pull out of ears or insert into ears;
• very high quality microphone;
• convenient horizontal case;
• two speakers in each headphone (dynamic + reinforcement);
• moisture protection;
• rubber pads included.

Flaws:

• no volume control on headphones;
• no track switching (only from a smartphone).

In the price category over 10,000 rubles

Jabra Elite 65T

Wireless headphones from the manufacturer TM Jabra, one of the leading manufacturers of Bluetooth equipment. Bluetooth 5.0 is an order of magnitude higher communication quality than previous versions, and the Jabra Elite 65T headphones are equipped with just such a module. Operating the device is simple: convenient buttons. When you remove one earbud from your ear, playback pauses (pause). You can press the button and hear a voice service message about the battery charge level. The battery life of the model is about 5 hours. In 15 minutes, the headphones can be charged for 1.5 hours of use.

The manufacturing company also offers an excellent branded mobile application, Jabra Sound+, with many functions for every taste. For example, there is a mode to turn off soundproofing for jogging in the park. The device is waterproof according to the IP55 standard, so you can run even in the rain.

Characteristics:

• Frequency range: 20-20000 Hz;
• Sensitivity: 103 dB;
• Impedance: 16 Ohm;
• Wireless: Bluetooth 5.0;
• Range: 10 m;
• Charging case capacity: 500 mAh;
• Working time: 5 hours;
• Set: polyurethane nozzles, charging case.
• Colours: black, grey.

Advantages:

• functionality;
• connection is not interrupted;
• Bluetooth 5.0;
• fast connection;
• excellent fit in the ears;
• excellent sound quality;
• there is volume control;
• there is switching between tracks;
• noise suppression;
• soundproofing;
• 4 microphones;
• moisture protection;
• compatible with iOS and Android;
• good branded software.

Flaws:

• expensive,
• very inconvenient case: difficult to open
• There is no headphone mount in the case - they fall out.

Sony WF-1000X

These wireless headphones from the famous Sony brand are equipped with a reliable ANC active noise cancellation function. Branded dome-type emitters do their job perfectly.

The design of the model is distinguished by a consistent corporate design and high-quality assembly. The sound insulation is so good that the device completely isolates you from external sounds.

With absolute mobility, the device operates without additional recharging for about 3 hours. Music will play for 10 hours longer when subsequently charged from its own charging case.

Additional technological advantages of the model: NFC module for quick connection with a smartphone; proprietary Headphones Connect application (fine sound settings and ambient mode).

Characteristics:

• Frequency range: 20-20000 Hz;
• Sensitivity: 90 dB;
• Impedance: 16 Ohm;
• Wireless: Bluetooth 4.2;
• Range: 10 m;
• Battery capacity: 82 mAh + charging case – 340 mAh;
• Working time: 5-7 hours;
• Set: silicone tips, charging case.
• Colors: gray, black, crimson.

Advantages:

• excellent connection;
• sound quality;
• long battery life;
• functional;
• good microphone;
• own mp-3 player;
• volume control;
• moisture protection and P2i nanocoating;
• “background sound” mode (sound insulation off);
• automatic switching on and synchronization;
• compatible with Android OS 4.4 (Kitkat) and higher;
• do not fall out;
• design;
• fitness tracker;
• manufacturer's warranty;
• 3 colors and 3 sizes (S, M, L).

Flaws:

• high price;
• tight fit: pay attention to the size;
• There are complaints about a decrease in volume level after several months of use;
• according to reviews from some buyers, they are very easily soiled;
• There are functions that need to be enabled only via a smartphone (in the application).

Let's sum it up

The above budget models cannot be called direct competitors of AirPods, due to less than ideal communication and simpler software. However, some of them actually have good performance sound quality: ELARI NanoPods, Motorola Stream. Plus, you definitely save money.

Cheap models do not have a good connection, so you should not dream of sports or walking with such devices.

Fortunately, today there are models on the market that can be considered the “golden mean” between budget and very expensive ones. Of course, they are far from perfect, but, in addition to better communication quality, they can all surprise you with pleasant surprises:

• AirOn AirTune: a cool metal case that can also charge your phone via an additional USB port;
• JBL Free: connection stability, moisture protection, touch control;
• Huawei FreeBuds CM-H1: Sound quality, sensitivity and gravity sensor.

Models of wireless headphones that can really be called " alternative to AirPods", cost over 10 thousand rubles and are of quite high quality. If you trust brands Jabra, Sony And Samsung, you have plenty to choose from. These manufacturers constantly test their products and release new versions of devices every year, so by the time you make a purchasing decision, updated versions of the above-mentioned headphones from these pioneers of wireless technology may appear on the market.

And since we are talking about wireless technologies, how can we not remember about convenience and? Rate it!

In-ear (vacuum) headphones are a category of portable devices that provide sound directly into the ear canal. How to choose vacuum headphones - these models are equipped with flexible tips that are inserted directly into the ear hole, actually plugging it. For optimal fit, some products come with multiple pairs of interchangeable inserts of varying diameters. The consequence of this tight fit is an excellent level of sound insulation. In appearance, they are small, compact, and can easily fit in a clothing pocket or bag compartment. The modern market offers a wide range of different models, which can cause difficulties when purchasing. In order not to make a mistake with your choice, you need to consider several important factors.

Technical parameters of vacuum headphones

How to choose good vacuum (in-ear) headphones for your phone - pay attention to the range of frequencies produced, especially its minimum limit (18 Hz - 20,000 Hz). In addition, sensitivity should be taken into account. To ensure sufficient volume in noisy places and on the street, it should be at least 100 dB. It should be understood that one model is capable of producing different sound quality with a variety of devices (it will sound louder with a laptop than with a player). If you plan to connect headphones to a portable player, then the internal resistance should be no higher than 64 Ohms. If you choose more, then the power of the device will most likely not be enough to “drive” the headphones.

Types of vacuum headphone tips

For vacuum models, several types of attachments are used. These are soft silicone, foam and free-form with hard acrylic material or softer silicone. There are also hybrid options, but quite rarely.

In turn, silicone nozzles are classified into two types: universal and size-dependent. The former are often equipped with several protrusions, which allows them to be inserted into the ear holes to the desired depth. This ensures maximum tightness. However, they may cause discomfort to the user due to their effects. Size-dependent plastic attachments are more convenient in this regard, since they have different sizes: from small to large. The buyer has the opportunity to independently choose the option that matches the characteristics of his ears.

The highest sealing, and as a result, extreme comfort and sound insulation are characteristic of foam nozzles. This form provides a warmer, more pleasant and full sound, unlike silicone.

Length of cable

The length of the cord has a direct impact on the ease of use of vacuum headphones. For a phone, the appropriate parameter is 80-120 cm, depending on where the gadget is placed, in a bag, jacket pocket or jeans.

Connector Features

You've probably noticed that some models are equipped with a gold-plated connector. This spraying provides protection against corrosion and oxidation. High-quality contact, in turn, guarantees the clearest sound possible.

Additional functions

Depending on your needs, choose headphones with special functionality:

• Waterproof housing;
• Phone adapter. If you spend a lot of time flying, you may need an adapter that allows you to connect headphones to use the internal audio system;
• Case for storage and transportation;
• If you require compatibility with iPad and iPhone, look for the corresponding note in the product descriptions;
• Bright original design. Stylish headphones can become an integral part of your image. A wide range of designs, colors and sizes allows you to choose an option based on your preferences.

Guarantee period

This is one of the important factors. Before choosing vacuum headphones, be sure to check the manufacturer's warranty period. Even the most expensive products can fail for a variety of reasons. That is why it should be possible to take them to a service company or return them under warranty. Typically, popular manufacturers provide a one-year warranty.

Vacuum headphones- a type of headphones that differ from any other in size and special ear pads. Their meaning is that the sound duct of the earphone is inserted deep into the ear canal, with the help of ear pads the remaining lumen is blocked, thus achieving complete isolation of the ear from external noise. It is this effect that is popularly called “vacuum”, because The ear pad blocks out all external sounds allowing you to hear only the sound from the earphone clearly and clearly. Vacuum headphones are also often called “plugs” because of the way they are used; the headphones seem to plug the ear, like earplugs.

