Best IEMs Under $500

Top-ranked in-ear monitors under $500, scored by frequency response measurements. Ranked by AudioList Score from frequency response measurements, then current retailer price.

Eligibility: current price under $500; canonical best variants only; measurement required.

  1. CrinEar Reference #1 - $336; Score: 88.2; 5 retailer offers.
  2. ArpegEar Hane #2 - $129; Score: 87.1; 1 retailer offers.
  3. Shure AONIC 4 #3 - $329; Score: 85.7; 1 retailer offers.
  4. Moondrop Kadenz #4 - $187; Score: 84.1; 5 retailer offers.
  5. Moondrop METEOR #5 - $459; Score: 83.7; 8 retailer offers.
  6. Moondrop Space Travel 2 #6 - $29.99; Score: 83.6; 3 retailer offers.
  7. KZ D-Fi #7 - $28.00; Score: 83.3; 1 retailer offers.
  8. Twistura SIGMA #8 - $65.90; Score: 83.2; 3 retailer offers.
  9. DUNU KIMA 2 #9 - $120; Score: 83.2; 3 retailer offers.
  10. TRI I3 MK3 #10 - $199; Score: 83.1; 1 retailer offers.
  11. KZ AS24 PRO #11 - $116; Score: 83; 1 retailer offers.
  12. KiwiEars Quintet #12 - $185; Score: 83; 5 retailer offers.
  13. 64 Audio Aspire 1 #13 - $349; Score: 82.9; 2 retailer offers.
  14. KZ Phantom #14 - $47.99; Score: 82.6; 1 retailer offers.
  15. Moondrop KATO #15 - $161; Score: 82.6; 2 retailer offers.
  16. Moondrop ARIA Snow Edition #16 - $79.99; Score: 82.4; 2 retailer offers.
  17. EPZ K9 #17 - $350; Score: 82.4; 1 retailer offers.
  18. CCA Polaris #18 - $13.00; Score: 82.1; 1 retailer offers.
  19. Moondrop Rays Gaming #19 - $99.99; Score: 82.1; 5 retailer offers.
  20. 7Hz Aurora #20 - $279; Score: 82.1; 3 retailer offers.

Retailer links may be affiliate links. Affiliate relationships do not influence ranking order.