12 Best Bass Heavy Earbuds for Bassheads
It's all about the List of the Best Bass Earbuds, not Treble!
Are regular earbuds not doing it for you? Do you feel you are missing out when the track peaks and the bass drops?
Maybe you are just a hedonist and enjoy turning that pink thing between your ears into soup.
Don't worry. We are here to help with this list of the best bass earbuds for 2023. It's like an earphone top 10 but with five extra earphones thrown in for good measure.
Here, we look at earbuds with deep low-end rumble and copious amounts of violent sub-bass. However, at the same time, we want our earbuds to remain composed and precise, plus tight and controlled. We have other lists related to the best audiophile earphones, but this one is more specific.
In the audiophile world, bass-heavy products are often (wrongly) shunned by fans of balanced and flat-sounding gear, but we think a good set of bass earbuds should be in everyone's arsenal.
Fellow bassheads know what's up, but if you are new to the hobby, you should know that you can have a lot of bass without everything going to mush.
Don't make the mistake of lumping any of the earphones listed below with the likes of rotten offerings from Beats and Skullcandy. The earphones listed below are all streaks ahead and are guaranteed to bring a vast stupid grin to your face. Let us begin.
Editors Choice: Best Basshead Earbuds 2023
If you don’t have time to read the full list, don’t worry. We have selected our three favorite models and listed them below so you can get to where you need to be faster.
THE TOP 12 BEST EARBUD LIST 2023
1. Mangrid Xenns Up - Simply The Best
Pros:
Explosive bass with remarkable ability to remain composed
Highly detailed for an earphone in this category
Tribrid earphones use the best of three driver technologies to produce sound
Cons:
Limited availability - We suggest using the Linsoul link below as they are a trusted vendor
Why Do We Recommend Them?
Winner Best Bass Earbuds 2023- Mangrid Xenns Up
Tribrid earphones are all the rage right now, but until the release of the Mangrid Xenns Up, we didn't have any that focused on the low end. Especially when talking about the sub-bass response. The Xenns Up is more than just the best basshead earphones. They are one of the best earphones at their price point, competing with Thieaudio and Shuoer.
Stunning build quality and aesthetic design are another bonus, with the resin shells having to go in a particularly dark and broody style that fits the tuning of these high-end IEMs. The cables and accessories are also on point, and it's a fantastic all-around package.
The sound is amazing. This is not just an earphone for bassheads but one that sounds incredible with various musical genres. Its tribrid design using electrostatic, balanced armature, and dynamic driver units excels in all areas of the sound spectrum and is refined and detailed.
However, despite being so refined, the Xenns Up can deliver enormous amounts of bass when called upon and does so with both quantity and quality. It's perfect for any rap, hip hop EDM, etc.
Buy the Xenns Up with international shipping from Linsoul.com
2. Blon BL-03 - BEST BUDGET BASS EARBUD
Pros:
The low price makes them a great option for budget bassheads as well as those looking for a bass-heavy backup IEM.
The metal body and hooded connectors
Deep bass and warm sound work well with a lot of music
Cons:
Not as refined or as detailed as the more expensive earphones on this list
Lacks treble extension
Why Do We Recommend Them?
Big bass doesn't have to come with a premium price tag. What better way to show that than with the Blon BL-03, which is hands down the biggest bang for the buck this year?
Blon has been around for a few years and has succeeded in making high-quality yet affordable earphones. Most of those have been with a flatter sound signature, but with the BL-03, the focus is on the bass, and for the price, nothing comes close.
The midrange remains composed, although there is little in the way of top-end sparkle; for the price, I am struggling to think of another budget bass-heavy earbud that can match them.
The price, which you can check in the link below, is spot on for these, but Blon took shortcuts with the included tips and cable to get there. I recommend buying this aftermarket cable and these eartips, which will give you a package around the $50-60 price point. This combo cannot be beaten, and it's the best value bass.
3. Campfire Audio Vega
Pros:
The ceramic body and ivory color are simply stunning
Thunderous bass with impressive texture
Massively discounted from the release price
Cons:
The cable could be better
Naming them 2020 was a dumb idea
Why Do We Recommend Them?
The Vega by Campfire Audio is a special earphone because it blends a high-quality premium design with refined audiophile tuning. That tuning is very much aimed at lovers of deep hard-hitting bass.
The build quality and finishing are outstanding. It is one of my favorite earphones to own. Don’t let the fact that it’s the 2020 edition, Campfire, in their wisdom, decided to label their full line with dates, but this is one earphone that will see many more long years on the market and may eventually command a premium if it ever does get discontinued. It’s just that darn good.
It stands out this year as one of the best-sounding basshead earphones of all time, and the white ceramic body is stunning. They are small but hit with copious amounts of sub-bass yet maintain a distinct clarity throughout the other frequencies.
