The Sennheiser IE900’s are striking, beautifully machined premium earbuds for those who want an absolute top notch listening experience in a small package.
In an era of wireless, the IE900’s feel like traveling back to yesteryear, when those tangly wired headphones and iPods were the norm. The build feels absolutely premium - with industrial grade materials all around. The para-aramid cable joined with the precision-milled aluminum buds make these feel like they will last a lifetime.
The buds are attached through Gold-plated Fidelity+ MMCX connectors to ensure a secure connection every time you use them. Included in the box are foam and silicon ear adapters, each with small, medium, and large sizes along with 2.5mm, 3.5mm, and 4.4mm reinforced cable connectors.
The fit of the earbuds are snug, and I had no issues with comfort for shorter periods of time. However for longer usage, I did find the cable that wraps around the ear eventually give mild discomfort but nothing too extreme.
Overall, Sennheiser did an excellent job in combining a durable, industrial aesthetic while still maintaining a beautiful minimalistic form.
I used these exclusively for my travel days during the summer and found them to be an absolute joy to use in noisy airports, tropical hiking trails, and everywhere in between. Whether I was watching movies, binging on podcasts, or lounging around to my favorite playlist I was always thoroughly impressed with the experience. It felt as if you were right there in the recording session hearing the detail and nuance of every tracked instrument and vocal line, which immediately put these earbuds above and beyond the consumer-grade earbuds i’ve had up to now.
Sennheiser’s X3R system built-in to the IE900’s claim to rival the listening experience of headphones eight times its size and I can see (or hear) why they’ve made such a bold statement. I am no audiophile by any means, but I can appreciate excellent sound when I hear it and having had a multitude of over-ears throughout the years, I was astounded with the IE900’s tonal range - which easily punches above its weight class.
The elephant in the room in all of this is, of course, the price. At 1499 USD, it is the glaring factor of the IE900’s which can seem astronomical to the average consumer. To me, these are one of those “you get it or you don’t” products and I totally get it. For those who appreciate impeccable quality, timeless design, and an unparalleled listening experience, these will not disappoint.
The Sennheiser IE900 In-Ear Monitor Headphones are available now and can be purchased through the link below.
