Best IEMs under $50

Sony MH755

• Crin: Clean notes, proper sub-bass extension and a tonal balance beyond expectations.
• Precogvision: One of the best bass response you'll find under $500, but with too much upper-midrange and treble.
• Nymz: Everything but bass falls short. You get what you pay for, but nonetheless, very good for price. Ghetto short cable.
• Drew / Audionotions: Very fun tuning and sound for something that cost $6. Unfortunately build quality is among the worst. Shell comes apart when removing from ears. Impossible to find authentic units these days....

KZ EDC PRO

• Jays Audio: Nicely tuned v shape, smooth treble for the price/single DD, also very cheap on sale... but KZ.
• Jaytiss: 12 Dollars, moderate your expectations, but it's ok.
• Shuwa-T:  How this was recommended ever befuddles me, nothing about this set works unless you listen to only the two extremes
• Bad Guy Good Audio:  Tonality, inoffensive tuning  BA bass

JVC FX7 Gumy

• Precogvision: Boomy and dark, yet simultaneously peaky in the mid-treble. Typical V-shape consumer sound.

Moondrop Quarks DSP

• Jays Audio: Super clean with great clarity. A better tuned Variations without the tech. Pinnacle of harman tuning. Although mid-bass scoop can affect some libraries.
• Tim Tuned:  Very well-tuned, natural timbre  mushy details, noise floor, USB-C

Moondrop Quarks

• Precogvision: Sounds fairly open. Pinna compensation and transition to treble region needs work.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Costs next to nothing.  Everything else

CCA Polaris

• Jays Audio: Overall clean and balanced sound, but pinna gain is too much at higher volumes making vocals sound shrill and thin. Mid volume is nice, but KZ, so.
• Jaytiss: Has some massive issues in the air.

Tripowin Piccolo

• Jays Audio: Permanently on sale for $10, a steal at that price given the build and tuning is nice as well. Had some fit issues at first, but ya, another all-rounder.
• Nymz: Solid pick with minor tonality problems around the upper mid-range. 2pin sockets are loose and prone for drops.

Tanchjim Zero

• Precogvision: Too shouty and lacks the bass emphasis to balance it out.

CCA CRA

• Precogvision: High-clarity, potentially fatiguing sound with surprisingly good bass and treble extension.
• Tim Tuned:  Fun, well tuned v-shape signature  Details & Stage
• Nymz: Insane value. Still a bassy KZ, but for 15$, hard not to rec. Punches at higher price bracket, but still has 4.5k and 8k peaks for my library. I recomend EQing it - turns it into a beast for the...
• Drew / Audionotions: Big bass, big treble. A bit too spicy for my tastes Previously Owned

KZ EDX Pro

• Precogvision: Surprisingly extended treble and good bass dynamics for the price. Just crappy tuning per usual.

Moondrop Chu II

• Jays Audio: Another harman-ish tuning. Similar to Tanchjim One but not as smooth.

Tangzu Chang Le

• Jays Audio: The closest v-shape to the OG MH755/750

Kiwi Ears Dolce

• Jays Audio: Well done V-shape. Very similar to CRA CCA+.
• Jaytiss: Makes you wonder why you pay more for other iems.

ND Planet

• Jays Audio: Slight vshape all-rounder with punchy bass. KZ EDC PRO better treble extension/smoother, and cheaper.
• Jaytiss: Build quality is extremely poor.

Venture Electronics Bonus In-Ears "BIE"

• Crin: Generic V-shaped DD with alright midrange tonality and technicalities.

Tangzu Wan Er

• Jays Audio: Basically the modded Zero with slight more bass. Most vocal forward out of the $20 sets.
• Tim Tuned:  Can't believe this is $20....  Details is only okay
• Shuwa-T: Comment: It's literally $20, recommended to buy when starting out or as a beater set.  Probably the most balanced sounding at its price  Average tech like its other counterparts, bass is less controlled

Moondrop Chu

• Crin: An extremely well-tuned neutral IEM with a slightly bright and metallic tilt.
• Precogvision: A bit uninspired at this point, but no less a solid listen.
• Tim Tuned:  Very well tuned and natural  Treble uneveness
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Moondrop's best budget IEM.  Neutral bright tuning, decent clarity at this price  Technical performance in the absolute sense without price considered, gritty treble
• Nymz: Beaten by Salnotes Zero for my library. Good tuning, medriocre techs, but throwing punches up to 100$. Hard to fault. Cable is bad but workable.

7hz Zero 2 x Crinacle

• Jaytiss: For 25 dollars... hum... wow, maybe the one.