Vacuum headphones are very convenient for use outside the home, because... they are very small, light, but allow you to listen to music with very high quality sound. Many people make one simple but very common mistake - they do not select ear pads for their ear. Each person's ear is very different not only on the outside, but also on the inside, so it is extremely important to choose the size and shape of the ear pads so that they are comfortable when listening to music, but at the same time create reliable noise insulation. Only in this case will you hear what vacuum headphones are capable of. Believe me, good vacuum headphones can compete with many full-size models in sound quality.

In this rating of vacuum headphones in 2018, I tried to collect exactly the best models, so don’t be surprised that some of them will cost serious money. I think you understand that truly high-quality things cannot be cheap. If you are looking for affordable and inexpensive plugs, there is a separate rating for that.

Technical requirements of vacuum headphones for telephones and other sound sources

Before introducing you to the list of the best vacuum headphones, I want to make a small technical digression. The fact is that many people a priori consider vacuum headphones not serious, that they are created purely to listen to music from the phone while a student is traveling to university on the bus, and they are not capable of anything more. Obviously this is not the case. Good vacuum headphones can sound like you wouldn’t even expect when looking at their modest size and technical specifications on the package.

Precisely for the reason that people consider them frivolous, they believe that plugs can be connected to any sound source, be it a mobile phone, a computer sound card or an mp3 player, and a priori they should play perfectly. This is not so, good headphones place very serious demands on the sound source, both in terms of the quality of the analog signal and from a purely technical point of view: resistance, signal strength, signal purity, absence of extraneous interference and clicks from static electricity.

Some vacuum headphones have a serious resistance value, up to 130 Ohms. It is clear that with such headphones they are not like a telephone, not every computer or special music player will handle it. Therefore, be careful, if you like some headphones from the current rating of earplugs, read their technical requirements before purchasing.

Typically, vacuum headphones have an impedance of 16-32 ohms. All mobile phones and mp3 players should be able to cope with this resistance, however, do not forget that the quality of the analog signal is also very important and it can vary greatly from phone to phone, from player to player. Therefore, if you bought good and expensive vacuum headphones, and they sound bad when paired with your phone, do not rush to blame the headphones for this, it is very likely that the problem is in the phone.

Other technical feature concerns such a parameter as “Sensitivity”. This parameter, roughly speaking, determines how loud the headphones will play. Some of the models presented in this rating have relatively low sensitivity and therefore if you want to get a loud volume level from them, you need to make sure that the sound source to which you connect them can “drive” them. In other words, if you suspect that your player or phone with conventional vacuum headphones does not play very loudly, you may not want to pair it with good headphones with relatively low sensitivity.

Model	Headphone type	Peculiarity
	Closed	Stainless steel case, BTE, DualCoil™ magnetic ring driver
	Semi-closed	Very light, behind the ear, hybrid driver system (1 dynamic + 1 armature)
	Closed	Metal case, behind-the-ear mount, driver made using Tesla technology
	Closed	Titanium case, an excellent match for Apple technology
	Closed	Aluminum housing, hybrid driver system (5 armature drivers)
	Closed	Anodized metal housing, single studio quality armature driver
	Closed	Very light, large diameter driver (10.8 mm) whose membrane is made of Mylar
	Closed	Natural wood body, very light
	Semi-closed	Metal body, natural live sound
	Closed	Stainless steel housing, rugged construction, detachable cable
	Closed	BTE, signature sound signature
	Closed	Metal body, hybrid driver system (1 dynamic + 3 armature drivers)
	Closed	Metal body, unusual appearance
	Closed	Metal body, monitor sound
	Closed	Very light, very high quality manufacturing
	Closed, wireless
	Closed, wireless	Collar mount, active noise canceling
	Closed, wireless	Splash resistant, aluminum alloy body, collar mount
	Closed, wireless	Collar fastening, semi-aniline leather trim
	Closed, wireless	Aluminum alloy body, very light, unique way to charge the battery

RHA T20

Peculiarities: RHA T20 are in-ear dynamic headphones with a behind-the-ear mounting type. The durable metal case, the wire with a powerful silicone braid and the metal parts of the jack and divider guarantee you the reliability and durability of the headphones. The kit includes special acoustic filters that are screwed onto the sound guide in the form of attachments and give the sound the shade you like: with a slight emphasis on high frequencies, natural sound or a slight emphasis on bass. Filters do not distort the sound, they only give it a particular shade due to special materials that are located inside the filter through which the sound passes. For my daily listening to music, I chose a bass filter.

Sound: The main feature of the RHA T20 vacuum headphones is the driver technology - DualCoil™. Typically, a dynamic driver has one magnetic ring that transmits vibrations to the membrane, causing you to hear sound. The RHA T20 has two such rings: internal and external, due to which sound transmission is carried out with more accuracy and dynamics than in conventional drivers. At the same time, low frequencies affect the mid and high frequencies to a much lesser extent and do not overlap or muffle them. The sound is cleaner, more detailed and natural. If you want to fully experience the difference in sound, I recommend that you compare these headphones with any others in a store, and you will be convinced that they sound cleaner and more pleasant than competitors with conventional dynamic drivers.

Pros:

• Quality materials and workmanship
• Pure and natural sound character
• Replaceable acoustic filters
• BTE type of attachment
• Rich set of ear pads
• Good case for storage and transportation
• Reliable design
• Hi-Res Audio Certification

Minuses:

• Demanding on the quality of the sound source

AKG N30

Peculiarities: AKG N30 are semi-closed in-ear headphones with a hybrid driver system. Vacuum headphones have a wider variety of driver systems than any other. Wherein different systems can be successfully combined with each other, resulting in a very beneficial symbiosis. This happened with the AKG N30 model, it combined an armature driver with a dynamic one. For the listener, this provides very significant advantages: clean and very detailed mid and high frequencies due to the armature driver, powerful and deep low frequencies due to the dynamic driver.

N30 has a behind-the-ear type of attachment. The shape of the earpiece cannot be changed; it is made of soft flexible plastic that fits the shape of your ear and you stop feeling and noticing it within a few minutes after you start listening to music. At the same time, if you use headphones outside the home, the earpiece greatly helps to keep the headphones in your ear without having to adjust them if you accidentally touch or even pull the wire.

N30 vacuum headphones have a semi-closed acoustic design, which gives the listener a wider imaginary sound stage, natural sound character and almost complete absence of sound reflection inside the acoustic chamber of the headphones. But there is also a negative effect - a decrease in passive noise insulation. The headphones are quite suitable for comfortable listening to music at home or on the street, but it will be difficult to listen to them on the subway, because they are less effective at reducing carriage noise than clean, enclosed models. But it seems to me that the advantages that the semi-closed design provides in terms of sound more than cover this minor drawback.

The headphone wire is soft, from the divider to the jack it is protected by braided braiding, which means it is very reliable. The most important thing is that the wire is replaceable, even if you damage it, you won’t have to buy new vacuum headphones, you just need to buy a separate wire. Thanks to the standard MMCX mounting type, you have a very wide selection of wires to suit every taste.

It should be added that the headphones included have 2 replaceable acoustic filters: for neutral sound and bass enhancement. However, due to the nature of the sound of the headphones, I see no reason to enhance the bass; with a neutral acoustic filter it sounds almost perfect. But if you are an ardent fan of boosting low frequencies, the bass filter will be a pleasant bonus for you.

Sound: N30s sound like you're listening over-ear headphones and this is amazing, the sound is very voluminous, the space and texture of the sound are well felt. Low frequencies are fast, deep and powerful, yet they sound detailed and lively. The headphones delicately but noticeably enhance the bass, but without negative effects such as the feeling of a kick drum on your head or rumble. The bass plays accurately, powerfully, capaciously, but delicately - exactly as good musical headphones should play. The armature driver makes a noticeable contribution to the formation of sound; mid and high frequencies sound very detailed and without the slightest distortion. The singers' voices are natural, and the live acoustic instruments sound as if the musician is sitting in front of you and playing specifically for you.

