Sennheiser IE900 In-Ear Monitors

The IE 900 — goodbye to tradeoffs

High-fidelity recordings are pieces of art. Just as with a valuable painting, it would be a disgrace to allow damage during transport. The IE 900 reveals the true potential of any recording. If it’s a masterpiece, you’ll hear it. For example, you will hear brilliant, sparkling treble with no traces of sibilance. Lows will be powerful without creating muddy mids. Furthermore, there will be an uncanny ability to resolve fine detail and provide warmth and comfort for extended sessions. All these qualities derive from inspired feats of engineering. Take Sennheiser’s trusted 7 mm transducer, for instance. They’ve made it just that much better for the IE 900. Another improvement is the all-new X3R triple-chamber absorber technology, milled right into the solid aluminum core with its downstream acoustic vortex. Taken together, these innovations deliver a unique level of balance and transparency, resulting in you never having to compromise ever again.

Explore every last detail

Considerable effort goes into capturing the finest nuances of a musical performance. Reliving the creativity and texture recorded in the studio or concert hall can be a source of great pleasure. However, this pleasure can only be achieved if the listener’s playback equipment allows it. The German-engineered TrueResponse driver ensures exceptionally natural reproduction of music. A large part of its precise transient response comes from the unique combination of materials in the diaphragm, alongside its high inner dampening. So, when the signal stops, the sound stops too. This is how the IE 900 can reveal details in tracks that you thought you knew inside out. However, the only thing that counts is what you (the listener) hear. The tonality of each instrument becomes clearly audible. Also, it’s not just the skills of the musicians that the IE 900 reveals. Even the acoustic properties of the room gain a new presence. Instead of remaining on the surface, you can now dive deep into complex passages, all while remaining immersed in a breathtaking soundstage.

A new level of clarity

In developing the IE 900, Sennheiser faced a fundamental choice. The inherent problems with multi-driver systems (phase issues and the resulting distortion in overlapping frequency bands) made the decision to use a single dynamic driver an easy one. Of course, there is only one single dynamic driver, which is of the highest quality. To get the exact sound that Sennheiser was looking for, they designed a sophisticated system of three Helmholtz resonators, a crucial element in the X3R technology, milled right into the solid aluminum housing of each earphone. These tiny channels eliminate resonance peaks which can color the sound signature and alter the feel of your music. In addition, a complex structure in the nozzle of each earphone — the Vortex — swirls acoustic energy in these frequency bands to smooth out peaks.

An acoustic back-volume establishes balance

The goal was to achieve a transparent sound with no distracting peaks or troughs. To attain this, there needs to be a clear separation of lows and mids. To ensure accuracy across this critical frequency band, they’ve employed what is known as an acoustic back volume. It’s a small “chamber within a chamber” that they tuned to manage the slope and amplitude of the bass lift. The way the back volume helps achieve such a clear and natural sound signature is by controlling the direction and overall volume of air as it moves throughout the transducer system. What you hear is a pleasantly disciplined bass and mid-range experience. Unpleasant resonances and listening fatigue vanish greatly in this small space.

The sound of manufacturing expertise

Sennheiser built the IE 900 at our state-of-the-art audiophile manufacturing plant in Ireland. This is the same facility that produces the revered HD 800S, HD 820, HD 650, and HD 600. The use of aluminum was a clear choice. It is well-suited to high-precision milling and provides an aesthetically pleasing, long-lasting home for the electro-acoustic components. A five-axis CNC machine precision cuts each housing individually from a single aluminum block. The result is truly a work of art. Once anodized, the housing is highly resistant to wear and corrosion, which is music to the ears of any daily listener. The drivers in each pair of IE 900s are matched during our automated manufacturing process, practically eliminating variance. The result? A transparent soundstage with no gaps or holes.

A precise fit for precise sound

Working musicians rely on high-quality, form-fitting earphones known as personal monitoring systems. However, in our opinion, the privilege of enjoying perfect live sound should not be the exclusive right of the performers of the world. So, they took these professional solutions’ comfort and secure fit as inspirations for the IE 900. Now you can enjoy a fit and quality that rivals the artists who create your music experience. Included with the IE 900 are silicone ear adapters and three elastic foam ear adapter sets in three different sizes. They adapt to the natural shape of your ear for a tailored fit. They’ve all been there and experienced an amazing piece of music spoiled by a recurring bass note that happens to match the resonant frequency of your loudspeakers or headphones. Similarly, I’m sure we’ve all experienced rough treble sibilance that makes longer sessions uncomfortable. Such obvious deficiencies are unthinkable with the IE 900. All you will hear is precisely what the artist intended. They’re perfect at your desk, on a train, or when taking a walk through the woods. Never have a listening session spoiled by your earphones again.

It pays to have good connections

In addition to outstanding sound, audiophiles appreciate durable products made to last. The IE 900 excels here as well. Gold-plated Fidelity+ MMCX connectors ensure perfect contact. Each termination is seated within a recessed 4.8 mm-wide socket, which is below the surface of the housing, providing strain relief. The cables themselves are para-aramid reinforced to withstand many thousands of bend cycles. However, they don’t have to when protected in the included serialized case. Connect to practically any digital audio source with the 3.5 mm stereo plug, such as headphone amps, laptops, and audio interfaces. Each pair of IE 900s also includes symmetrical 2.5 mm and 4.4 mm cables for plugging directly into hi-fi components with balanced outputs. Why? It’s because when you’re looking for the most natural and immersive sound, every detail matters.