Koss KE5k

Koss's simplest earphone: a classic flat earbud that rests in the outer ear instead of sealing the canal. No tips, no isolation — you hear the music and the room at once, which is precisely what some jobs need. Cycling, reception desks, podcasts while the doorbell still has to register.

At this money the KE5 is the spare you keep in every bag and the pair you hand to guests without a second thought. Wired, 3.5 mm, black shells on this version, done.

Wanting bass and quiet is wanting a different design — a sealed in-ear like the KEB9i, one shelf up.