Sennheiser IE 600 headphone review: Closer to perfect

The IE 600 is designed in the same format as all other models in the IE series and features compact, lightweight and ultra-thin earphones, with a cable pass that runs from the top of the “In-Ear Monitors”. The build quality was already amazing in the manufacturer’s entry level reference and it’s just as good here, if not more so. The density of the metal housing and the design of the connector that connects each earbud to the cable give a very reassuring impression of solidity.

The build quality of the cable that came with the headphones enhances this Note with a thick, flexible casing and a mini jack connector that ends with an angled connector, which also looks ready to go. Again, the manufacturer has perfect control over his subject.

The list of accessories that came with the IE 600 is more than honest: a rugged transfer case with elegant finishes, two 1.2m cables – one unbalanced ending in a 3.5mm mini-jack connector, the other symmetrical with a 4.4mm Pentaconn connector -, pliers, a cleaning tool and a fleet of Pairs of silicone and memory foam heads (three of each).

Almost identical to the IE 300 in terms of design and weight, the IE 600 always delivers a first-class wearing experience. Thanks to their small size, lightness and shape, headphones instinctively find their place in the hollow of the wing and at the entrance to the auditory canal. The wide range of tips provided allows you to achieve maximum comfort according to your conformation and preferences (contact silicone or memory foam, insulation). What’s more, although they are in-ear headphones, by nature, the feeling of pressure here is quite calculated.

Passing over the ear of the cable can be confusing at first glance for those who discover this system. So it will definitely take a few sessions to get used to. However, the shape memory design on part of the cable housing makes it possible to marry the wing well, thus ensuring comfort and support at all times, knowing that the headphones are able to survive well on their own. the ward. Again faultless on this point.

Did the IE 600s outperform the IE 300s and reach the pinnacle of sound neutrality? As for raw performance, the answer is yes. The IE 600s push excellence even further, but when it comes to striving for ultra-neutrality, our judgment isn’t very clear.

As we expected, these headphones offer a slightly different view than the IE 300s. It approaches the best possible audio transparency, meaning it makes slight gains in definition and detail. The entire first part of the spectrum, from low to mid frequencies, is certainly less warm, more “drier” one might say, but ultimately better organized and controlled, and more readable. The behavior of intras from a strict frequency standpoint is not the only reason for this, because the amplifier is simply more agile and responsive to process these frequencies. We’re finally done with extra-deep, punchy, and immersive bass, with more vocal support for impact, seat, and more serious resonance.

The IE 600s also bring more satisfaction in extreme triple/triple reproduction, here it’s a bit finer, detailed, and homogeneous. We feel that efforts have been made to broaden the response of the headphones further at higher frequencies, which is evident in the reproduction of multiple micro-elements and perception of the stereoscopic scene, while reducing the small shiny aspect of the border between the highs. averages and highs. The result gets natural while always being more respectful of the stamps for a more interesting result.

As long as we’re eclectic, and even if it means getting as close as possible to neutrality, we’d like a softer approach to the treble to exclude the subtle color still felt in the latter, especially on instruments with higher harmonics (cymbals, whistles, and electric guitars). saturated, etc.), especially when the latter is naturally improved by mixing the piece.

It’s the same with the slight boost of power at the boundary between mids and highs, more audible and amplifying the feeling of presence a little bit artificially, thus bringing the back of the sound stage back a bit towards the front. These are objectively anecdotal characteristics regarding excellent overall performance, but they can tickle the people who know they are very sensitive to them.

A final word on the sound insulation provided by the headphones, which is generally good, very good for the silicone tips, a bit light with the foam in the center/center. Sennheiser’s inner ear molds tend to compromise between isolation and comfort/feeling intrusive. The result is a less pronounced blockage of the ear canal, and the laws of acoustics are the same, less attenuated in this area compared to other models. You can always isolate yourself well from the surrounding noise pollution to enjoy your music in good conditions, but some components of the human voice, for example, will still be quite noticeable.