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If you want to upgrade the cable on a wired in-ear monitor and squeeze more clarity out of the IEMs you already own, choose Linsoul Tripowin Zonie 16; if you need a truly wireless, low-latency gaming earbud set for a console, VR headset or handheld, choose RYR Gaming Earbuds.
• Linsoul Tripowin Zonie 16 — biggest strength: a 16-core silver-plated replacement cable with pre-shaped ear hooks, a soft anti-tangle braid and a wide choice of 2-pin and MMCX connectors, so it fits a huge range of wired IEMs.
• Linsoul Tripowin Zonie 16 — biggest trade-off: it is a cable, not a headset. It only works with earphones that have a detachable cable, and it does nothing for wireless listening.
• RYR Gaming Earbuds — biggest strength: a 2.4GHz USB-C dongle with sub-20ms latency plus Bluetooth 5.3, dual mics, a 500mAh case and up to 36 hours of total playtime.
• RYR Gaming Earbuds — biggest trade-off: it is wireless-only with no headphone jack, the dongle is for gaming rather than music, and it will not revive a wired IEM.
• Who each is for: the Zonie 16 is for the wired-IEM owner chasing better sound and a sturdier cable; the RYR set is for the gamer who wants cable-free audio across a console, PC, phone or VR setup.
The Zonie 16 is a replacement cable for in-ear monitors, and it is built around one idea: take the stock wire off your IEMs and put something better in its place. It uses 16 cores of silver-plated copper, which Tripowin positions as a step up from its earlier C8 cable. In plain terms, the design goal is a cleaner, brighter, more detailed presentation with less distortion than a basic factory cable. Whether you hear a dramatic difference depends on your earphones and your ears, but the construction itself is the selling point.
What impresses me most is the fit and finish. The cable uses a special braiding technique, so it looks tidy and feels soft, and it resists tangling when you coil it up and drop it in a pocket or case. The ear hooks come pre-shaped at an angle meant to sit securely over your ear, which matters whether you are sitting still with music or moving around during a workout. At 49 inches (about 1.25m) it is a sensible desktop-and-pocket length, and it is light at roughly 2.86 grams.
The connector story is where this cable earns its keep. You can pick 2-pin, recessed 2-pin or MMCX, and three different plug styles, so the same model covers a huge spread of earphones — from budget favorites up through pricier sets. The plugs are made with an upgraded process for a longer lifespan, and there are multiple colors if you want to match a look. One honest caveat from the maker: this cable is not recommended with IE200 IEMs, where the connection can be unstable. If your earphones have a fixed, non-detachable cable, skip this entirely — there is nothing to replace. It also will not connect directly to an iPhone; you would need a separate adapter. And if you are happy with your current cable and want wireless freedom, this is the wrong product.
The RYR Gaming Earbuds are a wireless system, and the whole package is tuned around latency. The headline is a 2.4GHz USB-C dongle that delivers sub-20ms audio, which is the number that matters in fast FPS, racing and VR games where a laggy Bluetooth signal makes footsteps and gunfire arrive late. The earbuds also support Bluetooth 5.3 with a range up to 50 feet, and they can hold a Bluetooth connection and the 2.4GHz dongle at the same time — so you can take a phone call without dropping out of your game. That dual-connection trick is genuinely useful for anyone who games and takes calls from the same desk.
The audio hardware is a 12mm dynamic driver, which RYR describes as delivering strong bass, crisp treble and balanced mids. There are dual built-in microphones with noise reduction for chat and calls, and the earbuds use touch controls for volume, calls and track skipping. Battery is a strong point: the 500mAh case provides about 3.5 extra charges for up to 36 hours of total playtime, and a dual LED display on the case shows the battery level of both the case and the buds. An IPX4 rating with a nano-coating means sweat and splashes are not an immediate problem.
Two things to know before buying. First, the dongle is for gaming mode only — you cannot use it to listen to music, and you cannot blend Bluetooth music with in-game dongle audio. Music goes through Bluetooth. Second, PS5 volume can run lower than on other devices, so you may need to raise it in the console settings. It is also worth noting there is no headphone jack here at all, and the transmitter may ship with its charging port on the top or the side — RYR says both versions perform identically. If you want wired sound or you are upgrading an IEM, this is not your product.
• Best for upgrading wired IEM sound → Linsoul Tripowin Zonie 16. Silver-plated 16-core wire is the whole point.
• Best for low-latency gaming → RYR Gaming Earbuds. The 2.4GHz dongle targets sub-20ms audio for VR, consoles and handhelds.
• Best for battery life → RYR Gaming Earbuds. Up to 36 hours total with the 500mAh case.
• Best for fit security on a wired setup → Linsoul Tripowin Zonie 16. Pre-shaped ear hooks are designed to hold the cable over your ear.
• Best for multi-platform switching → RYR Gaming Earbuds. Bluetooth 5.3 plus the dongle, with calls answered without pausing play.
• Best for sweat and light splashes → RYR Gaming Earbuds. IPX4 with a protective nano-coating.
• Best for people who hate charging → Linsoul Tripowin Zonie 16. It is a passive cable; there is nothing to charge.
• Best for wide earphone compatibility → Linsoul Tripowin Zonie 16. 2-pin, recessed 2-pin and MMCX options across many IEM brands.
In my opinion, these two only overlap on the words "in ear." If you already own a pair of wired IEMs and want them to feel and sound like a step up, I would buy the Linsoul Tripowin Zonie 16 — the braided build, pre-shaped hooks and connector range make it an easy, low-risk upgrade. If your priority is cable-free gaming across a Quest, PS5, Switch or Steam Deck, I would buy the RYR Gaming Earbuds instead, because the sub-20ms dongle and 36-hour case are built for exactly that job. Pick the one that matches how you actually listen.
how to make wired earbuds stay in ear
Start with the right ear tip size, then seat the bud so it rests inside the bowl of your ear rather than hanging at the opening. A cable with pre-shaped ear hooks, like the Zonie 16, is designed to loop over the ear and hold the wire in place so the buds are not tugged out as you move.
how to put earbuds in your ear
Pull the top of your ear gently up and back to open the canal, then insert the bud with a slight twist so the tip seals. Route the cable over the back of your ear, not in front, and let it hang behind you — that keeps the weight of the wire from pulling the earbud loose.
how to keep earbuds in ears
Check the tip size first, because a loose seal is the usual culprit. Then reduce cable pull: run the wire over your ear and down your back, or clip it to your shirt. If you are using the RYR buds, a snug tip and a stable fit matter just as much, since there is no wire to anchor them.
how to make apple wired earbuds stay in ear
The same rules apply: try the sizes that came with them, clean the tips, and seat them with a gentle twist so they seal. Note that the Zonie 16 is an IEM cable and does not connect directly to an iPhone — you would need an adapter, so it will not help Apple's fixed-cable buds at all.
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See also: BlueFire Gaming Earbuds vs Kuizil Earbuds: Headphones with, Logitech G333 vs Emerson EG-1501: Low Latency Gaming Earbuds, Xmenha Earbuds vs Valorise Gaming Headset