Truthear Hola

• Jays Audio: Basically the modded Zero with slight more bass, airy and least shouty $20 sets.
• Jaytiss: Buy for the cable.
• Precogvision: Pleasant tonality but somewhat slow, blunted sounding with not much else going for it.
• Tim Tuned:  Satisfying bass, inoffensive tonality  vocal feels cramped
• Nymz: Probably the best thing you can buy under $20. Or maybe even $50.
• Drew / Audionotions: Tonality is pleasant, but it's mushy sounding and low res. Gets a very strong recommendation from me because of the cable. The cable would be a good value even at a higher pricepoint than the IEM....

Moondrop Spaceship

• Crin: Shouty with a slight warm tilt as a counterbalance. Not the worst DF-ish IEM out there.
• Precogvision: Slightly more balanced than the Quarks in the midrange, but not by much.

Tanchjim Bunny

• Jaytiss: Cheesy name, good iem. You can buy on Amazon.
• IEMRanking AI: The Tanchjim Bunny offers a balanced, warm sound signature that works well across genres. Its bass is full and extends decently, though texture lacks refinement, while the midrange presents vocals...

7Hz Zero

• Precogvision: Pleasant tonal balance with some minor treble oddity.
• Tim Tuned: Pros: Can't believe this is $20..... Cons: Details is only okay.

SIMGOT EW100P

• Jays Audio: Clean and neutral. Another Harman/df. Nothing wrong with it. Great starter set.
• Nymz: A great budget somewhere between Salnotes Zero and QKZ HBB in terms of tuning. Great tonal balance and treble extrension. Technical chops are what you would expect for a $20 set.

Final Audio E500

• Crin: Very well-balanced though plagued by the usual E-series QC problems.
• Jaytiss: For users who like ear buds, it's a great little set.
• Precogvision: The most well-tuned Final Audio IEM with a balanced, fairly neutral sound.
• Drew / Audionotions: Well tuned. Techs are middling. But for the price they are solid. The fact that they include Final E eartips makes this a must buy. QC is a crap shoot. Previously Owned

Tanchjim One

• Jays Audio: Warm/airy all-rounder. Nice mid-bass and air for rock. Very smooth for price.

7Hz Salnotes Zero

• Jays Audio: A stock Chu with a little more bass, and smoother uppdermids/treble.
• Jaytiss: Great little set. Good Color choices.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: A sidegrade from Wan Er, but a more correct sounding Chu.  Well tuned like the Chu, without the metallic treble  B-grade bass, general technicalities
• Nymz: Best 20$ IEM. Just buy it. Great tuning, average budget technicalities. Mindblowing. 2-pin sockets.

7Hz Elua Ultra

• Jaytiss: Nice smooth set. Easy, and clean.
• IEMRanking AI: The 7Hz Elua Ultra delivers a powerful and well-defined bass that extends deep without overwhelming the mids, making it stand out in its price range. Vocals are clear and detailed, with a natural...

TRN IM1

• IEMRanking AI: The TRN IM1 is a budget 1DD+1BA hybrid with detachable 0.75 mm 2-pin connectors and a lightweight, custom-style shell. Specs list a single 8 mm dynamic driver plus a balanced armature per side,...

Moondrop Crescent

• Crin: Well-executed V-ish signature that's neither harsh nor bloated.
• IEMRanking AI: The Moondrop Crescent features a distinctive brass housing that gives it premium heft but also makes it notably heavy, potentially affecting comfort during extended wear. Its non-detachable cable and...

Tangzu Waner 2

• Jays Audio: Balanced All-rounder. Basically the same as OG Waner but with a little more treble air, helps boost resolution and imaging by a tiny tiny bit. Accesories are great for the price, sancai tips + nice...
• Jaytiss: The stock USB C cable came jacked up.... lame.

Moondrop Jiu

• Jays Audio: Another one
• Tim Tuned:  Expansive stage + Great tuning overall  Can use more transient incisiveness, USB-C

TANGZU Waner

• Jaytiss: I just bought and reevaluated, such a bad experience.

QKZ x HBB

• Jays Audio: Very well tuned warm/bassy set. Not basshead like the Rosefinch, but still has good bass impact as well as upholding enough treble extension.
• Fresh Reviews: good for $ - can border on C+
• Nymz: Amazing warm tonality with adequate techs for the bracket that turns into a ultra-budget nice alternative to the usual suspects.
• Drew / Audionotions: Fun, cheap, well-tuned. And the kicker - the treble extension is absurd for the price! However, aesthetically they are a tragedy. In this price range, value prop is often increased in the form of...

HiFiMAN Bolt

• Precogvision: Literally gas station pickup tier.

