Full-bodied Sennheisers lack the excitement to justify their lofty price tag.Full Review. We recommend the Etymotic ER4 XR, Bowers & Wilkins C5 Series 2, RHA CL750, and for more money, the intriguing Audeze iSine20. Please refresh the page and try again. There are three total pairs of Comply foam noise-isolating ear tips (S, M, and L), as well as five more pairs of silicone tips in various sizes. Adjusting the bass is easy enough, but the screw lacks detent click points, and its visual markers for the halfway point could be a lot easier to see. Since this is a refinement, the overall form of the IE 80 S reflects that of the original. Delivering a sense of tangible value with in-ears is tricky. The included cable can be removed and replaced with one that has a remote, but it costs more money (as of this writing, there is no official word on the pricing or availability of the replacement cable). Snap-on ear hooks don't always stay in place. Also included: a pair of over-the-ear silicone cable hooks to further secure the fit, and an earpiece cleaning tool for removing wax buildup. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering Labs-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. While similarly durable to the touch, the looks of the FiiO FH5 and the Sennheiser IE 80 S are quite different. While the IE 80 S headphones are a factor of 100 times cheaper, … Home. That said, the design isn't as user-friendly as it should be, especially for the price, and that keeps the pair from scoring top marks. They still have that interesting trapezoidal shape and are meant to be worn around the ear. On one hand, the FH5’s driver housing is larger than that of the IE 80 S… There are times when the quality of the music experience goes way … At the lowest bass setting, the earphones still have more low frequency depth than typical flat response pairs, but the bass is clear and well balanced with the rest of the frequency range. One immediate difference in the design is the reduction of the brushed metal plate on the flat, outward surface of the earpieces. Sennheiser IE 80 S review. Added by EagleWings; Create date May 21, 2018; Tags sennheiser ie 80 s sennheiser ie80s; Overview Reviews (2) Gallery. But at the second notch, the lows play a rich, lovely supporting role—when there's sub-bass-like lows, you hear it, but it's never too much, and the higher register brass, strings, and vocals maintain their bright, crisp place in the spotlight. Sennheiser IE 80 S - earphones Specs & Prices. Their “veiled” signature is very … Bath The Sennheiser IE 80 S earphones offer audio performance in line with their lofty price, and a number of attractive features, like adjustable bass and a detachable cable. This allows for easy replacement and optional cables to be used including the Sennheiser smart remote cable (a one-button, in-line microphone cable which turns the IE 80 S … It has the sound quality to rival it’s price competitors, but the IE 80 S can … Sennheiser has had a much better stab at it than most, though. Instead, the loop sounds heftier in the lows. For the sake of this review, I’ve put the bass pot to its lowest setti… And while it’s true that any Bluetooth signal will compress audio to some degree, the Sennheiser … Show only Answered Questions (0) Sort by: Page Showing 1-2 of 2 … Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. The Sennheiser IE 80 have a powerful audio heritage to live up to. Delivering a sense of tangible value with in-ears is tricky. Alt-J’s In Cold Blood is badly lacking impact, both in terms of punch and dynamics. Sennheiser IE 80S BT Devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better experience. At a retail price of just under 500 Euros, you’d be forgiven … BA1 1UA. But at a cool 500 bucks, it’s quite an investment considering that it’s a Bluetooth earphone. As I previously mentioned, the Sennheiser IE 80S BT has an adjustable bass frequency pot, which seems to boost the bass in the upper part of the bass. 1) plug in the 3.5 mm jack, and 2) hit Play. There’s little sense of a band working in unison, pulling in the same direction to create something whole and fulfilling. Included cable lacks inline remote control or mic. Through the IE 80 S, the drums have powerful bass depth, but it isn't over the top. Sennheiser IE 80 vs IE 80S: Appearance First of all, it has to be said that the appearance of the Sennheiser IE80S is at least much better than that of the previous generation 80, with a metal panel on … There was a problem. Beats Powerbeats Pro: Which True Wireless Earbuds Are the Best? The in-ear fit is excellent. is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. We tested the IE 80 S with the bass levels at various settings. Orchestral tracks, like the opening scene in John Adams' The Gospel According to the Other Mary, get more low frequency boosting than some may prefer at nearly any level beyond the second notch on the bass adjuster. Difficult to adjust bass levels and have an accurate ear-to-ear mix. It robs the track of its fun and attack. We don’t think everyone will be a fan of this move, as the metal looks more premium than the predominate material of the earpiece chassis, w… 2. sweat resistance Sennheiser IE 80S … While nothing particularly sticks out or annoys when listening via the Sennheiser IE 80 S earphones, there’s also little in the delivery that excites. How the company must miss those days. Callahan's baritone vocals get an added richness, but it's balanced out for the most part by some solid high-mid presence. Packaging and Accessories. Simply stated, next to nothing. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. $0.00. Sennheiser IE 80S BT reliability The connection with my phone was very reliable when the phone was on my person. Sennheiser proudly displays a Hi-Res Wireless Audio (HWA) badge on the front of the product packaging. Sennheiser IE 80 S - earphones | 507448. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/sennheiser-ie-80-s. Intriguingly, the bass response can be adjusted ear-to-ear using the included cleaning tool, which doubles as a micro screwdriver on the other end—each earpiece has a very tiny screw on the outer panel. Moving to a lower bass setting, the drums still have plenty of body and depth, but the higher frequencies seem more bright and airy—Callahan's vocals get their treble edge back. All rights reserved. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. Snap-on ear hooks don't always stay in place. Their predecessors, the IE 8 earphones, are widely recognised as one of the top pairs in the £200-300 price range – and … But adjusting the bass can be frustrating, the included cable lacks a remote, and we wish the ear hooks were permanently built into the earpieces. This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. The guitar strums sometimes sound brighter than they do on other pairs, and Callahan's vocals sometimes sound more crisp—this sound signature, even with the bass at low or medium levels, is a lows- and mids-forward affair, with a little less crispness and brightness in the higher frequencies. And on the evidence of the IE 80 Ss here, the company really needs to raise its game to get back on top. This is due in part to the IE 80 S's lightweight design, as well as the generous array of ear tips provided. Your subscription has been confirmed. The good news here is that the cable is removable, a design decision that will likely add longevity to the life of the earphones, as cables are typically the first thing to fail. Expensive. The IE 80 S has the sound, the looks, and portable convenience to make it the ideal everyday audio companion! Included in the box are earbuds of various sizes and materials (silicone, lamella, Comply), ear hooks, a cleaning tool that can also be used to adjust bass response via a tiny dial on each earphone, and a carry case with dedicated compartments. Refined in just about every way, the IE 80 S offers brilliant authentic sound … The included 1.2m cable is detachable and replaceable, too, although it doesn’t have a mic for calls or a button for controlling your music. The Sennheiser IE 80 S is a neckband design wireless earphone which looks a bit different from other models in the space. At middle bass levels, Bill Callahan's "Drover," a track with far less deep bass in the mix, gives us a better sense of the overall sound signature. AirPods 2 vs. Sennheiser IE 80S BT Wireless Review August 30, 2019 | Sennheiser’s famous IE 80S has just gone wireless. Visually speaking, the IE 80 S ($349.99 at Sennheiser) are rather humdrum. The Sennheiser IE 80 S earphones offer audio performance in line with their lofty price, and a number of attractive features, like adjustable bass and a detachable cable. So…what do you need to know before operating these new Sennheiser in-ear headphones? Sign up for What's New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning. The earphones themselves don’t look terribly stylish or premium, but they do feel solid and built to last. Design – FiiO FH5 vs Sennheiser IE 80 S Comparison Review Look and Build. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 vs. Sony WH-1000XM4: Which Pair Is Better? Sennheiser's IE 80 S earphones produce sound worthy of their $350 price, but some peculiar design decisions make the overall experience feel less than luxurious. If you wish to take it one step further, the IE 80 S (like its IE 80 predecessor) offers bass customization through the setting dial. Receive news and offers from our other brands? A black matte cable leads to black matte earpieces, one marked with a red band for right. But the Sennheiser’s IE 80 Ss commit the cardinal headphone sin by being rather boring. Head Gear. Instead it’s disjointed and fragmented. Getting Static or Crackling in Your AirPods Pro? The build-up doesn’t build up dramatically enough, and the big hit doesn’t hit big either. Included cable lacks inline remote control or mic. ‘Comfortable’ describes the sound quality, too. MORE: How to choose the right pair of headphones. Wireless earphones which have the two buds physically wired together are … If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. If you can get past the aforementioned design issues, however, the IE 80 S will not disappoint on sound quality. A. abuanw; 5.00 star(s… While I haven’t owned any IEM’s from Sennheiser I do own a good variety of their open back headphones from the middle to upper end of the spectrum. Everything is just too flat and soft to be genuinely thrilling or engaging - and that’s a problem for headphones at any price, let alone a pair costing £300. MORE: How to avoid buying fake headphones. The beauty of this audiophile-level headset is that it requires only two steps to operate. The IE 80 S earphones are super-glossy, full-bodied and weighty, with Lane 8’s Clarify flowing entirely smoothly. The look here is professional gear—not ugly, but not stylish. He specializes in reviewing audio products, and is obsessed with headphones, speakers, and recording gear. There’s real texture to each of the natural, wild sounds that Cosmo Sheldrake uses to construct the multi-layered Wriggle, and a genuine, charming rawness to John Frusciante’s Every Person not many headphones convey. The IE 80 S ear-canal headphones take the striking combination of aesthetic design and professional functionality to a new level. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Turning right adds bass response, and turning left decreases it. They also feature adjustable bass and ship with a wide selection of eartips. On tracks with intense sub-bass content, like The Knife's "Silent Shout," the earphones deliver a hearty subwoofer-style thump that manages to not overpower the mix and never distorts even at high, unwise listening levels. © Contributing Editor Tim Gideon has been writing for PCMag since 2006. © 1996-2020 Ziff Davis, LLC. They sound full and round, but not unnatural. What Hi-Fi? They are, after all, inherently small. The drums on this track can sound overly thunderous on in-ears that boost the lows too heavily. 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