For the music-loving people, an audio accessory is a must-have. Who wouldn’t want affordable, decently-sounding earphones? We round up five of the best ones we’ve seen and used, and are priced below half a grand.
We know there are a lot of low-cost ones available nowadays, and you can get one for as low as Php40 at CD-R King. While they may be cheap, the sound quality is often overlooked upon; thus, most settle for those that actually sound awful. Here’s a list of affordable ones you can easily spot on malls. Prices are accurate as of February 18, 2015. List is arranged in descending order. Not a sponsored post.
Sony MDR-E9LP (Php499, Octagon)
Sony’s most affordable on-ears available in the market has neodymium magnets, used to reproduce powerful bass sound. This one’s available in a variety of colors, including a crystal clear version.
Panasonic RP-HV41 (Php490, Octagon)
Panasonic’s low-cost earphones have an Easy Clip Mechanism for Tangle Free Storage. It’s available in a multitude of two-toned hip colors too.
Sennheiser MX 170 (Php490, Octagon)
Looking for that bass-driven studio sound? Sennheiser Mx 170 offers a symmetrical cable for a tangle-free listening experience and an outstanding wearing comfort on the go.
Sennheiser MX 80 (Php349, Octagon)
If you don’t have enough moolah to buy its more expensive sibling, Sennheiser offers the MX 80 earphones more than a hundred pesos cheaper. If you are into rugged, ergonomic designs that are sweat- and water-resistant, this is a definite must-have.
A4Tech iSecureFit MK-650S (Php280, Micro Express Computer, SM North Edsa)
Rounding up our list is a personal favorite. If you’re all about that bass (and some treble) and want rubber-cupped in-ears for that noise cancelling effect, you’d definitely purchase a pair of A4Tech’s iSecureFit Metallic earphones worth less than Php300.
While we picked only five, it doesn’t mean that everything else are badly-tuned pieces of plastic or metal. We’d love to check on your other earphone recommendations under Php500 that are not on this list by leaving a comment below.
f&d triune, 495php, punchy bass and delivers clean high tones. bought it fr lazada. apparently, f&d, an indian company, also has good line of bluetooth speakers/sound systems.
Hope you indicate which one has a mic.
None. You can check out a few earphones from AWEI if you’re looking for headphones with in-line microphones at this price range.
TDK is also good. Had one for 99 pesos, despite being cheap, the bass and treble was good.
..have been using an AWEI 588Hi — easy on the wallet, great sound !!
Anyone knows of a store aside from Octagon which carries the Sennheiser MX 170. Can’t seem to find any here in Makati area.
Actually gusto ko ung pic, mukhang sperm. And I like those everywhere! yum!
Singit ko lang. Creative earphones 99php lang sa Office warehouse. Wala tatalo jan sa price at sound.
Unless Soundmagic EP10 is not in the market anymore, I can’t believe it is not on this list! It has good sound quality, and great bang for buck
A4tech!!..|m|
sperm! sperm!
i use the MX-170 and its good! very very good!
Don’t forget the Php 88 ear phones at the Japanese stores. Hehehe
tunog radio yung a4tech
A4tech mapapasabi ka nlng ng putek, wala pang 1 month sira na
Mukang sperm cells ung picture xD
I feel you bro. meron din ako nyan. wala pang 1mon sira na tsk
These earphones are okay with sound and quality, however, if you like to run, walk or travelling MRT and other sorts of mass transportation the wire thickness will not be strong enough to handle those mobility activities because this are only design if you just sitting and not moving by feet. You have to hold your gadget with your hand so that you can extend its life span. I wonder if there is a good price range of an earphone that can handle those active life style and can span its lifetime within a year or two.
^ I’ve been using my Sennheiser CX-300ii for 3yrs now. This is the sturdiest pairs I got so far. However, its not that cheap
JVC gumy plus 350pesos. Ok yung bass, may noise cancelling pa.
Sennheiser MX80. Chaka na ang sound quality. Basag ung sound. Nasira after few days.
kanen km92 ok din mahirap nga lang makahanap
Awei buds have been my go to for the past couple of years. Flat cables make them less tangle prone. Most of their models are in-ear. Just scored the TE850vi. More of them are bass-heavy, and medyo muddy n ung mids and highs. But then again, for sub-500 bucks they’re still a good buy.
san ka nakabili ng awei TE850vi?
those a4tech’s have a faint hissing sound and they didn’t last me 3 months.
Hi Yuga! Are all these earphones have built-in mic?
None of these has a built-in mic. That’s the downside with those that are priced below Php500.
Can you also do a top 10 but earphones with inline mic and volume control
I like the review but I don’t like the photo of this topic. It looks like sperm cells are swimming without the egg cell. I’m sorry but it’s the first thing that has crossed my mind when I saw the picture.
I like the review but I don’t like the photo of this topic. It looks like sperm cells are swimming without the egg cell. I’m sorry but it’s the first thing that crossed my mind when I saw the picture
meron ako nyang Sennheiser MX 170, gamit ko sa computer and celfone music. =P
I had a pair of MX 170’s before. It had a 2-year warranty, so pag nawalan ng sound pwede mo papalitan. Super sulit! Ganda pa ng sound and its way louder than my current cheapo AKG’s. I wonder if they still come with that warranty period….
FINALLY!
i own the A4tech isecurefit. Ok naman sya,gawa sa metal,doesn’t look and feel cheap. ok yung bass and sound nya sa ipod, pero di na marinig yung bass kapag outdoors.
Ako, AWEI gamit ko, mura at ang ganda sound quality.
Ako rin, Awei ES900i ata to. Hehe
AWEI din sakin! i agree na maganda ang sound quality, may mic at mura. yung akin nga nababad sa labahan ng 24hrs pero buhay padin!
tagal nako naghahnap ng awei, kaso auko bumili sa tiangge at bangketa bka kse peke… san nkakabili ng orig awei?
San nakakabili ng AWEI na headset?
Sa 999mall ko nabili sakin. di ko lang matandaan kung saan mejo sulok kasi. pero if you check en.awei.hk, under support then distribution networks, may name ng distributor na listed. nasa 11/88mall sya but i havent confirmed.