QKZ HBB

• Jays Audio: Very well tuned warm/bassy set. Not basshead like the Rosefinch, but still has good bass impact as well as upholding enough treble extension.
• Fresh Reviews: good for $ - can border on C+

Kinera Celest Wyvern Black

Tanchjim Tanya DSP

• Jays Audio: A more exciting Quarks DSP with more bass. Diffuse-field done right, great all-rounder, very smooth for price.
• Tim Tuned:  Very fun bass, fun tuning  Too much bass hides treble details

Tripowin Lea

• Precogvision: Solid set overall, just a hair tizzy in the upper-treble at times.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: A budget Aria.  Tuned somewhere between the Aria and Kato  Technical performance is less than the Aria

KZ ZSN Pro

• Shuwa-T: Comment: Well at least it fits pretty nicely.  Just no  Tonally off, technically limited

Ziigaat Nuo

• Jays Audio: Woohoo another harman/df! Very similar to the G10, but cheaper with heftier note-weight. Clean budget Harman, highlights vocals very nicely. Can be sharp.
• Jaytiss: Probably my budget pick under 30. But just strech for 35 for EW200.

Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss

• Jaytiss: Great fit, I like it a lot.
• Drew / Audionotions: Decent V-shaped IEM that is reminiscent of an Aria or TinHifi IEM. Very punchy bass with decent clarity. The molded shell feels like it belongs on a more expensive IEM and the faceplate is among the...

TangZu Wan'er S.G

• Jays Audio: A cleaner version of waner with more vocal emphasis.
• Nymz: Solid tuning that could use more extension in the upper region, but a very solid pick for its price.

CCA Trio

• Jays Audio: Well-balanced to endgame ie with bassy option as well, good tech for the price, soild all-rounder beginner set, $20 on sale, but kz
• Jaytiss: This could be higher if it weren't fatiguing.

KZ D-Fi

Tanchjim Tanya

• Precogvision: Remarkably well-balanced tuning and slightly out of head imaging.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Bass-boosted, warmer sounding Quarks with similar resolution.  Harman-tuned inoffensive sound  Can sound muddy on crowded tracks
• Nymz: Bad fit (bullet style). Ok for the price but I can't really rec it. Needs a lot of power, which is a non-sense. Great acessories. Stage presentation is good but depth isn't. Bloated tuning.
• Drew / Audionotions: Bought for the filters. It's not a bad set to throw in the backpack. Nothing special but also not offensive. Previously Owned

Kiwi Ears CADENZA

• Jays Audio: Basically the modded Zero with slight more bass. Best note-weight out of the $20 sets. Berrylium bass baby.
• Jaytiss: Fantastic tonality, is end game for many.
• Tim Tuned:  Well tuned, energetic signature  Slightly heady, can be fatiquing
• Shuwa-T: Comment: It was almost good.  Generally good tuning with some bass exture  Somewhat grainy treble which is pronounced but not well defined
• Drew / Audionotions: Good tuning, great bass, excellent build quality, cheap price - what's not to love? Well - the treble is not to love. Treble sounds weird, metallic, and a bit zingy - if you like that, then this is...

7HZ G1

• Jays Audio: V-shape sound, fun bass with good extension elsewhere
• Jaytiss: It's not a bad iem, but didn't work for me. It has a lot of driver flex.

BLON x HBB Z300

• Jays Audio: Nicely done warm tuning. Slight upgrade to QKZ HBB.
• Nymz: Great bass elevation with some bleed into the midrange. Treble has some zing around the 8k and 10k area to compensate for the warmth. Solid warm pick, great cable.

Simgot EW200

• Jays Audio: A cheaper Aria 2 with less mid-bass, basically same driver and technical performance - depends on qc and unit variance between the two.
• Jaytiss: This never disapoints. You need one.
• Fresh Reviews: Borders B-

KZ Zex

• Precogvision: Warm and gooey but with too much spice in the mid-treble.

Final Audio E1000

• Crin: Balanced tuning with good clarity and acceptable resolution. Surprising pick.
• Nymz: I like the tuning, but sounds very low res with meh techs. Great way to get the Final E tips.

Tripowin Vivace

• Fresh Reviews: Borders B

7Hz x HBB Elua

• Jays Audio: A fun bassy v-shape. Mini HBB Punch. Use deep fitting tips.
• Jaytiss: Nice little bass cannon, you can crank it and it doesn't hurt.
• Shuwa-T:  V shape signature without the benefits of v shape signatures; muddy bass and sharp treble

ROSESELSA Aurora Ultra

• Jaytiss: Great details and bass, so fun.

