This can be quite an expensive hobby sometimes, but it doesn’t always have to be. With the popularity of wired IEMs rising, prices have become a lot more affordable. These aren’t just cheap earbuds though, the IEMs I’ve selected here still put sound quality above all. They can even rival IEMs, which you can find to be much pricier. The rise of ChiFi IEMs has helped a lot, but there are many out there, and it can be hard to figure out where to start.
 
Final Audio E500
Some of the most inexpensive IEMs can be found in Final Audio’s library. The E500 is one of the newest IEMs to be featured on this list, and it will only set you back $24.99. They’re a simple set of earbuds that demonstrate exceptional value. Its sound is surprisingly tactile for its price, with a clear midrange and high-end detail. The earphones are small and easy to wear, with a lightweight and comfortable design.
Strauss & Wagner EM205
Another simple set of wired earbuds is the Strauss and Wagner EM205. While they’re not the fanciest-looking set of IEMs, the EM205 supplies you with clear, energetic bass and a wide soundstage that is hard to pass up. For only $39.95, the EM205 is one of the best traditional earbuds you can find on the market.
Moondrop LAN
Moondrop has a great selection of IEMs. Their standard for quality across a big selection like theirs is impressive, especially with their budget IEMs. The LAN is one of their cheapest sitting at $33.99. This is also one of the most inexpensive options to feature a detachable cable, which allows for potential upgrades to improve sound quality. This is also one of the best designs you can get for the price, with a MIM stainless steel shell that you usually get from more expensive IEMs.
Blon x Z Jojo
The Jojo is certainly one of the flashiest IEMs you can get for the price. Its zinc alloy housing, gold plates, and purple finish certainly get a ton of style points. This is also true for the cable design as well, feeling like one of the best stock cables for an IEM in this price range. In terms of sound quality, its best properties are its soundstage and its bass. It’s a wonderfully wide sound that features more depth than you expect, with a thumpy bass that is very impactful.
Final Audio E3000
This list is fittingly bookended by Final Audio IEMs. The E3000 also has a stainless steel design, which is always great to see on a set of budget IEMs. What the E3000 excels most in though is rich, clean sound across the frequency spectrum. If you’re looking for something wide, dynamic, and elegantly performed instruments on the cheap, the E3000 might just be the whole package.
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