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IEMs for up to $500
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IEMs for up to $500

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In-ear monitors have come a long way in a few short years. In the past, you would have to spend thousands of dollars to get a decent-sounding set for casual music listening or studio use. These days, you’ll easily find multi-driver IEMs in the under $500 range that deliver clean, high-resolution sound that rivals many IEMs at twice their price. 

Browse our collection of IEMs for up to $500 from THIEAUDIO, Noble Audio, and Bellos Audio, and discover outstanding bang-for-the-buck IEMs with sound performance that punches way above their weight class.

Are IEMs really worth it?

Many IEMs you’ll find in the market right now can easily deliver a satisfying listening experience relative to their price, thanks to the rapid advancement of IEM driver technology, tuning, and competition. 

These days, $500 can get you endgame sound quality that you can enjoy for listening to music, watching movies, or playing games. The options we have lined up for you in this collection are some of the best in-ear monitors you can buy in the up to $500 range, featuring innovative driver technologies, superior fit and comfort, and a versatile sound signature for that next-level sound experience.

HiFiSoundGear Recommended IEM for up to $500

THIEAUDIO Hype 2, Noble Audio FoKus Triumph, Bellos Audio X2 IEM

thieaudio hype 2 iem front view

THIEAUDIO Hype 2 IEM

Price: $299.00

The THIEAUDIO Hype 2 is the entry-level IEM in THIEAUDIO's new Hype line of IEMs. Dual dynamic drivers in an isobaric configuration called IMPACT2 deliver brain-rattling bass power with excellent punch that never bleeds into the mids, while smooth tuning and comfortable shells make the Hype 2 an easy IEM to listen to for extended periods.

VIEW THIEAUDIO HYPE 2 IEM
fokus triumph iem front view ear tips turned outward

Noble Audio FoKus Triumph

Price: $369.00

The Noble Audio FoKus Triumph is unlike any other TWS. A 6.5mm dynamic driver and a revolutionary Cowell xMEMS tweeter combine to deliver powerful music playback and crystal-clear voice calls wherever you go. With Qualcomm's QCC3071 chip and Bluetooth 5.3, you can enjoy music at the highest resolution without interruptions.

VIEW NOBLE AUDIO FOKUS TRIUMPH
fir bellos audio x series iem top view green shells

Bellos Audio X2 IEM

Price: $499.00

The Bellos Audio X2 proves you don't have to spend an arm and a leg to experience great sound. Custom Dual Balanced Armatures inside each shell produces a warm-neutral sound signature with incredible clarity, detail, and precision. The same shells are built with precision, offering a glove-like fit for comfortable all-day music listening.

VIEW BELLOS AUDIO X2 IEM

Bass Heavy Wireless In-Ear Monitor Under $500

Noble Audio FoKus Mystique

noble audio fokus mystique wireless iem front view

Price: $359.00

Fun and engaging sound signature for enjoyable music listening on the go

At just $359, the Noble FoKus Mystique is a solid TWS that combines a fun sound signature, great comfort, and consistent sound you can enjoy anywhere you go. 

Under the hood, you’ll find a three-driver hybrid setup atypical for TWS earbuds. There’s a large 8.2mm dynamic driver handling the bass and two Balanced Armatures for the midrange and treble. As for the tuning, the Mystique features a mild V-shape tuning with elevated bass and treble frequencies. 

The bass of the FoKus Mystique is the first thing that stands out at first listen. The custom 8.2mm dynamic driver offers good bass power and gives the overall sound a thick and weighty presentation. By default, the FoKus Mystique’s bass sounds strong and rumbly, but you can play around with EQ settings through the FoKus App and tune the bass to your liking. 

The midrange on the FoKus Mystique is clean and warm. For the most part, vocals and instruments sound clear and accurate, offering a satisfying level of detail and excitement as you go up to the higher frequencies. Treble is also very detailed on the Mystique, with very good extension and control, which makes high-frequency sounds smooth and non-fatiguing. 

Comfort and fit are great on the FoKus Mystique. Despite having to house a large dynamic driver under its shells, the FoKus Mystique’s shells are relatively easy to wear and offer good comfort for comfortable extended listening sessions. 

