The best IEMS for 2024, tested and reviewed

Introduction

Listening to a great pair of wired in-ear monitors (IEMs) for the first time can be a revelatory experience. Low profile and portable, they’re perfect for taking on the go and offer a huge leap in resolution from TWS earbuds without attracting the same attention as a larger pair of over-ear headphones. The IEM market is surging, which means competition and innovation are hot. If you’re looking for a great listening experience, you can find something for everyone’s taste among the best IEMs, even on a tight budget.

Popularity of In-Ear Monitors

In-ear monitors have experienced an upswing in popularity over the last several years. Unlike the best wireless earbuds, IEMs still use a cable and put sound quality at the top of their priority list. You’ll need a dedicated digital audio player, a smartphone with a headphone jack, or a portable DAC to use them, and microphones and software-based features like active noise cancellation are reserved for the best ANC earbuds. But when it comes to richness, detail, and style, a great pair of IEMs is what you need.

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Conclusion

A great pair of IEMs allows you to take enrapturing sound quality anywhere you go. Finding a pair that resonates with your tastes can quickly make it one of your most satisfying purchases. Now that you know what to look for and what the best picks are today, you have the tools to find that perfect IEM and take your enjoyment to new heights (as well as new lows and plush, perfectly balanced mids).

About Popular Science

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it.

Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now. Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

Source: popsci