Sennheiser IE 300 Audiophile Earphones Assessment

With Apple Music rolling out help for high-resolution lossless audio in India, there may be renewed curiosity in wired earphones and headphones, notably of the audiophile sort. I’ve examined the service with quite a few headphones and earphones since its introduction in India, and whereas there’s loads to take pleasure in even with funds tools, spending more cash on premium, well-engineered equipment gives you a significantly higher listening expertise. That is the place the Sennheiser IE 300, the in-ear screens I am reviewing right here, are available in.

Priced at Rs. 29,990, the Sennheiser IE 300 audiophile earphones are significantly dearer than a lot of the funds audiophile tools that I’ve just lately examined, however promise an expertise that may capitalise on the advantages of high-resolution audio streaming. Is that this the perfect mainstream pair of in-ear screens you should buy proper now? Discover out on this overview.

The Sennheiser IE 300 is a conventional wired in-ear headset, and can be utilized with any supply system that has a headphone jack

 

Sennheiser IE 300 design and specs

You’d anticipate nothing lower than premium design and construct high quality from a Rs. 30,000 pair of earphones, and the Sennheiser IE300 doesn’t disappoint. Though product of plastic, the earphones feel and look nice, with every earpiece weighing simply 4g (with out the cable). The earpieces are slim and angled inwards for a safe match, with the ear hooks on the included removable cable providing stability. It took me some effort to placed on and take off the IE 300 earphones due to the hooks, however the safe, snug, and noise isolating match greater than made up for this.

The earpieces have an fascinating glowing end, resembling a starlit night time sky with the Sennheiser brand within the centre, and I fairly like this look. The included cable is removable, utilizing commonplace MMCX connectors to hyperlink with the earpieces, and has a 3.5mm plug for the incoming audio sign. The gross sales package deal features a complete of six pairs of ear ideas – three pairs of silicone ear ideas and three pairs of froth ear ideas, every in small, medium, and enormous sizes. There may be additionally a earphone cleansing instrument designed to suit into the meshes of the earpieces, and a tough carry case.

The included earphone cable is first rate sufficient and is usefully removable, so skilled customers have the choice to exchange it to enhance the listening expertise or in case of damage and tear. That is an audiophile-grade pair of earphones, and the cable does not have an in-line distant or microphone. You would possibly wish to have a look at aftermarket cables if you wish to add hands-free capabilities to the earphones.

Powering the Sennheiser IE 300 are the corporate’s 7mm XWB (further vast band) TrueResponse dynamic drivers, that are mentioned to be German-made and promise a pure and balanced sound. Sennheiser additionally claims additional design tweaks together with a resonator chamber and membrane foil that promise to scale back pure resonances and enhance sound.

The frequency response ranges from 6-20,000Hz. The earphones have an impedance ranking of 16Ohms, and might subsequently be pushed simply by even essentially the most primary supply gadgets together with smartphones, laptops, and primary DAC-amplifiers.

Every earpiece of the Sennheiser IE 300 weighs simply 4g, with out the cable

 

Sennheiser IE 300 efficiency

Though Rs. 30,000 for a pair of wired earphones would possibly sound high-end, the Sennheiser IE 300 competes in opposition to merchandise that may sometimes be labeled as ‘mid-range’ in-ear screens, going up in opposition to competitors from manufacturers comparable to Shure, Fiio, and Campfire Audio.

For the reason that Sennheiser IE 300 headset has a low impedance ranking, I used to be capable of comfortably use it with the iBasso DC03 DAC-amplifier linked to my MacBook Air, and even straight plugged into the headphone jacks of this laptop computer and an iPad mini (2019). My overview coincided with the launch of high-resolution lossless audio on Apple Music in India, so I had loads of glorious music content material to strive the IE 300 with.

Beginning with If I Had been A Folkstar by The Avalanches in high-resolution lossless (24-bit, 96KHz in ALAC) format, the Sennheiser IE 300 made for a wealthy, detailed, and exquisite sound. The sonic signature was balanced, giving this busy sample-based digital observe loads of room to breathe, and permitting for all parts in it to shine. The light, cheerful beats, the vocals, and the devices all sounded distinct and full-bodied; I used to be capable of focus and pay attention to each ingredient within the observe because it was meant to be heard.

The earphones have 7mm XWB TrueResponse dynamic drivers, with a frequency response vary of 6-20,000Hz

 

Let’s Groove by Earth, Wind & Fireplace in high-resolution lossless format sounded much more spectacular, giving the bass a refined, tight, and detailed edge over the remainder of the observe with out considerably affecting the soulful vocals and funky tune. With well-engineered, detailed tracks, the Sennheiser IE 300 had sufficient room to shine, and I notably preferred how simply and effortlessly it managed to do its job – that’s, while not having a lot help by means of costly DACs and amplifiers.

With commonplace lossless (16-bit, 44.1KHz in ALAC format) tracks, the Sennheiser IE 300 sounded a bit much less convincing of its high-end credentials and Rs. 30,000 price ticket. Do not get me improper, the sound was glorious and really satisfying, however did not fairly match as much as a few of the equally priced IEMs I’ve heard through the years, together with the Audeze iSine 10, and choices from Shure and Etymotic Analysis.

Whereas the IE 300 is effectively tuned, I discovered that there was only a bit lacking by way of drive and assault in comparison with different IEMs at this value. Though the earphones did often ship very satisfying performances with sure tracks comparable to 5 Tango Sensations: Anxiousness by Astor Piazzolla and Bambro Koyo Ganda by Bonobo, most tracks made for a enjoyable and detailed sound, nevertheless it did not fairly match as much as the audiophile credentials that Sennheiser hopes to pitch with the IE 300, or its Rs. 30,000 price ticket.

Verdict

The Sennheiser IE 300 is an excellent pair of earphones, with stable construct high quality and design, and spectacular sound high quality. It is simple to drive and use with even primary audiophile tools and supply gadgets, and performs effectively even when plugged straight right into a primary supply system – that’s, with none extra amplification or superior digital-to-analogue conversion. It is a enjoyable, detailed, and refined pair of earphones that nearly brings out the perfect in high-quality audio tracks, together with a lot of what Apple Music has to supply in its high-resolution lossless audio assortment.

Nevertheless, there’s only a bit lacking on the high by way of assault and drive; the Sennheiser IE 300’s give attention to ease of use holds it again a bit with regards to delivering the sort of sound high quality consumers anticipate at its value. Nonetheless, it is a good pair of earphones to think about in order for you one thing straightforward to drive, mild, and equally appropriate for purists and on a regular basis listeners alike.

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