About the Sennheiser IE 600
In-ears that hit the sweet spot
The Sennheiser IE 600 earbuds sport a streamlined, unobtrusive design with a wraparound cable.
In-ears that hit the sweet spot
These traditional wired in-ear monitors (IEMs) are among my favourite headphones released this year. Sennheiser designed the IE 600 earbuds to split the difference between the punchy fun of their IE 300s and sharp technical prowess of the IE 900s. And to my ears, they nailed the sonic sweet spot.
Like those other two models, the IE 600s feature a single dynamic driver inside each earbud. They also share a similar ergonomic earbud design — made of amorphous metal this time around, 3D-printed into shape and hand-finished. The result is a durable, comfortable set of IEMs, tuned for an engaging, musical sound profile with a delightfully prominent midrange.
Sennheiser's high-precision drivers and advanced airflow system
A single-driver design can lead to more cohesiveness than systems that use crossovers and multiple drivers. And Sennheiser's 7mm "TrueResponse" drivers can handle a wider frequency range than most. Still, it's a lot of ground for a single driver to cover — and sometimes competing sounds can be hard for our ears to distinguish.
So Sennheiser uses a dual "chamber within a chamber" absorber system to control airflow and help parse out musical nuances. This system uses damping material to cut down on resonance and keep similar-yet-different sounds from bleeding into each other. The result is full-bodied sound with effortless detail.
Efficient design gives you many ways to play
Sennheiser designed the IE 300s to work with a portable music player — and even a phone or laptop. But I would suggest using a separate headphone amp to hear them at their best. Two detachable cables are included, one with a standard 3.5mm stereo miniplug and one with a 4.4mm balanced plug.
Sennheiser uses an intricately designed series of filters and air chambers to curb unwanted resonances.
I primarily used the latter connection on a forthcoming portable iFi Audio headphone amp/DAC combo, which paired up nicely with these headphones. This compact DAC was small enough to fit inside the zippered hard case included with the IE 600. So I could easily slip the entire premium listening rig inside my carry-on bag for my recent flight to Chicago for AXPONA — then stream Qobuz on my computer in the hotel.
Listening impressions
After auditioning the IE 300 and IE 900, I'm very familiar with the fit and feel of Sennheiser IEMs. Their streamlined design conforms nicely to my ears and routes the cable neatly behind my head. I found that the texture of the IE 600's amorphous alloy earbud casings was pleasing to the touch. NASA uses this strong, scratch-proof material to make some of their tools, and Sennheiser says it's more resilient than steel.
The earbuds' high-grade metal and intricate build made a strong first impression and helped set the stage for the sound that was to follow.
Striking mids with distinct vocal clarity
Track-after-track, guitars, vocals, and percussion pounced out at me with an arresting presence and bite. The soundstage wasn't particularly large, extending just beyond my ears. But the accurate imaging ensured everything was well-placed and well-spaced.
Maren Morris' lullaby-esque "Hummingbird" started with a haunting acoustic twang that stung in from the right, before giving way to her reserved, melodic vocals, sitting dead centre. It's a soft, sleepy performance on the surface, but has a sweet angst bubbling underneath. The IE 600s brought that a little closer to the forefront, creating a more urgent, thrilling vibe.
Well-balanced, powerful, and nuanced
The bass happens to be right in my wheelhouse, too — a slight emphasis with deep impact, but tight control. Method Man's "Black Ops" thumped with just the right amount of heft through the IE 600s. The groove on this track relies on low-end punch, so it loses its kinetic energy with more "polite" headphones — but if the bass is too overbearing or bloated, it steps on the potency of Mef's emceeing. I found the sound naturally balanced and appropriately spirited through these earbuds.
The highs are smooth yet articulate, with a little snap. They have some fun, refined sizzle to them, without sounding grating or siblant. If you want to pick out very specific subtleties in the highs for operatic or string music, the IE 900s deliver more fine detail in that region.
But these IEMs are technically proficient, and I found them more than capable of handling the dramatic peaks and valleys of classical music. In fact, the IE 600s handled most genres with a breezy, effortless pizzazz.
Secure and comfortable with a noise-isolating seal
The most important touchpoint between sound and comfort is how well your earbuds fit. Of course, a proper, secure in-ear seal just feels right. But it can also make or break audio performance, including bass extension and imaging.
Sennheiser includes six pairs of ear tips — three sizes of silicone tips, and three sizes of foam tips. For my ears, the largest foam tips squeezed right into place and didn't move. They expanded to create a noise isolating seal that avoided in-ear pressure points — and aligned the drivers correctly with my ears.