Pros:

• BTE type of attachment
• Semi-closed design type
• Hybrid driver system
• Very light
• Rich equipment
• Reliable wire
• Pleasant and high-quality sound
• Good ergonomics

Minuses:

• Not very suitable for listening to music on the subway due to the semi-closed design

Beyerdynamic Xelento

Peculiarities: Beyerdynamic Xelento are flagship in-ear headphones with a behind-the-ear mounting type and a dynamic driver. The main feature of the model is the dynamic driver, which is created using the unique Tesla technology, which was developed by Beyerdynamic engineers. The main idea of ​​this technology is that with its help it is possible to create a magnetic field much more powerful than in conventional dynamic drivers. And where is the powerful magnetic field, there best sound. A more powerful magnetic field allows you to more confidently, efficiently and quickly control the vibrations of the dynamic driver membrane. The sound becomes very detailed, full-sounding and powerful even at an average comfortable volume, and thanks to much more precise control of the membrane, the driver does not need additional loudness, which is used by most headphone manufacturers with dynamic drivers conventional design. Loudness compensation is needed in order to compensate for the nonlinear sensitivity of human hearing to different frequencies at a certain volume level. The driver of the Beyerdynamic Xelento vacuum headphones puts enough energy into the sound at any volume level so that your ears can hear it well.

If you listen to this model in a store, you will instantly feel the vibration coming from the headphones even at a medium volume level, and if you listen to a musical composition rich in low frequencies, you can feel the vibration on your skin even at a low volume level - this is an obvious indicator of the high power of the driver. These sensations are difficult to describe, you need to experience them once and you won’t need words.

Sound: all the best vacuum headphones sound good, we just need to describe the sound features of each model. Beyerdynamic Xelento probably sound like a reference, thanks to fine tuning and a very powerful driver. It’s not for nothing that I pay so much attention to power; according to the technical specifications, the driver power is 100 mW. A typical dynamic vacuum headphone driver has a power of 1 to 5 mW, some outstanding models have a power of 20 mW, and a few models have a power of up to 40 mW. Now do you understand why the Beyerdynamic Xelento model is so unique? High power gives the headphones the ability to play sound like no other model can. This effect can be compared to cars, powerful engine is capable of accelerating you to 100 km/h very quickly, while a regular car can also reach this speed, but it will take much longer. The same is true for the driver in headphones; the greater the power, the greater the control over vibrations, the brighter, more accurate, dynamic and deep the sound we hear. Just come to the store and listen to these vacuum headphones and all questions regarding the cost will disappear by themselves. These are unique headphones, there are no others like them.

Pros:

• Unique driver created using Tesla technology
• Very high ergonomics, headphones are not felt in your ears
• Premium materials used in manufacturing guarantee long service life
• Replaceable cable, includes 2 cables: one with microphone, one without
• 7 pairs of anatomical silicone ear pads included and 3 pairs of foam ear pads of different sizes
• Hard case for transportation

Minuses:

• The three-button control panel is small, so false button activations are likely.

Beyerdynamic iDX 200 iE

Peculiarity: The Beyerdynamic iDX 200 iE are in-ear wired headphones with a classic fit, designed specifically for use with... Apple technology. Among the features we can highlight the case, which is entirely made of titanium. This material is much more durable and wear-resistant than aluminum or other metals. Of course, I doubt that during the operation of the headphones you can even damage the aluminum case so much that the headphones stop working or lose their attractive appearance. But, you must admit, when your own headphones are made of titanium, it gives a pleasant feeling of superiority over any other models.

The cable is also quite interestingly designed. It does not detach from the headphones themselves, however, in the middle it has the ability to connect to two different cables that come with the kit: for working with Apple equipment and for working with any other audio equipment. However, if you carry your player or phone in your chest pocket, you can disconnect the second wire altogether and connect the headphone wire directly to the playback device. The length of this cable is about 50 cm.

Sound: The sound of the Beyerdynamic iDX 200 iE vacuum headphones cannot be called studio or reference; they color the sound. But they do it competently, slightly raising the mids and bass. Thanks to this, the sound becomes very detailed, and slightly enhanced low frequencies make you feel the drive of the music. These headphones are designed for daily listening to music for pleasure, so that you can enjoy it. You will recognize the signature Beyerdynamic sound immediately; it cannot be confused with anything else. In general, I can only say one thing about the sound: if the price of the headphones doesn’t bother you, feel free to buy them, you won’t be disappointed, on the contrary, many of your favorite musical compositions will sound new.

Pros:

• Rich scope of delivery
• Excellent sound with slight emphasis on low frequencies
• High level of comfort, the headphones are not felt in the ears
• The headphone body is made of titanium alloy
• The lower part of the cable is replaceable, even if it fails you can buy a new one and continue to use the headphones

Minuses:

• The wire is slightly thinner than the standard solution, handle it with care
• Full functionality is not guaranteed with Android phones and other non-Apple devices.

Campfire Andromeda

Peculiarities: Campfire Andromeda are in-ear wired headphones with a behind-the-ear mounting type and numerous armature drivers. The main feature of these vacuum headphones is the system of armature drivers, of which there are as many as 5 pieces inside each headphone. They are mounted inside unique acoustic chambers developed by Campfire and called T.A.E.C.

The body of the headphones is made of aluminum with zirconium coating, you don’t have to worry about their durability and reliability, if you don’t drive a tractor over them, they will work forever. It should be added that all Campfire Andromeda headphones are assembled by hand and have a unique serial number.

The cable is removable and has a standard MMCX connector type, so you can purchase any cable, or use the one you already have if something happens to the supplied cable.

The body of the headphones is quite large, so if you have small ears, this model may cause discomfort during use. During testing, the headphones fit well in my ears and I did not experience any problems.

Sound: good vacuum headphones should sound full, so that you won’t even suspect that you are using miniature headphones and not full-size ones. All the efforts of the engineers when creating Campfire Andromeda were aimed at creating the most reliable, pleasant and detailed sound, while maintaining a neutral presentation, i.e. make sure that the headphones do not embellish the sound at any frequencies. Thanks to the use of 5 armature drivers top class they succeeded. The headphones sound honest, but very expressive. I want to warn you that not everyone will like this sound, many may find it too boring, others may think that there are not enough low frequencies. However, all this depends only on what headphones you listened to before Andromeda. If you connect them to a high-quality sound source and listen for a couple of tens of minutes, you will get used to the clean, detailed, neutral and natural nature of the sound, and after putting on your headphones you will instantly hear how they color and distort the sound. Of course, if before Andromeda you listened to ordinary inexpensive headphones. Andromeda can give many, many hours of pleasure, but only to those who want to hear the sound the way the sound engineer heard it in the studio - honestly.

Pros:

• Highest sound quality
• Durable aluminum housing
• Excellent quality complete cable
• Rich complete set of accessories

Minuses:

• Large headphone body size, they may not suit everyone

Etymotic ER4XR

Peculiarities: Etymotic ER4XR are in-ear headphones with a classic fit and a single armature driver. Everything about Etymotic headphones is unusual: the design, the fit in the ear, and the approach to sound generation.

Let's start with the design. The first thing that catches your eye is that there are no silicone ear pads of the usual shape; all ear pads are of the herringbone type. Also included is a pair of unusually shaped foam ear pads. This is because the headphones need to be inserted very deeply into the ear canal, in fact, as deep as the inner curve of the ear canal allows you to make. This fit guarantees the most effective passive noise insulation and the minimum distance from the earphone to the eardrum. This way, you will hear sound with maximum detail and minimal distortion. But the main reason is that the headphones use one armature driver.

The armature driver is renowned for its ability to reproduce sound with very high detail and minimal distortion, but with a limited frequency range. Etymotic ER4XR headphones reproduce sound in the range of 20 Hz - 16 kHz. You may be surprised, because any, even the simplest vacuum headphones are capable of reproducing sound with a frequency of up to 20 kHz. The idea is that Etymotic headphones are designed for professional use, and only secondarily for the general public. Yes, they have a limited frequency range, but the headphones reproduce this entire range with excellent accuracy and clarity, without sound coloration or other distortion. By ear, you will never notice that the headphones have any frequency limitation.

