My first reaction was that of disgust: the sound was thin and without any bass. After much fiddling with different eartips (ended up with Final Type E), and after experimenting with various EQ profiles from auto.eq, I finally managed to persuade some bass out of IE200. The overemphasized highs and mids now became an advantage because they provide clarity, spaciousness and presence for acoustical instruments. So the sound is good now, although it is still more“analytical” than joyful.
I compared these to Audio-Technica TWX9, Cambridge Audio M100, PSB TWM and several wired models.
My conclusion:
-even very good (and expensive) wireless earbuds cannot provide the openness and clarity of their wired counterparts; in this respect even wired $15 Sony and $29 JBL sound better;
-to take advantage of these benefits one has to listen in a quiet environment, because trains/airplanes/subways/streets have too much ambient noise to discern those fine details;
-to insert/remove the IE200s is not quick, it is more of an elaborated ritual; for instance, at work (noisy machine shops) I wear noise-cancelling earbuds, but if I have to communicate with my colleagues, I simply take one bud out and then insert it back - all in one fluid motion; the IE200s won’t let me do this;
-contrary to the Sennheiser’s claims, the IE200 are not easy to drive, the volume has to be at 80-95% - same as Audeze LCD-1 which admittedly require quite a bit of amplification;
-these earbuds do not gloss over any deficiencies in recording/mastering and are very revealing: poorly mastered tracks will sound like garbage, but well-made ones will bring you joy and pleasure.
Verdict: if you are interested in revealing “analytical” sound, they are very enjoyable.
| Noise control | Sound Isolation |
|---|---|
| Headphones jack | 3.5 mm Jack |
| Model name | IE 200 |
| Connectivity technology | Wired |
| Wireless communication technology | Bluetooth |
| Included components | IE 200 Earphones, Braided Cable with MMCX Connectors and 3.5mm Plug, Silicone and Memory Foam Sets (S, M, L), Carry Pouch, Safety Guide |
| Age range (description) | Adult |
| Material | Plastic |
| Specific uses for product | Recording |
| Recommended uses for product | Recording |
| Compatible devices | Smartphones |
| Control type | Media Control |
| Cable feature | Detachable |
| Item weight | 4 Grams |
| Unit count | 1 count |
| Style | Classic |
| Manufacturer | Sonova |
| Model | 700249 |
| Model year | 2023 |
| Part Number | 700249 |
| Special features | Noise Cancellation |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Batteries included | No |
| Batteries Required | No |
| Cable Feature | Detachable |
| Material Type | Plastic |
| Form Factor | In Ear |
| Includes rechargable battery | No |
| Department | unisex-adult |
| Manufacturer | Sonova |
| Item model number | 700249 |
| Product Dimensions | 22.2 x 12.8 x 5.69 cm; 4 g |
| ASIN | B0BRPR38JR |
