Although the world of true wireless is growing at a rapid pace, there are still only a handful of models that the most discerning audiophiles are willing to buy. It’s just so hard to match the resolution of a high-end wired IEM in wireless form. That being said, there have been some major strides in wireless resolution and overall performance over the past couple of years. So, we have put together a short list of the very best true wireless earbuds on the market, worthy of even the snobbiest audiophile’s attention. Here are our top picks.

Under $200

Final Audio ZE3000

$149 

Final Audio is best known for their ultra high-end headphones and IEMs. But they also cater to audiophiles on a budget. To be honest, I have never heard true wireless earbuds that sound this good for the price. With a powerful, yet tasteful bass, and a balanced tuning that can tackle any musical genre you throw at it, the clean and detailed ZE3000 is unbeatable for under $150. Why so cheap? No active noise-cancellation. But the natural isolation provided by the fit is so good that it would probably make the ANC redundant. They also look pretty chic with their hard angles and sleek overall design. This one is a no-brainer for me.

You can buy the Final Audio ZE3000 at Audio 46.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3

$199

The famous German company, Sennheiser, has always been synonymous with audiophile grade performance. Interestingly, Sennheiser keeps dropping the price of its latest true wireless earbuds, perhaps to beat competitors like Sony. Or maybe it’s about to come out with something new. Whatever the reason, in terms of sound quality alone, the Momentum TW 3 easily wins at this price. It has an expansive and thoroughly multidimensional soundstage with fantastic detail and a warm sound signature. Add to that, some solid ANC and an accompanying app with an equalizer, and you’ve got a top-notch earphone. And thanks to aptX Adaptive, it even supports up to 24bit resolution. 

You can buy the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 at Audio 46.

Under $500

Noble Audio Mystique

$359

Noble Audio produces some of the best and most expensive IEMs on the market. We’re talking $4K good. And although audiophiles tend to do their most serious listening on wired IEMs, there is a growing demand for wireless alternatives in high-end audio. The Mystique is the latest product in their true wireless line-up, and probably the closest you can get to top-notch IEM sound without the cable. The Mystique presents a deep bass, warm mids and sparkly highs. And though the sound signature will work well for all types of music, it really excels with respect to modern genres. Like the Momentum TW 3, the Mystique also supports aptX Adaptive, offering a resolution of opt to 24bits. In addition, it offers a transparent mode (the sound isolation is highly effective) and equalizer control.

You can but the Noble Audio Mystique at Audio 46.

$1000 and Up

Beyerdynamic Xelento Wireless (2nd Gen)

$1199

The Xelento Wireless (2nd Gen) is the only model on this list that isn’t a true wireless earphone. That is, it’s wireless, but the earbuds are connected to each other with a cable, just like you used to see in the “old days.” This is mainly because the DAC is so advanced that it needs to remain external to the earbuds. The resolution is so impressive that I almost have trouble discerning any difference in quality between the Xelento Wireless and Beyerdynamic’s wired Remote model. With a relatively neutral sound signature and a level of transparency that has yet to be matched in the wireless arena, the Xelento is by far the most skilled and versatile (with respect to music genres) pair of wireless earbuds on the market. I especially like to recommend this model to those with minor hearing loss; the accompanying app even performs a hearing test to customize the sound signature to your ears.

You can buy the Beyerdynamic Xelento Wireless (2nd Gen) at Audio 46.