Most people associate the best wireless earbuds with the AirPods Pro. Yeah, they're good, but I've tested earbuds that sound even better. I actually thought you'd never be able to get audiophile sound out of wireless buds — until I was lucky enough to try out some very premium earbuds from US manufacturer Noble.
My world was turned upside down — amazing sound, epic features, all packed into some very slick-looking earbuds. Wireless convenience with the sound I crave from earbuds, so that I can listen critically when I'm out and about. Based on my reviews, here are the best audiophile-grade earbuds under $150, under $300 and under $500.
Under $150 — Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
If you don't have hundreds of dollars to spend on some earbuds, then you're going to do well with the Cambridge Audio A100. They're not 'traditionally audiophile' and there's a bunch of true anoraks that have just turned their noses up at me and demanded I return my Audiophile Club membership card. But I'll stand by them — they're a great way to wirelessly critically listen without the need for something with a wire.
They've got some excellent, controlled bass, while retaining that all-important high-end detail that we're looking for with audiophile earbuds. They're not going to hold a candle to similarly priced wired options, but for something wireless, they're better for hobby listening than just about anything else below the $250 price point.
I've had loads of fun listening to them on the train and picking apart my favorite tunes – and the fact I'm less worried about them tumbling down the side of my seat just makes them all the more sweet.
Let's see how they fare with a quick listen-through of Depth Of Satan's Eyes from mad occult rockers Ghost. The bass guitar hits hard and fast, not overstaying its welcome or overpowering the distorted guitars as the track kicks off. The drums are very well defined, although there's perhaps a little missing out of the very top end of the cymbals.
Papa begins his unholy singing, and the buds are more than happy to reveal some extra detail, like his breathing. The synth kicks in, things become more foreboding, and they perhaps slide in behind the guitars a little too much compared to the more expensive options.
As the track reaches its peak, the A100 show some dynamism as the volume changes around. The loud parts are loud enough, while the quiet parts are peaceful and calm. There's a lot for audiophiles to like about these little buds.
Under $300 — Noble Fokus Amadeus
If the mega-expense of the Rex5 is too much for you, then you'll want to look at the less-expensive Fokus Amadeus. That doesn't mean they're cheap, however. They'll set you back $320, with solid battery life, a comfortable fit, and some pretty good ANC... again, we're all about the sound today.
Where the Rex5 are all about control and high-end detail, the Amadeus uses a single driver setup to show you all the little things that are happening down low in your music. They go all the way down, with some epic sub-bass for some of the most impactful bass out of a pair of earbuds that I've ever tested.
That doesn't mean the rest of the frequency range is in any way ignored or pushed aside. They're still very detailed, and the mid-range is very well represented for those all-important instruments. They don't sound better than the Rex5, but they sound different, catering to audiophiles who want to critically listen for all the bits of bass you might otherwise miss.
Again, let me take you through a listening session to give you a clearer picture.
We'll go with something bassy — Becky Hill and Chase & Status' Disconnected. The depth of Becky's voice in the introduction is something to be envied — the low bits rumble with some impressive presence. Then the synths start to build, and the drums start to ramp up, before the massive bassy crescendo that shakes your skull.
The dancing synths that make themselves known later, dancing from left to right. Becky's voice remains completely clear despite the heavy bass, with no signs that she's being overpowered by the low-end.
The drums keep time throughout the track, smooth in delivery and controlled in impact. It's a stellar performance, and allows you to see how much variance and detail there can be in drum & bass.
Under $500 — Noble Fokus Rex5
With their jewel-like shells and green aluminum charging case, the Noble Fokus Rex5 look like they're worth every part of their $449 price tag. They're a stunning pair of buds, and they feel like they could be run over by a tank and still work for my critical listening sessions. They've got loads of battery life, a comfortable fit, and blah de blah... we're here for the sound.
And what sound it is. There are five drivers inside, each dealing with a different part of your music. The bass, while not as loud as other, more established options, is extremely well controlled and deliciously deep. That means you can spend more time hearing all the little low-end details, like bass guitar strings being plucked and wobbly synth parts. Classical music timpani are impactful and clear as well — you can feel the drummer hitting his drum.
The mids are wide, with loads of definition for guitars and other instruments. Heavy chugging riffs out of my favorite music have just the right amount of edge to be crunchy without being uncomfortable on the ear — epic stuff.
The highs are detailed, making for perfect cymbal crashes and soaring electric guitar solos. Wind instruments in classical arrangements sound sublime as a result. I can't think of a better way to illustrate their audiophile credentials than to show you how easy it is to pick out the finer details of a track with them.
We'll use Bobby Caldwell's Love Won't Wait because I like it. The chirping cymbals stand out as the song begins, the smooth drum beat bringing the first semblances of funk. The bass introduces itself, and you can hear the guitarist's fingers dance across the fretboard.
The orchestra joins the fray, and each instrument in the horn section is easy to pick out. Bobby starts to croon, and the earbuds reveal the crest of each breath as he sings. The saxophone around 2:11 is smooth, living firmly in the left of the mix. The soundstage (which is how 'wide' your music sounds) places instruments well between the ears, and makes the ensemble sound as big as you'd hope.
$449 well spent in my eyes. Note: as a revealing set of buds, these are designed with out-and-out bass performance in mind, so bass heads need not apply. You'll want what comes next...
The sound we're looking for
If you're looking for "good sound", you're going to be fine with the likes of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds and the Sony WF-1000XM5. They feature a warm and welcoming sound signature that forgoes control and fidelity for comfort and listenability. Bass heads will prefer the Bose's low-end grunt, while most people will be served well by the more restrained Sony buds.
What we're looking for is something wholly different. We want a more open soundstage, more detailed highs, rounder mids, and a more controlled low-end. Generally, that's something you'll only find in a pair of wired earbuds. It's a sound profile that audiophiles prefer for critical listening, the idea being to get as close to the artist's intent as possible.
The very best buds? The buds you've got now!
I could write until I'm blue in the fingers about how much fun critical listening can be, but also how you don't need to go out and buy some new buds to do it. Sure, they'll reveal more detail and let you really get in deep with your music, but sometimes all it takes is a little attention.
Critical listening is all about listening to music as an activity rather than a background silence filler. You'll find details you never knew were there if you take the time to appreciate your music — although I can't guarantee you won't come away wishing for more. 'Tis a slippery slope, and one without a bottom. Or a financial ceiling.
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