Whereas most mainstream private audio manufacturers have pivoted in the direction of a wi-fi future, Sennheiser is maybe the one main model that continues severely on its wired audio portfolio, whereas additionally engaged on aggressive wi-fi merchandise. That additionally means it's among the many few massive names with merchandise made for audiophiles, together with wired headphones and headphones in any respect worth factors. Among the many newest within the firm's vary is the Sennheiser IE 200, which is priced at Rs. 14,990 in India.
The Sennheiser IE 200 has an identical type issue and options to the IE 300 headphones, however is way more reasonably priced. With 3.5mm wired connectivity, removable cables, and a single dynamic driver system, the Sennheiser IE 200 is the perfect wired IEM headphone underneath Rs. 15,000 that you may purchase now? Discover out on this assessment.
The Sennheiser IE 200 makes use of the common 3.5mm plug for connection
Sennheiser IE 200 design and specs
The IE line of wired in-ear displays from Sennheiser maintains spectacular consistency throughout the vary, notably with regards to design. Every little thing from the IE 200 to the top-of-the-line IE 900 has the identical normal design, with the one obvious variations within the colours, textures and supplies used. The IE 200 appears slightly lighter than the dearer IE 300, however that's not a dealbreaker both manner.
The development materials is similar as on the IE 300 (the precise headphones are plastic), and so they weigh the identical at 4g every with out the cables connected. Helpful, the cables are removable and replaceable, and using the MMCX connector customary means that you may change any appropriate cable even from different manufacturers. The included cable has versatile ear hooks and twisted wires that look fairly good, however really feel much less sturdy than the stable cables on the IE 300 headphones. The connector on the cable is an ordinary 3.5mm stereo plug formed by L.
As anticipated for an audiophile IEM headset, the included cable doesn’t have a microphone. Whereas any such becoming model is often slightly tough to placed on and take off, I discovered the Sennheiser IE 200 to be fairly straightforward to deal with and cozy to put on, with a safe, noise-isolating match. Additionally included within the gross sales bundle is a small leather-based carrying case, and a complete of six pairs of ear ideas – three pairs of silicone and three pairs of froth, every in small, medium and huge.
Just like the IE 300, the Sennheiser IE 200 has 7 mm extra-wideband dynamic drivers, with a frequency response vary of 6-20,000 Hz. Regardless of using the identical drivers, there are important variations between the 2 within the association, which is proven within the sound high quality – extra on this later.
The included cable is removable and replaceable, with the headphones supporting the MMCX connector customary
The impedance score is barely larger at 18Ohms, however remains to be low sufficient to be simply pushed by even primary supply units like smartphones and laptops. That stated, for optimum efficiency, I like to recommend utilizing the Sennheiser IE 200 with no less than a primary transportable DAC.
Sennheiser IE 200 efficiency
In contrast to wi-fi headphones and true wi-fi on the worth of about Rs. 15,000 or extra which can be heavy on options, audiophile-grade wired IEMs are likely to put the main target completely on sound high quality. Sennheiser's typical competitors on this worth section comes from “Chi-fi” manufacturers like Fiio and Moondrop, so the perfect model recognition in India and the truth that the IE 200 is a part of a longtime product vary will weigh in his favor.
For my assessment, I often use Sennheiser IE 200 with my transportable Shanling UA2 DAC, related to an Android smartphone or my laptop computer as a supply gadget. This was a wonderful match, and helped to get the perfect efficiency out of the headphones by manipulating knowledge from high-resolution audio recordsdata and offering simply the correct quantity of amplification to the IE 200. Efficiency was fairly respectable even with out the DAC as a part of the chain, nevertheless it sounded rather less energetic and immersive.
The Sennheiser IE 200 has robust bass, which is probably not best for listeners in search of an “audiophile” expertise.
Linked to my present light-weight setup with the Shanling DAC and Apple Music for hi-res audio tracks, the Sennheiser IE 200 was a bundle of enjoyable. The headphones are rather less balanced and impartial than the dearer IE 300, nevertheless it's nonetheless a detail-oriented sonic signature that provides the midrange and highs loads of room to shine. That stated, the bass appeared to have a bit extra drive to it, which I actually loved with the proper of tracks.
Listening to Can't Cease by Coucheron with the quantity stage only a trace above the midway mark, the Sennheiser IE 200 sounded superbly detailed, and articulately captured the upbeat, constructive tone of the observe. The bass had a noticeable vitality stage that set that a part of the frequency vary aside from the remaining, however the vocals and melody of the highs felt fairly current and alive.
The identical fast-paced, up-tempo Tokyo Evening Practice (Claes Rosen Remix) from The Midnight tends to push the bass a bit extra; whereas bass lovers will benefit from the aggression and drive within the sound, it's a little bit of a departure from the anticipated neutrality and tonal focus you'd usually have for a pair of audiophile IEMs like this. Whereas the Sennheiser IE 200 had no issues maintaining with the quick tempo of the observe and retaining all the weather cohesive and in tune with one another, the bass sounded maybe a bit too robust.
Slowing issues down with You by Mk.gee, the Sennheiser IE 200 felt slightly extra managed and comfortable. The stage was spacious given the precise measurement of the drivers powering these headphones, however the focal factors of the tracks tended to not unfold too huge; Weak parts got here by way of from completely different elements of the digital stage fairly properly, although. The sound was additionally loud and fascinating not like something with wi-fi connectivity at this worth, though this was little question helped by the superb amplification from the Shanling DAC.
Verdict
Regardless of being half the value of the IE 300 headphones (Evaluation), the Sennheiser IE 200 could be very related in most methods, together with design and match, driver measurement, and the truth that the cables are removable. That stated, you'll have the ability to hear the distinction in sound fairly simply – the IE 200's tuning isn't fairly as clear and balanced as dearer headphones. Nevertheless, it's nonetheless an pleasurable, detailed and fascinating listening expertise, particularly in the event you like a little bit of bass bias in your sound.
That will not fully agree with the audiophile philosophy of neutrality in sound, particularly when you think about that Rs. 15,000 just isn’t by any measure an entry-level worth level for any such product. Nevertheless, there aren’t any goal flaws within the Sennheiser IE 200, and it’s price contemplating as a second or third step in your journey in the direction of higher sound, so long as you may have the appropriate sources to attain the perfect.
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