Massdrop x HIFIMAN Bolt In-Ear Monitors

You can’t go wrong with a great pair of $10 IEMs—especially when they look, sound, and fit like earphones several times their price. Enter the Massdrop x HIFIMAN Bolt: one of those small daily essentials you’ll always be glad to have around. Featuring a well-built aluminum housing with silicone ear tips and one 9-millimeter dynamic driver per side, they provide good noise isolation and a fun overall sound. The sound signature includes warm lower mids, clear and present mids and upper mids, and highs that are slightly emphasized, though less so than the low end. For taking calls and changing tracks, the oxygen-free-copper cable is equipped with a one-touch condenser mic and remote. And for a comfy in-ear feel, these IEMs are extraordinarily lightweight: just over half an ounce. 

Born in New York City in 2007, HIFIMAN has had a big influence on the audiophile world in the 10 years since its founding. Dr. Fang has always had close ties with the community. He started out on Head-Fi and attended local meetups while pursuing his doctorate at Columbia. When he realized his PhD research could be relevant to his passion—the music-listening experience and the audiophile products that improve it—he started talking with forum members and meetup attendees about what they’d like to see in the next generation of headphones. HIFIMAN is a natural partner for Massdrop because our goals are so aligned. At its core, it represents a member of the audiophile community building a company that serves the rest of the community.