PHUUM · Journal · 13 Field Notes
Journal
Field notes on wired USB-C in-ear monitors: how the converter in the plug works, what to look for, what works on which phone. Plain, factual, written by Sebastian Kaiser. For the category overview, start with wired in-ear monitors.
- PillarWired vs Wireless Earbuds: The Honest 2026 Comparison
Wired sounds better per unit cost and lasts longer. Wireless wins on convenience. The honest trade-offs, including battery life and the radio link.
- TechnicalUSB-C Earbuds and the DAC Inside Them: A Plain Guide
Every USB-C earbud has a DAC. Why that matters more than the connector, what a better one changes, and what to look for before you buy.
- Guide // USB-CBest USB-C Earbuds: How to Choose in 2026
How to choose the best USB-C earbuds in 2026: compatibility, fit, the DAC in the plug, mic and cable. A criteria guide without rankings or invented scores.
- Guide // iPhoneWired Earbuds for iPhone: USB-C on iPhone 15, 16 and 17
Wired earbuds for iPhone 15, 16 and 17 explained: USB-C plug and play, mic and remote, adapters, charging while listening and fixes when there is no sound.
- Guide // In-Ear MonitorsBest IEMs: How to Choose In-Ear Monitors in 2026
How to choose the best IEMs in 2026: driver types, tuning, fit, source and how to read measurements. A criteria guide to in-ear monitors without rankings.
- Guide // AudiophileAudiophile Earbuds: What Actually Decides the Sound
Audiophile earbuds explained in plain terms: the signal chain, wired IEMs, DACs, hi-res and lossless audio, fit and seal, and why price proves little.
- Buying GuideBest Wired Earbuds in 2026: How to Choose by Use Case
There is no single best pair. How to choose wired earbuds by use case in 2026, what the DAC changes, and what to avoid.
- Calls With MicBest Wired Earbuds With a Mic: For Calls and Meetings
For calls, the microphone and reliability decide quality. How to choose wired earbuds with a mic, USB-C vs 3.5mm, and what to avoid.
- Video CallsHeadset or Earbuds for Video Calls: Which Is More Professional?
Headsets sound clearer in noisy rooms, discreet wired earbuds look more professional on camera. Here is the honest trade-off, by setting.
- TechnicalDo You Lose Sound Quality With USB-C Earbuds?
No, USB-C does not cost you sound quality. Cheap conversion does. Why the connector was never the problem.
- TechnicalDo Wired Earbuds Emit Radio Signals? Wired vs Bluetooth, Explained
Do wired earbuds emit radio signals? No. They have no transmitter, antenna or battery. See how wired and Bluetooth earbuds differ at the technical level.
- Essay // WiredThe Wired Earbuds Comeback: Why the Cable Returned
The wired earbuds comeback explained: one USB-C plug for most devices, no battery, no pairing, no latency and a cable you can see. Where wireless wins.
- CraftThe Bead Cable: Craft on a Wire
Most earphone cables are made to be ignored. The PHUUM bead cable is made to be seen: a limited, individually numbered object you wear, keep, and care for.