The earphone trend is rising over the last few years. We are living in a boom period for portable audio and as the competition heats up consumers are only going to benefit as each company tries to outdo one another. It is noticeable that more and more manufacturers are emerging on the market and are offering new types of earphones and related products. It is very easy to feel confused when you are looking for the Best IEM under $200 with all different products and information being thrown at you.
Earphones can differ in many ways, such as design, quality, sound, build and of course price. That is why we’re here to help you out and narrow it down to few of our top picks for the best IEM under $200. So if you’re looking to get your hands on a new set of earphones, stay tuned, here are our top 10 picks in no particular order.
1. Shure SE315
Here on our list we have Shure’s SE315. Shure have already made a good set of earphones with their SE215 edition, however those are in an entirely different price range. The SE315 edition is one of the best within its price range. The main target group for this product were musicians, however general consumers love them too.
The SE315 provide clear and smooth sound, the mids and the lows are perfectly balanced.
Another great think about these earphones is the over ear design, meaning that these earphones are guaranteed to stay in place even when performing or running. In addition, they are one of the comfiest pair of earphones on the market. Furthermore, the built and design is impeccable, and you shouldn’t be expecting anything less from a pair that was mainly designed as a stage monitor.
- Isolation
- Comfortable
- Well weighted bass
- Splashy treble
2. 1MORE Quad Driver
Next up is one of the best IEM under $200 you can get out there, it’s the 1More Quad Driver. If there’s one thing 1MORE didn’t skimp on with these headphones, it’s build quality. Just like the previous triple-drivers, you wouldn’t see these as “cheap”.
Design-wise the quad-drivers are definitely a gorgeous pair of earbuds with the industrial design adding to the overall look. Yes, this is an absolute beast of an earphone. It screams style, sound and build.
When it comes to sound it checks all the boxes. Music lovers from any genre will find these suitable. Prepare to be amazed by the clear and smooth sound that these earphones provide. You’ll appreciate the details in songs, so be ready for a whole new way of listening to music coming your way!
- Beautifully balanced sound
- Remote controls compatible with Android or iOS
- Luxurious build quality
- Foam ear tips don’t seal well
3. Simgot EN700 Pro
The next model on our list is the Simgot EN700 Pro. Many users agree that the quality you get for this price is an absolute steal. This model looks luxurious and it includes accessories, built and styling that can go head to head with the more expensive earphones on the market.
When it comes to sound, it is also ranked high. That is because of the earphones ability to produce balanced audio. In addition it has a high energy output that strikes a perfect balance with the bass, making it a brilliant pair of earphones. With these sound characteristics you can be sure that they will work well with all types of genres.
- Unique look
- Excellent sound
- Good bass
- Somewhat finicky cable
4. MEE Audio Pinnacle P1
Mee Audio Pinnacle P1 has been known for making great affordable earphones. However the company has changed strategy and started targeting the high-end market with slightly more expensive models in order to compete in today’s market and provide options for the best IEM under $200.
With its acoustic design and innovative zinc-alloy construction, the MEE audio Pinnacle P1 delivers performance. Designed for extended listening sessions, the Pinnacle P1 features an innovative ergonomic design that can be worn two different ways and fits all ears comfortably. As a matter of fact it offers quite a lot of features that are usually found on far more expensive earphones.
The design is durable, the body is metal with a braided cable. The Mee Pinnacle P1 can comfortably be worn over the ear or with the cable simply dangling down, and a comprehensive array of tips is included to ensure a good fit.
As far as sound goes, it’s great. To achieve better frequency response, clarity, and resolution, the P1 utilizes an advanced high-impedance moving coil transducer and patented acoustic diffuser. The Mee Pinnacle P1 use a single 10mm dynamic driver. The result, smooth and natural sound, balanced really well. The low end packs a punch, the mids are a bit on the warm side and the highs are clear and smooth. Overall this strikes a great balance and it is one amazing set of earphones.
- Comfort
- Good soundstage
- Neutral sound
- A bit more bass would be welcome
5. Westone Um Pro AM10
Moving along our list we find the Westone UM Pro AM10. Westone have been trying to make a breakthrough on the market once again with their W1 earphones, which caused mixed feelings with users. However the AM Pro 10 came in with a bang.
This model features thoroughly thought through accessories which have impressed users and made the list of the best IEM under $200. In addition, the smooth design and powerful bass added to its value. The overall sound is great, with good balance between the lows, mids and highs, resulting in a natural sound.
