Sennheiser IE 300 Audiophile In-Ear Headphones - Noise Isolating with XWB Drivers for Balanced Sound, Detachable Cable with Flexible Earhooks, 2 Year Warranty (Black)

Product Information

Overall, the tuning of the IE 300 has more low mids and bass on tap, and some under emphasis between 2kHz and 5kHz compared to the IE 600. This means that with a 1kHz tone played at a 94dB(SPL), the maximum amount of distortion that may occur is a measly 0.

The largest eartips that come with the IE 300 are about 13mm in diameter, and both types worked fairly well at sealing my ear canals—in fact, they fit me better than the tips included with most IEHs I’ve tried. My last two contributions are tracks that show off stage depth and both are tracks I use for reviews quite frequently. Playing the first track of Black Country, New Roads’ debut album, Instrumental, they offer the more compelling listen; cymbals are convincingly cutting as opposed to softened, there’s greater texture to the oboe and trombone melodies, and the drum rhythm is tighter and faster, propelling the track’s rightful frenetic energy. Rather, the IE 300 is an attempt to bridge the gap and offer audiophile grade sound quality in a focused and relatively affordable package (when considering other IEMs) to tempt you away from the likes of Sony’s true wireless buds. The sharp backbeat (it might be rim shots, but I’m not sure) was super crisp, and the brass band at the end was beautiful.The earphones struggle to reproduce Diana Ross and The Supremes’ usual vocal detail in Stormy, particularly when the song ramps up at 1:40. This version lets the vocal really shine and the acoustic guitar tonality is on full display was well.

I think the IE 200 is a worthy upgrade from the IE 300, but there are some aspects of the later that you may personally prefer. Since there’s very little auditory masking here—especially relative to consumer-oriented headsets—the IE 900 reveals interesting artifacts of production. The shape of the housings presses ever so slightly where the concha meets the anti-helix on my right ear. This has to do with both the element of prestige as an owner, but also an invitation for you to try out Sennheiser doing some of its best work.

For this I chose two pieces (3 movements) that I think really exemplify what the ie300 is capable of. In better news, the earphones themselves are comfortable, well made unobtrusive and come with a decent carry case too. Whether it matters that you can use balanced or unbalanced connections with the IE 600 depends on a couple of factors, but the general answer is no it doesn’t make a perceivable difference which you pick.