Tin Hifi C3

Juzear Clear

• Jaytiss: This little dude is pretty, and hammers. Bass machine.

Moondrop Lan

• Jays Audio: Another one
• Jaytiss: It's a 40 dollar Chu.

TinHifi C2 Mech Warrior

• Tim Tuned:  Relatively well tuned slight V-shape signature  Distracting cymbals
• Drew / Audionotions: Surprisingly decent technicalities for the price. Pretty well tuned throughout harsh in the upper registers. However, they are fatiguing to me and even caused a headache, but if you're okay with that...

INAWAKEN DAWN Ms

• Jays Audio: An OG Delci with more sub-bass rumble, and vocals pop a little more. Nice warm bassy set.
• Jaytiss: A great pick at this price.

Final Audio E2000

• Crin: Not too dissimiliar to a GR07, though lacking in that last octave of bass extension.

Kefine Klean

• Jays Audio: Same as Delci, graph and sounds the same, but cheaper with extra tuning filter
• Jaytiss: Solid set, very enjoyable.
• IEMRanking AI: The Kefine Klean offers a versatile listening experience through its interchangeable nozzle system, with the silver filter providing a warmer, smoother profile while the black filter delivers...
• Fresh Reviews: borders b- (not as good as Delci AE)
• Drew / Audionotions: Decent tuning that is perhaps slightly thin leaning. Average details but decent imaging. Bass has some punch but upper mids are a bit much and it can be a bit too bright. Interchangeable nozzles that...

Blon BL03

• Crin: Very pleasing and safe tuning with subpar technical detailing.
• Jaytiss: Bland, but good tonal balance. Not terrible.
• Precogvision: Pleasant, bassy, warm tonality marred by subpar resolution.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: The only saving grace is the bearable tonality and bass for bassheads.  Bass bloat with recessed, messy midrange
• Nymz: Timbre benchmark. Fit is awful. Sounds a bit veiled and mids are below average for the price. Dethroned by Mele, even tho it has better timbre and treble extension. Remove the grill for better sound.
• Drew / Audionotions: Abysmal fit and I couldn't actually listen to them without having to press them into my ears to seal. I'm sure they sound fine. YMMV. Previously Owned

CCA Rhapsody

• Jaytiss: For 35, this is a deal. Consider it.

Moondrop SSR

• Crin: Probably as close as one can get to "true DF", though it's extremely shouty as a result.
• Precogvision: Shouty thanks to 13dB of pinna compensation, but excellent note definition and imaging for the price.
• Shuwa-T:  Overly spicy upper midrange and treble
• Nymz: Shoutfest and too much energy uptop for my likes, but good bass and technicalities for the price.

Moondrop SSP

• Crin: Extra bass on top of the SSR does help it a little, but also results in a more hollow presentation.
• Jaytiss: Very tiny. Good for sleeping with at night, maybe not as a daily driver.
• Precogvision: See SSR. Just more bass.

EPZ Q5

• Jays Audio: Can be a bit bright on pop/edm, but very good for jazz/blues/soul and warm instrumentals.
• Jaytiss: Nice Bass response, great graph, overall clean set.

HBB KZ PR2

• Jays Audio: New batch needs 300-500 mesh filters
• Drew / Audionotions: Solid technical performance. Imaging and resolution much better than the price would suggest. Stage is average to intimate. Well-tuned planar - decently balanced. Treble can be very spicy and zingy -...

Truthear x Crinacle Zero

• Jays Audio: Variations-ish tuning with sub-bass focused. Low-end is rumbly but lacks mid-bass impact/warmness in general. Fatiguing above mid-volume. Can sound light and thin. Mid-bass tuck affects libraries.
• Gizaudio Axel:  Harman tuning with nice punchy bass.
• Jaytiss: Sounds good, and fun..
• Precogvision: Close ringer for the Harman IEM target with great bass and slightly harsh upper-mids and lower-treble.
• Tim Tuned: Pros: Very well tuned, clean bass. Cons: treble can use more eveness.
• Nymz: Spot on harman. Good bass impact for the bracket but the mid-bass is a bit scooped for my library. Treble needs some refinement but still a solid rec for the price bracket. Cheapest way to try this...

KZ DQ6

• Precogvision: Typical KZ IEM that didn't stick to the wall.
• Nymz: Treble too hot and mids are bad. Slam and stage are GREAT. Everything else is below average. Good for prog metal. Get CCA CRA instead.