It can be used easily as an all-around headphone and works well with various genres. When you put on some bass-heavy music, they show what they are made of, displaying texture, quantity, and quality in abundance.
They are one of the most expensive earbuds on our list, but well worth it if you have money to burn.
4. Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 Earbuds
Pros:
Extremely detailed in midrange
Treble sparkle makes them pop for jazz and classical
Premium Build
Bass boost button brings greater sub bass response
Cons:
Multipoint support must be enabled via firmware update
7 hour battery life is only average in 2023
Why Do We Recommend Them?
They are easily the best wireless earbuds for bass in 2023. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 came with a tuning nobody expected.
A new addition to the company's extensive IEM line, we would have expected the sound to have a safer presentation. It’s also surprising because the driver inside that powers its rumble is only 7mm.
They have a beautiful presentation on the right through the spectrum, a gigantic soundstage, a 3D presentation, and some of the heaviest bass in Bluetooth earbuds. However, simultaneously, they feel refined and easygoing when the music doesn’t require the sub-bass to kick in.
These earphones are a premium offering but are worth it if they will be your main set of earphones. Monstrous bass is the order of the day. It's a true deep sub-bass that only a few others on this list can match.
We can switch out the bass boost setting to fine-tune the output of the earphones to suit our taste, but the app offers a lot of customization.
5. Ikko OH10S 2
Pros:
Detail is retained through the use of a balanced armature headphone
Metal body feels premium
Very tight yet deep lows
Cons:
Initial pricing was over the top
Why Do We Recommend Them?
There is so much to like about the Ikko OH10s 2. It seems like the designers went to the lab and decided to draw up a recipe for a great basshead IEM. Original pricing issues have been tamed, and now we regularly see them pop up under $200, and at that price, they are a steal.
A well-made IEM with an all-metal body and unique faceplate, they are eye-catching and feel indestructible in hand. However, the real magic takes place on the inside.
The OH10S 2 is a hybrid earphone using a single Knowles balanced armature to power the highs and midrange and a 10mm composite diaphragm to power the low notes. That combination allows them to be detailed and crisp in the middle and high areas while slamming home the point with extended sub-bass.
They are fun earphones to listen to and especially good for electronic music with peaking highs that transition to deep bass drops.
Value for money and a new favorite in our offices.
6. Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro (Wireless Earbuds)
Pros:
90% of the Momentum performance at less than half the price
Extreme sub-bass extension
Huge open soundstage
Clarity
Cons:
Preset bass cant be dialed back in the same way as the Momentum
Why Do We Recommend Them?
Anker was once famous for making really good power banks, but they expanded and now make amazing headphones. Plenty of people know precisely who Anker is in the IEM space online and in the audiophile communities worldwide. They consistently bring out products that put big-name brands when it comes to performance and price; this is very true with the Liberty Pro Wireless.
This earphone matches and probably exceeds all others on this list when it comes to all-out bass. It hits unbelievably hard but still stays composed when things get crazy.
The design is also something a lot of people like. It has a small footprint and ergonomically sound body, and it’s also made to a standard that outperforms other IEMs at this price. Realistically sub $150, nothing gets close if you're looking for hard-hitting yet punchy bass and overall great sound quality for the money.
It is an excellent match for EDM and Hip-hop lovers; it is not as versatile as the Momentum listed above, but it’s 1/2 the price and outstanding value for what it delivers.
7. Sony IER-M7
Pros:
Available with huge discounts from RRP
Beautiful Build Quality
Sony house sound
Cons:
Limited availability
Slightly bulk thus suitable for medium and large ears only
Why Do We Recommend Them?
The Sony IER-M7 is an all-out audiophile IEM and one of the best earphones Sony has ever made.
The driver is perfectly tuned and has a wonderfully natural, detailed, and spacious sound. Soundstage is about as close as we have heard to a full-size headphone in such a small form factor, and we were also impressed by the imaging that these earphones displayed.
Bass does whatever you want, which is a testament to how perfect an all-rounder the M7 is.
If you want them to go big and slam hard, they can do that, but if you want them to remain tight and composed, they can do that, too. Top-notch build quality and a great set of accessories round off a very comprehensive and complete package.
8. Westone W60
Pros:
Arguably Westones best headphone
Smooth yet clear mids
Articulated bass mainly in the mid-bass region, which is very refined
Cons:
It feels a bit dated next to other IEM’s on the list
Why Do We Recommend Them?
We had to wait long for Westone to bring out the W-series monitor line, but it was worth the wait. Westone managed to stuff six drivers in each earpiece for the W60, and the result is the best-sounding bass head IEM's the company has ever produced. They are incredibly comfortable and have a build quality that rivals Shure's SE846.
