Sennheiser IE 200 guide for PC

Mature performers for the price, even if they aren’t the last word in attack

Welcome to Audiophile Club. The first rule of Audiophile Club is: you do talk about Audiophile Club. The second rule of Audiophile Club is: you do talk about Audiophile Club! If there was a Fight Club-inspired set of eight rules to join such a club, Sennheiser might vote to make the third: everyone is welcome. (After all, the film’s third rule – if someone yells “stop!”, goes limp or taps out, it’s over – probably wouldn’t be suitable, though going limp at hearing your favourite song sound the best you’ve ever heard it wouldn’t be inconceivable!)

The German company has long manufactured higher-end ‘audiophile headphones’ for the more discerning music listener fortunate enough to be able to afford them, but head to that very section on the company’s website and you’ll see that these ‘audiophile headphones’ – almost all wired (perhaps that would be Sennheiser’s suggestion for a fourth rule…) – now include a range of in-ear and over-ear pairs at a range of prices, from as little as £130 / $150 / AU$240.
Indeed, Sennheiser has in recent years increased the accessibility of this revered range (which, if you were wondering, sits above its standard ‘Headphones’, its true wireless earbuds and noise-cancelling wireless over-ears, for example) – and none more so than with the introduction of the IE 200 wired earbuds. The Sennheiser IE 200 come into the range at that aforementioned price, taking up the entry-level spot and arguably representing the brand’s most valiant effort yet to encourage more people to experience ‘audiophile’-grade sound quality.

Sennheiser IE 200 review
The one Goldilocks would choose from the Sennheiser IE line.
The Sennheiser IE 200 lends some authority to your analytic listening sessions with its relatively subdued frequency response that works for casual listening too. That it's easy wearing for hours at a time is no small feat, and the sturdy over-ear cabling ensures a solid fit. With a price that's relatively affordable, it opens up a niche market to newcomer enthusiasts and pros.
The Sennheiser IE 200 is a pint sized set of in-ear monitors (IEM) aimed at bridging the difference between “accurate” and consumer oriented sound reproduction. It distinguishes itself from other models in the IE line up by aiming at the everyday listeners with a spartan look and performance-focused execution. Should you grab a set, or choose a different Sennheiser IE model?

The IE 200 are Sennheiser's entry-level in-ear monitors. If you've ever felt envious of the company's more expensive IE 300, IE 600, or the flagship IE 900 models, then at $150, the IE 200 is a much easier pill to swallow, especially since the previous entry point cost twice as much.

With the IE 200, Sennheiser has a very clear goal; to offer an exceptionally neutral sound signature at an affordable price. This is a bit of a departure from the other models in the series, which have all come to be known as bass cannons. In that sense, it is a bit of a role reversal. If you want the most accurate sound, you have to pay the least. That's quite an interesting proposition and a good place as any to stop this introduction and start the review.

Why not make balanced, high-fidelity sound available to everyone? The IE 200 is the answer. Whether you’re a lifelong audiophile — or you just want better sound on the road — these exceptionally neutral and precise earphones reveal an entire world of new detail.