Tanchjim Ola

• Jays Audio: Heavily library dependent. Amazing clarity, but lacks low-end. Smooth uppermids/treble with decent extension. Brighter Mini-DM.
• Precogvision: Leaner reference sound that sounds a bit too flat for dyanmics. Well-balanced otherwise.
• Fresh Reviews: falls to a C compared to other things on this list
• Shuwa-T: Comment: IEF neutral tuning.  Mid centric tuning with surprising clarity  Bass response is flat and not textured

Blon BL05

• Crin: A more technical but far less pleasing BL03.

Tin Hifi T2

• Crin: Well-balanced tuning and an all-rounder signature that works for most.

Tanchjim Ola Bass

• Jays Audio: A Quarks DSP without the mid-bass scoop and more air. Smooth dynamics. More "V" vs OG Ola and exciting. A less technical Olina SE.
• Tim Tuned:  Smooth, energetic signature  slightly uncontrolled lower mids

Intime Sora

• Crin: Well controlled bass boost with slightly skewed tonality. Potential is there.
• Precogvision: Decent tonality, perhaps a tad strident.

QKZ HBB HADES

• Jays Audio: Slams even harder than the Rosefinch. If you want the most bass these are it. No vocals no treble, only bass. High-volume listening recommeded.

Moondrop Nekocake

• Shuwa-T: Comment: Decent midrange and vocals.  Price for ANC TWS unit that isn't bass boosted  Technical performance is subpar

TinHifi C3

• Jays Audio: Another one
• Drew / Audionotions: Nicely balanced with slightly forward upper mids. Surprising that I liked this given what I felt for the T3+. This is better for me by a ton. Makes me wonder if I received a bad T3+. Bass extends...

Tanchjim Cora

• Crin: Well-controlled bass boost, though coupled with a slightly odd midrange tonality.
• Shuwa-T:  Just no  Feels very much llike the Quarks in terms of detail and build quality

Tangzu Yu Xuan Ji

• Jays Audio: Airy treble/staging. Clean balanced sound. Good tech. 8-10K Peak isn't as big as graph suggests.
• Jaytiss: interesting iem, but bad and forgetable.

QCY T5

• Crin: An odd take on a reference-style signature, but definitely not the worst attempt out there.
• Nymz: Very nice tuning for a cheap TWS. Lacks technology but sounds better than some budget IEMs on the market. Bass has elevation but is weak. Timbre is ok. Insane for the price on sale (I paid 10€).

Tripowin x HBB Mele

• Precogvision: Very easy on the ears with characteristically blunted DD transients. Well-tuned, but could use with more air.
• Nymz: Discontinued. Great warm pick under 50$. Mids are good. Lacks treble extension. Great shell (almost the same as Olina).

TRN-Medusa

• Jaytiss: Nice overall tonal quality, with just a dash of shout.

HZSound Heart Mirror

• Precogvision: Sounds like vocalists are asphyxiating. Very thin note-weight.
• Shuwa-T: Comment: Treble tuning is one of the best up to $200 range.  Neutral bright decently tuned, decent soundstage, surprising treble tuning  Limp bass with zero texture, might be too bright for some
• Nymz: Budget tech king due to neutral bright tuning. Needs and loves power. My favourite sub-50 set so far. Might come out as shouty/hot. Responds well to EQ and Moding. Beaten by CRA(bassy) and Titan S...

FAAEAL Hibiscus

• Shuwa-T: Comment: Feels like the HZSound HM but not done that well.  Bass-anemic low end, note weight is too light in the lower mids

KZ CRN

• Jaytiss: Hey a KZ that I like, ohh wait.
• Nymz: Lacks technicalities - mainly regarding detail, separation and dynamics. Stage is intimate. Timbre is funky. Notes are a bit blurry. Tuning is mostly fine. Nothing new at this current market.

Tin Hifi T2 Evo

Kinera Sif

• Crin: Bloated bass with sharp and sibilant treble.

QKZ x HBB Khan

• Jays Audio: Same as the Crin Zero but with slightl more bass and less faitguing, although at the cost of more recessed vocals/mids. Mid-bass tuck affects libraries.
• Jaytiss: Hard to recommend in a competitive market.
• Tim Tuned:  Very well tuned, strong clean bass  treble can use more eveness
• Drew / Audionotions: Low res. Too dark. Timbre is way off. Reminds me of an AM radio. Doesn't do much right if at all. An attempt was made and can't say much more than that. Previously Owned

KBear Neon

• Precogvision: Extremely limited resolution despite OK tuning.

KZ ZS10 Pro

• Precogvision: Bloated bass with zero texture meets the gritty, 5kHz peak of death.
• Shuwa-T:  Just no  Standard KZ treble, strange sounding iem, congested soundstage

Tripowin Cencibel

• Nymz: Soft bass, treble boost, weird presentation. Lacks techs and dynamics.