Sennheiser PX100-II vs PX100

In this article we review the Sennheiser PX 100.

Sennheiser PX100 is quite possibly the most successful portable headphones that Sennheiser has ever put out for the Ipod generation. Introduced in 2003, it quickly became an instant hit among audiophiles, and judging from the visibility of these headphones among the general crowd, it seems that the casual Ipod listeners like it a lot too. With its affordable price, good sound quality, and small lightweight foldable frame, the PX100 has challenged and maybe even surpassed the sales of old mainstays like the Koss KSC75 and Koss Portapro. Last year, just like when Grado updated the SR60, Sennheiser has started selling the second generation PX100, aptly named the PX100-II. I am curious of what Sennheiser has done to improve upon the old successful formula. I will be comparing the PX100-II with a PX100 bought in 2009 (there are rumors that the newer PX100 sounds different from the older batches).

The PX100-II maintains the basic foldable frame design of the original, though with an improved build quality through a thicker frame. The retro styling has been replaced with a more svelte all-black color. A nice touch that I also liked is the less fussy single-side entry cable as opposed to the dual-entry of the original PX100. The new cable also seems slightly more durable, though still with the same nickel-plated jack. The hard plastic case has been replaced by a basic nylon pouch. The pouch is less protective than the old case, but at the same time less cumbersome to use. Still, instead of the basic nylon pouch, I was hoping that a soft padded case was included. Comfort is still top notch but less so than the lighter PX100. It is still more comfortable on my head than IEMs, canalphones, earbuds, or other similar portable headphones. Head clamp is quite light, and the earpad is of good quality and doesn’t make your ears itchy or warm.

3.3/5 - (23 votes)
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64 Comments

  • Reply November 10, 2010

    donunus

    I posted a review of the px100-II here too in case anyone is interested in reading it

    http://www.headphiles.org/index.php/topic,1203.0….

    • Reply November 11, 2010

      Mike

      Thanks, donunus. The PX100-II is pretty amazing. I lent mine to a friend who uses it to play music from his Nokia cellphone. I asked him to take a listen, and it sounded phenomenal out of his E63 Nokia. I don't think I've ever heard the PX100-II being that good. It was very much like a baby HD650. Super-smooth!

  • Reply November 12, 2010

    donunus

    They sound good to me out of any of my sources but a source with great synergy plus the headband loosened up really makes them something special IMO

    • Reply November 12, 2010

      Mike

      Agree. The PX100-II are like baby HD650s.

  • Reply December 11, 2010

    alrick13

    I'm planning to buy the px100ii to replace my old px100, just want to ask if the material for frame of px100ii is the same as the px100? Because I bought px200ii I thought the frame will be metal since it is also in the px series

    • Reply December 11, 2010

      Mike

      The frame is not quite the same. I believe it still has a metal frame inside, but now it's covered with a beefier plastic. I think it's quite an improved built over the original version.

      • Reply December 12, 2010

        alrick13

        thanks for the info = )

  • Reply February 25, 2011

    Jonskitch

    PX-100 Mk2 has greater bass over PX-100 but can occasionally lose timing during busy part. Its matter of choice both are good.

  • Reply May 28, 2011

    Logan Waters

    Thanks a lot for this comparo!

    For those looking for the PX100, you’ll note that the price has escalated steeply (~$70-$80 US). 

    But… there is a workaround.  The Sennheiser MM60 iP has the same specs as the P100, and adds a mic for use with cellphones.I just bought an MM60, and can confirm that it sounds the same as my old PX100 in a side-by-side.And the best part is that the MM60 can be had for ~$45 US.  PX100 fans – enjoy.       🙂

    • Reply May 30, 2011

      Anonymous

      Thanks, Logan.

    • Reply July 19, 2011

      Nets

      thank you for sharing this! I love my px100 but it’s time to replace. i don’t even mind paying twice the original price of the px100 for the px100-ii, but reviews suggest they’re not quite as brilliant. had never heard of the mm60 until now (just ordered). thanks again!

