[dgjl]

Anyone with IE900 who also have the Westone W80 and can say something about the differences between the two? I'm thinking about getting the IE900 as an upgrade but I'm not sure if it is worth the price to pay for. I know the W80 is not up to date nowadays but I'm still quite happy with them. But reading more and more comments and reviews I think I would really like the IE900. I just don't know if the difference in quality is just a very small step in details and you have to actively focus on that or if the difference is noticeable the second you put it in the ear. I'm looking especially for better and deeper bass and also for a wider soundstage.
Before I got the W80 I used the Westone Um-Pro 50 and Shure SE 535. The W80 is clearly better than both. I got the W80 for 700 Euros - I would not buy them for over 1000 Euros for such an incremental step forward. And now I'm asking myself the same question again as the IE 900 are more than this 700 Euros and I don't know if the step upward is like my last upgrade or more than that to justify the higher upgrade price this time. Thank you all!

Yes, that's the move I made. It's a big investment, but I've found the ie900s better in every way. Clearer, bigger, no congestion, more realistic across all the genres I listen to (rock, jazz, classical, folk, etc.) Of course, that's only my experience...

 

[nuze]

I finally got my replacement sent from my local dealer in Indonesia (Bass Audio). They worked it through Sennheiser Singapore and it took about a month plus. Kudos to them. Everything went well and they took responsible for the warranty claim

Now I am back in audio heaven with the IE900 once again. How I missed the bass quality and staging of this IEM

I just hope there will be no more replacement needed. Time for another burn in now and enjoy the music

Edit: Brand new in box btw

 

[MarkParity]

Of course, that's only my experience...

I think you summed the differences well. I would agree.

I still own both because there is one area where the W80 wins and that's isolation, assuming properly fitting (foam?) tips of course.

 

[Klangwerkk]

Thanks for the info! What about comfort? I love my W80 because they are so comfy and I can use them for hours without even feeling them in my ears. Is it the same with the IE900? And can you tell me a little more about soundstage difference? That would be one main argument for me for the upgrade. Is it a clear step from the W80 or just a small incremental detail? I would buy them used for a good price so I have no return option.

 

[dgjl]

Thanks for the info! What about comfort? I love my W80 because they are so comfy and I can use them for hours without even feeling them in my ears. Is it the same with the IE900? And can you tell me a little more about soundstage difference? That would be one main argument for me for the upgrade. Is it a clear step from the W80 or just a small incremental detail? I would buy them used for a good price so I have no return option.

Comfort is very similar. The nozzle is shorter than the W80 so it doesn't sit quite as far in the ear. Also takes quite a bit of tip rolling to find the ideal fit. Plenty of advice on that above. As for soundstage, the W80 is a good IEM, so it's not night and day, but the 900 has a bigger and more spacious sound, instruments are better separated too.

 

[ericpalonen]

I finally got my replacement sent from my local dealer in Indonesia (Bass Audio). They worked it through Sennheiser Singapore and it took about a month plus. Kudos to them. Everything went well and they took responsible for the warranty claim

Now I am back in audio heaven with the IE900 once again. How I missed the bass quality and staging of this IEM

I just hope there will be no more replacement needed. Time for another burn in now and enjoy the music

Edit: Brand new in box btw

Glad you got it resolved! Territories have a way of making seemingly simple logistics a lot more complicated, especially when by contrast the internet connects us all in one online, real-time country (Head-Fi)....we appreciate your patience!

 

[Klangwerkk]

Comfort is very similar. The nozzle is shorter than the W80 so it doesn't sit quite as far in the ear. Also takes quite a bit of tip rolling to find the ideal fit. Plenty of advice on that above. As for soundstage, the W80 is a good IEM, so it's not night and day, but the 900 has a bigger and more spacious sound, instruments are better separated too.

Sorry, one last question Is it possible to use the W80 Tips on the IE800? They fit perfect for me and therefore would be an easy solution regarding tip rolling.

 

[Beh0lder]

I have the W30 which has the same stem IIRC, they are reeaaly small stemmed so they will have to stretch quite a bit. I will check it out soon.

 

[dgjl]

Sorry, one last question Is it possible to use the W80 Tips on the IE800? They fit perfect for me and therefore would be an easy solution regarding tip rolling.

If they stretch they may go on, but the 900s have a completely different nozzle shape. I did stretch the spinfit tips I used for my W80s onto the 900s but they sounded terrible as did the Westone silicone tips. Foam tips almost certainly won't stretch.

 

[ericpalonen]

If they stretch they may go on, but the 900s have a completely different nozzle shape. I did stretch the spinfit tips I used for my W80s onto the 900s but they sounded terrible as did the Westone silicone tips. Foam tips almost certainly won't stretch.

Old life hack to loosen up ear tips a little bit more (we'll be doing a post on hacks soon, stat tuned): put the ear tips in a Ziploc sandwich bag and then put them in your pocket for a little bit, or wrap the Ziploc bag in a hot, damp washcloth for about 5 minutes. Generally speaking, warm ear tips are more pliable and even a slight improvement in their flexibility helps if you have a tight fit. This also works for foam ear plugs FWIW. Note: it doesn't work on tips that have a plastic shaft around the nozzle port.

 

[rwelles]

I received my Plussound cable earlier this week. Really like it a lot. I got the SPC variant hoping to coax a bit more highs out of my IE900s. After a few days of listening, I believe it does help substantially. There's still the wonderfully solid bottom end. Still debating with myself if it brings out the mids more. Overall, I'm very happy with this upgrade.

A couple of caveats: Plussound can't add color ends with these specific connectors for the IE series; and it doesn't come with a clip. I stole a clip off my ER4 and used electrical tape to add enough diameter to the cable. So far, it's working well.

 

[The1Signature]

i just noticed that sennheiser increased the price for the ie 900 from 1299 euro to 1499 euro. see here.

 

[Klangwerkk]

I pulled the trigger and bought them new! At first I wanted a used pair because of the price but then I found a shop selling them for 1149,- new! Should get it next week. Thanks again for all of your infos!

 

[The1Signature]

I pulled the trigger and bought them new! At first I wanted a used pair because of the price but then I found a shop selling them for 1149,- new! Should get it next week. Thanks again for all of your infos!

good choice. welcome into the club

 

[ericpalonen]

I pulled the trigger and bought them new! At first I wanted a used pair because of the price but then I found a shop selling them for 1149,- new! Should get it next week. Thanks again for all of your infos!

Welcome to the #IE900Club ! When you get them, don't forget to share some of your favorite demo tracks and what you're listening for/to