The accessories package is ridiculous, giving you cases, tips, faceplates, and cables to play about and customize your earbuds. The sound is warm and almost lush. Yet, it is highly detailed and revealing on high-quality tracks.
The incredible thing is how it transforms itself from a consummate professional-style monitor to a snarling beast when paired with the right music. You get a smooth yet clear treble, a warm, almost creamy midrange, and a low end with high quality and quantity levels.
It's a super fun-sounding earphone with an exciting and dynamic presentation, and that's probably why I just bought a set; you can see the full Westone W60 review in the coming months.
9. SHURE SE-846 Bluetooth
Pros:
One of the most iconic IEM’s of the past decade
Audiophile-grade sound
Massive soundstage
Shure house sound tuning
Cons:
None - the price has been lowered recently, making them even better value
Why Do We Recommend Them?
There is little that needs to be said about the stunning Shure SE-846. Not only do these earbuds have some of the best sounds on the market, but they also have some of the best bass.
What is impressive is the way it can get extremely low and never once lose composure. It's never flabby, it never seems strained, and it never negatively affects the mids or highs.
Though it's one of the pricier offerings on this list, it will be one for the bass head aficionados.
Layered with that Shure house sound and lots of technical detail, the 846 might be the perfect bass earphone you can buy.
The best thing is Shure now includes their high-quality Bluetooth cable on these earphones, meaning they are now wireless but without many of the drawbacks you get from truly wireless earbuds. If you run out of battery, you can plug in a set of MMCX cables and keep listening whilst also getting the benefit of using them with many high-end amps and DAC’s to push them to their limit.
10. Final Audio E3000
Pros:
All round sound quality is equal to headphones upwards of $200
Beautiful presentation of the midrange
Punchy bass
Inexpensive
Cons:
Comes with only fixed cables, no option to replace with an aftermarket cable.
Why Do We Recommend Them?
I picked up a pair of the E3000 a few months ago, and it's telling that an earbud that costs under $100 has become one of my most used everyday items.
Final produced something extraordinary here: the ability to go low and produce lots of bass matched with a beautiful big soundstage and lots of detail.
One of the best budgets buys, and to get similar sound from other brands, you would need to spend two to three times the price of the E3000.
11. SONY XB700 (Wireless)
Pros:
If you want wireless, these have the deepest bass
Water-resistant
Long battery life
Cons:
Bulky design can be hard to install
Availability is becoming limited
Why Do We Recommend Them?
Sony is one of the only companies to dedicate a set of true wireless earbuds for bass. Most manufacturers know that bass can be polarising, so they play it safe when wireless earbuds are still becoming the norm. Sony has the resources and depth of its product line and consumer base to pull this off, and the XB700 certainly hit the mark for bassheads.
Users get all the advantages we see on other Sony models, such as IPX4 water resistance, stellar battery life (9 hours), and comfortable ergonomic design. Still, the bass performance will move these out the door.
The earphones get deafeningly loud without distortion and have immense amounts of textures and deep sub-bass. Its speed in the mid-bass also impressed me with its ability to keep up on complicated EDM tracks whilst not bleeding into the midrange was impressive, to say the least.
Stunning set of bass-focused Bluetooth earbuds, and I suspect it will be one of Sony’s most popular models this year.
12. Sony IER-Z1R - Audiophile IEM with huge bass
Pros:
Beautiful build quality and Aesthetics
One of the best-sounding earphones in the world right now
Legendary detail retrieval and deep bass slam
Cons:
Fit may be an issue for some users
The price will make your eyes water, warning this is an expensive audiophile earphone
Why Do We Recommend Them?
The Sony IER-Z1R is by far the best-sounding earphone on this list. It’s an earphone I own and use because I think it is one of the best earbuds ever made.
The sound quality is unbelievably refined and displays extended treble and shimmering clarity through the midrange. Detail retrieval is unrivaled, and its ability to play with any genre is unmatched.
The IER-Z1R treats you to that legendary Sony design and styling. The build quality is the best we have seen on any earphone, and the design stands out. The only thing to worry about is the size because the shells are certainly on the large side, causing some people issues with fit.
When it comes to the tuning, it can adjust itself to play with the music and with such an ability to extend into deep sub-bass, it can go where you ask it to. A profound speaker like rumble can be expected; these are a dream for use with heavy electronic music.
What makes for a good set of bass earbuds?
To decide on the best bass earbuds, you will want to know what type of bass you want. Usually, one earphone is never perfect for doing all jobs. That's why I always have at least one set of bass-enhanced earphones in my arsenal to give me more depth in the low end than many of my more balanced "audiophile" earphones like the Campfire Audio Andromeda can deliver.
When choosing bassy earbuds, the focus is on having the best low end, with the rest of the spectrum (mids, highs) being less of a priority. That doesn't mean you must get trashy-sounding upper frequencies; plenty of earbuds can deliver big bass and remain composed.