Speaking of extended listening sessions, the Mystique offers 7.5 hours of playback and up to 4 extra charges through the charging case, allowing you to enjoy all-day listening at home or work. Connect the Mystique to your phone or tablet seamlessly with Qualcomm QCC3040 and Bluetooth 5.2 ensuring consistent and reliable connection wherever you go.

noble audio fokus mystique tws case right side view
Pros
  • Powerful bass rumble and slam for a TWS.
  • Smooth vocals and instrument playback with satisfying levels of detail.
  • You can adjust the tuning through the FoKus App.
  • 7.5-hour battery life with up to 4 extra charges through the case.
Cons
  • Shells are slightly large.
  • The case is somewhat bulky.

IEMs for up to $500 for Gaming

THIEAUDIO THIEAUDIO Hype 2 IEM

thieaudio hype 2 indigo color front view

Price: $299.00

Engaging tuning and strong bass adds impact and immersion to your gaming sessions

The THIEAUDIO Hype 2 is a serious contender in the under $500 range. Its high-resolution sound, excellent soundstage and imaging capabilities, and comfortable fit make it the perfect in-ear monitor for music listening and gaming. 

Underneath the Hype 2’s beautiful shells are two 10mm dynamic drivers for the bass and two Sonion Balanced Armature drivers for the midrange and treble. Like its bigger brothers the Hype 4 and Hype 10, the Hype 2 features an innovative bass technology called IMPACT2, which delivers a subwoofer-like sound experience while ensuring none of the bass frequencies muddy the midrange. 

As it turns out, IMPACT2 really does make an impact (pun intended), offering a combination of defined bass rumbles and a strong and impactful punch in bass-heavy music. There’s a good amount of bass that will satisfy audiophiles, but never to the point of sounding boomy or bloated. 

The midrange and treble are detailed and forward, producing a more intimate sound where vocals sit closer to the front of the stage. The overall tuning is smooth and accurate, with excellent amounts of detail to bring out nuances in voices and instruments like guitars and wind instruments. There’s adequate treble extension to bring out sparkle and air, but everything is kept smooth and controlled. 

The Hype 2 has slightly larger shells to make room for those large dual dynamic drivers, but comfort and fit should be a non-issue if you have medium to large ears. If your ears are slightly on the smaller side, you can still enjoy the Hype 2, but you’ll have to put extra effort into finding the right ear tips to get a perfect fit and seal. 

The THIEAUDIO Hype 2 sounds incredible - even before you consider the price tag. At just $299, the Hype 2 may be the cheapest option in this collection, but it might very well be one of the best IEMs in the up to $500 price range.

hype 2 thieaudio iem faceplate detail view
Pros
  • IMPACT2 Dual Dynamic Drivers offer incredible bass power and texture.
  • Smooth midrange and treble tuning.
  • Non-fatiguing sound.
  • Wide soundstage. Sounds are easy to pinpoint in the soundscape.
  • Very good all-around sound for the price.
Cons
  • Low-quality ear tips in the package.
  • The included cable is cumbersome and not as flexible as you'd like.

In-Ear Monitor up to $500 for Studio Mixing

Bellos Audio X2 IEM

fir bellos audio x series iem top view green shells

Price: $499.00

Warm-neutral tuning and comfort-centric features make the Bellos Audio X2 a smooth and easy IEM to listen to

What Bellos Audio managed to pack into the X2 is mind-boggling. Dual Balanced Armatures deliver a detailed warm-neutral sound and custom-molded soft-touch shells offer fit and comfort that you can wear for hours without discomfort. 

The X2 is the entry-level variant in Bellos Audio’s X-Series IEMs. Unlike its bigger brothers the X3 and X4, the X2 does not have a dynamic driver handling the bass. Instead, you get a well-tuned Balanced Armature driver that offers a snappy, punchy, and tight bass response.

