Sennheiser Consumer has launched a pair of earbuds – the IE 600 – which promise to “break new ground for neutral sound reproduction”. The manufacturer says the new buds offer meticulous craftsmanship and tuning to ensure an exquisitely natural sound.

According to Sennheiser, the IE 600 offers “exceptional, virtually distortion-free reproduction of music” thanks to the brand’s TrueResponse transducer – a single 7mm driver responsible for the extra-wide frequency range and ultra-low distortion of these earphones.

Within the IE 600, this system and the acoustic back volume has been tuned for a tonally neutral, intimate and emotional sound, to ensure a true-to-life voicing that is especially expressive for vocal performances, Sennheiser says.

Meanwhile, the acoustic system has also been optimised to produce a steep bass slope resulting in a powerful yet fast and accurate low-end response, the company adds.

Sennheiser says its engineers have also utilised the innovative acoustic back volume and precision-molded resonator chambers. This voicing lends a presence and intimacy that brings listeners closer to the music, allowing them to discover new accents and details. And, the nozzle houses dual resonator chambers that are the key to the earphones’ high-fidelity sound.

Other features of the IE 600 include gold-plated MMCX connectors which are recessed in its housing for greater stability and guidance. These support cable diameters of 4.8 mm and smaller, allowing listeners to plug into a wide range of audio sources as well as hi-fi components with balanced outputs.

To allow the choice between para-aramid reinforced unbalanced and balanced cables, both 3.5mm and 4.4mm sizes are included with the IE 600. Plus, users can choose from two different styles of earbud tips — silicone and memory foam — provided in three sizes, ensuring a good fit for any ear shape. Flexible, adjustable ear hooks promise to further enhance the long-lasting comfort for extended listening sessions, Sennheiser says.

Through a patented 3D printing process, the housings of the IE 600 have been crafted from ZR01 amorphous zirconium, a metal with a glass-like atomic structure that gives it triple the hardness and also bend resistance of high-performance steel, Sennheiser says. This material is also used in the drilling head of the NASA Mars Rover, where ultimate toughness in extreme conditions is required.

Finally, the German brand achieves the surface finish that is resistant against corrosion and scratches via special processing techniques.

“At the audiophile development team, we intently listen to the feedback of our incredibly passionate customers, said Jermo Köhnke, Product Manager at Sennheiser, adding, “The IE 600 delivers a neutral reference tuning in combination with our industry-leading miniature transducer technology. The paradigm-shifting acoustic performance is appropriately clad in highest-performance amorphous zirconium. The IE 600 will be a reference for the most demanding mobile audio enthusiasts.”

The Sennheiser IE 600 will be available this Spring/Summer for €699 (MSRP).

Key Selling Points

• TrueResponse transducer
• 3.5mm and 4.4mm sizes are included
• Housings crafted from ZR01 amorphous zirconium for extra toughness

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