We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-30 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a wired in-ear headphone you can fully submerge in water, choose H2O Audio Surge S+ Waterproof; if you need a triple-driver in-ear monitor for critical listening and stage work, choose BASN MMCX.
• H2O Audio Surge S+ Waterproof — biggest strength: IPX8 waterproofing rated for complete submersion to 12 ft / 3.6 m, with sound-isolating watertight earplugs and a short-cord design built for swimming and water sports.
• H2O Audio Surge S+ Waterproof — biggest trade-off: It's a single dynamic-driver, wired 3.5 mm earphone aimed squarely at wet and sweaty activity, not at audiophile-grade detail or on-stage monitoring.
• BASN MMCX — biggest strength: A hybrid two-dynamic-plus-one-balanced-armature driver setup with detachable MMCX cables, 12 pairs of eartips and adjustable memory earhooks for a sealed, noise-isolating fit.
• BASN MMCX — biggest trade-off: It's a wired, non-waterproof monitor with no immersion rating, so heavy sweating or actual water exposure isn't what it's designed for.
• Who each pick is for: Swimmers, surfers and gym-goers who need water protection → H2O Audio Surge S+ Waterproof. Musicians, drummers and music lovers who want sound detail and fit tuning → BASN MMCX.
The Surge S+ is a purpose-built water earphone. Its headline number is the IPX8 rating: it's built to handle heavy perspiration, rain and full submersion down to 12 ft / 3.6 m. That's a different class of protection from a typical sweat-resistant earbud. The design leans into that too — a short-cord layout, an ergonomic sheared shape that sits flush with the ear to align the earbud with the ear canal, and a set of watertight, sound-isolating earplugs that double as the seal keeping water out. H2O Audio includes five sizes of earplugs (XS through XL) plus a tree-tip set, which is exactly the kind of kit you want when the fit has to hold through flip turns and paddle strokes.
Buy it if you swim, surf or paddle board and want music that survives the water — or if you want a gym earphone that won't flinch at heavy sweat. Skip it if you're chasing fine detail across the frequency range or need a detachable cable and stage-ready monitoring; that's not what this earphone is tuned or built for.
BASN MMCX: Who It's For
The BASN MMCX is an in-ear monitor aimed at people who listen closely. It uses a hybrid driver arrangement — two dynamic drivers plus one balanced armature — which is the classic recipe for strong low-end punch paired with detailed highs and mids. The stated goal is a balanced, pure sound across high, mid and low frequencies, with rich low end and forward vocals. At 18 ohms it's easy to drive, and the wired 3.5 mm jack plus MMCX connector keeps the signal path simple.
Fit is where BASN clearly put in work. You get 12 pairs of eartips in different sizes (nine silicone, three memory foam), adjustable memory earhooks, and a sealed in-ear design that produces noise isolation. Two detachable 1.5 m MMCX cables are included — one with an inline remote and microphone for volume and calls, one upgraded silver-plated cable for cleaner signal transmission. The package also ships with a hard carrying case, a T-shirt clip, a cleaning brush and a 1/4-inch adapter, so it's ready for both stage and daily use.
Buy it if you're a musician, drummer, singer or an attentive listener who wants a sealed, tunable fit and cable options. Skip it if your priority is water — there's no immersion rating here, and the detachable MMCX connection and open cable design aren't meant for swimming.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for swimming and full submersion → H2O Audio Surge S+ Waterproof (IPX8, submersible to 12 ft / 3.6 m).
• Best for sweat-heavy gym and outdoor workouts → H2O Audio Surge S+ Waterproof (rated for heavy perspiration and rain).
• Best for bass punch → BASN MMCX, on paper — a hybrid triple-driver setup is explicitly built for stronger bass; H2O Audio's bass claim is tuned specifically for underwater listening.
• Best for fit customization → BASN MMCX (12 pairs of eartips plus adjustable memory earhooks) versus H2O Audio's five earplug sizes plus a tree-tip set.
• Best for cable flexibility → BASN MMCX (two detachable 1.5 m MMCX cables, one with inline mic and remote).
• Best for musicians and stage use → BASN MMCX (monitoring-focused design, 1/4-inch adapter included).
• Best for a simple, set-and-go water earphone → H2O Audio Surge S+ Waterproof (fixed short cord, no detachable parts to lose in a pool).
In my opinion, these two don't really compete — they solve different problems. If there's any chance your earphones will get dunked, rained on or soaked, I'd buy the H2O Audio Surge S+ Waterproof and not think twice; its IPX8 rating and watertight earplug design are the whole point, and no amount of driver count replaces that. If your listening happens on dry land and you want detail, isolation and cable choice, I'd buy the BASN MMCX. My pick for most people reading this: decide whether water is in the picture first. If it is, H2O Audio. If it isn't, BASN.
how to fit in ear headphones
Fit comes down to the tip and the seal. The H2O Audio Surge S+ Waterproof ships five earplug sizes (XS–XL) plus a tree-tip set, and its sheared shape is designed to sit flush and align with your ear canal. The BASN MMCX gives you 12 pairs of eartips (nine silicone, three foam) plus adjustable memory earhooks. Try sizes until the seal feels snug without pressure, and use the earhooks on the BASN to lock the position.
how to clean in ear headphones
Keep the nozzles and eartips clean, and never let water into the housing of a non-waterproof model. The BASN MMCX package includes a cleaning brush for exactly this job, and its tips are removable, so you can pull them off and rinse or wipe them. The H2O Audio Surge S+ Waterproof is IPX8 and submersible, so it tolerates water far better — but still wipe the earplugs after swimming and let everything air-dry before storing.
how to open in ear headphones
Neither of these is designed to be opened by the user. The BASN MMCX is serviceable at the connection point — its MMCX cables detach and can be swapped — but the driver housing itself isn't meant to come apart. The H2O Audio Surge S+ Waterproof uses a fixed short cord and a sealed, waterproof housing; opening it would compromise the IPX8 protection. If something fails, rely on the one-year H2O Audio warranty or the BASN brand rather than prying anything open.
how to ear headphones
If you mean how to wear them, both are in-ear designs that rely on a deep seal. Insert the H2O Audio Surge S+ Waterproof so the sheared shape sits flush with your ear and the earplug seals the canal — that's what keeps water out and bass in. On the BASN MMCX, loop the memory earhook over your ear first, then seat the tip; that combination holds the monitor in place and maximizes the noise isolation the sealed design is built for.
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