Best IEM's under $50 for all around music and gaming

[Kaiki-chan]

Good day, everyone. I am not an audiophile; I simply enjoy listening to music. My audio source is Creative Sound Blaster AE-7, and my current headphones are X2HR.
I use them primarily with my PC for online gaming, music, and Discord. I have a separate microphone.
I'm satisfied with the sound and comfort of the headphones, I've had them for over four years. But after long sessions of 5+ hours, my head starts to get tired and my ears start to sweat.
Many people recommend IEMs, but I've never used them.
I need headphones for long sessions at the computer with the best possible sound quality for under $50.
I've watched many YouTube videos, read forums, and looked at hundreds of headphones. It's hard to know which ones to choose.

So far, my choices are:
TANGZU Wan'er S.G II
7HZ G1
7Hz Zero 2
Moondrop Chu 2
TRUTHEAR GATE
CCA Trio
Kefine Klean

There are also:
TRUTHEAR Zero:BLUE2
Truthear x Crinacle Zero Red
But they are more expensive, and it's not clear whether it's worth the extra cost.

Do forum members have anything to say about these headphones? Please suggest your own if you think they are better.

 

[kemmler3D]

I used to swear by Etymotic, eventually got the Zero Red and recently tried the Gate. For the money IMO the gate is a no brainer. Haven't tried most of them in your list but they are really a ridiculous value. A good place to start for sure.

 

[Kaiki-chan]

For the money IMO the gate is a no brainer.

Ty for opinion.

 

[markanini]

If you can stretch $10 and wait sales, Truthear Hexa. Sean Olive personally is impressed by it. Mark Ryan Sallee calls it the most neutral IEM ever made.

 

[Kaiki-chan]

If you can stretch $10 and wait sales, Truthear Hexa. Sean Olive personally is impressed by it. Mark Ryan Sallee calls it the most neutral IEM ever made.

Ty

 

[SuicideSquid]

I have the original Truthear Zero, the 7Hz Zero 2, and the Moondrop Chu II.

For sound quality I'd rank them:

7Hz Zero 2
Moondrop Chu II
Truthear Zero

(though they are all very good)

For comfort:

Moondrop Chu II
7Hz Zero 2
Truthear Zero

For build quality:

Truthear Zero
Moondrop Chu II
7Hz Zero 2

If you go the 7Hz Zero 2 route, strongly recommend an upgraded cable - the included cable is very microphonic. The Chu II cable is decent and the Truthear Zero cable is excellent.

 

[woppinger]

The first one I tried was a Fiio FD11, which was/is generally well regarded - I didn't care for it at all though, some combination of the (relatively) heavy metal construction, the nozzle diameter/length, etc. made it difficult for me to get a comfortable fit, I didn't like the cable material, etc.

I thought IEMs weren't for me until I later tried a 7Hz Zero 2 - I find them much more comfortable, like their thin and unfussy cable, etc...I recommend giving them a try if you think they'll appeal to you, they're inexpensive and well reviewed here - however my bigger point is that by their very nature, the "best" is going to be a matter of personal preference, including how they literally fit you.

 

[Kaiki-chan]

Moondrop Chu II

I read on another forum that the paint on the Moondrop Chu II peels off and the nozzles are covered with “gold plating” that instantly oxidized and turned into green flakes. Is this true?

 

[Kaiki-chan]

.I recommend giving them a try if you think they'll appeal to you, they're inexpensive and well reviewed here - however my bigger point is that by their very nature, the "best" is going to be a matter of personal preference, including how they literally fit you.

Yeah. I understand. Ty for answer.

 

[Berwhale]

I have 7Hz Zero 2, Truthear Zero Red and Blue, and Trutherear GATe and that is my order of preference. I use Moondrop Spring Tips with all of them.

I also have a few other IEMs including the Moondrop Starfields. The Starfields don't measure as well as those above, but I liked them a lot before the paint stated chipping off!

*edit* and welcome to ASR

 

[woppinger]

Yeah. I understand. Ty for answer.

No problem - I'll also add that my favorite headphones comfort-wise are Koss KSC-75s "clip-ons", which are also inexpensive and well-regarded (except for being lacking in the bass department) - I regularly wear them for hours, usually listening to podcasts or audiobooks but sometimes music.

