Best Wired Earphones for Phone 17: Top Picks from Audio46

by Delaney Czernikowski
Oct 18, 2025 (Updated Oct 23, 2025)
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The new iPhone 17 is one of the latest and greatest tech upgrades for the upcoming holiday season. With every phone comes accessories, and there's a lot you can do in the music department. Which earphones or earbuds are a good fit for the latest iPhone? We've compiled a list of our top picks of earphones for the new iPhone 17. Which one will you choose?

Table of Contents

SONY IER-EX15C: $29.99 STRAUSS & WAGNER EM8C: $49.95 MEZE AUDIO ALBA: $159.00 CAMPFIRE AUDIO AXION: $249.00 NOBLE AUDIO XM-1: $599.00 SO WHICH EARPHONES ARE FOR YOU? QUICK SUMMARY

SONY IER-EX15C: $29.99

If budget is an important factor in your buying process, look no further than the Sony IER-EX15C. These $30 earphones plug directly into USB-C and have a microphone on the cable. It's perfect for when you need something simple to plug into your phone for work calls or listening wherever you are. Since the iPhone 17 has a USB-C connection, you won't need any adapter to connect to your phone or computer. Sony is a trusted brand that makes great-sounding devices, both in the wired field and especially in Bluetooth. When you get the IER-EX15C earphones, you know you'll be getting great value.

QUICK TECH SPECS:

Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω
Sensitivity: 108 dB
Microphone: Yes
Driver: 5mm
Cable Length: 1.2m

STRAUSS & WAGNER EM8C: $49.95

Another sub-$100 option comes from Strauss & Wagner. The Strauss & Wagner EM8C are great wired earphones that goes directly to USB-C. Other options terminate to 3.5mm or the old Apple port (lightning), but for the iPhone 17, you'll need the USB-C. It has clear sound, punchy bass, and a couple of different silicone eartips you can try so you get the right fit every time. This is another pair of earphones that has a microphone attached to the cable, so you'll be able to take calls with ease. The EM8C is a great budget option that is perfect for the iPhone and other Apple devices, and the sound quality can't be beat for $50.

QUICK TECH SPECS:

Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω
Sensitivity: 108 dB
Microphone: Yes
Driver: 9mm
Cable Length: 43"

MEZE AUDIO ALBA: $159.00

Going above $100, you get earphones that focus more on sound quality than added features. The Meze Alba is a perfect example of earphones that has excellent sound quality and accessories to boot. This V-shaped signature is perfect for anyone who loves vocal clarity above all in their listening. The midrange these earphones comes forward and highlights vocalists and melodic instruments. This design is fits into any ear, and the all-white design is reminiscent of Apple's clean aesthetic. The Alba comes with a 3.5mm to USB-C adapter that can plug right into the iPhone 17 for easy listening right out of the box.

QUICK TECH SPECS

Frequency Response: 15Hz - 25kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω
Sensitivity: 109 dB
Microphone: No
Driver: 10.8mm
Cable Length: 1.2m

CAMPFIRE AUDIO AXION: $249.00

Campfire Audio is known for making in-ear monitors that reach the $1,000 range and above. What about their budget-friendly options? The Campfire Axion is recent release that is helping bring audiophile quality to a range of devices, including the iPhone 17. These earphones terminates right to USB-C and has a microphone right on cable, with controls to adjust volume and playback of tracks. You can use this for online gaming, work calls, or just regular music listening on any device. The portability of this device cannot be understated, as they are fantastic budget earphones that gives you excellent quality for the cost.

QUICK TECH SPECS

Frequency Response: 5Hz - 20kHz
Impedance: 15.3 Ω
Sensitivity: 124.1 mVrms
Microphone: Yes
Driver: Full range silicone
Cable Length: 1.2m

NOBLE AUDIO XM-1: $599.00

At the top of the budget, we turn to Noble Audio. Noble is another company that makes very expensive and very high quality earphones, both wired and Bluetooth alike. The Noble XM-1 xMEMs earphones are a great choice for audiophiles who want a wired earphone to go straight into their phones. While there are other earphones with microphones and more accessories, Noble keeps all the flashiness in the earphone itself. The xMEMs driver accentuates the high end gives great detail across the entire sound signature. The proprietary cable terminates right to USB-C, so you can easily use this on any device without issue or need for an adapter. If it's high quality is what you're after, Noble XM-1 earphones are one of the best options for you.

QUICK TECH SPECS

Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω
Sensitivity: 101 dB
Microphone: No
Driver: 1x 8.3mm dynamic / 1x xMEMs
Cable Length: 1.2m

SO WHICH EARPHONES ARE FOR YOU?

While the Apple AirPods may be a fine choice for compatibility on your new phone, you may want to consider other choices. Sound quality only gets better when you deviate from Apple, and you don't have to spend much to do it. USB-C earphones are now becoming a new standard, so you'll have plenty of options to choose from for the iPhone 17.

Another route to take in your audiophile journey is getting a nice amplifier to serve as an adapter between the earphones and the iPhone 17. You can check out our list of best portable DAC/Amps in 2025 for a list of better adapters than just an apple dongle.

Check out our other USB-C earphones at Audio46, and stop by the store today to see how well they connect with your new phone!

Find all these earphones and more at Audio46.