Sound: Etymotic ER4XR vacuum headphones can be used in professional studios due to their clear and honest sound. You can mix musical material in these headphones and you will never encounter the fact that the mixing was performed incorrectly due to the color of the sound. Etymotic ER4XR were created specifically for fine work with sound. And it is for lovers of the most honest and calm sound that they went on sale. Each profession has its own tool and different manufacturers. Some make the instrument better, some make it worse. Etymotic ER4XR is one of the best tools for working with sound at a professional level.

Pros:

• Great sound quality
• Very compact
• Replacement cable
• Rich complete set
• Hard carrying case
• Excellent build quality.

Minuses:

• Sensitive to the quality of the sound source
• Unusually deep fit in the ear, not suitable for everyone

Focal Shear

Peculiarity: Focal Sphear are in-ear headphones with a classic fit. Of the features, I can highlight the driver; it does not differ in any outstanding and unique technologies that were used in production. However, it is made to last. The first thing you need to pay attention to is the diameter of the membrane, it is 10.8 mm. This is not a record, however, for in-ear headphones this is a pretty serious argument. Secondly, the material from which the membrane is made is Mylar. Mylar is a special synthetic material that is very light in weight but has high rigidity, making it very suitable for the production of dynamic driver membranes. During operation, the membrane experiences very serious loads, because it has to constantly change the amplitude of vibrations and frequency. Under such a load, deformation occurs inevitably, mylar is less susceptible to deformation and therefore we hear the sound more pure, detailed and honest than when using a driver with a membrane made of a classic material.

I would also like to note the rather curious shape of the acoustic chamber of the headphones; it is made in the shape of a hemisphere and has a rather big size, which also had a beneficial effect on the sound quality.

The headphones, despite their apparent bulkiness, sit comfortably in my ears and I did not experience any negative sensations while listening.

Sound: Focal Sphear vacuum headphones cannot boast crystal purity sound or indescribable detail, however, they have a very pleasant warm dark sound timbre, slightly enhancing the low frequencies and muffling the highs. I am sure that many people will consider this sound character to be almost ideal, because... it allows you to listen to recordings in mp3 or aac format without any discomfort and not hear compression artifacts. But don’t think that the headphones have average sound quality, not at all, they sound good, and in some places excellent. It’s just that Focal engineers decided to release headphones that are ideal for listening to music using streaming services such as Deezer, Yandex.Music, Spotify or any other similar ones. All these services offer you music in compressed form, and therefore the headphones must play it pleasantly, powerfully, but at the same time mask the artifacts that will inevitably become audible if you listen to a similar format in more serious headphones. So if you're looking for inexpensive, but good, durable headphones for your daily listening to music on your phone, I think the Focal Sphear would be a great candidate for this role.

Pros:

• Good ergonomics, the headphones fit comfortably and firmly in the ears
• Stylish appearance
• Durable, relatively thick cable that will last a long time
• The original design of the jack, it is tilted at an angle of 45 degrees, which provides excellent ergonomics of use
• Convenient control panel
• 6 pairs of ear pads included, both silicone and foam
• Hard case for transportation
• Excellent quality of honest sound reproduction

Minuses:

• The button on the remote control has a slight play
• The wire has a memory effect, if the headphones are in the case for a long time, then you will need some time for the wire to straighten out
• Headphone housing may be too large for use by children

Meze 12 Classic

Peculiarity: Meze 12 Classic are in-ear headphones with a classic fit and dynamic driver. One of the main features of these one of the best vacuum headphones is the body, which is entirely made of natural wood. It's not plastic with a wood texture, it's real wood. And, as you understand, this had a significant and extremely positive effect on the sound character of the headphones.

Second interesting feature connected to the driver: copper-plated aluminum is used as the winding for the coil, this makes it possible to obtain greater accuracy when converting electrical signals into oscillations.

In my opinion, the third feature may be the headphone cable; it is quite rigid when compared with other headphones from the current selection, while it has a fairly durable silicone braid; together, these two factors give us a cable that does not get tangled in a pocket at all. I don’t know which property influenced this to a greater extent, but the fact is that during the entire testing period I never encountered the need to untangle the cable.

Sound: Meze 12 Classic vacuum headphones sound harmonious, soft and detailed. They will not give you crystal clear high frequencies, but mid and low frequencies are the strong point of headphones, they sound clean, natural and natural. The wooden body gives the sound softness, warmth and a very low coefficient of reflection inside the acoustic chamber. While listening to the Meze 12 Classic, I caught myself thinking that if these closed headphones had an open case, they would sound simply great. But they are completely closed, and therefore are perfect for listening to music on the street and in transport, losing a certain amount of the breadth of the audio scene.

Pros:

• Good sound quality, which is given a characteristic shade by the wooden body of the headphones
• Compact
• Natural wood body
• Tangle-free, durable wire
• Good microphone

Minuses:

• It is not advisable to expose the wooden headphone case to prolonged exposure to water.
• One control button

Philips Fidelio S2

Peculiarity: Philips Fidelio S2 are in-ear headphones with a classic fit, a dynamic driver with a semi-closed housing. One of the main features of the headphones is a dynamic driver with a record diaphragm diameter of 13 mm. At the same time, the driver is quite powerful - 40 mW. Add to this a very high resolution and competent calibration, and the result is outstanding vacuum headphones for home use.

I selected the Philips Fidelio S2 headphones as home headphones because they have a semi-closed acoustic design, which means they do not have very good passive noise isolation. This means that it will be very pleasant to listen to them at home or in the office, but in transport you will lose all the low frequencies, because. they will be drowned out by the noise from the operation of a bus or subway car.

I would like to note the very good ergonomics of the headphones; if you choose the right ear pads, you won’t feel them in your ears at all.

The body of the headphones is not plastic, it is made of metal and covered with enamel on the outside, making the headphones look simply amazing.

Sound: The headphones sound very balanced and pleasant. There is a slight emphasis on the mid frequencies; it is very pleasant to listen to a recording of live instruments in headphones. Thanks to the high power of the driver, they confidently convey not only the sound, but also the texture of the instrument. This is a rare quality for vacuum headphones, because... For the most part, the driver power is not enough to convey the voltage of the instrument's sound. The Fidelio S2 do this very well, without thinking that they are unable to reproduce low frequencies. They play the bass honestly, i.e. where it is, you will hear it, but where it is not, you will not. At the same time, those musical compositions where the sound engineer in the studio made sure that the low frequencies should be very powerful and booming will sound like that in the Philips Fidelio S2. This is their main difference from ordinary headphones, which either add bass wherever they can, or simply cannot cope with it at the proper level. S2, as a professional, does not waste their talent, but if they come across complex and dynamic music, they will play it like no other headphones.

Pros:

• Comfortable fit
• Balanced sound
• Great design
• Rich equipment
• 7 pairs of ear pads included, including 2 pairs of foam ear pads
• Convenient flat cable
• There is a microphone and a Play/Stop button

Minuses:

• Insufficient noise insulation for listening to headphones in transport

DUNU Titan 5

Peculiarities: DUNU Titan 5 are in-ear headphones with a classic fit and a dynamic driver. Engineers are constantly looking for new materials or combinations of materials to create the ideal dynamic driver membrane. Each material that undergoes numerous tests and becomes a membrane in serial products has its own advantages and disadvantages, and as a result its own character sound. When designing the DUNU Titan 5 vacuum headphones, the engineer came up with the successful idea of ​​creating a hybrid material for the membrane. Press releases from the DUNU company are silent about what material is used to produce the membrane base, but they readily share that this material is coated with titanium microparticles. This approach made it possible to obtain a lightweight but very durable material that is excellent for creating a membrane for a dynamic driver. As a result, we got headphones that sound very detailed, sometimes, based on this parameter, they can be confused with the sound armature headphones. But at the same time, the driver retained the ability to reproduce the full range of audible frequencies.

