[PopZeus]

Looks less treble forward when compared to the IE300. At least on Crin's graph comparison tool. That's interesting to me because the IE300's treble is a bit too spicy for me.

 

[AlwaysForward]

So perhaps I misunderstood the scope of the “consumer” business at Sennheiser. I was thinking of mostly the types of SKUs you’d see at Best Buy rather than Magnolia HiFi. Things like the Momentum line or models with “CX” in the moniker.

I expected non-consumer models to include basically anything with “HD” or “IE” in the moniker.

Maybe this is an opportunity for Sennheiser to share more details on how things change for the respective lines.

 

[Tristy]

So perhaps I misunderstood the scope of the “consumer” business at Sennheiser. I was thinking of mostly the types of SKUs you’d see at Best Buy rather than Magnolia HiFi. Things like the Momentum line or models with “CX” in the moniker.

I expected non-consumer models to include basically anything with “HD” or “IE” in the moniker.

Maybe this is an opportunity for Sennheiser to share more details on how things change for the respective lines.

So audiophiles aren't considered "Consumers" no?

 

[AlwaysForward]

So audiophiles aren't considered "Consumers" no?

Technically anyone can be considered a consumer for a product or service. But while Ferrari has a consumer base, they don’t make consumer vehicles.

Audiophiles will commonly refer to a class of headphones as “consumer” products to differentiate from their audiophile specialist products; That’s what I’m speaking towards here: the Sennheiser products which compete with the broadly “consumer” market and are likely to be found at Big Box Retail.

So to answer your question, no. Audiophiles are a different and narrow demographic with different features of interest and price tolerances. More similar to the professional market than what “consumer products” are made for.

Think of “consumer” as having a Bose/Beats competition model while non-consumer doesn’t compete for retail shelf space next to those but might be in a HiFi store.

 

[ericpalonen]

Sennheiser is king of making mediocre IEM's for a luxury cost smh

@drewbinaj Which have you owned or tried extensively?

 

[Tristy]

I really think it isn't that black and white, it really comes down to how much disposable income you have. Also the designation of 'pro' use would usually infer for use in a studio or some other profession based activity where the product is designed for a specific use case. Seeing as the IE900 isn't tuned neutrally judging by the FR graph, I think it justifies being a 'consumer' product. Also, it isn't being marketed toward professional use. Just because someone doesn't have the capacity to shop at Harrods it doesn't mean that it isn't a leisurely 'consumer' environment.

 

[AlwaysForward]

I really think it isn't that black and white, it really comes down to how much disposable income you have. Also the designation of 'pro' use would usually infer for use in a studio or some other profession based activity where the product is designed for a specific use case. Seeing as the IE900 isn't tuned neutrally judging by the FR graph, I think it justifies being a 'consumer' product. Just because someone doesn't have the capacity to shop at Harrods it doesn't mean that it isn't a leisurely 'consumer' environment.

Yes, that’s why I asked for Sennheiser to weigh in on where they draw the line. Though my shared understanding is the commonly accepted industry standard.

 

[ericpalonen]

Looks less treble forward when compared to the IE300. At least on Crin's graph comparison tool. That's interesting to me because the IE300's treble is a bit too spicy for me.

Graphs can show response but things like spice, harshness, bite, shred, etc, are mostly derived from a contextual chain (song + recording + mix + gear) and are really tricky to illustrate versus an "is it there? Ok good" measurement. We hope you get to try the IE 900s, as they have qualities that are in that Goldilocks zone that is tougher to quantify but easy to qualify. Cheers!

 

[Tristy]

Yes, that’s why I asked for Sennheiser to weigh in on where they draw the line. Though my shared understanding is the commonly accepted industry standard.

Yes, probably when they market and tune the item towards professional use....

Yes, that’s why I asked for Sennheiser to weigh in on where they draw the line. Though my shared understanding is the commonly accepted industry standard.

Please direct me to where this defined industry standard is written?

 

[LarryMagoo]

Does mean that a new HD 900 is on the way?

 

[Action123]

Sennheiser: Please welcome our new flagship with groundbreaking innovation not yet seen on any other flagship - a removable cable!

Any reason to believe that they have proprietary bits in the connector? Hoping I wouldn’t be pulled into an ecosystem of some sort

 

[ericpalonen]

Any reason to believe that they have proprietary bits in the connector? Hoping I wouldn’t be pulled into an ecosystem of some sort

Nope, nothing proprietary in there. The decision to use a recessed socket can be done by anyone, and an MMCX plug that fits can be made by any cable manufacturer without license, etc. It was a durability/longevity decision.

 

[Action123]

Nope, nothing proprietary in there. The decision to use a recessed socket can be done by anyone, and an MMCX plug that fits can be made by any cable manufacturer without license, etc. It was a durability/longevity decision.

Awesome. I’ve got a dealer in town who should be getting these. I’ll be sure to give them a try!

 

[ericpalonen]

Awesome. I’ve got a dealer in town who should be getting these. I’ll be sure to give them a try!

Awesome! Let us know what you think. Cheers!

 

[Skullar]

Any reason to believe that they have proprietary bits in the connector? Hoping I wouldn’t be pulled into an ecosystem of some sort

I wasn't serious. Just find it funny that they had a flagship with non detachable cable for so long. Typical big name approach. Just milk the product to its last. Same like Sony daps.

Honestly i only owned IE80S. But i could not say they vere extremely durable. My mate had them his unit had issues too. Not to mention that they were a joke for €300 even back then.
Hopefully they improved a lot since then.
Ie900 seems to aim for mid-high end market like CA. Id like to hear it even if tuning does not look like my cup.