Having to spend thousands of dollars on IEMs can bring your musical fantasies to a sobering reality. But buying best IEM under $1000 doesn’t mean you have to buy thousands of them.
There are many great IEMs on the market that are much cheaper than $1000 and can help you get started on the path to making these fantasies a reality.
Best IEM Under $1000 in 2024
1. Shure SE846-CL IEM
One thing that I find “Shure” about this model is that it is one of the best, if not the best, on this list when it comes to raw sound reproduction.
It comes with three individual nozzles that you can swap out to change your listening experience, but more importantly, the numbers are amazing. 16Ω, sensitivity up to 110dB, noise attenuation up to 37dB, and tremendous frequency range between 15 and 20,000Hz.
If you only care about audio quality, this might be the model for you. It’s already an audiophile favorite, and it’s not hard to see why.
But there’s a downside to this IEM, it’s that it’s expensive compared to this list (around $830-$900) and has a slightly bland look.
Still, if you’re only interested in overall sound quality, this is one of the best in-ear monitors under $1,000 for that purpose.
2. Sony IER-M9
If there’s an IEM on this list that makes you feel like you’re sitting around a campfire, it’s the Sony IER-M9.
The IER-M9 is the warmest IEM in this shootout, with a bass shelf boasting plenty of both sub-bass and mid-bass.
For whatever reason, contrary to what the graph suggests, to my ears, it sounds a bit bass-leaning (emphasizing the boom).
The IER-M9’s treble boasts low treble intake followed by a good amount of mid-treble and excellent extension thanks to the BA super tweeter.
The IER-M9 includes a variety of accessories consisting of separate 3.5/4.4mm cables, various tips, and a carrying case.
So if you look more closely, you’ll hear more crashes, flashes, and buzzes with the IER-M9 than the initial shock of percussion. But my ears don’t get tired at all in this regard.
This is how you have an unboxing experience. The IER-M9 is extremely lightweight thanks to its magnesium housing and carbon fiber faceplate that adds a stylish look. Like most Sony products, it evokes sturdiness and reliability.
Note: The weight moves relatively thickly throughout the midrange. As a result, this is the safest kilobuck IEM in terms of midrange tuning.
3. Linsoul Shuoer EJ07 IEM
This is also a bit more expensive, but it also has advantages in terms of overall sound quality.
It offers three types of drivers, with a sensitivity of up to 104dB, a frequency range of approximately 20kHz, and a characteristic of 17Ω. All of this makes for a much simpler yet effective IEM.
4. JH Audio JH 11 Pro IEM
The options listed so far are fairly similar to the standard color options, but perhaps that’s not enough. Maybe you want to show off a cool custom design for closer to $1,000.
Then the JH11 Pro may be the right model for you. A variety of style options are available, so if you want to belt out sexy jazz tunes while using Jessica Rabbit-style IEMs, these are the ones for you.
It boasts 18Ω, a sensitivity of 119dB, and a frequency range of 10Hz to 17kHz.
These custom IEMs require completing the ear mold. All of these features make this option one of the best fusions of form and function among the IEMs on this list.
5. Campfire Andro 2020
Andro 2020 arrives in Campfire’s signature candy box-like packaging. Despite the much smaller packaging,
you still get an endless variety of goodies, including silicone/foam eartips, several mesh bags, a CA-branded pin, and a taco-shaped zipper case.
The Andro 2020 features Campfire’s angular design for BA IEMs, finished in an emerald green anodized finish. If you browse the forums regularly, you’re probably no stranger to well-used Andromeda photos.
These IEMs can get scratched over time. Your mileage may vary, but the fit is not an issue for me despite the more elaborate design.
6. Sennheiser IE 500
I’m not one of those people who always buy based on brand recognition alone, but the years or decades of excellence attached to a name can give me respect.
With that in mind, it’s no surprise that one of the biggest names in music, Sennheiser, is proving to be the best IEM under $1,000.
It offers an impressive frequency response range of 6 to 20,000 Hz, 16 Ω, and a sensitivity of approximately 126 dB. Plus, despite the name brand, it’s one of the cheapest options on this list at around $600.
Using next-generation drivers, it delivers perfect acoustic sound with clean, nuanced sound across the entire frequency spectrum.
7. Hydition Viento in-ear monitor
Getting your hands on Hidition IEMs is notoriously difficult in the US because the company is based in Korea and the language barrier is significant.
What’s very cool is that Hidition includes an FR graph of your device along with channel match confirmation.
I find Viento’s shell rather uncomfortable. The nozzle is very long to mimic the fit of a CIEM as closely as possible.
My Viento-B was proxied by a good Discord friend (shout out to KW405!), and while I believe it came with all of the original accessories, what I received should not necessarily be considered representative.
8. Sony IER-M7 in-ear monitor
One of the things that sets this model apart is its unique T-shaped design, which allows it to sit easily in your ear in a way that drives the diaphragm to produce a clearer, clearer sound.
This material is also quite durable and incorporates magnesium alloy into its structure, which helps eliminate excessive vibrations and makes the sound clearer.
It also has an impressive frequency range of 10 to 40,000 Hz. The price is much cheaper than the previous models, cheaper than $1000.
9. Moondrop S8 IEM
Animation fans will be happy to know that the S8 arrives in packaging sporting one of Moondrop’s (in) famous waifus.
As the cheapest IEM in this shootout, the included accessories are rather plain: a zipper case, various silicone tips, and an aviation adapter.
This build simply screams the essence of “Moondrop” captured on IEM. The fit of the S8 is also exceptional.
But with a very aesthetically pleasing faceplate and excellent craftsmanship, the S8 actually makes up for it where it counts.
However, since they are not ventilated IEMs, pressure may build up over time.
10. Audio Technica ATH-IM04
It’s the cheapest IEM under $1,000. The memory cable loops fit comfortably around your ears and conform to the shape of your ears, making them much more comfortable to wear in the future.
In terms of performance, this model boasts three drivers that provide a sensitivity of 107 dB and a frequency range of 20 to 20,000 Hz.
Conclusion
Finding the best items under $1000 is very difficult and very easy to achieve. This is difficult because there are a lot of great iem brands and models in the $500-$1000 price range and they all make really great in-ear monitors.
However choosing an IEM is a very personal choice for any musician, and all have their pros and cons, so take a look at these options for yourself and see which one best suits your musical dreams.
Each IEM in this price range has a truly unique sound signature, making it difficult to choose the right one for you. And if some of these are custom-made, you may have to buy them based on reviews.
The easy part is that there are many to choose from and you can trust the brands included in the list above.
I’ve been in the industry for so long that I know them all, and if they didn’t make good audio equipment, they wouldn’t have made the list.