IE 900: Sennheiser presents new in-ear earphones

Sennheiser has developed a new flagship earphone that is supposed to combine sound and comfort at the highest level. The high-end device is located in the top price range and relies on the latest technology.

The technology: three-chamber absorber system and X3R transducers

Sennheiser’s new headphones are milled from a single block of aluminum, according to the manufacturer, and feature a unique three-chamber absorber system called the T3CA. This system was first used in the IE 800. The new headphones now rely on a more advanced version of the chamber system. Inside are three acoustic chambers that, together with an acoustic vortex milled into the listener output, are intended to counteract sonic distortion (the so-called masking effect).

But it’s not just at the mechanical level that Sennheiser aims to ensure optimal and detailed sound. The X3R transducer also serves this goal. It is the successor to the 7 mm wideband transducer used in the previous models. Sennheiser expects the revised dynamic transducer to provide a sonic advantage over the more widely used multi-drivers.

The interaction of the special design of the earpieces and the revised dynamic transducer should ultimately ensure a distortion-free, naturalistic and balanced sound that remains regardless of the selected playback volume. Added to this is a new diaphragm foil that Sennheiser has developed for the IE 900. It is intended to minimize the inherent resonances of the listener and at the same time – just like the chamber-like structure and the special transducer – counteract distortions. Ultimately, this achieves a frequency response of five Hz to 48,000 Hz and a THD value of just 0.05% at 94 dB at a frequency of one kHz.

Wearer comfort: Great flexibility

In terms of wearing comfort, Sennheiser focuses primarily on flexibility. For example, the Fidelity Plus MMCX connector allows a largely free choice of the cable used: in addition to an unbalanced cable with a 3.5 mm plug, a balanced cable with a 2.5 mm plug and one with a 4.4 mm plug are included. All cables feature gold-plated plugs that are anchored deep in the case of the headphones, which provides extra stability to the cable. There’s also the para-aramid reinforcement, which is supposed to increase the durability of the cables.

Meanwhile, individually adjustable ear hooks and silicone and memory foam earpieces in three sizes are supposed to ensure a comfortable fit. Thus, the headphones can be adjusted to one’s own anatomy and wearing preferences at any time and should sit comfortably even when worn for long periods of time.

Price and Availability

The new Sennheiser IE 900 in-ear headphones are available now. The recommended retail price is 1,299 euros.