Rating of the best hybrid headphones: wireless and wired

Most often, hybrid headphones have only 2 drivers - one armature and one dynamic. But there are also unusual devices with 5–12 blocks. Of course, such models are more expensive than a regular headset, but you can find a good budget option on AliExpress. There are wired and wireless headphones, the latter are much less common, and they are less popular due to their high cost. Before purchasing, it is important to check the length of the cord or the battery capacity and battery life.

It is necessary to pay special attention to the technical characteristics: sensitivity (around 100 dB), resistance (32–42 Ohms) and frequency range (from 5 Hz to 40 kHz). Comfort while wearing is also important: even the highest quality sound will not be a joy if the ear pads put pressure on your ears or fall out of them (in the case of in-ear models). Braided cables are more durable and do not get tangled in your pocket; it is better to give preference to these options. Headphones in a metal case look more solid, they will not fall apart after a month of use. As for materials and workmanship, reviews and descriptions on AliExpress will help you decide.

Top 10. QOA Vesper LXDAC

Rating (2021): 4.50

79 reviews taken into account from resources: AliExpress

• Characteristics

  Average price: 5218 rub.

• Drivers: 2 (dynamic and armature)
• Sensitivity: 116 dB
• Frequency range: 20–20000 Hz
• Resistance: 16 Ohm
• Connection: cord 1.2 m long

If headphones were chosen only by design, QOA Vesper would become the leader of the top. They are decorated with incredibly beautiful designs. The cable here is quite thick, soft and elastic. It will not get tangled thanks to the braid. The main reason for the unpopularity among AliExpress users was the high price of the product. Not all music lovers are willing to pay that amount of money even for the best in-ear headphones, and the QOA Vesper has a couple of significant disadvantages. Firstly, they have a standard frequency range, which makes the sound muffled. At the same time, buyers note a wide and deep stage with proper separation of plans and velvety bass. Secondly, reviews complain about the not-so-comfortable fit.

Advantages and disadvantages

• The cable is soft and does not tangle
• Wide and deep stage
• Rich velvety bass
• Stylish design and case included

• Small frequency range
• Uncomfortable fit in ears

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Top 9. Revonext QT5

Rating (2021): 4.55

31 reviews taken into account from resources: AliExpress

• Characteristics

  Average price: 2834 rub.

• Drivers: 1 dynamic and 1 armature 30095
• Sensitivity: 105 dB
• Frequency range: 20–40000 Hz
• Resistance: 15 ohms
• Connection: cable 1.2 m long

Previously, this model was one of the cheapest on AliExpress, but recently the seller has significantly increased the price. The in-ear headphones are made of high-quality metal, they look solid and please with their characteristics. Reviews say that the sound of Revonext QT5 can be considered a reference. The bass is often called punchy: it is balanced, there is depth and at the same time transparency. High frequencies are in harmony, all instruments are clearly audible, regardless of the chosen musical genre. The main drawback of the model was the cable with a gold-plated plug. It feels flimsy and cheap, unlike the cups. Also, the supplied ear pads are not suitable for all customers; it is better to replace them.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Reference sound purity
• Bitter and tangible bass
• Good build quality and case materials
• Solid appearance

• Short and flimsy wire
• Overcharge
• Inconvenient ear pads included

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Top 8. KZ S2

Rating (2021): 4.60

127 reviews taken into account from resources: AliExpress

Large communication range The wireless signal range reaches 20 m - this is an impressive result, even taking into account periodic interruptions in communication.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 2158 rub.

• Drivers: 2 (armature and 7mm dynamic)
• Sensitivity: 115 dB
• Frequency range: 7–40000 Hz
• Resistance: 24 ohms
• Connection: Bluetooth 5.0, signal radius – up to 20 m

KZ S2 are wireless hybrid headphones that come complete with a charging case. Inside each “ear” there is a 40 mAh battery, the docking station is equipped with a 400 mAh battery. One charge is enough for 3 hours of active use and up to 4 days in standby mode. To achieve better sound quality, a dual driver is used. Buyers from AliExpress liked the wireless in-ear headphones. They are easy to control with one button and the sound quality is good, especially if you adjust the equalizer. The bass is rich, the mids and highs are clear, but at high volumes they can become wheezing. The disadvantages also include the fit of the KZ S2 – the ear pads are not very comfortable.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Capacious battery and docking station
• Convenient one-button control
• Rich bass
• Simple and fast connection

• Mid- and high-frequency wheezing at volume
• Not the best landing
• Sometimes the wireless signal drops out

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See also:

• 15 Best Armature Headphones

Top 7. KBEAR KS2

Rating (2021): 4.65

89 reviews taken into account from resources: AliExpress

Best price The model is cheaper than most analogues from AliExpress. For this money, buyers get light, high-quality and comfortable headphones.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 1435 rub.

