Disclosure: I’d like to thank Roseselsa for providing me with the Roseselsa Photon Pro for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and Roseselsa had no say or input on the contents of this review.

The Roseselsa Photon Pro are bullet-style IEMs that remind me of those days when you would see earphones being sold in the checkout line at a big box tech store. Priced at $17 for the 3.5mm version and $19 for the Type-C variant, the Photon Pro has quietly slipped into the ultra-budget IEM space with some surprisingly impressive specifications. Released in June 2025, these lightweight earphones weigh just 1.8 grams per earbud and pack an 8mm PEK PU Polymer Dynamic Driver.

Throughout this review, I’ll examine everything from build quality and comfort to sound signature and technical performance to see if these tiny earphones truly deserve the “budget banger” title, or if the $17 price tag comes with compromises that make them hard to recommend. Let’s get into it.

• Roseselsa Photon Pro
• 4 sets of ear tips + 1 set pre-installed
• 1.25m cable with 3.5mm termination
• Cable clip
• Manual

The packaging is minimal but functional. Nothing fancy, but everything arrives well-protected. For under $20, the accessory selection feels appropriate. You get what you need to start listening right away. This includes four sets of silicone ear tips that should cover most ear sizes, the detachable cable, a cable clip, and a basic manual.

The first thing that hits you when you pick up the Roseselsa Photon Pro is just how incredibly small they are. We’re talking bullet-shaped shells that make most budget IEMs look chunky in comparison. At 1.8 grams per earpiece, these are among the lightest IEMs I’ve handled or used.

The build quality surprised me more than I expected. The shells are machined from aerospace-grade aluminum alloy with a precision CNC finish that gives them a textured, almost premium feel. You’ll notice two small vent holes on each shell, which help with pressure equalization. For something this cheap, the attention to detail in the construction is genuinely impressive. The green version I have looks very nice in person.

The Photon Pro includes a detachable 0.78mm 2-pin cable, which is considered a nice-to-have at this price point. Most bullet-style earphones have fixed cables (and we all know how that usually ends up). The stock cable itself feels solid, with nylon sheathing over silver-plated copper conductors. There’s an inline microphone with volume controls and a tactile play/pause button, plus an L-shaped TRRS connector.

The fit is where things get a bit more complicated. Bullet-style IEMs are typically designed for straight-down wear, but the Photon Pro’s cable has an over-ear hook shape that forces you to wear them over-ear. The ear hooks are somewhat stiff and don’t seem to straighten out when forced, so you might find yourself shopping for an aftermarket cable if you prefer a straight-down style.

Comfort-wise, the ultra-lightweight design really shines during longer listening sessions. The ergonomic shape sits naturally in your ear canal, and I found I could wear them for hours with no fatigue. Note that you will hear cable microphonics with these. As well, due to the bullet-style design, these did not stay in my ear very well when I was moving around. I would always have to push them back in to get a good seal after walking across the room.

The one significant trade-off with this compact design is noise isolation, or rather, the lack of it. External sounds penetrate pretty easily, and wind noise can be quite noticeable when you’re out and about. Getting a proper seal with well-fitted tips is crucial if you want to maximize what little passive isolation these can provide. It’s a compromise, but probably an inevitable one given the size constraints.

The Roseselsa Photon Pro delivers a distinct V-shaped sound signature that leans noticeably toward brightness. This tuning creates an engaging listening experience that honestly punches well above its budget price point.

Bass

The bass response surprised me, especially considering we’re dealing with such a tiny driver. Mid-bass takes center stage here, delivering tight and punchy impact that provides satisfying thump. Sub-bass rumble is present but doesn’t dig particularly deep. Don’t expect earth-shaking low-end extension, but what’s there remains clean, agile, and well-controlled. Most importantly, there’s no unwanted bleed into the midrange, which preserves clarity across the frequency spectrum.

This isn’t bassy by any means, but the bass performance is more than adequate for the price point.

Midrange

Vocal presentation strikes a really nice balance here, neither too forward nor recessed. Male vocals carry subtle warmth while maintaining a neutral character. Female vocals really shine though, with intimate and sweet qualities that avoid sibilance or shouty characteristics. Instrument separation across the midrange is commendable, with good definition throughout. The presentation is slightly colored, but the midrange retains enough clarity to prevent any muddiness.

Treble

The treble region is where the Photon Pro shows its true personality. It’s open, sparkling, and airy. This brightness enhances detail perception and definition quite nicely. That said, those sensitive to treble might find extended listening sessions fatiguing. For most listeners, though, this energetic top-end adds excitement without becoming harsh or piercing.

Soundstage and Imaging

The soundstage feels intimate but well-proportioned, especially considering the size constraints. Imaging is surprisingly precise for the price point, though vertical positioning lacks the definition you’d find in more expensive IEMs.

Gaming

These are honestly just fine for casual gaming sessions. The lack of noise isolation is what prevents me from liking these more, but the V-shaped sound signature works well with most casual and single-player games. Multiplayer games also sound great, thanks to the imaging performance. I didn’t like the Photon Pro as much for competitive multiplayer due to the lack of soundstage and micro-detail.

At under $20, the performance-to-price ratio of the Roseselsa Photon Pro is honestly hard to argue with. These punch well above their weight class, delivering sound quality that makes you forget how little they cost.

There are trade-offs, of course. The noise isolation is limited due to the small size, and the cable forces you to an earhook style vs a straight down style, which might bother some people.

The Photon Pro proves that great sound doesn’t always require a big investment. They’re not perfect, but they do exactly what budget audio should do: deliver satisfying performance without breaking the bank.

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