DUNU Titan 5 are equipped with a removable cable with a standard MMCX connector, so damage to the cable is not a reason to replace the headphones; you just need to buy any cable with a similar connector and continue enjoying your favorite songs.

Sound: I liked the sound of the TITAN 5, they sound powerful, enveloping, with sparkle in the high frequencies and good detail. After listening to several test music tracks, it becomes obvious that the headphones have a V-shaped sound tuning, i.e. Bass and treble are emphasized, while mids are slightly pushed into the background. In this case, the emphasis on low frequencies prevails. This sound setting is perfect for listening to electronic and modern popular music, as well as various calm genres like Lo-Fi Hip-Hop, Lounge music and similar ones.

Due to their sound character, the headphones are perfect for computer games and watching movies.

The sound will appeal to lovers of powerful, spacious bass; it envelops and softly but persistently creates a musical background for any melody.

Pros:

• Rich equipment
• Good ergonomics
• High-quality materials and high level of assembly
• Excellent sound, especially for lovers of powerful, serious bass
• Excellent price/quality ratio

Minuses:

• In cold weather the wire becomes slightly dull

Sennheiser IE 80s

Peculiarities: Sennheiser IE80S are in-ear headphones with a mixed fit and one dynamic driver inside. The mixed fit means you can wear them either classic or with an over-the-ear design. The earhook is removable and is included with the headphones. Depending on where you plan to listen to the headphones, you can change the fit. For example, if you listen to headphones at home, you don’t need a earhook and you can remove it. If you go outside, then earbuds will be very useful so that you don’t have to adjust the headphones in your ears.

The headphones are also equipped with an interesting function of multi-stage bass adjustment. On the outside of the case there is a special mechanism that looks like a screw. Next to it is a scale of intensity of low frequencies. The kit includes a special tool with which you can turn this control, thereby changing the intensity of the bass. Reliable and original. The bass responds quite sensitively to this tuning, and the sound is not distorted, as happens if you increase the low frequencies using an equalizer.

The cable is removable, however, it uses a proprietary contact developed by Sennheiser, so only the original one will fit the replacement cable. But in any case, this is a plus of headphones, because... If the cable is damaged, there is no need to buy a new pair.

Sound: vacuum Sennheiser headphones The IE80S reproduces sound very clearly and in detail. The sound character is light, however, using the bass controls you can slightly shift the shades of the sound towards the dark side. In general, the headphones perfectly convey details, have a good power reserve and therefore are suitable not only for listening to music in transport, but also for home listening in silence. You will get the most out of the sound. Timbre, dynamics, texture - nothing can be hidden from the Sennheiser IE80S and you will be sure that you heard in the phonogram everything that was intended by the sound engineer.

Pros:

• Good sound quality
• Detachable cable
• Mixed planting type
• Rugged housing
• Rich scope of delivery
• Mechanical bass intensity control

Minuses:

• The removable cable is proprietary, which means it can only be replaced with exactly the same one from Sennheiser

1MORE Quad Driver In-Ear

Peculiarities: 1MORE Quad Driver are in-ear headphones with a classic fit and a hybrid driver system. The main feature of the headphones is the unique combination of price and technology that was used to create these vacuum headphones. Inside there are: 1 dynamic driver and 3 reinforcement ones. Compared to its competitors, the headphones use a somewhat unusual division of driver responsibilities. The dynamic driver voices the low frequencies and low mids, the remaining 3 armature drivers took over the mids, high mids and highs. Typically, with a similar layout, the dynamic driver is responsible only for low frequencies.

The headphone body is entirely made of metal, and therefore reliable and beautiful. The cable is not removable. Please note: the sound duct of the headphones is short, so only the supplied ear pads will fit it. This also affects the fit; in some ears, the headphones may simply not fit properly. When purchasing, it is advisable to try on the model in person. In my case, everything was fine, the headphones fit in my ear as they should and did not cause any discomfort.

Despite the affordable price, the headphones have a rich set of equipment and stylish packaging. This model of vacuum headphones can be safely given on birthdays, anniversaries and other holidays; I am sure that your gift will not get lost and will attract everyone’s attention.

Sound: 1MORE Quad Driver In-Ear vacuum headphones sound very clear and detailed. Don’t be surprised if you read the entire article; I write these exact words about every headphone. But don’t forget, this is a selection of the best headphones, but how can some of the best sound dull and muffled? There is no such thing, so I, observing formalities, continue to write about each model that it sounds good. As for the features of these vacuum headphones, their low frequencies are somewhat tidied up, while they do not disappear, but are played fairly. Where the bass should have been according to the sound engineer's idea, it will be there, and where it is not, it will not be. The mids are slightly relegated to the background, but thanks to the armature drivers they are detailed enough to be noticeable in normal day-to-day listening. There is a slight peak in the high frequencies to make the sound more airy and open. As a result, we received a model of vacuum headphones that are perfect for those who are looking for honest sound with a stylish appearance and a very affordable price.

Pros:

• Good design
• Rich equipment
• Excellent build quality
• Reliable cable

Minuses:

• Fixed cable

Peculiarities: Master & Dynamic ME05 are in-ear headphones with a classic fit and one dynamic driver inside. Some interesting features of the model include the all-machined brass, black chrome-plated and hand-polished headphone housings. The manufacturer also claims that the driver membrane is coated with titanium, which gives the membrane greater strength and increased sound detail.

The headphones fit very comfortably in your ears; you just need to choose the size of ear pads that suits you and you won’t have any problems with comfort.

Sound: vacuum headphones have a slightly dark sound, powerful and punchy bass, while the high frequencies are also slightly raised to make the sound more pleasant and contrasty. The sound is very dynamic, perfect for those who primarily seek drive and inspiration in music. Of course, the headphones are omnivorous, they can play any melody or genre, but they manage to prove themselves especially well in music with an abundance of low frequencies and drums. Thanks to titanium coating, the sound remains detailed at all frequencies, without turning into mush anywhere.

Pros:

• Durable and beautiful brass body
• The driver membrane is titanium coated
• Simple but durable design
• Premium Look
• Good sound quality, especially when reproducing low frequencies

Minuses:

• Not everyone will like the appearance of the headphones.

Peculiarities: ADVANCED M4 are in-ear headphones with a classic fit and one dynamic driver. There are no special frills in these headphones. There is a twisted wire that prevents tangling, more reliable and beautiful than the usual smooth cable with silicone braid. The set includes many ear pads of different shapes, both silicone and foam. The aluminum body of the headphones makes them reliable and beautiful.

Maybe, main feature of the ADVANCED M4 vacuum headphones is their sound. The headphones were created for musicians and those who are professionally involved in sound and music, while the model is very expensive little money. Two conclusions follow from this:

1. The sound tuning was aimed at achieving a smooth and honest studio character. I think that everything was done correctly and within the current price of headphones they fulfill their role perfectly.
2. Headphones are created for musicians; not all ordinary listeners will like their sound. The headphones hardly add any color to the sound, which means it is not as beautiful as in conventional models, and this can turn off many unprepared music lovers.

The ADVANCED M4 vacuum headphones fit very comfortably in your ears, but to do this you need to choose the right size and type of ear pads for you. After this, you can listen to the headphones for many hours in a row and not notice them.

Sound: ADVANCED M4 sounds balanced, smooth and clear. They are perfect for those who are looking for an honest, calm sound, so that the headphones do not hit the ears with bass or anything else, but sound calm, measured and professional. There is no emphasis on the bass; it sounds very neat, fast and detailed. Mid and high frequencies merge into a single whole, perfectly conveying every detail of the musical instrument. Probably, for the price they ask for headphones, this is one of the best models for working with sound. You'll hear every detail, never miss a thing, and have complete control over the sound.

Pros:

• Rich equipment
• Honest smooth sound
• Aluminium case
• Good price
• Durable twisted cable

Minuses:

• Headphones may not be suitable for those looking for bold sound

Peculiarities: Shure SE112 are in-ear headphones with a classic fit and one dynamic driver inside. The headphone body is plastic, the cable is ordinary, it only boasts a nice divider with protection and an unusual jack shape. Otherwise, these are traditional vacuum headphones.

