Sennheiser IE 600 Audiophile (IEM)

IE 600 — Exceptional in every Detail.

Simply beautiful sound, and the lengths Sennheiser will go to achieve it — that is the story of the IE 600. These in-ear devices not only reproduce the detail and emotion of a recording, they transcend it. Because each earphone is a masterpiece. From the hand-finished amorphous metal housing to high-end audio components developed and made by Sennheiser, everything is manufactured to the strictest tolerances. The balanced frequency response and extremely durable materials have been engineered to provide clear, natural voicing and a unique aesthetic that will retain its good looks for decades.

Features:

- Resilient AMLOY-ZR01 amorphous metal housing, 3D-printed in Germany

- Direct, neutral tuning with fast, accurate bass

- Select 7 mm TrueResponse transducers optimized to achieve the lowest possible distortion

- Exceptionally neutral sound thanks to dual resonator chambers D2CA

- Gold-plated Fidelity (+) MMCX connectors for reliable connections

- Choice of para-aramid reinforced cables (3.5 mm, 4.4 mm)

- Adjustable ear hooks and choice of ear tip adapters

- Frequency response: 4 Hz – 46.5 kHz

- 0.06% THD (1 kHz, 94 dB)

- Impedance: 18 ohms

Get closer to your music

Whatever type of music moves you, with the IE 600 it moves you more. Enjoy not only the notes, but also the subtle scratch of bow on string, the faint chirp of fingers gliding to the next chord on the guitar. Exquisitely neutral acoustic voicing brings your music closer, makes it more alive and vivid, yet pure and natural. Within this delicate balance, the IE 600 nevertheless manages to incorporate powerful yet fast and accurate low-end response. It’s all in a day’s work for Sennheiser’s TrueResponse transducer, the single 7 mm driver responsible for the extra-wide frequency range and ultra-low distortion of the IE 600.

Balanced, neutral voicing

To achieve a natural sound reminiscent of the neutrality provided by high-end studio monitors, our engineers carefully tuned the acoustic back volume inside the nozzle of the IE 600. This voicing lends a presence and intimacy that brings listeners closer to the music, allowing them to discover new accents and details. However, arriving at this level of poise and naturalness was not without challenges. When similar sounds occur in a track simultaneously, for instance, it can become difficult for the human ear to resolve all the nuances. The IE 600 integrates dual two chamber absorbers (D2CA) which capture and attenuate these masking frequencies, revealing even the finest textures of your music.

Stronger than steel, built to last

Researchers have worked for many years to perfect amorphous metals for manufacturing. The wait was worth it — the zirconium alloy from Heraeus Amloy Technologies we chose for the IE 600 has triple the hardness and flexural strength of high-performance steel. Shock-frozen during manufacturing, amorphous metals never have a chance to form a crystalline structure like conventional metals. The result is a lustrous, satiny surface that is extraordinary resistant against corrosion and scratches. The IE 600 housing is fabricated using metal-powder-based 3D printing that can create any shape imaginable within tight tolerances. Chambers and channels form as part of this additive manufacturing process with no milling required. However, cost does limit the potential applications of this new material. One of the only places you’ll find it — besides ultra-high-end products like the IE 600 — is in the drilling head of a NASA Mars Rover where extraordinary resilience in extreme conditions is required.

Automated manufacturing, handcrafted finish

Production of the amorphous metal housing takes place in Germany and includes both automated and manual steps. A computer-controlled laser sinters a thin coat of metal powder, welding the molten alloy to the already hardened material beneath it. Layer by layer, the part builds up to its ultimate shape. A technician then removes any artifacts of the manufacturing process by hand. After thorough cleaning, steel shot blasting, polishing, and sophisticated surface treatment, the housing assumes its final, extremely durable aesthetic. Even daily use leaves practically no evidence in the form of scratches or wear.