Sound technology and engineering have seen some exponential developments in recent years. Sound signatures and balance etc., have seen some major improvements. Additionally, we must note that we are living in the era of low latency because of online games. Hence, the earbuds today aspire to cater to every gamer’s needs. The drivers and the build quality are absolutely top-notch. However, everything boils down to the price. No brand can offer you the best of everything at a budget price.
Therefore, if you decide to put your valuable half a grand in earbuds, you mean serious business. For 500$, you can get every feature possible on your earbuds. From active noise cancellation to transparency mode, you won’t have to miss out on anything. But the important thing to consider at such a high price would be sound quality and bass efficiency. In this article, we will look at the parameters we consider before picking out the best earbuds at a certain price range. Then, we will provide you with a list of competent earbuds that matches all the established parameters.
Audio response
Audio quality is a blanket term that entails several details that distinguishes budget earbuds from high-end earbuds. Let’s look at some of the audio details we will consider before making our pick.
- Clarity: When we listen to songs, we pay attention to the bass and the beats because that’s all we need to groove, right? However, there are times when we switch to instrumentals and low vibe music. Here, we have to be mindful of the clarity. The sound should not be grainy or piercing. The earbud must be able to capture every single detail. The earphones that we will recommend to you are equipped with the latest technology, and they perform better than their last year counterparts.
- Balance: A high-end earphone is perfectly tuned to its score. Balance means that the earphone is capable of distributing audio across all frequencies. The song seems neither too high nor too low. None of the frequencies overpower to cause distortions. The end music that you listen to should be how the artist intended it.
- Detailing: If we look at the earphones market, it has all sorts of devices across all price ranges. Now, the earphones that are priced in the 500 or 1000$ price bracket have something unique. The secret lies in the details. The more you spend on these devices, the better you get to enjoy your favorite track. The audio companies spend heavily on their flagship products, fine-tuning them and balancing them perfectly. The recommendations in this article will have complete attention to detail so that you don’t miss out on anything.
- Audio signatures: Audio signatures are completely on the subjective end of things. Some users prefer the hip hop genre, which is on the bass-heavy side. While some who prefer country music or rock prefer a balanced output. While those with a taste for jazz want a warmer balance in the audio signature. Now, some earphones that do not have application support are pre-tuned. But, in this article, we have listed out the earbuds that have dedicated applications that support custom tuning.
Durability
When it comes to audio devices, durability has always been a question. The problem with wired earphones is dysmorphia. Sometimes, the wire on one end gives out, or the internals wears out.
Hence, the one-ended output is a common problem that users face, and quite honestly, that’s frustrating too. However, the durability issue generally arises with budget earphones. This is because budget earphones save their cost by compromising with the build quality.
But, you wouldn’t expect that if you are willing to spend a fortune on your earphones. So, before preparing a list of the best earphones, we paid close attention to durability. The wire quality, the quality of the earphones, the design etc. Certain safety features like Y shape, tangle control etc., have been taken care of.
Comfort
Imagine a situation where you own a device with all possible modern features, but you can’t wear that device for a long time. Or when you wear that device, you feel a certain discomfort in your ears, and you can’t enjoy your music anymore. Well, we would certainly want to avoid such unpleasant situations.
People prefer earbuds over headphones because of convenience and comfort. While there are headphones that are comfortable, you cannot use them for a long time because of the pressure they exert on the ears.
Some users prefer using their earphones over their necks. This gives them a more secure fit. However, for the majority of audiophiles, this arrangement can be problematic. So, we have picked out earphones that are just as comfortable when worn in a conventional manner. We don’t want your expensive device to be slipping out of your ears.
Also read:Top 10 Cheap Wireless Earbuds in 2022
Jack design
Discrepancies in jack is another frustrating issue that arises with wired earbuds. Sometimes, the jack gets loose over time because of the improper design, and the output gets distorted. You also end up losing device connection on multiple occasions.
Additionally, the wire connection at the root of the jack also gets loose because of the pressure and resulting in distorted music.
Now, we have picked out earphones that have an L-shaped design. L-shape takes off the pressure from the jack and keeps the wire safe. Hence, your earbuds last long, and you don’t experience any distortions. We have also made some picks from the gold-plated jacks for durability.
Ear tips design
Ear Tips are crucial components when it comes to delivering world-class music to your ears. The ear tips are meant to keep the earbuds in their place and provide you comfort. You wouldn’t want that plastic piercing ear tips in your ears.
Additionally, the ear tips also seal off your ears to cancel background noise. This is also important for the optimum functioning of the earbuds. If you want your bass to be at its best, you must have good-quality ear tips. Also, the brand should provide ear tips of different sizes to suit all consumers.
Our Recommendations
Based on the parameters discussed above and our expectations regarding the same, here are our picks for best earbuds under 500$
- Shure SE535-V-J Sound Isolating Earphones
- Audeze iSINE10 In-Ear, Semi-Open Headphone
- AKG N40 Customizable High-Resolution In-Ear Headphones
- Etymotic Research ER4SR Studio Reference In-Ear Monitors
- Westone W30 Triple-Driver True-Fit Earphones
- 1MORE Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones
- Klipsch X20i In-Ear Headphones
- Sennheiser IE80 Headphone
- Shure SE425-CL Sound Isolating Earphones
- Sony Mdr-ex800st Headphones Inner Ear Type
- Atomic Floyd SuperDarts Titanium +Remote Noise Isolating Hi-Res In-Ear Headphone
- Bose SoundSport Pulse Wireless Headphones
- Apple Airpods Wireless Bluetooth Headset for iPhones
Conclusion
In this article, we laid down the essential features that are a must in good earbuds.Considering those factors and comparing different market players, we have drawn an extensive list for you. With so many options to choose from, you must consider your budget and your specific needs and requirements. Also, look out for sales and offers to save a few
bucks.