The most important thing about these headphones is the price/quality ratio. They are not expensive, but they sound great. If you're looking for affordable, lightweight, and nicely made headphones, check out the Shure SE112.

Sound: The headphones sound pleasant, there is no distortion or blocking of the sound. Low frequencies, as it should be for the mass listener, are enhanced, the bass sounds powerful, driving and confident. The speed is average, as is the detail, but this is only noticeable when directly comparing the headphones with competitors. The mids are detailed enough that you don't mind it and enjoy the material you're listening to. High frequencies sound clean, transparent, but not so bright as to distract the main attention when listening to music. Overall, the sound is tuned to appeal to most listeners, making modern electronic and pop music sound impactful and smooth. Ideal for daily listening to music from your phone while traveling or walking.

Pros:

• Affordable price
• Very light
• Reliable cable
• Soft pleasant sound
• High level of ergonomics

Minuses:

• The cable is not removable
• In cold weather the cable becomes slightly dull

Peculiarities: Bose QuietControl 30 are wireless in-ear headphones with a collar style and active noise cancellation. Bose is famous for building one of the most... effective systems noise reduction, the company’s engineers are very strong in this. Indeed, using these vacuum headphones, even in a subway car, you can very comfortably listen to music or audiobooks on headphones. The noise from the carriage is, of course, audible, but it no longer interferes with enjoying the music. And this is in a subway car rushing at full speed through the tunnel. On the street or in another noisy environment, the noise becomes completely insignificant. You don’t even have to listen to music and walk completely oblivious to the noise from the cars. Active noise cancellation works very effectively.

Sound: Bose classically focuses on drive, power and good bass in its headphones. This happened with the Bose QuietControl 30, they are best able to cope with modern electronic and pop music, it sounds very impressive and powerful. Of course, you can listen to any music, but it is modern genres with a lot of bass and drums that are the strength of these vacuum headphones. Classical music will also sound good, but not great due to the noticeable emphasis on bass. Lovers of honest sound should look for other models. I am sure that the remaining 80% of listeners will like the sound character of the Bose QuietControl 30.

Pros:

• Excellent performance of active noise cancellation system
• Pleasant driving sound
• Comfortable collar
• Long battery life up to 10 hours

Minuses:

• Active noise cancellation at maximum power may cause discomfort for some people

Peculiarities: Sony WI-1000X are wireless in-ear headphones with a collar type mount and active noise reduction system. These are new flagships from Sony and therefore there are some very interesting technologies hidden inside.

The Sony WI-1000X vacuum headphones have active noise cancellation and work very effectively. The hum and noise of the streets is perfectly filtered, even when traveling in the subway, the noise from the carriage and the roar of the tunnel is greatly reduced. Of course, you will hear it, but at a much lower volume, which significantly affects the comfort when long trips, and you don’t have to turn up the volume of the music you’re listening to in order to hear it well. Anyone who has at least once tried good vacuum headphones with active noise canceling continues to use them in the future; this function is indispensable on the street.

The Sony WI-1000X model supports both wired and wireless connections via Bluetooth. Today, there are 3 main codecs that can transmit music with high quality: , aptx HD and LDAC. The most progressive codec is LDAC. If your phone supports this codec, then when you connect Sony WI-1000X headphones to it, you will get amazing sound quality that will not differ from wired ones.

Also, the Sony WI-1000X vacuum headphones use two proprietary technologies that improve the sound transmitted wirelessly: DSEE HX and S-Master HX. Without delving into the technical jungle, I will note that these technologies always work automatically. Their task is to make the sound signal as high quality as possible. If you listen to compressed sound in mp3 or any other format, then the headphones try to restore original type signal so that you do not hear compression artifacts, which always appear when listening to music in mp3 format in good headphones. Almost always mp3 music sounds more pleasant and dense than other wireless headphones. Sony did everything so that you enjoy music and don’t think about how you do it.

A hybrid driver system is responsible for the sound in the WI-1000X: 1 dynamic and 1 armature. Thanks to this tandem, the sound turned out to be very detailed, but at the same time capacious and dynamic.

Sound: WI-1000X vacuum headphones have a very rich, rich dark sound. This type of sound can be considered proprietary for Sony wireless headphones. The bass is slightly boosted, the mids are smooth and detailed, and the highs are pushed into the background. The result is a soft, ingratiating yet detailed and powerful sound. Of course, any sound signature has its fans and haters. Personally, I like this sound delivery, but there are people who cannot listen to music without sharp and overly bright high frequencies. WI-1000X is not suitable for them.

Also, when directly comparing the WI-1000X with the sound of other wireless headphones of similar prices, I noticed that Sony slightly changes the timbre of the singers' voices. This is neither good nor bad, it is a fact. The voice does not deteriorate or improve, it just becomes a little different, not like with regular headphones. Obviously, this is the result of DSEE HX and S-Master HX technologies that improve overall sound quality. But once you listen to the WI-1000X, you will completely stop noticing this effect and will just enjoy the music.

Pros:

• Comfortable collar
• Effective active noise cancellation system
• Good sound quality
• LDAC codec support
• Long battery life - up to 13 hours with noise cancellation
• Compressed audio restoration technologies DSEE HX and S-Master HX
• Possibility of wired and wireless connection

• At wireless connection the voices of the singers are slightly distorted

RHA MA650 Wireless

Peculiarities: RHA MA650 Wireless are in-ear wireless headphones with a collar mount and a single dynamic driver.

The “collar” is completely covered with silicone to prevent splashes and sweat from affecting the electronic components of the headphones. Vacuum headphones are IPX4 certified, which means that you can safely play any sport (except swimming) or walk in the rain.

The headphone body is made of aluminum alloy, there is no doubt about its reliability. The shape of the headphones is not accidental; it is called Aerophonic and is RHA’s own development. Aerophonic allows you to deliver sound to your ears with a minimum of distortion and reflections inside the acoustic chamber, making the sound natural and realistic.

It is worth noting the long battery life - up to 12 hours at a volume no higher than 70% of the maximum possible. I assure you, you will not turn up the maximum volume; the headphones are loud enough to listen to music in a subway car at about 60-70%.

Sound: RHA MA650 Wireless vacuum headphones are tuned to sound as expressive as possible. Yes, honest sound delivery suffers from this, but in return you get a very bright and powerful sound. Low frequencies and upper mids are slightly boosted. The result is a sound that is contrasty, powerful and elegant. This type of sound is especially suitable for listening on the street and in transport, so you will not miss the character of the sound and can enjoy the music even while in a noisy carriage or on a flying plane.

I don't think it's worth mentioning that the headphones provide very clear sound without the slightest hint of distortion, sand or sibilance. It is obvious.

Pros:

• Sweat- and splash-proof IPX4
• Bright, powerful, pleasant sound
• Good ergonomics
• Rich equipment
• Long battery life up to 12 hours
• Premium materials
• 3 years warranty

Minuses:

• The USB port is not covered with a plug

Sennheiser MOMENTUM In-Ear Wireless

Peculiarities: Sennheiser MOMENTUM In-Ear Wireless are premium wireless in-ear headphones with a collar mount. There are ordinary wireless headphones, there are sports ones, there are special and curious ones, and there are premium ones. Sennheiser MOMENTUM In-Ear Wireless vacuum headphones belong to the premium class.

The first thing that catches your eye is the style and decoration. The headphones have a simple design; these headphones can be worn with a T-shirt or a business suit. Moreover, with a suit they will look even better. Home distinctive feature This model is different from any other in the collar trim, it is made of semi-aniline leather and has noticeable red stitching. Obviously, the headphones were created to emphasize the style of their owner, his taste and social status.

As for technology, there is plenty of it. Let's start with battery life - up to 10 hours. Codec support: aptX, AAC and SBC. Support voice assistants and vibration alarm for incoming voice calls.

The sound is controlled by one dynamic driver, developed by leading Sennheiser engineers and, believe me, the headphones sound great.

