Box & Accessories
The earphones come in a very nice multi-layer box, as you can see in the pictures. It’s pretty much the same as the IE 900 box, actually. We always expect the best from Sennheiser and they have surely delivered in this regard.
When you slide open the inner box, you will immediately see the 2 earpieces on top, embedded in foam. On the next level you will find the certificate of authenticity, with the quality check stamp (January 11 for mine) and the signature of the Quality controller. A very nice touch we often see with higher end gear. There also is a “give us your feedback” flyer.
On the third level you will find the main compartment with all the goodies:
- 3 pairs of foam and silicone tips (S/M/L),
- a cleaning tool,
- a shirt clip,
- a carrying case,
- 2 sets of cables
On the last level, you will find a multi-language manual.
All-in all a it’s a very complete package and everything you expect when buying earphones at this price point.
Design, Build Quality, Cable
The IE 600, as you can see in the pictures, is small in size just like the IE 300 and IE 900. They look very much like Sennheiser’s latest IEMs. Designed in Germany, they are manufactured at the company’s state-of-the-art transducer production facilities in Ireland to the very highest standards.
Through a patented 3D printing process, the housings of the IE 600 have been crafted from ZR01 amorphous zirconium, a metal with a glass-like atomic structure that gives it triple the hardness and bend resistance of high-performance steel. One of the only other places ZR01 amorphous zirconium is used is in the aerospace industry, such as in the drilling head of the NASA Mars Rover, where ultimate toughness in extreme conditions is required.
If you have read our IE 300 and IE 900 review, the shape of the IEM will look familiar, the big difference being it now is printed with ZR01 zirconium. Through multiple elaborate treatment processes, a surface finish is achieved that is extraordinarily resistant against corrosion and scratches. This exceptional resilience – according to Sennheiser – ensures the IE 600 can be enjoyed for many years while its distinctive great looks remain undiminished. If you have been checking out REDDIT, you might have found there is a IE 600 thread already, and in there not everyone agrees that the IE 600 finishing looks good. But everyone’s taste is different so let us know in the comment section if you like this special type of finish on the IE 600 or not.
To me the rough design looks unique. No, they’re not as fancy and high-end looking as the IE 900 but they do look better in reality than they do in the pics. The air vent (again) is nicely placed under the Sennheiser logo and doesn’t disturb the looks. The left earpiece has the IE 600 lettering on the inside of the monitor and it has a black ring where the MMCX connecter is located. The right earpiece has a red ring and that’s it.
The build quality and finish of my set of IE 600 is perfect, there’s really nothing bad I can say about it. Important to see and note is that the IE 600 has a rib/ridge on the canal so the tip can be held in place. The nozzle is also sealed with a plastic mesh so that dirt and wax can’t easily enter the IEMs. In fact the mesh logo can be found in the foam tips as well, they share the same design. Sennheiser/Deutsche Gründlichkeit.
The IE 600 comes with 2 sets of cables. Inside the box you’ll find an unbalanced cable with a 3.5mm connector and a balanced cable with a 4.4mm connector. The cables are para-aramid-reinforced, and they can withstand thousands of bending cycles. The MMCX-connectors allow you to use your favorite aftermarket cables, but more on that later.
The TPU coated cable is made from Oxygen-free Copper (OFC) and it features individual ear
hooks to keep the IEMs in place. The cable is free of friction noise and I haven’t heard it pick up any interference from other devices.
Fit, Comfort and Isolation
The IE 600 earpieces are very small and they perfectly fit my ears. The canal is short and small in diameter, so it will fit all shapes of ears and stay perfectly in place. Of course tip selection here is critical – as it is for the sound -, but more on that later. The small units disappear in your ears and that’s something I like a lot. They’re even small enough to sleep with and wearing them for hours is comfy and painless.
One earpiece only weighs about 6 grams, so they’re not heavy in any way. They don’t want to fall out of your ears all the time, though the tip selection helps with that. The cable is very light as well, so it won’t be pulling down on the earpieces either. And with the individually adjustable ear hooks, you can set the monitors just how you want, so they won’t bother you in any way.
Isolation-wise these are closed monitors and they have a -26dB attenuation level. That means they Isolate really well, and they block out as good as all outside noise (depending also on the tips used, foam in my case). A high level of isolation is great for the sound quality and the musical experience but do pay attention when using this IEM outside in traffic, where cars and things can hit you.
The review continues on the third page. Click here or use the jumps below.
Page 1: Sennheiser, IE 600, Technical Specs
Page 2: Box & Accessories, Design, Build Quality, Cable, Fit, Comfort, Isolation
Page 3: Sound – Intro, General, Classics
Page 4: Sound – Balanced vs Single Ended, Tips, Comparisons, Conclusion
rantng
“Technically the mids are on the same level as the bass section. Good, but not as pronounced as in the IE 900.”
Can you clarify the above? I found the mids of IE 900 to be somewhat recessed in relation to its bass, but the review suggests the IE 600 is more balanced…
Lieven
What I mean is that the mid section in the IE 900 is technically stronger. More clear, precise, extended, spacious, separated, etc. I am not talking about the IE 600 mids being recessed.
I hope this is more clear, sorry if it wasn’t.
rantng
Ah ok, thanks for clearing that up.