• Drivers: 1 armature and 1 dynamic (10 mm)
• Sensitivity: 106 dB
• Frequency range: 20–20000 Hz
• Resistance: 16 Ohm
• Connection: cable 1.2 m long

These in-ear headphones were designed for athletes and active people. They fit well, are almost not felt in the ears, and provide excellent volume and balanced sound. The tinned copper cable is covered with braiding, so the likelihood of getting tangled when walking is minimized. Reviews praise the device's workmanship, complete package, and comfortable fit. Unfortunately, there are currently no models with a microphone available, so it’s impossible to evaluate its quality. Another caveat is that due to their low impedance, hybrid headphones are not compatible with all audio devices. The armature driver provides deep and rich bass, but there is not always enough detail.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Secure fit in the ears
• The cable is virtually tangle-free
• All necessary accessories included
• Well defined low frequencies

• No version with microphone available
• Very low resistance
• Minimal detail

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Sony XBA-A1AP - for loud music lovers

The famous Japanese company offers its hybrid model, first of all, to owners of portable devices. The design provides various nuances for the convenience of using headphones on the road - a flat, tangle-free wire, ear pads that take the shape of the ear, and a convenient microphone location.

The reinforcement-dynamic system creates a harmonious balance of high, medium and low frequencies. Thanks to this, the model is suitable for listening to music with a rich pattern - classics, hard rock, soul. The headphones produce such a powerful volume that they do not need an amplifier. Comfortable fit allows you to use the device while walking and playing sports.

Advantages:

• Accurate sound detail. On high-quality mobile devices you don’t have to make equalizer adjustments.
• High quality build. The device operates without damage for 3-4 years.
• Rich equipment. The headphones come with 7 pairs of silicone and foam ear pads, a clip, a cord winder and a case.

Flaws:

• Inconsistency between left and right speakers. One ear sounds louder than the other.
• Cable defects. The symmetrical wire is inconvenient when worn with outerwear and hats. In the cold the cord becomes very dull.
• Weak clip for fastening the wire.

Top 6. KZ SKS

Rating (2021): 4.70

299 reviews taken into account from resources: AliExpress

Excellent battery life One battery charge will last for 3-4 hours, and using the docking station you can listen to music for up to 18 hours without access to the network.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 2220 rub.

• Drivers: 1 dynamic and 1 armature (30019)
• Sensitivity: 116 dB
• Frequency range: 20–20000 Hz
• Resistance: 32 Ohm
• Connection: Bluetooth 5.2, signal range – up to 10 m

The KZ SKS are largely the same as the S2 wireless headphones from the same brand, but there are differences in design and sound. One of the innovations is the appearance of the AptX codec. The characteristics are standard, only 2 drivers with a diameter of 10 mm. The device comes complete with a docking station with a capacity of 400 mAh. A full charge lasts for 3-4 hours of active use. The wireless headphones turned out to be unusually light - the weight of each of them does not exceed 5.2 g. The ear pads are of average comfort, but they provide good sound insulation. The control has become touch-sensitive, which distinguishes SKS from most in-ear models from AliExpress. There are no complaints about the bass sound, but the mids seem flimsy.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Deep and textured bass
• Excellent sound detail
• Convenient touch control
• Long battery life

• Not too noticeable mids
• Complete ear pads are not suitable for everyone

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See also:

• 20 best wireless headphones from AliExpress

Compatibility

Hybrids were designed explicitly for mobile phones, and they do not need top-end players. They have an optimal impedance for smartphones of 32Ω, and normal sensitivity allows them to play loudly even with weak sources.

Genre-wise, the headphones are suitable for those styles where low frequencies are important: pop music, rap, electronic styles. The headphones are not sensitive to recording quality; on a 10-point scale, this parameter can be rated somewhere around 3.

The microphone is quite good, even in noisy conditions it copes well with voice transmission.

Top 5. Geek Wold GK10

Rating (2021): 4.75

90 reviews from resources taken into account: AliExpress

Best value for money 5-driver headphones feature smooth sound with balanced frequencies. The quality fully matches the price.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 3622 rub.