- Crisp
- Articulate frequency response
- Detachable cable
- Slight distortion on deep bass at high volumes
6. Sennheiser IE60
We’re near the last few entries on our list, however it doesn’t mean they are the least. Anyone who’s ever owned a pair of Senhheisers would only give you top comments about them. These ones are no different. The Sennheiser IE60 are a great value for money and represent a great substitute for the legendary IE80.
These earphones are balanced well, however they do tend to get some extra kick in the bass, which can be pretty enjoyable, especially if you are an electronic music fan.
The design and build is one of the best Sennheiser has ever made. It is safe to say that this is one pair of earphones that is built to last.
- Strong mid-range and bass
- Good low-volume performance
- Long lasting
- Occasionally muddled sound
7. Final Audio Design Heaven VI
Moving along and over here we have the Final Audio Design Heaven VI. It is actually hard to imagine that you can find earphones as amazing as these for such a low price tag.
The sound quality of this pair is amazing. Rich in detail with a pinch of warmth and one of the best bass you can find on the market at this price range. As far as design and build quality goes, this pair won’t fail you here either. These are one of the most stylish earphones on our list. Furthermore they fit well and are very comfortable. In addition, the isolation is right up there with the very best in this category. Another great thing about these earphones is that they have cool features, for instance, they include the BAM technology (Balanced Air Movement). Great deal and great value for money, one of the best IEM under $200.
- Immersive representation
- Realistic vocals
- Accurate imaging
- Bass might be too much at times
8. RHA T10i
Next up on our list is the RHA T10i. In case you’ve never heard of RHA, it’s a Scottish headphone maker. This model is for bass lovers and I mean real bass lovers. The RHA T10i bass packs a real punch. In addition to that, they offer an amazing build, and in return product longevity, along with a three year warranty.
The RHA T10i earbuds sound great and come with an abundance of accessories, including three sets of acoustic filters, 10 different eartips and a carrying case. There are a many cool things to be said about this model, but probably the most noticeable are the knurled aluminum jack points and the patented ear-guide systems. These earbuds also offer a feature you don’t usually find in a $200 headphone, a tuning filter system that allows for frequency response customization.
- Powerful
- Distortion-free sound with a very intense low-end
- Excellent accessories that improve audio performance and comfort
- Somewhat heavy for in-ears design
9. Yamaha EPH-100
Here we have one of the legendary audio manufacturers, we’re talking about the Yamaha EPH-100. This model is one of the legendary pieces and we simply had to put it on this list.
These amazing earphones contain an incredibly smooth treble which will make listening to electronic music one wonderful jaw dropping experience. The design is super stylish and classical at the same time.
Even though some might argue that this pair is past its best, one cannot argue that you get incredible value for your money if you’re willing to make this deal.
- Very good sound
- Production quality
- Comfortable
- No in-line microphone
10. Sony XBA-H3
Finally we’ve made it to the end of our list and with this product we have a manufacturing giant. This is the Sony XBA-H3. The Sony XBA-H3 look quite unique and they work very differently as compared to most other earphones on the market. It includes most of the companies advanced technology making it one of the best at this price.
It might look a bit odd, that is because of the giant 3-way hybrid driver setup. It contains a huge 16mm dynamic and with that being said you’d expect a gigantic bass to match. The overall combined frequency response ranges from 3Hz to 40kHz. The overall driver impedance is rated to be 40 Ohms at 1kHz and come with a very high sensitivity of 107 dB/mW.
With the Sony XBA-H3, not only the bass is spot on, the overall sound is smooth and natural, rich in detail and clarity, making it one of the best IEM under $200. Wear these earphones and take in the wonderful experience listening to music.
- Highs are not harsh
- Detachable cable
- Good sound
- Average isolation
Bottom Line
There you have it people, those are our top 10 choices. It was really tough to separate them, on the count of the fact that they are all amazing earphones. We hope that we’ve made things a bit easier now and you feel more confident than before. Just remember that there is no one single best IEM under $200, it all comes down to you, what are your needs and what are your main criteria. Also, another thing that might make a difference is the genre of music you like to listen to. For example if you listen to the kind of music that relies on bass, than it might be a smart thing to invest into earphones that have a more powerful bass.
Alternatively, if you are looking for something more solid with additional options, perhaps a good quality headphone is the answer. You can find here our article on the Sony MDR 1000X vs Bose QC35.
