If you want one pair of IEMs that does everything, gaming, streaming, podcasting, editing and music, get the BASN Bmaster for about $89. If you've got about $50 and mostly game, get the KZ ZS10 Pro.
I get asked "what IEMs do you use?" constantly. Comments, DMs, on stream. I never had one clean answer. Now I do, and this is where it lives.
This isn't a list of 15 IEMs I touched for an afternoon. It's what I've actually used, including the expensive pairs that died on me. And here's the twist: my pick wasn't built for gamers or creators. It was built for musicians. That's exactly why it's good at everything.
Why one pair of IEMs beats a gaming headset
I don't care how much hate this gets me. IEMs over gaming headsets, every single day. And not just for gaming.
A $150 to $300 gaming headset is mostly paying for things that don't make you hear better:
- RGB you can't see while it's on your head
- Branding and a plastic shell built to look aggressive
- "7.1 surround" that's usually software processing on two drivers
- A boom mic that's almost always worse than even a cheap standalone mic
Meanwhile, watch any big esports event. A lot of pros are wearing IEMs under their sponsored headsets. The headset is there for the logo and to block crowd noise.
Here's the practical stuff IEMs actually win on:
- Isolation. They seal in your ear canal, so room noise and fan noise drop out. Footsteps get easier to pick out.
- Comfort for long sessions. No clamping, no hot ears, no headset pressing on your glasses.
- Price. A decent pair costs less than some headsets' carrying cases.
Gaming headsets aren't for gamers. They're for marketing departments. And even at their best, they only do one job. A good pair of IEMs does all of them.
Best all-around: BASN Bmaster (~$89)
The BASN Bmaster is the best all-around IEM I've used, and I've used it daily since May. Gaming, streaming, podcasting, editing. Same pair.
Here's the part nobody tells you. The Bmaster isn't a gaming IEM. It's a stage monitor, made for musicians and audio engineers. Music IEMs are tuned to be accurate, because a musician on stage needs to hear exactly what's happening. Turns out accurate is exactly what makes them good at everything else.
A musician, audio engineer and gamer in my comments put me on them after I said I was done with nice IEMs. He was right.
What's inside, simple version. Three drivers per ear. Two 10mm dynamic drivers handle the lows and mids, so there's weight without mud. One balanced armature handles the highs, so the top end stays clear instead of harsh.
Why music tuning wins everywhere. A lot of gaming and budget IEMs push the treble hard. Sounds exciting for ten minutes, then it stabs your ears for the rest of the session. The Bmasters aren't trying to excite you. They're trying to be accurate. That's what you want for footsteps in a match, your voice on a podcast, and catching problems in an edit.
The moment that sold me. I plugged them into my MacBook to edit and heard a thump in my own voice. My mic had been angled wrong. On speakers, I couldn't hear it at all. Headphone users could, and some of you had commented about it. A $90 pair of IEMs caught a problem my whole setup missed.
| Drivers | 2 dynamic (10mm) + 1 balanced armature |
| Price | About $89 |
| Cables | Two detachable cables included |
| Isolation | Up to 37 dB (manufacturer claim) |
| My use | Daily since May 2026, still going |
Best for: anyone who wants one pair for gaming, streaming, podcasting, editing and music. No swapping gear between tasks.
Heads up: nobody agrees on how to say BASN. I say "basin." Fight about it in the comments.
Best budget: KZ ZS10 Pro (~$50)
The KZ ZS10 Pro is where everybody starts, and I still recommend it. If you just want to try IEMs without risking real money, this is the pair.
It runs one dynamic driver and four balanced armatures per ear. The tuning is bright. Footsteps and detail pop, which is great in a match. After a long session, that sharpness can wear on you. That's the main reason I moved up to the Bmasters.
The big bonus for gamers: you can get it with a mic built into the cable. Plug it into your controller and you're done.
Best for: first-time IEM buyers, anyone on a tight budget, or a backup pair.
What I wouldn't buy again
I spent about $500 on two "nice" pairs. Both died. Here's the honest version.
| IEM | Price | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite | ~$250 | Died in a week. Support was one of the worst experiences I've had, and my return window ran out while I chased them. |
| FiiO FH5s | ~$250 | Great sound, a real jump from the KZs. Used them for a solid stretch, then they just died. |
Maybe I got unlucky. Audio people rate both of these, and the sound might be everything they say. But IEMs take abuse, and cables and drivers fail. If a pair is going to die eventually, I'd rather it's an $89 pair than a $250 one.
That's why the Bmaster is the pick. It sounds like the expensive tier to me, and five months in, it hasn't died.
How to set up IEMs for gaming, streaming and editing
Most people who say IEMs sound bad never got a proper seal. Fix that first.
- Try every ear tip in the box. The seal is everything. No seal means no bass and no isolation. Foam tips seal best for most people.
- Wear the cable over your ear. It holds them in place and cuts cable noise when you move.
- Plug straight in when you can. Controller jack, PC front panel, or a cheap USB-C dongle. Skip Bluetooth for gaming. The delay is real. I hear it even on AirPods Pro.
- Sort out your mic. Either get the KZ with the inline mic, or use a real standalone mic. A cheap desk mic beats almost every headset boom mic.
- Turn the volume down. IEMs sit right at your eardrum and seal it off. You need way less volume than you think.
FAQ
What's the best all-around IEM?
For me, the BASN Bmaster at about $89. I game, stream, podcast and edit on the same pair, and it's held up for five months.
Are music IEMs good for gaming?
Yes, and that's the point. Music IEMs are tuned for accuracy, which makes footsteps and callouts easier to place. Gaming-branded gear often chases hype bass and sharp treble instead.
Can I use IEMs for podcasting and editing?
Yes. Accurate IEMs are great for monitoring your own voice and catching audio problems. Mine caught a mic thump my speakers completely hid.
Are IEMs better than gaming headsets?
For most gamers, yes. Better isolation, more comfortable for long sessions, and better sound per dollar. You lose the built-in boom mic, so pair them with an inline-mic cable or a standalone mic.
Do pro gamers use IEMs?
A lot of them do. At big events you'll often see pros wearing IEMs under their sponsored headsets.
Are IEMs good for hearing footsteps?
Yes. The seal blocks room noise, which makes small sounds like footsteps easier to pick out.
What are the best budget IEMs for gaming?
The KZ ZS10 Pro at around $50. If you can stretch to about $90, the BASN Bmaster is a big step up for long sessions.
Can I use IEMs on PS5 or Xbox?
Yes. Plug them into the controller's 3.5mm jack. Get a cable with an inline mic if you want chat.
Are expensive IEMs worth it?
Not in my experience. My two $250 pairs both died. The $89 Bmaster sounds just as good to me and has outlasted both.
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