      • Reply July 20, 2011

        Anonymous

        Hi Nets,
        When the PX100-II was first released I heard a lot of reports of it
        being worst than the original. After owning the headphone, however, I
        have to disagree and say that the PX100-II is a far improved model. In
        fact I can’t imagine going back to the original model after owning the
        mk II version.

        The sound is much more smoother and refined, micro detail level and
        frequency extension is also improved on the Mk2. Lastly the build
        quality is also much better than the original. The PX100-II along with
        the V-Jays remain two of my favorite ultra portables, and these are
        definitely better than the old favorites such as Portapro or PX100
        original.

  • Reply October 3, 2011

    Livequaker

    I am proud user of PX100 for 7 years and i am thinking of switching to px100 II but i thing i`ll miss that hard case of the original model. I am using it always [everyday pucking and unpacking] and I thing it is the main reason that only thing that I needet so far was to replace old ear pads. I searched web for any additional accesory like that hard case…but so far nothing….and because of thicker frame I do not thing that px100 II will fit to the old hard case. 

    • Reply October 3, 2011

      Anonymous

      Yes I don’t know why they had stopped shipping the PX100 with the hard case. I think many people miss it too.

  • Reply October 4, 2011

    Anonymous

    hi Mike, 

      you mentioned two baby HD650 on headfonia, the one is HD202-ii, the other one is PX100-ii. HD650  seems had many babies here. hooray~

    one thing for thought is, do PX100 got speed for fast paced music? or it is still ‘slow sennheiser ‘veil’ sound?

    • Reply October 4, 2011

      Anonymous

      The PX100 is always pretty slow for fast paced music.

      • Reply October 5, 2011

        Anonymous

        safe choice for majorities, actually. since (i think) fast paced music not widely popular.

        uhm, one thing, did you serious commenting that PX100 oversold 25years KOSS’ KC75s Portapros & (perhaps) Grado sales ?
        How old actually PX100?

  • Reply November 11, 2011

    Johnwood70

    I owned the original PX100’s for 3 years and loved them. I just got the PX100 II’s and have to say that the sound has been improved in every way, I can listen to them for hours. 

    Can anyone tell me, would the PX100 II’s, being a small headphone, benefit from amping, say the Fiio E6 or E11 for example? Has anyone tried. 

    I am playing FLAC files from my sansa clip+, electronica, Bjork, Gorrilaz and some jazz and slower rock.

    • Reply November 14, 2011

      Anonymous

      Hi John,
      The PX100-II is one of the ultraportable that I use a lot. If you add an amp to it, you’ll find that the bass punch will improve but don’t expect major sound quality upgrades.

  • Reply December 9, 2011

    Kiwidave

    I had to make a decision in a “hurray” as my Bose MIE2i’s died all of a sudden, so based on the favorable review here I made a “D” to buy the PX100 II”s.

    Have had them for around 3 hours now – using them with Fiio E11 / L9 LOD & iPhone 4 — sounding quite good.
    Will try them tonight with my Nuforce uDac2 / E11 — will be interesting to see how they sound.

    Now I really wish I had kept my HD 600’s all those years ago (“binned” them when cable issues started after about 4 years of use 🙁 )

    • Reply December 9, 2011

      Mike

      The PX100-II is very enjoyable to listen to, despite the sometimes bass being loose. 

  • Reply December 10, 2011

    Dylan Yamakazi

    I just have to say that my PX100 is unbelievable. I am actually comparing it to my Beyer DT880 (:O). Of course, the texture isn’t as clear as in the Beyer. As you may know, the PX100 has supreme bass. I’ve only come across one headphone that beats it in bass, and that’s the Monster Cable Studio Beats. But the Beats’ bass washes away the mid a bit. Also, it is so convenient to be able to put the PX100 in my pockets. I am no audiophile, but I was just dying to make this comment.

