There are a lot of bone conductor earphones on the market usually meant for sports. However, bone conduction drivers are also prominent in some audiophile IEMs too, intended to add special properties to bass reproduction. Bone conductor transducers usually use the vibrations from your skull to amplify bass frequencies better than dynamic and planar drivers can. Most of the IEMs that use these transducers are relegated to the high-end market, so most of these selections will cost quite a pretty penny.
Empire Ears Odin MKII
The Odin MKII is Empire Ears’ new flagship quadbrid IEM, combining dynamic, balanced armature, electrostatic, and dual bone-conduction drivers. Its sound is bold and visceral, with thunderous sub-bass impact, forward and expressive mids, and refined treble that sparkles without harshness. The stage projects with impressive depth and layering, offering a powerful yet precise listening experience for audiophiles chasing top-tier performance.
FlipEars Legion
FlipEars’ Legion is a high-energy tribrid that blends dynamic, bone-conduction, and an electret tweeter for an exciting, bass-forward sound. It delivers massive slam in the low end, crisp but slightly recessed mids, and treble that shines with sparkle and aggression. The stage is wide and immersive, making it a great choice for listeners who want an energetic, hard-hitting signature that emphasizes excitement over restraint.
FlipEars Aegis
The Aegis offers a more balanced take on bone-conduction IEMs, pairing a dynamic driver with FlipEars’ EarQuake bone-conduction unit. Bass is deep and physical without overpowering the mix, while the mids stand out for their clarity and vocal presence. Treble is smooth and easy to listen to, and the soundstage presents with a natural sense of width and layering. Compact and comfortable, it’s a refined and more accessible alternative to the Legion.
Empire Ears Raven
There are a lot of similarities between the Empire Ears Odin and Raven. One of the most notable differences is the depth of the bass. I love the Odin for its vibrating pool of low-end frequencies, but the Raven can use its bone-conduction transducer to communicate the bass more dynamically. So, you get the texture and rumble of the Odin, but with more articulation. Other notable sound elements of the sound signature, such as the soundstage and midrange warmth, are also major highlights.
Noble Audio Kublai Khan
If you want your head to be completely encapsulated by gravelly sub-bass, then you’ll love the Noble Audio Kublai Khan. These IEMs use their bone conduction drivers to reproduce this list’s fullest and loudest sub-bass response. It’s quite jarring how effortlessly it blares its incredibly thick tone, but it does so with grace. This is a very dark timbre, but it doesn’t distract from the level of fidelity the Kublai Khan can exhibit.
Kinera Imperial Loki
Like the Kublai Khan, the Kinera Imperial Loki is super dark. It has one of the most thumpy and fun bass responses you’ll find over IEMs. Everything in the low end comes through with great flavor, all enacted by the meaty response that vibrates through the bone conductor drivers. It’s a response you can feel coming up your throat and resonating through your jaw.
Noble Audio Onyx
The Noble Audio Onyx is the most recent IEM released with bone conductors. It features one of the most controlled and detailed bass responses to use these transducers. It might not be the most fun or rumbly tone but it’s certainly the clearest. With its more subtle sub-bass vibrations, the Onyx can articulate a lot more transparent frequencies. The Onyx can reveal very natural rhythms, with separations that reveal a consistent shape. If you’re okay with the more subdued rumble, then the Onyx might be your best bet.
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