These new IEMs from Sennheiser are an utter delight. They are much more affordable than the ... [+]
Sennheiser may be seeking an investor for its consumer division, but the company is still turning out some fabulous headphones and, for me, the brand will always be one of the premium headphone makers that can still get my toes tapping even when listening to music that I already know well.
This month, I’m reviewing a new pair of In-Ear Monitors (IEMs) from Sennheiser. The IE300 are a new pair of IEMs that are, in some way, symptomatic of Sennheiser’s current problems. The IE300 sound stunning and cost a bit more than many other earphones on the market, but the old adage “you get what you pay for” is still relevant here and the IE300 are a classic example of that.
On the other hand, how many people are buying wired earphones these days? Apple hasn’t made an iPhone with a headphone socket for a few years now. Wireless is where the growth in the market is and yet here is Sennheiser producing a pair of wired earphones without even offering so much as an inline remote control.
The Sennheiser IE300 are aimed at people who, like me, use a DAP (digital audio player) and who simply don’t want to compromise by using Bluetooth. They are also ideal for anyone who uses a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) with their smartphone to bypass the internal audio chip that may not offer the highest quality sound. There’s no question that Bluetooth earphones have improved massively in the past few years with widespread take-up of both AAC and aptX codecs Now we are also seeing a growing number of Bluetooth earphones using aptX HD and LDAC codecs for those who want to push wireless technology to greater heights.
For those of us who still prefer to listen using wired earphones, the Sennheiser IE300 are a compelling argument for investing in IEMs that can bring out every last nuance in a piece of music, especially when streaming from a hi-res music service like TIDAL Masters. The IE300 are essentially a stripped-down and more affordable version of Sennheiser’s fabulous IE600 IEMs. I reviewed the IE600 a few years back and I still think they are the best single-driver dynamic IEMs on the market. However, they don’t come cheap.
The new IE300 IEMs from Sennheiser use an hook design to reduce microphonic from the 1.25m MMCX ... [+]
The IE300 offer many of the IE600’s tonal characteristics but their physical build is not as good as the IE600. The IE300 use an ear-hook design that clips over the top of the listener’s ears and that is a great way of reducing microphonics, those annoying chafing sounds that can run up earphone cables when they rub together during exercise. The fit of the IE300 is comfortable and Sennheiser has supplied a good selection of ear tips in a range of sizes in both silicone and memory foam. IEMs like the IE300 must have the correct size of tips fitted to get the best acoustic seal and the optimum sound quality.
The cable on the IE300 is just 1.25m and short enough to be used conveniently with a smartphone or DAP. The termination is a 90-degree jack plug and the cables are detachable, using industry-standard MMCX connectors that make it possible to upgrade the cable or choose a longer version or one with a different termination such as the Pentaconn 4.4mm plug. In fact, Sennheiser sells differently terminated cable as an optional extra.
As I already mentioned, there’s no inline remote control provide with the IE300 and the cables use a standard 3.5mm stereo TRS connector instead of the TRRS type used by smartphones to transmit remote commands. It would be possible to replace the cable with an MMCX version with an inline remote, but I doubt serious audiophiles are too bothered about that.
The sound from the IE300 is utterly sublime. I’ve reviewed a lot of IEMs that use multiple drivers and special hybrid arrangements of balanced armature and dynamic drivers, but nothing beats the sound of a well-tuned dynamic driver such as the ones used inside the IE300. There’s a coherence to the sound from a dynamic driver that injects a rhythm into music in a way that is still the best when designed properly. I know that multiple-driver earphones can provide amazing levels of resolution that can challenge the hearing of a bat, but the sound produced by the IE300 has a complete tonal character that brings out the best in almost any genre of music.
By using the industry standard MMCX connectors, it's possible to upgrade or replace the cable of the ... [+]
The bass response of these earphones is truly awesome. It has subsonic characteristic and plumbs the depths of the lower reaches of the music in a way that few other earphones can with a lower frequency range of just 6Hz. The midrange is pitched forward at just the right distance and provides so much energy that it does bring out the rhythm in almost any track. The treble is well focused and energetic but without ever being fatiguing. I can always tell a good pair of earphones by the way they make me forget to analyze the music and, instead, draw me into the music and make me tap my toes along with the sounds. The Sennheiser IE300 are just such a pair of IEMs and they are an absolute delight to listen to.
I tested the IE300 by using them with the excellent little Bolt DAC from Helm Audio which I then connected to my iPhone’s Lightning connector. The sound was just stunning and it’s incredible how much more detail I was able to hear than with a regular pair of Bluetooth earbuds connected to my smartphone. The IE300 have superbly efficient drivers and it's possible to get excellent volume levels out of them. The frequency range is wonderfully wide, while the soundstage is presented beautifully with each instrument singled out with precision rather than being presented as part of an overall acoustic mush.
These new budget priced IEMs from Sennheiser have many of the excellent sonic properties of the more ... [+]
Verdict: The Sennheiser IE300 IEMs are definitely a niche product ibecuase the market for wired earphones is shrinking. Even so, if your smartphone has a headphone socket or you use a DAP or DAC to enjoy music streaming services, then the IE300 are an affordable way of getting audiophile sound on the go. It’s almost as if you are listening to a full-size pair of headphones because the sound is so big and airy. The comfort levels are good, while the selection of ear tips meant I had no problem finding a good fit for my problematic ears. If you’re in the market for an audiophile pair of IEMs and you don’t want to spend a fortune, then the Sennheiser IE300 are an absolute bargain and an affordable alternative to the superb IE600. These IEMs show how the world’s best-known headphone brand can still deliver the goods and still has some of the best driver designs on the market. Highly recommended.
Pricing and availability: The Sennheiser IE 300 earphones will be available from March 2021 for £259 / $259 / €259
More info: www.sennhesier.com
Tech Specs:
- Transducer: Single Dynamic Driver, Pressure Chamber
- Impedance: 16Ω
- Sound pressure level (SPL): 124dB (1kHz / 1 Vrms)
- Ear coupling: In-Ear
- Frequency response: 6Hz – 20kHz
- THD: < 0,08% (1kHz, 94dB SPL)
- Cable length: 1.25m
- Weight: 4g per earpiece