  • Reply December 10, 2011

    pi

    worst headphone review ever…… um how do they sound?

    • Reply December 10, 2011

      Mark

      You do realise that there is a second page to the review……..

    • Reply December 10, 2011

      Mike

      Is that a bose logo on your avatar?

      • Reply December 10, 2011

        Lieven V

        Is it safe to conclude Bose fans can’t read very well? 😉

        • Reply August 17, 2015

          Bora Bora

          We can, just enough to know there are idiots such as you out there!

    • Reply December 16, 2011

      Jason

      Great review.  Have wanted 100s for a couple years now but think i’ll grab me some 100 ii s after reading this.  Thanks 🙂

  • Reply June 19, 2012

    SoundEskimoo

    Mike, my friend asked me portable recommendationHow you measure px100-ii to px200-ii , hd219 229 & steroid 239? I didn’t get long term impression with px200-ii.
    If you have to choose which one will give you most pleasures?

    • Reply June 19, 2012

      dalethorn

      If you have ipod or iphone and use “Rock” EQ setting with the PX200ii, the sound in my opinion is as good as anything up to the v-moda M80. A very, very good improvement. Not all headphones respond well to simple EQ settings, but the PX200ii is one such example.

      • Reply June 19, 2012

        SoundEskimoo

        Actually my question focused on how the sound signatures & musicality between three (sub-$100) & which one will satisfy most. I will ask comparison on V/M80 on dt1350/HD25 segment, since they were on same segment & price range.
        Do you have any idea for this one? thanks

        • Reply June 19, 2012

          dalethorn

          Then what was the purpose of the question? Because the musicality of the PX200ii cannot be equaled by the others. Is that not the focus of your question?

          • Reply June 19, 2012

            SoundEskimoo

            Considering to buy Sennheiser portable, that’s why I didn’t mention M80 here. I’m curious about how px200, HD portables especially 239, compared to px100.
            Thanks
            Still having some confusion here.

            • Reply June 19, 2012

              dalethorn

              Mike did explain the darker sound of the PX-100ii pretty well, and we have both the 100 and 200 ii’s here in the house. The PX-100ii will play well without EQ in my opinion if you like that signature OK, but if(!) you are willing to use EQ, you will get a more audiophile-like sound from the PX-200ii.

              • Reply June 19, 2012

                Mike

                Generally the PX200-II is a better headphone than the PX100-II. And it does sound more refined and more audiophile.
                Still there are things like timbre where the PX100-II is better than the PX200-II. I think it’s also related to the closed vs open back design, the open back usually sounding more natural.

                • Reply June 20, 2012

                  dalethorn

                  My wife uses the PX100ii so she knows the deal for sure.

              • Reply June 20, 2012

                SoundEskimoo

                small form factor make px200-ii had many weaknesses & limitations , so it needs to be EQ’ed?

                • Reply June 20, 2012

                  dalethorn

                  I don’t look at it so much that way. That’s a negative way of seeing a real opportunity to make a $50 headphone (current price) sound like a $200 headphone. All you have to do is try it and see. Like I said before, most headphones don’t get that much better with simple EQ, but the PX200ii is a rare exception. It doesn’t mean you will like it, but clearly to me it improves greatly, and that is a free upgrade if you see what I mean.

                  • Reply June 20, 2012

                    SoundEskimoo

                    Will you be satisfied with px200-ii on mainstream music? Hiphop, R&B, trance, etc

                    • June 20, 2012

                      dalethorn

                      Yes, if it is EQ’d as I describe, since the bass is strong and the balance is right for that music. Try v-moda Musique channel – excellent.

                    • June 20, 2012

                      SoundEskimoo

                      Never heard Musique channel is it IEM?. Only heard LP2 & V/M80, even tough they’re not available here

                    • June 20, 2012

                      dalethorn

                      Look up vmoda Musique on Google and they can connect you.

                    • June 20, 2012

                      SoundEskimoo

                      Will try, thanks!

