With high-performance wireless earphones such as active noise canceling and white noise for sleep gaining popularity, the return to wired earphones is another trend. No pairing or charging is required, and since the string is literally attached, there is little worry of losing it, so simplicity that can be easily used when you come up with it is a popular factor. This time, Wirecutter, which has tested many earphones, will introduce the charm unique to wired and recommended products!
In 2016, the earphone jack disappeared from the iPhone. To be honest, I remember being stunned. However, I'm not dissatisfied with wireless earphones. You can enjoy music freely while jogging, doing household chores or working, because it is a feeling of liberation unique to wireless.
But I also love wired. It's a little frustrating to have to use 3.5mm and Lightning properly depending on the sound source, or use a conversion adapter.
It seems that there are surprisingly many people like me, and now the wired earphones are hot again. It does not require charging, sounds good for the price, is environmentally friendly and lasts a long time. It's a good thing, isn't it? There are many creators of TikTok who love inline directional microphones that do not require setup, and when they are featured in youth media or when the cable is hung from their ears, it feels like "I'm in my world". Wired earphones that are said to be "cool and go around". It's a very rare trend because it's actually a reasonable option while showing the commitment that "it won't be swept away".
However, there are also voices saying, "Because the functions are limited, I don't know what to choose based on." but it's okay. I've been testing a lot of headphones so far. Even if the times and trends change, the really good things will not change. So, from here, I will show you really great earphones and how to choose them.
How to choose wired earphones
・ Fit
First and foremost, the fit is the most important factor. In fact, this has a great effect on the sound. Wirecutter's test is based on a product that comes with multiple sizes of chips, so most people can find the size that suits them, but in reality there is no earphone that fits everyone. .. If the included tip doesn't fit your ear, try a replacement tip before buying a new earphone. There may be dramatic changes by changing to a tip that is made of a material and shape that suits your ears.
・ Necessary and sufficient remote control
If you want to use it everyday in various situations such as calling and shooting videos, you should have a remote control with at least one button and a microphone. The product we recommend this time has an excellent microphone, and your voice will not crack, muffle, or blur. By the way, when using the earphone / microphone for movie shooting, don't forget to keep a distance of about 15 cm between your face and the microphone. By doing so, you can reduce background noise while avoiding muffled and distorted voices and pop noise (noise caused by plosives such as “b” and “p”).
・ Life and sound quality of earphones
And above all, sound quality is the life of earphones! Earphones are for enjoying music and voice. The bass shouldn't be bigger than the lead guitar, and the vocal consonants shouldn't pierce your ears. Pitch and tone are important for the bass sound, and it is not enough to just make a monotonous sound. Even small beats should not be mixed with sound in a row.
・ Manufacturer reliability and after-sales service
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We want to use good quality earphones on a yearly basis, so the manufacturer should also be a reliable company. It would be nice if it could be used without any problems, but if there is a problem, customer service will be in trouble if it does not respond to the needs.
・ Versatility
Lightning cable earphones are useful for iPhone and iPad, but they won't work with other sound sources. I have a 3.5mm to Lightning conversion adapter (and one that charges it), but I don't see a Lightning to 3.5mm input adapter. In other words, device-specific earphones are difficult to use. The most versatile connector is 3.5mm, followed by USB-C. By the way, I use 3.5 mm earphones, connect adapters as needed, and when not in use, I put them in a pill case attached to a key chain with earplugs.
There are many great models of wired earphones (manufacturers call them "inside phones"), and you should buy high-performance products if you really want to master them, but for the time being, the first point is your lifestyle. We recommend the ones that are reasonably priced to suit your needs.
Panasonic RP-TCM series
The best reasonable earphones. The RP-TCM series offers both affordable price and excellent sound. Comes with a single button remote control and microphone.
If you want to get the best possible sound at a reasonable price, Panasonic RP-TCM is definitely recommended. The balance between the airy and mellow treble and the bass that has a strong presence but is not overstated is the best. All frequencies are in perfect harmony, making any sound indistinguishable, from acoustic guitar to hip-hop to rock music. This is pretty rare for prices under $ 30.
With this product, you can't enjoy the bass quality like "depth of field (the sound is not a" flat wall "but the sound coming from all over the space)" and Marshall Mode, but the cost performance is sufficient. There is also an option to mount a single button remote control / microphone on the cable, and there are plenty of color varieties.
Marshall Mode
Remote control and microphone have evolved. Marshall Mode earphones offer great, rich, balanced sound. The fit is excellent and comfortable. Comes with a universal remote control with one button.
Marshall Mode has a smooth sound profile and can handle any style of music. His specialty is rock and pop. The bass is a little strong, but it doesn't have an unpleasant "dosun" feeling or a blurry impression. The treble is clear, but there is no kinking sound that sticks to the ear, which is common with earphones under $ 100 (about 11,500 yen). The earphone body is also a comfortable slim design, so it will not stick out or hang from your ears. Since the cable has a single-button universal remote control, operations such as playback and activation of the digital assistant are possible. The stand-alone microphone is high on the cable so you don't have to put it in your mouth when you speak.
Strauss & Wagner EM205
With a remote control that can adjust the volume. The EM205 is an affordable earphone with volume control buttons, great sound, and options with a USB-C cable.
If you're looking for an affordable wired earphone with a 3-button remote control and microphone, check out the Strauss & Wagner EM 205. It's more expensive than Panasonic products, but track control and volume control work on most devices that have a headphone jack. The sound and mic quality are the same as Panasonic, but with a slightly stronger bass boost and higher treble, you can feel a slightly metallic edge on the stringed instrument and hear the piano keyboard down.
The sound is very good, but considering Panasonic's cospa, it doesn't seem to make a difference enough to spend extra money. Some products have a USB-C connector instead of a 3.5 mm jack, but they cost an additional $ 10.
By the way, Strauss & Wagner is a new company with no track record of customer service. Not many people just want earphones for less than $ 50. It's still hard to find in Japan, so if you're interested, check out the company's website.
* Prices and other displays are current as of writing. Please check the sales page as it is subject to change.
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