Product highlights:
- Featured in our article: Best audiophile headphones for 2024
- high-performance wired in-ear headphones
- fit inspired by professional in-ear monitors (IEMs)
- lightweight, streamlined 3D-printed amorphous alloy metal earbud housings
- over-the-ear cord routing system keeps headphones secure
- we recommend a separate headphone amplifier or portable high-res music player for optimum sound quality
- designed in Germany, made at Sennheiser's "audiophile center of excellence" facility in Ireland
Driver system details:
- "TrueResponse" 7mm dynamic driver in each earbud
- tuned for cohesive, well-balanced sound with vivid midrange presence
- tight, tuneful bass and smooth-yet-detailed highs
- left and right drivers carefully picked and matched by hand
- dual-resonator chamber for low distortion and improved dynamics
- smooths out harsh peaks and high-end resonances while remaining natural and accurate
Included cables and ear tips:
- two 49" detachable cables reinforced by durable para-aramid material
- unbalanced cable with 3.5mm stereo miniplug
- balanced cable with 4.4mm Pentaconn headphone plug
- gold-plated MMCX earpiece connectors on each earpiece
- includes 6 pairs of ear tips for a customized, comfortable fit:
- 3 sizes of silicone ear tips
- 3 sizes of foam tips for noise-isolating seal
General info and specs:
- zippered carrying case
- cleaning tool included
- up to 25dB of noise attenuation
- total harmonic distortion: less than 0.06% at 1 kHz/94 dB
- frequency response: 4-46,500 Hz
- sensitivity: 123 dB
- impedance: 18 ohms
- weight: 0.42 oz. (without cable)
- warranty: 2 years
- MFR # 508948
What's in the box:
Sennheiser IE 600 owner's manual
- Left and right in-ear headphones
- 49" Unbalanced audio cable (right-angled 3.5mm plug)
- 49" Balanced audio cable (right-angled 4.4mm plug)
- 3 Pairs of silicone ear tips
- 3 Pairs of foam ear tips
- Zippered storage case
- Clothing clip
- Cleaning tool
- Instruction Manual
- Certificate of Authenticity
- Feedback card
Customer reviews for Sennheiser IE 600
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Average review:
4.5 out of 5 starsCustomer photos
This review was collected as part of a promotion
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More details on the Sennheiser IE 600
Features & specs
| General | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fit Style | In-ear/Earbud | |
| Earcup Type | Closed | |
| Earcup Width x Height | 0.857" x 0.665" | |
| Noise-canceling | No | |
| Bluetooth | No | |
| Bluetooth Version | N/A | |
| Single-earbud Operation | --- | |
| Mic For Taking Calls | No | |
| Voice Assistant Access | ||
| Amazon Alexa | No | |
| Google Assistant | No | |
| Siri | No | |
| Connectors | ||
| 3.5mm | Yes | |
| 1/4" | No | |
| Lightning | No | |
| 4.4mm balanced | Yes | |
| XLR4 balanced | No | |
| 2.5mm | No | |
| Other | None | |
| Specs | ||
| Frequency Response | 4-46.5k Hz | |
| Sensitivity | 118 dB | |
| Impedance | 18 Ohms | |
| Weight | 1 ounces | |
| Cord Length | 49" + 49" | |
| Parts Warranty | 2 Years | |
| Labor Warranty | 2 Years | |
Product Research
Features
Overview: The Sennheiser IE 600 (508948) in-ear headphones are manufactured with a new class of materials, a 3D-printed high-tech alloy, that is three times as hard as high-performance steel. Two 4' interchangeable cables are included, with balanced and unbalanced connectors, to work with a variety of source devices. The IE 600 comes with 3 pairs of foam and 3 pairs of silicone ear tips to help you find the best fit and comfort. The headphones can be stored in the included premium zippered carrying case.
Materials: The IE 600's housing is made of zirconium alloy (AMLOY-ZR01) from Heraeus Amloy Technologies, fabricated using a metal-powder-based 3D printing process. This amorphous material is shock-frozen during the manufacturing process before the metals can form a crystalline structure like conventional metals. The 3D printing process, which takes place in Germany, allows for precise detail with tight tolerances, including creating chambers and channels without milling. Afterwards, Sennheiser technicians clean up the housing by removing manufacturing artifacts by hand. The ear buds are then cleaned, steel-shot blasted, and polished. The finished product has a beautiful textured satin finish that resists scratching and corrosion.
TrueResponse Driver: The IE 600 utilizes a single 7mm TrueResponse dynamic transducer that delivers a faithful reproduction of the recording. Its extra-wide frequency range and natural sound brings you closer to your music for an intimate listening experience. Inside the housing, dual two-chamber absorbers (D2CA) help to attenuate some of the frequencies that mask some of the details in your music. The result is an exceptionally neutral and natural sound that is closest to what the artist intended.
Cables: Two interchangeable audio cables are included to let you choose the cable that fits to your audio source. For high-end digital audio players, DACs, and headphone amps, you can use the balanced cable with the 4.4mm (Pentaconn) plug. For everyday and single-ended (unbalanced) source units, you can employ the cable with the 3.5mm plug. Each terminal is set at a right angle. The cables are para-aramid reinforced to withstand the routine of winding and straightening that occurs with each listening session. An adjustable cinch is provided above the yoke for a more secure fit, and a cable clip is included to fasten the cable to your clothing. On the headphone end, the IE 600 uses gold-plated Fidelity+ MMCX connectors that make it easy to swap the cables anytime you want, and adjustable ear hooks that adapt to the natural shape of the outer ear.
Ear Tips: The IE 600 in-ear headphones come with two types of ear tips and three sizes to ensure you have the best fit, acoustic seal, and noise isolation. The foam ear tips adapt to the shape of the ear canal to provide an optimal fit. Prior to inserting, the foam tips should be compressed between the fingers for a few seconds. After insertion, the earphone should be held in place until the memory foam expands. The silicone ear tips are soft and plyable to provide a secure fit. Each ear tip type comes in three sizes -- small, medium, and large -- for the best fit. When the ear tips are properly fitted, the result is a 26dB attenuation of ambient noise. The supplied cleaning tool has a specialized tip for removing any buildup of ear wax in the ear tips, nozzles, and the sound channel grilles.
Specifications:
- Frequency Response: 4Hz - 46,500Hz
- Sound Pressure Level (SPL): 118 dB (1 kHz/1Vrms)
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): < 0.06 % (1 kHz, 94 dB SPL)
- Attenuation: -26dB
- Impedance: 18 Ω
- Ear Bud Dimensions: Width 0.857" Height 0.665" Depth 0.623"
- Total Weight: 0.5 ounces (without cable), 1.0 ounce (with cable)
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Customer Q&A
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Excellent in-ears! Crystal clear without being harsh. Highly recommended.
Malcolm from CONCORD, NC