Start saving your pocket money – Chinese in-ear monitor manufacturer qdc has launched what may be the most expensive earbuds on the planet, coming in at a whopping $12,580 / £12,199 (about AU$18,000).
The lavish Blue Dragon in-ear headphones are encrusted with 800 sapphires and feature an audio cable made with gold-plated sterling silver conductors, silver-plated single crystal copper, and a copper / palladium alloy.
- The best earbuds of 2020
- Want to cut the cord? Check out the best wireless earbuds
- Hi-Res Audio: everything you need to know
The Blue Dragon in-ear headphones end in a 2.5mm balanced jack, and come with a 3.5mm adaptor should you wish to plug them into your smartphone, portable DAC, or MP3 player.
They're significantly more expensive than most earbuds on the market, including our favorite wired earbuds, the 1MORE Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones, which cost just $89 / £70 / AU$100.
They're also very striking compared to the minimalist earbud design popularized by Apple AirPods – even so, that incredibly high price means we'd be very hesitant to take the Blue Dragon earbuds out of the house to show them off.
Luxury sound
With 10 transducers in each earbud enclosure, qdc says that the Blue Dragons offer an "astonishingly spacious soundstage".
According to What Hi-Fi? the enclosures are made from "sections of gold-fused titanium", which qdc says it used because of the material's "awesome acoustic properties".
What look to be silicone eartips should provide a pretty good seal against the outside world, as well as a comfy fit.
If you're lucky enough to have $12,000 to spend on a pair of earbuds, you'll have to wait a little while to get your hands on the Blue Dragons – they apparently take three months to craft.
As for us? We think we'll stick to earbuds that won't bankrupt us if we accidentally misplace them – and if you're beholden to a more sensible budget, be sure to check out the best in-ear headphones deals we've spotted below:
