Sennheiser IE 800 Audiophile Ear Canal Headphones

Sennheiser IE800 vs Shure SE846 vs Shure SE535 vs Westone UM3x RC
Let me preface by saying that I'm not a hardcore audiophile but that I do enjoy listening to music and travel quite a bit for work and am constantly on the hunt for new IEM's and headphones to use when traveling on planes/etc. That being said, I'd probably describe myself more as an enthusiast rather than a hardcore audiophile.

I was in the market for some high end IEM's and was choosing between the Shure SE846-CL Sound Isolating Earphones with Quad HiDef MicroDrivers, Crystal Clear and Sennheiser IE 800 High-Performance In-Ear Headphones (Black). I was looking to upgrade from my Shure SE535-CL Triple High-Definition MicroDriver Earphone with Detachable Cable (Clear) and Westone UM 3X In-Ear...

The new IEM standard. Simply unbelievable. One of my best purchases ever.
Background: Class and jazz musician. Currently own and use Etymotic, Shure, Ultimate Ears in front of ALO audio DAC/Amp listening to hi-rez audio records (24bit/88Mhz) off an Astell & Kerns AK100.

These are the finest IEM I have listened to. I took great pause seeing the price of these. However, I have to say they are well worth the price given their phenomenal imaging, outstanding sonic resolution, and superior noise isolation. These are precise yet musical. They are vastly open and three-dimensional, but naturally and musically so. These have now become the IEM standard for any indication, including noisy airplane travel.

They are essentially "open ear" in ear monitors, as opposed to most/all other IEMs I've used, which have a closed-ear design. This improves imaging characteristics because the speakers are not projecting into a closed cavity where air has nowhere to move. Looking at the open-ear design, I was initially concerned that noise...

Incredible sound quality
This product is for people who want and demand excellent sound quality and are willing and able to pay for it.

I have used Shure 530, the Westone 3, Audeo PFE 232, Westone 4 (my former favorite) and now for the last week, the Sennheisers. My home full headphones system includes Beyer T1, Woo Audio WA 2 (upgraded), First Watt J2 amp and Meitner MA-1 DAC (incredible product). I mention these so you know what my reference point and preferences are.

Simply put, the Sennheisers are in a class of their own and you can tell that in the first ten seconds. It's that obvious. All the others sound muffled and unenvolving in comparison (apart from the Audeo which sound open but harsh to me).

There is no area of weakness. Bass is rock solid and deep, midrange is very involving and the treble is smooth and extended. You hear many more nuances in the recordings driven from iPhone 5 or MacBook Pro 13 inch retina late 2013 model. The beginning of We Belong (Pat...

Click To editorial Review