Enter the Audiophile World
The new entry-level Sennheiser IE-series audiophile wired earphones
The IE 200 changed the dynamics and altered the “balance” of the Sennheiser IE series product line.
Replacing the IE 300 as the new entry-level model, the IE 200 sports a plain black housing instead of a more bling star-dust IE 300. Instead of a hard case on the IE 300/600/900, the IE 200 comes in a cloth pouch. And the cable is finally changed to a braided version which reduces microphonics and at least does not feel sticky.
The IE 200 is a more balanced-sounding earphone compared to the IE 300, which offers prominent bass with sizzling hot treble, the IE 900 refined the treble transparency to the next level while keeping the bass controlled and less bloated. The IE 600 attempts to re-align the sound towards a more balanced, neutral sound and keep the sound staging a little tighter, so it loses the airiness of the IE 900 but still presents excellent details.
The IE 200 maintains good neutrality but is less articulate and relatively less detailed than IE 600 which costs five times more. But its frequency response is less offensive, it has good bass presence, clear engaging treble, and a well-balanced midrange. Compared to the IE 300, the sound staging among the instruments sounds more cohesive on the IE 200.
The bass is less overpowering which brings out the midrange better. The IE 300 is somewhat too preoccupied with tuning the treble to such an extraordinary feel that it somewhat neglects the balancing of the midrange instruments. No doubt the IE 300 sounds more impressive on initial listen, but the IE 200 is more faithful to the source.
RATING 4/5
We say: The IE 200 is an excellent starter for Sennheiser’s audiophile tuning.
S$219
sg.sennheiser-hearing.com
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Driver 7mm dynamic driver
Frequency Response 6 – 20,000 Hz
Sound Pressure Level 119dB (1kHz, 1Vrms)
Total Harmonic Distortion <0.08%
Impedance 18 ohms
Weight 4g
