Thanks to their moving armature design, armature headphones produce high-quality, detailed sound with minimal acoustic distortion, and have balanced audio across the full range of playable frequencies. Anchor headphones can be equipped with different numbers of driver-emitters, which determine not only the sound quality, but also the volume of the output audio.
In this case, the number of drivers directly affects the cost of headphones, increasing it at times. To reduce the price a number of companies have brought to market so-called hybrid headphones, in which the armature driver is responsible for audio detailing and the dynamic driver is responsible for bass and bass line. Here are eight of the best armature headphones at an affordable price.
Best Armature Dynamic Headphones
Xiaomi Hybrid Dual Drivers Earphones (Piston 4)
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Popular armature-dynamic headphones from the Chinese company Xiaomi, combining not only quality sound, but also an affordable price combined with a stylish design. Hybrid in-channel headphones are equipped with two drivers (dynamic and armature). The fabric-wrapped cable features a three-button volume/playback control and a microphone for answering incoming calls.
Advantages:
- Best combination of quality and price for a hybrid class of headphones;
- Detailed sound with bass thanks to the dynamic and armature driver;
- Comfortable fit with elaborate ergonomics;
- Excellent noise isolation and metal housing in a variety of colors;
- Rugged braided cable and three-button remote control;
- the ability to use as a headset.
Drawbacks:
- nylon braid to cable branching;
- straight mini-jack.
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Sony XBA-A1AP.
Armature dynamic headphones in the mid-price segment for hybrid models. The headphones come in a "near-sporty" design with a red trim and feature two different types of drivers. The armature driver produces high quality and detailed sound, both in the middle and in the upper frequencies, while the dynamic driver is enough to produce deep bass.
Due to the low impedance the headphones are perfectly "rocked" by smartphones. This "mobile directivity" is also emphasized by the remote control with microphone. The package includes a carrying case for the headphones, seven pairs of ear cushions, among which there are silicone with the effect of "memory", as well as a clothes clip.
Advantages:
- balanced sound and two types of drivers;
- high quality sound for this price range;
- Extensive package with a carrying case and seven pairs of silicone tips;
- high sensitivity and low impedance of 24 ohms;
- light weight and excellent sound isolation;
- Microphone and remote control on the cable;
- L-shaped mini-jack.
Disadvantages:
- Uncomfortable fit and "sticking out" of the ear;
- Bloating in the cold thin wire.
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1MORE Triple Driver In-Ear.
The triple-driver hybrid model from the company known around the world as the headphone maker for Xiaomi. Stepping out of the shadow of the Chinese IT giant, the 1MORE brand has introduced affordable hybrid headphones with detailed sound and a quality approach to model production. These in-ear headphones have a wide range of reproduced frequencies (20-40 kHz), with tight shallow bass and detailed tweeter and midrange.
"Hybrids" are housed in a metal case, and the cable has a fabric braid and Kevlar thread inside for reinforcement. The headphones come with a carrying case, an "airplane" adapter and eight pairs of ear cushions, three of which have a "memory effect."
Advantages:
- wide range of reproduced frequencies;
- The detailed sound thanks to the three radiators;
- Metal body and high quality build;
- Nice design and rich delivery set;
- cloth braided wire;
- presence of microphone and remote control on the cable.
Disadvantages:
- "medium sensitivity" microphone;
- direct mini-jack.
Sony XBA-A3
Hybrid three-driver model with two armature drivers and a large 16 mm dynamic driver. Because of the "special" form factor, the headphones are designed to be worn behind the ear. At an average cost for an "armature" headphone, the hybrid headphones produce excellent sound with a rich and rich scene and a wide frequency range. However, the potential of the headphones can only reveal hi-fi players or smartphones with DAC.
Advantages:
- Excellent sound and a wide stage with powerful bass;
- high quality workmanship;
- detachable oxygen-free copper wires;
- carrying case and ear cushions with "memory effect" included;
- L-shaped plug.
Drawbacks:
- peculiar "fit";
- poor sound insulation.
The best armature headphones
Fischer Audio SBA-03 - "budget" armature headphones with one driver
Plug-in "fischer" headphones give a fairly detailed sound with worked out mids and tweeter and firm bass. However, unlike the same "hybrids", the headphones lack deep bass, so fans of rock and drum & bass should pay attention to other models. The delivery set is not rich, it includes a case and a set of exchangeable ear cushions. The only thing that spoils the whole picture is the fragile thin cable, which also has a microphone effect.
Advantages:
- Quality sound with detailed treble and midrange;
- Detailed and resilient bass inherent to armature headphones;
- Reasonable price for a "pure Armature headphones";
- case and ear cushions in the budget package.
Disadvantages:
- straight plug;
- "microphonic" effect of the cable;
- brittle and thin wire.
Sony Xba-C10.
Affordable "armatures" from the Japanese manufacturer with quality sound in the midrange. Despite the frequency range of 5-25 kHz, the headphones do not have enough bass and treble. However, this fact is offset by a comfortable, secure fit, light weight and pleasant design. The delivery set is quite in line with the price range - just a clothes clip and three pairs of ear cushions.
Advantages:
- Detailed sound in the midrange with little woofer;
- Pleasant sound and attractive appearance;
- Secure fit thanks to special delta-clips;
- light weight of 4 grams;
- L-shaped plug and three pairs of ear cushions included.
Disadvantages:
- weak bass;
- Flimsy wire, blistering in the cold;
- The lack of bundled carrying case.
Westone W10.
Budget representative of Westone, the American manufacturer of armature audio equipment, popular among professionals. In fact, these armature single drive headphones are the best in their price segment. The quality of the used materials and assembly is at a high level, as well as the sound with high sensitivity of 122 dB and detail. However, the "ten" is more suitable for electronics, opera and jazz, because with only one driver it is impossible to give out deep bass and good bass frequencies.
The headphones are equipped with an interchangeable cable and a rich delivery set that includes two cables (regular and three-button microphone for Apple), tools for cleaning and a screwdriver to change the nozzles.
Advantages:
- Balanced sound with a good midrange;
- Best value for money audio output;
- L-shaped plug and detachable braided cable;
- excellent noise isolation;
- three-button remote and microphone on one of the cables;
- rich package.
Drawbacks:
- Insufficient woofer and bass.
Shure SE425.
Two-driver armature model for a reasonable price. "Pure-bred" armature headphones deliver detailed audio with a wide stage. The sound quality immediately indicates that the headphones belong to the hi-fi class. That said, the 425s are best suited for classical and acoustic music with little bass.
The headphones come with a carrying case, eight pairs of ear cushions (foam, herringbone) and a 1.62-meter replacement cable. A cleaning tool and an adapter from 3.5mm to 6.3mm jack are also optional.
Advantages:
- Pure armature audio at an affordable price;
- wide stage with detailed sound reproduction;
- excellent sound isolation;
- removable cable (MMCX) with Kevlar thread;
- L-shaped mini-jack;
- Extended package with carrying case.
Drawbacks:
- low bass;
- high requirements for audio playback source.
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