In a set of bass-heavy earphones, I want a deep, growling sub-bass extension with a big slam to fit in with the beat drops on industrial and electronic music. I want to get as much sub-bass as possible while still retaining good speed and some detail on the low end.
Other people are looking for a little bit of extra weight over what you find in balanced IEMs but want a lot of texture and speed. It's a personal preference and largely depends on the music you intend to listen to.
Best for Rock, Classical & Jazz
Rock, classical, and jazz will all have bass. It's just that it might not be as emphasized as it is in other genres. In these music classes, bass usually becomes more of a background, whereas, in much modern music, the bass is the emphasized point with deep drops and heavy hits.
So, in this case, you would be looking for earbuds whose bass comes across as detailed, speedy, and with minimal bleed (smothering of other frequencies) into the midrange.
From this list, I would suggest looking at the FLC8, Audio Technica, Mangird Xenns Up or some of our other top 10 and listing articles for a good set of all-rounder earphones.
What if your main genres are Rap, Hip-Hop, EDM, Electronica, and Dubstep?
The emphasis and enjoyment in rap, hip hop, and electronic music have much to do with the bass. It usually plays a far more significant part in the composition of a song and stands more in the ground than you will find in rock and classical. In that sense, any of these earphones will be perfect for you.
They will give you some of the best expansion of the low end and some of the largest quantities of bass. Sub-bass is not easy to recreate in a small driver-in-ear headphone, but these are the best ways to create that big speaker rumble in a portable form factor.
How do I get even more from basshead earbuds?
You may already have good earbuds tuned toward the balanced or analytic category. Or you might have one of the above earbuds at the top of the list and be a sadist and still want to push something extra out of the low end. There are still a few ways to get even more bass from your earphones and headphones without replacing them.
Firstly, you could enhance the bass by customizing your EQ settings. I recommend using a Neutron player and enhancing the bass via the excellent custom EQ options on Android-based devices such as smartphones, tablets, and DAP.
Most Android and iOS music player apps have settings that allow you to enhance the bass. However, remember that this won't always work well, and there is a slight learning curve for effective operation.
Amplifiers with bass enhancement functions. Many amplifiers can enhance the bass on your earbuds through a dedicated bass boost switch. Fiio is one company that offers this on many of its amplifiers, and in our experience, it works rather well.
Then, there is a little-known inline sound amp called the Digizoid Zo. The Zo is one of my all-time favorite pieces of audio equipment. It makes even crappy speakers sound fantastic and does wonders to enhance the low-end response of your earphones.
Finally, there is the possibility that you can do several DIY hardware modifications that may help you in your quest for deeper bass. This can range from something as simple as tip rolling (trying different tips) to modifying bass ports on the earphone’s housing to give a little low-end bump.
While this is a long shot, it's worth searching the head-fi forums to see if you can make any recommended modifications to your current set of IEMs.
Why does Bass make music Sound Good?
Bass, the low-frequency music component, holds a unique power that makes it an essential element in creating an immersive and captivating auditory experience. Whether the warmth of a well-rounded thump in electronic music or the earth-shaking rumbles of a live concert, bass adds depth, richness, and emotion to our beloved tunes.
First and foremost, the presence of bass enhances a piece's overall balance and composition. It provides a solid foundation upon which every other sonic element can build. Just like a strong foundation is vital for a sturdy structure, the low-end frequencies provide stability and structure to the music, enabling all other instruments and voices to find their place harmoniously.
It creates a sense of depth and fills the sonic space, allowing the listener to feel enveloped and transported into the music itself.
Moreover, bass profoundly impacts our physical and emotional responses to music. The low-frequency vibrations generated by bass notes have the incredible ability to stimulate our senses on a primal level. It can make our hearts pound, bodies sway, and feet instinctively tap.
The rumble of a powerful subwoofer can create a visceral experience, triggering a bodily response that connects us directly to the music. The sheer presence of a deep bassline can induce excitement, joy, or even melancholy, evoking a range of emotions that intensify a song's overall impact.
Additionally, the bass plays a crucial role in accentuating dynamic contrasts within the music. Providing a contrasting layer to the higher frequencies creates a sense of tension and release. The sudden drop from a pulsating bassline to a stripped-down section can elevate anticipation and create a breathtaking impact when the bass returns full force. It adds an element of surprise and satisfaction to the listening experience, making the music feel more vibrant and alive.
Bass is an indispensable component of exceptional music. From its role in shaping the overall tonal balance to its ability to evoke intense emotional responses, bass creates a sonic tapestry that profoundly engages and captivates listeners. It adds weight, depth, and texture to the music, breathing life into melodies and rhythms. The power of bass lies in what we hear and how it moves us physically and emotionally, making music an immersive and unforgettable experience.