In late 2020 we began to see a new trend in Wireless Earbuds. Basically, earphones that forgo bells and whistles like Active Noise Cancelling to provide sound quality equal to wired IEMs. We started calling them Wireless IEMs, and they all have the hallmarks of mostly flat audiophile tuning plus enhanced amp sections that provide the best sound you will get from a wireless earphone. Here are our picks for the Best Sounding Wireless Earbuds on the market today. Pick one of these up if sound quality is your priority when making your TWS earphone purchase.
HIFIMAN TWS800-The Best Sounding Wireless Earbuds…Period
What we love: Extraordinary depth of sound. With the TWS 800, you can hear “into” a recording like with no other True Wireless Earphone. The audiophile-quality amp circuit and 150-ohm high-impedance driver combine for a balanced sound that’s crisp and airy, so you get a nice sense of space around the instruments. The soundstage is remarkable for TWS earphones.
Overall they trend on the warmer side with a slight bump in the upper bass, mids are a tad bit recessed but clean, and highs are sweet with just enough sparkle to keep things interesting. They’re super comfortable for long listening sessions and look amazing. These have the best all-around sound.
What to think about: Battery life is just above average (4.5 hours playback), and they don’t have app-based EQ or aptX.
Where to buy:
Crutchfield
Price: $299
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GRADO GT220-The Best Sounding Wireless Earbuds In Terms Of Detail And Midrange
What we love: The Grado GT220‘s are the absolute kings of resolution and detail. They will bring out aspects of songs you never heard before. You will be able to hear a finger swipe a string or the breathiness of a vocal. They have a little more top end sparkle than the TWS 800, and the bass is super articulate. However, their strength definitely lies in the mids, which are amazingly intricate and natural. The GT220 also has premium Bluetooth codecs like AAC and aptX, so both iPhone and Android users can get near CD-Quality audio streams. Battery life is decent at 6 hours per charge—best for pop and jazz.
What to think about: The GT220’s go deep in the ear canal, which makes for a stable fit, but may be a touch uncomfortable for some. I also found the highs to be just a tad bit bright on some songs, so if you’re sensitive to high frequencies, then that’s something to consider.
Where to buy:
Amazon
Price: $259
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Cambridge Audio Melomania Touch-The Best Sounding Wireless Earbuds Under $200
What we love: Compared to the other two wireless earbuds on this list, the Melomania Touch will give you about 80-90% of the sound quality for about half the price. These TWS earphones have delightfully smooth highs, a rich midrange with plenty of air and depth, plus a tight, punchy bass that adds a nice weight to the music. AAC and aptX Bluetooth codecs are also on deck, and they have the best battery life on the list (9 hours). These earphones also have some perks that the other two don’t have, like a mobile app that allows you to set an EQ, find your earbuds on a map, or check battery life. They are also very comfortable to wear and look pretty cool.-Best for Rock Music.
What to think about: They don’t have quite the depth and realism of the other two earphones on the list. Bass is a little thin out of the box. If you need a little extra warmth, you have to EQ it in with the free companion app.
Where to buy:
Amazon
Price: $149.95
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I’m an audio writer who started as a young audio salesman/consumer electronics professional back in the late 90s. That’s where I discovered the magic of 2-Channel sound. My thirst for great sound has led me on a delightful music quest that continues today.
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