          • Reply June 19, 2012

            SoundEskimoo

            Considering to buy Sennheiser portable, that’s why I didn’t mention M80 here. I’m curious about how px200, HD portables especially 239, compared to px100.
            Thanks

    • Reply June 19, 2012

      Mike

      Personally I like the PX100 best. But that’s just personal taste and I realize a lot of people think that the PX100 is too dark.

      • Reply June 19, 2012

        SoundEskimoo

        First of all, i did like sound character of px100-ii & hd202. Sound so good! Two baby HD650.
        Here two products I need to know more:
        Why you thought ‘px100-ii on steroid’ didnt impress that much? Isnt it supposed to be “a better px100”? The third baby HD650, perhaps?
        What’s the deal with px200-ii anyway? Is it more like baby HD600? What genre do px200-ii will perform best&worst?

        Perhaps you can enlightment me a bit about this. Thanks

        • Reply June 19, 2012

          Mike

          Alright the HD238 you mean? I think it’s technically better than the PX100-II on all aspects. Why I am not such a big fan of it? Simply the fit and the build. I like the fit of the PX100-II better. It’s lightweight, it’s small and not bulky, it doesn’t press my ears too hard. Little stuff like that. When I want a more full size sound, I’ll go to the HD25-1 or the HD650.
          The PX200-II is a more neutral headphone overall with better clarity than the PX100-II. I think it’s a good headphone, but generally I prefer darker signatures hence the PX100-II. If you read the ultra portable comparison article you’ll see me talking about the two there.

          • Reply June 20, 2012

            SoundEskimoo

            Yes I have read your ultraportable shootout last time. Won’t buy px200-ii for now, I saw articles about small closed tend to have many limitations, hence open small will perform freely

            Back again, perhaps I forgot Mike. HD238 is old gen PX100 on steroid or new gen PX100-ii on steroid? I might be have wrong perception here. It’s a huge difference.

            I want to have focus on sound & comfort rather than size, under $100. Are the earpads very soft & comfy?

  • Reply August 21, 2013

    andy dude

    I have not yet own the PX100-II may I know how to replace the ear pads of PX100-II? any chance that we can get PX200-II ear pads like cushion for PX100-II?

    • Reply August 22, 2013

      dalethorn

      I’m pretty sure there are some reliable vendors on eBay who sell the replacement pads, which are very easy to replace.

  • Reply January 28, 2014

    Muhammad Harith Ahmad Daud

    Hey Mike, were you playing AAC or ALAC during the session? How would you describe the sound if the headphone didn’t connect to an amplifier, just straight from iPod? Thanks a bunch.

    • Reply January 29, 2014

      SallyMaeSusan

      Playing ALAC and 256Kbps AAC straight from Pod and iPhone, the sound is great.
      I listen to a lot of ECM jazz which has tons of ‘space’ and ‘atmosphere’ around the music and these ‘phones are superb.
      I do tend to use the Bass Reducer on the EQ though.

    • Reply January 30, 2014

      Mike

      Don’t remember but AAC or ALAC don’t really matter for a PX100 vs PX100-II article, I suppose.

    • Reply March 14, 2014

      Muhammad Harith Ahmad Daud

      thank you guys, now I can let myself calm.hehe

  • Reply January 28, 2014

    SallyMaeSusan

    I love the PX 100 2. Bass a bit on the heavy side? Select the ‘Bass Reducer’ EQ on your pod or phone. Result? Superb with no loss of mids or highs. Got Apple devices? Then the remote is a must!
    Mine has been round the world with me quite a few times. Oh, and I’ve had them for over 2 years now.

  • Reply September 9, 2014

    Kevin Woodard

    Personally, I prefer the PX100 over the newer version. I don’t like the more bass heavy sound of the new release over the original…even though I listen to a lot of bass-heavy tracks. That cloud he was talking about in the article bothered me way too much. Sounds in that frequency area seems to get confused and falls away. The originals don’t have that issue.

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