• Drivers: 5 (1 reinforcement, 2 dynamic and piezoelectric)
• Sensitivity: 106 dB
• Frequency range: 20–30000 Hz
• Resistance: 8 ohms
• Connection: cord 1.2 m long

Geek Wold GK10 is an original model that uses as many as 5 drivers, not only dynamic and reinforcing, but also piezoelectric. These are the only hybrid headphones with such a set on AliExpress. They have the lowest resistance in the rating, therefore, the music volume will be higher, but the current consumption will also increase. The heart-shaped ear hook stands out in a bright color. The braided cable is quite thin, yet durable and elastic. The sound in reviews is called smooth, with noticeable high frequencies, fast and unobtrusive bass. The width and depth of the stage are practically the best in this price category. But the mid frequencies are pushed back too far, they are not felt very well.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Five drivers, including piezoelectric
• Pleasant and bright sound
• Good stage width and depth
• Strong wire without tangling

• Distant mid frequencies
• Not perfect tonality
• Specific design of earhooks

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Sound

The following equipment was used for listening:

• NuPrime DAC-10H and Resonessence Labs Concero HP as a DAC and amplifier
• Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2013 as a source
• Fidelia as a player
• Fiio X5-2 and Cayin N6 as portable players
• VSonic Gr01, Dunu Titan 1 and Dunu DN-2000J as headphones for comparison
• High-resolution recordings in Lossless formats (Dr. Chesky The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)

Before listening, the headphones were warmed up for 48 hours; there were no changes in sound during warming up. While some users report improved sound as this model warms up, measurements taken by HeadFi users refute this point. Thus, here we can only talk about getting used to the presentation of the model.

Unfortunately, with Hybrids, Xiaomi also followed the lead of the mass public and tuned the headphones towards a very dark sound with dominant bass, just like in Mi Headphones. The high frequencies were also deliberately muted, which makes the presentation slightly dull and deprives it of after-sounds, although it ensures the absence of the slightest hint of harshness.

First, about the cons. I will try to forget about the price of these headphones and describe them on par with more expensive models.

Bass is the main dominant sound of these headphones. There is a lot of it here, it is very deep, although not very fast, which gives it massiveness and heaviness. The headphones do not play complex bass parts, dumping everything into a monolithic wall of pressure, in which it is difficult to make out individual parts.

The mid frequencies suffer from the bass creeping into the midrange, which is traditional for dark headphones, and in addition, they themselves are unclear. I have a suspicion that the culprit here is a poorly calculated crossover, due to which the lower part of the midrange goes to the dynamic driver. Because the upper half of the midrange is more or less good in places, as it should be for an armature.

The high-frequency range is carefully suppressed so as not to create any problems during listening. There is not a hint of sharpness or emphasis on the sibilant region. But reduced high frequencies do not benefit the overall sound picture; the sound turns out to be compressed, the imaginary stage is narrow and not deep.

Now for the good stuff. We remember the ridiculous price of these headphones, look at the top of any chart and understand what the majority of ordinary users listen to.

The bass is really powerful, it “pumps” and creates the pressure necessary for electronic music. Pressed HF eliminates harshness and fatigue from sound even with simple sources and low-quality recordings. The part of the midrange and treble played by the armature is quite sufficient for simple styles of music, and some “difficult” genres are also quite “listenable”.

By the way, if you cover the holes in the front part of the case with something, the headphones get even more deep bass, and they acquire an infernal darkness.

Top 4. CCA C12

Rating (2021): 4.80

31 reviews taken into account from resources: AliExpress

Impeccable sound quality Thanks to 12 dynamic and armature drivers, the sound is detailed, deep and voluminous, all frequencies are clearly audible.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 2428 rub.

• Drivers: 6 dynamic and reinforcement blocks each
• Sensitivity: 112 dB
• Frequency range: 7–40000 Hz
• Resistance: 24 ohms
• Connection: wire 1.25 m long

The CCA C12 is an updated version of the C10, which is called the king of hybrid technology. Thanks to as many as 12 drivers, the most rich, loud and pleasant sound is ensured. It doesn’t matter whether you listen to music from a smartphone, player or laptop. You can choose the color of the cups, order a version with or without a microphone. The cable contains a remote control for switching tracks and answering calls. More often than not, the CCA C12 gets good reviews. They praise the detailed sound and comfortable fit of the headphones. The frequencies are balanced, there is fullness and volume. The microphone quality is excellent, which is rare among budget models. The main disadvantage is that metal cups get scratched quickly.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Excellent microphone quality
• Maximum number of drivers
• Comfortable fit on ears
• Frequency balance, deep and detailed sound

• Scratches on metal cups
• Only one spare rubber band included

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Top 3. TRN TA1

Rating (2021): 4.85

377 reviews taken into account from resources: AliExpress

Best workmanship Thanks to the metal case and braided wire, the headphones are durable; they will not fail even after a year of use.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 2267 rub.