 

[Matt_Holland]

Truthear Gate is so inexpensive it’s worth a punt. Needs a good seal and a bit of bass lift, but the sound is amazingly clean and openand has incredibly low distortion and massive headroom. I find the spatial qualities excellent with images outside of the head which should be good for gaming. They can also handle serious amount of sub-bass which on the right content can be quite eerie/scary. The cable is not microphonic and I find them very comfortable to wear.
Again, so cheap you have nothing to lose.

 

[kemmler3D]

Truthear Gate is so inexpensive it’s worth a punt. Needs a good seal and a bit of bass lift, but the sound is amazingly clean and openand has incredibly low distortion and massive headroom. I find the spatial qualities excellent with images outside of the head which should be good for gaming. They can also handle serious amount of sub-bass which on the right content can be quite eerie/scary. The cable is not microphonic and I find them very comfortable to wear.
Again, so cheap you have nothing to lose.

That's pretty much my take as well. Dialed in a few dB of EQ at 25hz and it's gravy. Honestly compared to what you could get for $15 even 5 years ago, the bass is astonishing.

And for $15 it's my "commuter" IEM and a very good one, with not much worry if they break or get lost... Got a spare pair in the closet...

 

[SuicideSquid]

I read on another forum that the paint on the Moondrop Chu II peels off and the nozzles are covered with “gold plating” that instantly oxidized and turned into green flakes. Is this true?

This has not been my experience. I can't speak for anyone else.

 

[Roland68]

Good day, everyone. I am not an audiophile; I simply enjoy listening to music. My audio source is Creative Sound Blaster AE-7, and my current headphones are X2HR.
I use them primarily with my PC for online gaming, music, and Discord. I have a separate microphone.
I'm satisfied with the sound and comfort of the headphones, I've had them for over four years. But after long sessions of 5+ hours, my head starts to get tired and my ears start to sweat.
Many people recommend IEMs, but I've never used them.
I need headphones for long sessions at the computer with the best possible sound quality for under $50.
I've watched many YouTube videos, read forums, and looked at hundreds of headphones. It's hard to know which ones to choose.

So far, my choices are:
TANGZU Wan'er S.G II
7HZ G1
7Hz Zero 2
Moondrop Chu 2
TRUTHEAR GATE
CCA Trio
Kefine Klean

There are also:
TRUTHEAR Zero:BLUE2
Truthear x Crinacle Zero Red
But they are more expensive, and it's not clear whether it's worth the extra cost.

Do forum members have anything to say about these headphones? Please suggest your own if you think they are better.

The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero: Red are, in my opinion, among the best in this price range.

I would also suggest the Moondrop LAN. In my opinion, it's very underrated, made entirely of metal, and very compact.

 

[Kaiki-chan]

Thank you all very much for your help mates.

 

[swaydog]

I have the original Truthear Zero, the 7Hz Zero 2, and the Moondrop Chu II.

For sound quality I'd rank them:

7Hz Zero 2
Moondrop Chu II
Truthear Zero

(though they are all very good)

For comfort:

Moondrop Chu II
7Hz Zero 2
Truthear Zero

For build quality:

Truthear Zero
Moondrop Chu II
7Hz Zero 2

If you go the 7Hz Zero 2 route, strongly recommend an upgraded cable - the included cable is very microphonic. The Chu II cable is decent and the Truthear Zero cable is excellent.

Is the ranking top to bottom?

 

[SuicideSquid]

Is the ranking top to bottom?

Yes.

 

[Sebby]

Possiedo le Zero2, le Gate e le G1, se considero anche gli IEM in elenco. Per la musica, dipende dalle orecchie e dai gusti, ma l'imaging e il soundstage delle G1 sono innegabili rispetto alle Zero2 e alle Gate.

Hanno anche bassi che non si estendono verso i medi nonostante siano elevati e il suono è fantastico per il gaming.
Le Zero2 sono un po' meno affaticanti sulle alte frequenze, ma molto meno tecniche e immersive per il gaming, ma a parte questo, optate per le G1 senza pensarci due volte.
Sono anche più comode e hanno meno problemi di vestibilità. Il cavo è anche molto più robusto...

Chiunque abbia votato "Zero2" è perché non ha mai provato il G1, garantito.

 

[jcarys]

I'm happy with all my Truthear purchases - red, blue, & blue 2. Maybe a Pure is up next.