Best In-Ear Earphones

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Seinnheiser CX 400
Rating: 4/5
Price: Rs 3790

Frequency Response: 17-21000 Hz
Impedance: 16Ω
Sensitivity: 113 dB (1 kHz, 1 Vrms)
Distortion: < 0.2 %

These came in first, and sennheiser is a brand that sends no less than four products to review, which is why I love them. With a metallic red enclosure bearing a shiny metal ring, these earphones look classy. The wire has a small plastic junction that separates into the left and right counterparts, and it's here that the model name is printed.

The logo is present on a small label fitted neatly into the small round enclosure. The wire is modular, which means it’s short, though it comes with an extension. I personally don’t see why it’s done, but I guess they have some concept about two wire lengths.

Sound-wise the earphones kick ass, with tightest bass of the lot, and sparkling and present highs. The sound is loud enough; the only thing is some people might not dig the forwardness of the sound. But those into crystal-clear responses will like this one.

Shure SE110
Rating: 4.5/5
Price: Rs 5550

Speaker Type: Balanced MicroSpeaker
Sensitivity (1mW): 113 dB SPL/mW
Impedance (1kHz): 27 Ω
Frequency Range: 22Hz-17.5kHz
Cable Length/with Extension: 18 in/45cm (54 in/136cm)

Shure is a brand I used to use every day back in college, with their omnipresent SM58 mics all around the studio. Now it’s time to look at this superb pro audio brand in a consumer light, and the earphone I have got is perfect for that.

This is an entry-level model called the SE110, though the price indicates it's a high-end product here in this discussion. Design-wise the driver housings are white (available in black too) and globular in form. The tiny diaphragm is exposed out of a (very) thin tube protruding angularly, around and over which we can attach the earbuds, or more technically known as sleeves. Six earbuds are provided, in different sizes and two choices of material: classic rubber and the highly flexible urethane foam (as in the Koss).

The sound is very impressive, but if you're paying so much you might as well expect something good. And while the sound is forward, it's surprisingly spacious for a small canalphone. The bass is tight, highs are crisp and sensitivity seems the highest of the lot (I disregard specs for subjective listening). On the flip side, the fit might take some time to get used to, but once done it rocks. Acoustic sealing is decent, though external noise is still audible.