The X2’s lean bass won’t satisfy bass heads anytime soon, but the tuning and presentation are perfect for studio production work. The bass here is clean, tight, and textured, allowing you to hear bass details effortlessly. Kick drums are reproduced with satisfying power and note weight, while bass guitars reverberate with excellent levels of texture. 

The midrange and treble are smooth and balanced on the X2. Vocals and instruments sound clean and weighty with good detail to boot. Guitars, pianos, strings, and wind instruments are rendered with excellent tone, making the X2 a wonderful IEM for studio mixing and mastering. The treble is tuned to sound as smooth as possible, delivering enough detail, sparkle, and air in your favorite tracks. 

Impressive as the X2s sound, their fit and comfort are even more amazing. The custom-molded shells are 3D printed for a glove-like fit and offer a smooth and comfortable feel thanks to the soft-touch matte coating. Inside the X2’s shells are comfort-enhancing technology like ATOM Venting and In-Air Canals for enhanced fit and reduced in-ear fatigue. 

The Bellos Audio X2 IEM is hard to beat for the price. With its high-resolution playback and incredibly comfortable fit, the Bellos X2 is the perfect companion for audio mixing and mastering work at home or in the studio.

fir bellos audio x series iem black gray green variants side by side
Pros
  • Balanced bass tuning offers textured rumbles and impact.
  • Smooth yet accurate midrange tuning brings out natural vocals and instruments playback.
  • Incredibly comfortable fit with custom-molded matte shells.
  • ATOM Venting tech ensures fatigue-free listening by venting out in-ear pressure.
Cons
  • Might lack sparkle and treble energy.
  • Proprietary connector limits cable-swap options.

Audiophile IEM Under $500

THIEAUDIO Hype 4 IEM

thieaudio hype 4 blue variant faceplate view

Price: $399.00

Smooth U-shaped sound signature with incredible bass power you can listen to for hours on end

It's no secret THIEAUDIO makes really good IEMs in the under $1000 price bracket, with legendary in-ear monitors like the Monarch and Oracle models constantly getting well-deserved recognition around audiophile circles. 

Even more impressive is the company’s offering in the up to $500 range. At just $399, the Hype 4 delivers performance that punches way above its weight class, offering incredible bass and smooth yet accurate tuning that THIEAUDIO is known for. 

The Hype 4 is the middle child of THIEAUDIO’s Hype lineup, sitting smack dab in the middle of the entry-level Hype 2 and the big boy Hype 10 in terms of price. In terms of sound, the Hype 4 could very well be the smoothest-sounding IEM of the trio, offering a warm U-shaped tuning with strong low-frequency emphasis, smooth midrange, and a non-fatiguing treble. 

The IMPACT2 dual dynamic drivers deliver subwoofer-like bass with strong and defined rumbles. The midbass impact is strong with the Hype 4, producing a strong punch and slam with satisfying note weight. The substantial bass boost gives warmth and thickness to the midrange, which receives a lush and creamy presentation. Vocals and instruments sound weighty without notable loss in clarity or detail. The treble on the Hype 4 is smooth and non-fatiguing. The tuning here is very laid back, making the Hype 4 a great choice if you’re sensitive to treble. 

Similar to other THIEAUDIO IEMs like the Hype 2 and Hype 10, the Hype 4 features somewhat large shells. Fit will come easily if you have medium or large ears. If you have small ears, however, you will struggle to fit these large IEMs in your ears, and serious tip-rolling might be needed to find an adequate seal. 

Overall, the THIEAUDIO Hype 4 is a solid choice in the up to $500 range. If you’re looking for a smooth-sounding pair of in-ear monitors with strong bass performance, then you’ll love the Hype 4 and its fun, non-fatiguing sound.

thieaudio hype 4 black model faceplate view in wooden fingers
Pros
  • Subwoofer-like bass. Effortless power and rumbles with defined texture.
  • Balanced midrange with accurate vocal and instrument playback.
  • Smooth, non-fatiguing treble.
  • Comfortable shell shape with beautiful faceplate options.
  • Good accessories package.
Cons
  • Treble might be too smooth for some. Treble-heads need to look elsewhere.
  • Bass might be too much for non-bassheads.
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