• Drivers: 1 armature and 1 dynamic
• Sensitivity: 107 dB
• Frequency range: 10–40000 Hz
• Resistance: 16 Ohm
• Connection: cord 1.25 m long

Hybrid headphones with armature and dynamic drivers 33518 with a diameter of 8 mm have become a bestseller on the website. They have a durable aluminum alloy body and braided cable that will last as long as possible. It’s also nice that the brand is among the top best on AliExpress, so there is no doubt about its reputation and quality of goods. Reviews call the sound decent, but the bass seemed muddy to buyers and requires warming up. High frequencies are more modest than other in-ear models, but the stage is quite deep and wide. The main disadvantages of the TRN TA1 are not the most comfortable earhooks and poor packaging: it is not suitable for a gift, since it often gets wrinkled during shipment of the goods.

Advantages and disadvantages

• High quality build
• Excellent stage depth and width
• Strong and durable cord
• Clear and prominent vocals

• Packaging may be damaged
• Uncomfortable fit in ears
• Warm-up required to improve sound

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How to choose

There is a huge range of hybrid headphones on the market; new models differ in ergonomics and quality. They can be made of plastic or metal, there is a control panel with which you can switch melodies. They are equipped with a microphone and have a standard plug suitable for both a computer, TV and smartphone. How to choose the best hybrid headphones for yourself?

Everyone needs something different, everyone has different preferences, so the choice must be approached individually. When choosing metal headphones, you should know that they are heavier; some may not like this. Although Chinese models are cheaper, the build quality may be let down, and they will not last for a long time. In such a situation, it is better to think twice and pay more, but they will be more durable.

The packaging of the headphones is made of cardboard; the package may contain instructions for using the product, a warranty card, as well as removable tips of different sizes. Some manufacturers carefully packaged the device in a special case, and also added a special fabric pouch for carrying the accessory as a nice bonus.

Top 2. Xiaomi Hybrid Pro HD

Rating (2021): 4.90

186 reviews taken into account from resources: AliExpress

Reliable brand Xiaomi products have long been among the top sellers on AliExpress due to their high quality and reasonable price. This model was no exception.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 1879 rub.

• Drivers: 2 (dynamic and armature)
• Sensitivity: 98 dB
• Frequency range: 20–20000 Hz
• Resistance: 32 Ohm
• Connection: cord 1.25 m long

Xiaomi Hybrid Pro HD – budget in-ear headphones. Their power reaches 5 mW, the frequency range is standard. These headphones are not wireless; they use a durable Kevlar cable for connection. It contains a microphone and a remote control for adjusting the volume. AliExpress users mention in their reviews the high build quality and comfortable fit of the hybrid headphones. Almost all parts are made of metal, making the product look durable and reliable. The sound of Xiaomi Hybrid Pro HD turned out to be bright and balanced. There is no bass overkill, the mids don't fall out, and the highs are quite noticeable. The weakest point of the model was poor sound insulation.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Durable body and Kevlar cord
• Excellent power and performance
• High quality and durable
• Bright and balanced sound

• Poor sound insulation
• Occasionally we come across defective goods.

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See also:

• 10 best Xiaomi headphones

conclusions

As almost an audiophile, I’m a little sorry that Xiaomi didn’t make headphones that could interest aesthetic connoisseurs like me. As with Mi Headphones, the developers stopped half a step away from creating a “giant killer”. As a reasonable person, I understand that the headphones are designed for a wide audience who loves “more bass” and cost less than $20, which is also not particularly conducive to sophistication.

“Hybrids” were clearly designed for lovers of low frequencies; for those who appreciate a more neutral presentation, there is a third revision of the pistons. If you love bass, listen to simple music and are looking for inexpensive and reliable headphones, Xiaomi Hybrids will be an excellent choice for you. Moreover, their humane price tag allows you to even buy them as “second headphones” for those tracks in which the bass dominant would be appropriate.