7) 64 Audio Duo Earphones ($1,199)

The Duos easily rank among the best earphones I’ve heard, in part because they use an open-back design—common on headphones such as the HiFiMan model mentioned above, but almost unheard of in a set of earphones. The tiny driver that handles the upper midrange and treble is mounted in an open chamber where it can “breathe free,” thus producing less resonance and a more natural, spacious sound. A minuscule woofer pumps out plenty of deep bass.