Sound: If you've ever heard Sennheiser headphones, you can already get an idea of ​​the sound character of this model. Sennheiser MOMENTUM In-Ear Wireless vacuum headphones sound full-bodied, serious, and balanced. There is no emphasis on any frequencies; they all sound assertive and confident. The detail is excellent, especially if you listen to headphones with the active aptX codec. The headphones are absolutely omnivorous, they will happily play the next set from Armin Van Buuren, after which they will effortlessly cope with any classic work by Beethoven. Soft, confident presentation, high detail and overall balanced sound will give you true pleasure from owning premium wireless vacuum headphones.

Full review of Beyerdynamic Byron BTA headphones
Peculiarities: Beyerdynamic Byron BTA are in-ear wireless headphones with a classic fit. These vacuum headphones do not have any significant features; they are two bodies connected by a wire, on which there is a lightweight, fully rubberized control panel with a microphone.

The headphone body is made of black matte aluminum alloy, which guarantees high reliability and durability of the design.

There is one interesting engineering solution - a way to charge the headphone battery. Typically, wireless headphones have a USB socket into which a wire is connected. In this model, the engineers decided to do a little experiment. The fact is that the traditional USB socket, although quite convenient and universal solution, is not without its drawbacks - if used carelessly, it becomes loose and loses good contact, which can lead to rapid failure of the headphones. To avoid possible problems engineers decided to equip the headphones with a separate charger. The charger itself plugs into USB, but there's no need to unplug it. There are a pair of contacts on the headphone remote control; to start charging, you need to place the headphone remote control into the recess on charger and the battery will begin charging. As soon as you need the headphones, you just need to take them from the charger and that’s it, no further action is needed on your part. Convenient, simple and elegant solution.

Sound: Byron BTA headphones are the older model of this series, support the aptX codec and Bluetooth 4.2, and also use a modern DSP processor for sound processing. And these are not empty words, the headphones really play music perfectly.

I would like to note that the headphones have a neutral sound character; there is no enhanced bass or emphasized mids or highs. Headphones try not to introduce distortion into the sound.

Thanks to this approach, during the first cursory listen, I noted to myself that the sound was slightly boring. But as soon as I listened to them carefully, I realized that behind the apparent screen of simplicity, details and character were hidden.

Byron BTA play the sound carefully, delicately, as if they were carefully carrying a crystal vase on a velvet napkin; one extra or sudden movement, and the vase will break. Headphones are also careful about sound. You will not hear deafeningly deep bass or sharp and ringing high frequencies from them. The sound is soft, insinuating and intelligent. He doesn't try to please everyone, he's just neat and delicate.

Pros:

• Compact size
• Magnets in the headphones for comfortable wearing around the neck
• Convenient charger
• Excellent sound quality
• Good equipment
• Aluminium case
• Long battery life

Minuses:

• It takes a few days to get used to the remote control.
• No protection against sweat and moisture
• The maximum stated battery life is only possible when connected to a device that supports Bluetooth 4.2

Vacuum or in-ear headphones are a more advanced modification of earbuds, which they are gradually replacing from the market. They are as light and compact as their predecessors, but without their main drawback.

The speakers are inserted into the ear canal, fit tightly to its walls and do not fall out when moving thanks to elastic tips (ear pads). Therefore, they can be used on a morning jog, in the gym and other similar situations.

Vacuum headphones have the following advantages:

• good noise insulation due to the design;
• high-quality sound transmission, especially at low frequencies with deep bass.

Among the disadvantages usually mentioned are:

• excessive strain on the hearing organs due to the sound source being too close to the membrane;
• unpleasant physical sensations, discomfort during prolonged wearing due to lack of air in the ear canal.

However, the advantages significantly outweigh the disadvantages. In addition, the disadvantages are associated only with obvious abuse of the headset.

Criterias of choice

Despite the general design, the abundance of choice often leaves the buyer in a difficult position. Among the models offered, there are cheap ones with obvious flaws in performance, mediocre sound, and expensive ones with impeccable assembly, more advanced components, and therefore better acoustics.

To properly understand competing models and choose headphones with good performance properties, you must have general ideas about the selection parameters. This:

1. Indicators of comfort and quality, which can be assessed by the material of the ear pads, cable shape, assembly and materials used.
2. Technical parameters, the list of which is standard for headphones different types- drivers, frequency, sensitivity, resistance, etc.

Ear pad type

The design of the attachments affects the wearing comfort and tightness of fit in the ear canal. A set usually comes with several pieces, which differ in shape and size. They can be made of foam, silicone or soft plastic:

• Foam tips are the most comfortable, easily adapt to the size and characteristics of the ear canal, and do not put pressure. But they quickly become unusable, cannot be cleaned and require regular replacement.
• The silicone tips are comfortable and flexible enough to provide a comfortable fit with good insulation. Easy to clean and can be used for a long time.
• Soft plastic attachments are more rigid and less comfortable, but the most durable.

Cable

The cord connecting the speakers to the sound source must be long enough, moderately elastic and durable. There are two types of cables commonly used: round and flat. A flat cable is more convenient because it does not get tangled, twists easily, and slips less on clothes.

Build quality

You won’t be able to choose good headphones without a thorough external examination. They must be assembled in a housing made of high-quality plastic, free of dangerous burrs. Premium models may use other materials. The body must be assembled without cracks and securely glued.

Driver design

Speakers may be dynamic And reinforcing. Dynamic ones are cheaper and do not have high acoustic qualities. Reinforcing ones have a more complex design, due to which the quality of reproduction increases.

If money is not an issue, then it is better to choose good headphones with armature speakers that will give excellent sound with good bass.

Frequency

The frequency range for in-channel devices, regardless of cost, is approximately the same - 5 Hz to 25 kHz. This is slightly higher than the norm audible to the ear, which ranges from 20 to 20,000 Hz.

Resistance

For smartphones that usually use headphones, it would be wise to choose a low-impedance headset. Impedance up to 25 ohms requires less power for high-quality sound. Too little resistance distorts the sound, too high reduces the volume. The correct option would be a value from 20 to 25 ohms.

Power and sensitivity

Most phones have low power connectors. That's why Optimal headphone power is up to 100 mW. And the low power of the source, that is, the smartphone connector, requires high sensitivity from the headphones. For in-channel devices it is 100-150 dB.

Distortions

Distortion level outgoing sound increases with the weight of the speakers. Small headphones are less sensitive to distortion. From this point of view, the sound quality of in-ear speakers will remain good in any case, since their weight ranges from 5 to 30 grams.

Brands

Among all headphone manufacturers, the most famous and well-reputed companies are those that produce speakers with high-quality acoustics:

• German Sennheiser;
• Austrian AKG Acoustics;
• American Koss.

Sennheiser

The brand is focused on the production of audio equipment. It produces headphones of all types - from expensive premium models to budget ones. The difference in price affects the technical characteristics, but does not affect the quality of workmanship.

An example would be two models:

• Sennheiser IE 80- is in the upper price segment and has good acoustic properties.
• Sennheiser CX 400-II- inexpensive headphones with good performance for everyday use.

AKG Acoustics

Produces digital speaker systems with Hi-Fi sound. Vacuum headphones have a stylish design, good quality and relatively low cost:

• AKG K376- a mid-priced model with excellent sound transmission and wide functionality.
• AKG K321- inexpensive headset with good technical data.

Koss

The company occupies a niche budget headphones with a constantly updated range of models. Produces good quality and comfortable vacuum speakers:

• Koss The Plug- a model with good noise insulation and sound balance, durable and easy to use.
• Koss Mirage- a popular headset with ample capabilities and original design.

Find out before purchasing guarantee period selected headphones, because even the most expensive models can fail. Therefore, it is good if in the event of a breakdown it will be possible to return them under warranty.

Vacuum headphones

How to choose the best vacuum headphones? After all, for those who appreciate colorful sound and music itself, it is difficult to choose from the abundance of models.

We select the best option.

Manufacturers of small audio equipment are increasingly meeting music lovers halfway, creating new products with special functions.

