Summary
Verdict – For contemporary music fans who want to replace iPod ear buds with better fitting, fun and contemporary in-ears at a wallet friendly price.
Pro’s – Warm and bass rich with some definition, fans of Hip Hop, Dance and contemporary Rock and Metal will enjoy the full and immediate sound.
Cons – Fans of Folk or Classical music or detail fanatics will need to up the budget and maybe take a look at the SoundMAGIC PL50 or to jump up to another tier, the Westone UM1 or Etymotic HF5.
In-Depth Review
Introduction – Sennheiser is the best known German headphone manufacturer. They make Studio, Audiophile and everyday headphones and even some technology used with the hard of hearing. German quality control is observed rigorously and a 2 Year warranty is given with all their products. Sennheiser seem to have a generally warm feel to their sound with a similar sonic idea running through their whole range.
Description -The CX300II is available in five colours (Black, Chrome, White, and Silver) and is a small, light in-ear isolating headphone. The cabling is copper, has a nice quality feel with anti tangle material used, it terminates in a 3.5mm right angle jack. There is adequate strain relief at the jack plug and driver units, the cable is asymmetrical which means it doesn’t evenly split in half under your chin but instead wraps around the neck.
Included peripherals – Inside the box – Small, Medium and large silicone tips, Cable clip, a little carry pouch.
Application – The CX300II is an obvious Apple ear bud upgrade, many people find the apple earbuds fit badly and sound weak with little detail or bottom end. Weighing in at 14g and with different tips and a clothing clip getting a good comfortable fit is easy.
Describe the sound – Fit is all important with in ear headphones as without a good seal on the ear you will hear very little bass. Once you have found the correct tips there is plenty of bass. Very smooth and warm with a bit of control of the bottom end. Great for Contemporary music styles like Hip Hop and Dance, the bass line from London Girl by The Invisible feels massive, punchy and driving. The bass can be untidy and this lack of the subtlety doesn’t help Acoustic or Classical, Jazz does a bit better but lacks a natural feeling of space.
Comparisons – What are the alternatives? SoundMAGIC’s excellent PL11 is a little cheaper with a few more accessories. Another model from the Chinese brand, the E10 offers a bit more clarity and a little less bass while keeping the fun approach. The Audiofly AF33‘s are great if you prefer more neutrality and less bottom end strength.
Product Information
Product – Sennheiser CX300-II
Product Type – In-Ear Isolating Headphones
Price – £35.95
