Sennheiser makes the best wireless earbuds, and the model has a wealthy heritage in fanatic audio — the HD820 continues to be the reference level for high-end headphones, and that is not going to vary anytime quickly. The model has targeted on the wi-fi section with the likes of the Momentum True Wireless 3 and Momentum 4 Wireless in latest months, and whereas it hasn’t paid as a lot consideration to the IEM market, that modified with the introduction of the IE600.
Coming in at $699, the IE600 sit under the $1,499 IE900, and make up the mid-range providing. There’s additionally the IE300 that prices $299, and Sennheiser rolled out the budget-focused IE200 for $149 earlier in 2023.
Whereas the IE600 is on the market for slightly below half of what you will have to pay for the IE900, I feel these are the very best IEMs in Sennheiser’s portfolio in the meanwhile. I used the IEMs for the higher a part of six months now, and this is why it is best to take note of the IE600 should you’re thinking about upgrading your earbuds.
Sennheiser IE600: Pricing and availability
Sennheiser launched the IE600 in March 2022, and the IEMs went on sale shortly thereafter. They’re available for $699 at Amazon (opens in new tab), and you will find the IEMs on sale in any respect main audio retailers in addition to Sennheiser’s personal web site.
Over within the U.Ok., you may get your fingers on the IE600 for £599 ($726), and the IEMs can be found for ₹59,990 ($726) in India.
Sennheiser IE600: Design and match
What instantly stands out in regards to the IE600 is the design; they’re significantly smaller than most IEMs out there, and in consequence, the match is unbelievable. The amorphous metallic housing is made out of a zirconium alloy that Sennheiser says is 3 times more durable than metal and naturally proof against corrosion and scratches.
What’s intriguing is how the IE600 are manufactured: Sennheiser makes use of metal-powder-based 3D printing to create the shells in its Eire-based manufacturing facility, they usually’re then hand-finished to take away any artifacts. The IE600 makes use of a twin chamber design to chop down the resonance inside the shell.
As for Sennheiser’s claims of scratch resistance, I used the IE600 for the higher a part of six months now, and I did not trouble with the bundled case a lot of the time. Even then, the IEMs are pristine, and it is clear that they are constructed to final.
The lustrous design mixed with the diminutive dimension makes the IE600 distinctive, and these are probably the most snug IEMs I’ve used. They match within the ear canal with out exerting any strain in anyway, and the design ensures they keep within the ear. There’s good isolation as they handle to offer a comfortable match inside the ear, they usually’re snug to put on all through the day. You will discover Sennheiser branding on every shell, with an air vent for the motive force situated beneath.
The IE600 use customary MMCX connectors, and the angled design makes it simple to attach and detach the cables. On that be aware, Sennheiser bundles two cables within the package deal: a single-ended 3.5mm cable and a balanced 4.4mm cable. Each cables are para-aramid bolstered, function channel markings over the connectors, and just like the shells, they’re sturdy.
Sennheiser bundles a good collection of ear ideas within the package deal as properly, together with silicone and foam variants. I foam choices provide higher isolation and match slightly extra cosy in my ear, so that is what I went with. You additionally get a journey case with the package deal, and the exhausting shell design ensures it protects the IE600 on the go.
Sennheiser IE600: Sound high quality
Sennheiser makes use of a 7mm TrueResponse single dynamic driver contained in the IE600, and within the age of IEMs packing six or extra drivers right into a shell to ship higher sound, it is refreshing to make use of the IE600. Earlier than burying the lede an excessive amount of right here, Sennheiser did a really outstanding job with the motive force, and the IE600 are among the many finest IEMs I’ve used to this point.
The IE600 provide Sennheiser’s signature impartial soundstage, however what I like here’s a little little bit of added exuberance within the low-end. This enables the IE600 to ship an engrossing low-end that is stuffed with vibrancy, and it is pleasant to take heed to bass-focused tunes on the IEMs. The bass is balanced properly and does not bleed into the mid-range, making certain vocals come by clearly with loads of character.
The treble frequencies have good extension, and there is no trace of sibilance right here. The soundstage is vast and detailed, with good instrument and vocal separation — Sennheiser is aware of what it is doing, and the IE600 make listening to all kinds of genres completely pleasurable.
With 18Ω and 118dB SPL, the IE600 is not too demanding, and may simply be pushed by any respectable supply. I used it predominantly with Fiio’s excellent M11s audio player, and likewise tried it out with the Galaxy S23 Ultra paired to the Fiio BTR7.
Sennheiser IE600: The competitors
There’s loads of selection should you’re in search of IEMs within the sub-$1,000 class, with Thieaudio’s Monarch MKII setting a excessive customary. The MKII model has a redesigned soundstage that is completely engrossing, and the hybrid driver design performs an enormous half in that. They’re costlier than the IE600 at $999, and on the bigger dimension, so they are not as snug to put on.
Sennheiser IE600: Do you have to purchase it?
You should purchase this if:
- You need the best-sounding IEMs for below $1,000
- You want a snug match that is not fatiguing after prolonged use
- You need shells and cables which might be constructed to final
- You want a balanced cable within the field
- You need IEMs with a impartial sound signature
You should not purchase this if:
After utilizing the IE600 alongside the likes of the Fiio FA7S, Audeze Euclid, and quite a lot of funds planar choices, I can say that they are among the many best-sounding IEMs I’ve used to this point. Sennheiser did a powerful job with the 7mm driver, and the steadiness and tonality makes the IE600 well-suited to lots of numerous genres.
The impartial sound signature mixed with a barely exaggerated sub-bass makes them completely partaking, and the very best half is the match — these are certainly probably the most snug IEMs I’ve used to this point. The match is likely one of the key the explanation why the IE600 is in my each day rotation, and the one unfavourable I can consider is that the design is probably not to everybody’s tastes.
Apart from that, the IE600 are a masterclass on this class, and I am excited to see how they maintain up towards the flagship IE900. Extra on that quickly, however should you’re thinking about upgrading your IEMs and wish one thing that matches properly and sounds nice, the IE600 is my suggestion.
The IE600 has a impartial sound signature that works properly throughout quite a lot of genres, and the snug match ensures you may rock out to your favourite tunes all day. These are among the many best-sounding IEMs I’ve used to this point, and you will love the audio high quality on provide right here.