For example, for athletes they are produced with a tighter attachment to the ear. There are even waterproof models.

Thus, the following classification can be made:

• For everyday use;
• for physical exercise;
• waterproof for outdoor activities.

In addition, there are special lines for professional use - monitor or studio.

Basically, such devices are needed by sound engineers to better hear even the smallest recording defects.

Classification

However, most often, headphones are divided not according to their intended purpose, but according to various parameters, such as fastening, wire resistance/technology, and others.

Vacuum headphones do not have a mount - they are simply inserted into the ears.

In addition, by type of design they are in-channel, they can be either wired or without.

The main parameters that you should pay attention to when purchasing:

1. Connector - now you can connect the headset to your smartphone via a USB port, via a 3.5 mm Jack, or via Bluetooth. Some manufacturers are already abandoning the second option; for example, the company’s new products are already being produced with a 3.5 mm connector.
2. Frequency response - responsible for sound quality, average from 18 Hz to 20 kHz, professional - from 5 Hz to 60 kHz. In addition, there are special product lines with a range from 3 Hz to 120 kHz.
3. Sensitivity - sound volume parameter, minimum value - 100 dB; A lower value degrades the sound.
4. Maximum power - like sensitivity, affects sound volume.
5. Distortion level - measured as a percentage.
6. Resistance - average value 30 Ohms. Sensitivity is higher in headphones with lower impedance.

So, to purchase the best vacuum headphones for , you need to decide how and where you will use them, as well as what price and quality you expect.

In addition, it is worth paying attention to the wires and fasteners themselves.

Still, cheap models break quite often due to the fact that not the most durable materials were used in production.

With wires or without?

One of the latest global trends is wireless technologies.

And headsets are also not lagging behind in this regard. Many manufacturers produce such models, however, they can still cost more than regular ones.

Additionally, despite the benefits of going wire-free, there are some disadvantages. They are usually associated with the sound itself.

These headphones work either on a connection or via radio transmission.

Majority wireless headsets, which we see other people on the street, are based on bluetooth. The second type is used primarily for office negotiations.

Converters

An important part of the headset structure is the converters.

The best vacuum headphones most often have two types - dynamic and with a balanced armature:

• Dynamic, as a rule, is installed in low-end headsets. The technology itself is also not very expensive. Accordingly, the cost of the finished product itself is more than affordable. However, you should not expect high-quality sound with such a purchase;
• reinforced ones, that is, with a balanced armature, offer a more sophisticated technology. The sound is already more balanced, but the range itself is slightly less than that of dynamic transducers. Manufacturers have found a solution to this problem - add several dynamic ones to the main reinforcement. Of course, the sound gets better, but the price also doubles. In addition, the size of such a headset is usually quite large.

Advantages

Of course, many have heard about this type of headset. However, what exactly is it about it that attracts buyers?

• noise insulation - and in this parameter, in-ear headphones are not inferior to headsets with active noise cancellation, as evidenced by a number of studies from Auditory Systems Lab (Virginia Tech University);
• Portability - quite light and small devices.
• comfort of use - vacuum headsets attach well to the ear, in addition, music lovers can choose the appropriate size of ear pads. Thus, the headset does not fall out, and the sound does not dissipate either.

What types of ear pads are there?

If you listen to music constantly in an audio headset, ear pads and pads can play a big role for you.

They must fit well in size so that the vacuum headphones do not fall inside the canal or, on the contrary, constantly slip out of the ear. In addition, these factors also affect the sound.

Many manufacturers add a set of ear pads to the package itself. There are often three sizes available, but some companies offer more.

The most popular materials for such linings:

• Soft plastic - can be of different sizes or universal. The last option is not the most convenient, since each person has his own peculiarities in the structure of the auricle.
• Foam is one of the most airtight types, adding a somewhat warm tone to the sound. The only problem is that such ear pads are not durable - they need to be changed every two weeks, since they cannot be cleaned.
• Freeform shapes with hard acrylic or soft silicone material - they can be called something between convenience and practicality. That’s why many models offer silicone tips. They are not difficult to clean. Buy it new set You will only have to if you have lost them. True, some people find it very problematic to wear them for a long time.

Disadvantages of in-ear headsets

No device can be perfect. Even the best vacuum headphones have some disadvantages:

• requires careful care to avoid ear infections;
• slightly overpriced;
• the service life rarely exceeds the warranty, regardless of the price category of the headset;
• when moving, you may hear noise from the cable itself;
• There is a risk of receiving a small electrical discharge.

So, to find the best vacuum headphones for , you need to pay attention to many factors.

Well, now we understand this topic much better. You might want to think about buying it.

What are the best inexpensive vacuum headphones of 2017?

Recently, Chinese companies have increasingly captured the technology market.

For example, Meizu and Xiaomi released their own lines of headsets.

At the same time, traditional leaders in this area - Sennheiser, Sony, AKG - are not giving up their positions.

All these companies provide vacuum headphones with good bass, sensitivity and an optimal price/quality ratio.

We'll start with the best inexpensive vacuum headphones - Xiaomi Mi Quantie. They will cost you a little more than a thousand rubles.

At the same time, the sound for this price will be quite decent. In addition, this headset looks very nice.

Its main characteristics:

Expensive converter: reinforcement component complete with dynamic one;
- frequency range 20-20000 Hz
- resistance 32 Ohm;
- sensitivity 101 dB;
- Neodymium magnet;
- microphone built into the cable;
- 3.5 mm jack.

This model has excellent performance for its price category. The sound as a whole is quite colorful. Good sound insulation only emphasizes this.

It will be convenient to carry such a device on the street, especially since it has a built-in microphone. You can speak calmly, and you will be able to hear your interlocutor normally.

There are some shortcomings, of course. Basically, they relate to the configuration, for example, there is no cable winding.

In addition, audiophiles may find this option not powerful enough.

The top best vacuum headphones also include the development from Meizu EP51. Their cost is already much higher than that - 2990 rubles. However, they are already wireless.

Designed primarily for athletes and people leading active image life. Therefore, this is why they have special attachments to the auricle. The model parameters are:

Resistance: 16 Ohm;
- Sensitivity: 88 dB;
- Bluetooth version 4.0 + EDR, Apt-X;
- Music playback - 6 hours;
- Frequency range: 20 – 20000 Hz;
- Time fully charged 1.5-2 hours;
- Maximum power: 10 mV;
- Autonomous operation up to 400 hours;
- Microphone sensitivity -42 dB.

Accordingly, this device is both practical and well-thought-out in terms of characteristics. It is not afraid of water and is reliable to wear thanks to the unusual shape of the ear pads and the absence of long wires.

The sound in Meizu EP51 is quite pleasant. These vacuum headphones with good bass also have high-quality noise insulation. Of course, they can’t beat the metro, but overall you’ll still be satisfied.

Among the disadvantages is that the microphone is average in terms of parameters, the control panel is slightly outweighed in its favor.

The best vacuum headphones of 2017 cannot fail to include the Sennheiser IE4 model.

The price of this device is slightly higher than that of Meizu - in the region of 3,500 to 4,000 rubles. The equipment is even more modest, but the sound covers it all.

Characteristics of this device:

Frequency range: 10 - 18000 Hz;
- Resistance: 16 Ohm;
- Sensitivity: 106 dB;
- Weight: 5 g;
- Connector: mini jack 3.5 mm;
- Cable length: 1.4 m;

The Sennheiser IE4 reproduces bass tones perfectly; there is no special sound distortion typical of inexpensive models. The only thing is that the high frequencies are somewhat lacking.

The materials chosen for manufacturing, although simple, are of high quality.

In addition, this headset is very popular - you can find it in most audio equipment stores.

However, these headphones are repulsive with their presentation - the manufacturer simply placed the headset in a bag. Fortunately, at least I included replaceable ear pads. And for such a price it would be possible to come up with something better.

The situation with the cable is also a little annoying - it gets tangled easily, and the connection to the connector is not the strongest.

Also beware of fakes. For some reason, this particular model is so popular to copy.