Sennheiser IE 800 S Review

Hi!
After looong listening sessions I finally can pronounce my opinion for a very interesting pair of in-ear headphones, The Sennheiser IE800S.
Sennheiser states: "Sleek and compact, the IE 800 S is a giant where it really matters: in reproducing music. " and this is a very true argument; the size has nothing to do with the way they sounds and has everything to do with how comfortable these headphones really are!
They offer very good midrange and vocals, warm upper frequencies and decent amount of bass for my taste anyway. The sound is natural and balanced with no coloration, a very opened soundstage with good separation.
The only minus would be the lack of punch and dynamic but consider their size and the fact that has only one driver (so no balanced armatures) I think it's understandable.
They play well with different source players and borrow something from all of them; from the Fiio X5 they took the analytic sound, the drive force and a little dynamic and from the Sony walkmen the sweet and melodious sound that you never want to stop listening.
Overall if you want a very small pair of headphones and you have a balanced player, you definitely should consider the IE800S because they really have a lot to offer.
If you dont have a balanced player, the experience with them looses around 25% magic and for the money you will find better solutions!
All the best!

[@PaulGrower]

Hi, if I pick these up I would need to use them for music with a good/powerful integrated amp and as front speakers with a separate AV receiver. Why do recommend using them for music only, can you please explain? Thanks! Paul.

[@robovirtuoso1354]

The original version IE800 works very well with Sony Walkman DAPs. Non-purists can try the "Studio" effect which makes the sound more "tangible" and bigger and moves it outside your head (seems to use some sort of cross-feed).

[@samusl]

I can't find the 'Studio' effect on Sony Gold Signature DAP

[@deathbydart3891]

Great video, thank you! Would you consider lowering the music volume a bit more so it's easier to hear your voice in the future? Thanks!

[@audioreviewchannel3365]

death by dart will do ;)

[@AramKocharyan]

@@audioreviewchannel3365 What is the track you're playing btw, it's great

[@audioreviewchannel3365]

@@AramKocharyan just a free copyright track from the you tube library :)

[@MarcioLucas-mf6oy]

Hello! I have the ie400 pro and it has an excellent bass for metal, it has a lot of impact, I was in doubt with the ie800s you was listening to it in another source and using the equalizer can you add the impact that was missing? I dont want to be disappointed with the lack of impact of the ie800s if I buy it, I recently bought the Penom Globe and I was satisfied it has a very dynamic sound and a lot of impact

[@alfonsepina1886]

what are the best ones for gaming? and the best ones for movies?

[@insighteins1317]

Have you ever listened to the Brainwavz B400? The price for the IE800s is devastating...

[@brendanliddell240]

Thanks for the review. Have you had the chance to review the Shure SE-846? If so, how do they compare?

[@audioreviewchannel3365]

Brendan Liddell being a 3 drivers design, Shure has more to offer with the ability to adjust the sound to your taste. It is more dynamic and present but for longer listening sessions I still prefer the comfort and warmth of the Sennheiser

[@brendanliddell240]

Thanks for your response. I will demo both this weekend.

[@audioreviewchannel3365]

Brendan Liddell this is by far the best way to decide.

[@robovirtuoso1354]

Used to own both, but only kept the Sennheiser. That tells the whole story about my opinion on both. The Shure 846 just lacks a bit of treble airiness and soundstage openness for my taste, even with the "bright" (white) filter. Also, the 846 emphasizes the midbass a bit too much for my liking. It does not disturb the lower mids, but it just makes the bass thicker than I would prefer. That's too bad because the 846 has excellent sub-bass. Also, the 846 provides absolutely amazing details/insight into the music. It's just that overall I prefer the Sennheiser.

[@samusl]

How do you compare with IE 900 plz?

[@chintownfinzt3142]

Great review

[@audioreviewchannel3365]

Chintownfinzt thanks!

[@HenryTheBoilermaker3rdYear]

vs hd800s?

[@valiantpramana]

Hi, have you tried audeze el 8 titanium with its cipher cable? Which one better between this sennheiser and that audeze el8?

[@audioreviewchannel3365]

Valiant Pramana hi. Sorry, I didn't

[@valiantpramana]

AudioReviewChannel its okay audio. Thanks for the reply

[@agius2]

Hi, regarding Sony players lack of dynamism - if you've bought your unit in the EU it has a really stupid limitation. It's maximum power output is severely limited because of EU regulations (in my case - ZX300 - the normal power output for unit sold in the US, Japan, Australia, etc. is 50mW for the single ended output, 200mW for the balanced. In the case of unit sold in the EU - this is limited to a meagre 4mW (?!) - you can check the specs yourself on the Sony US site and Sony Uk for example.) However units sold in the EU with that cap volume can be unlocked (it's internal regional code changed). Rockbox, the makers of custom, open source firmwares for various players has created a tool to change the regional code - see here: www.rockbox.org/wiki/SonyNWDestTool

[@audioreviewchannel3365]

Svetoslav Agafonkin That make sense because I discussed the same problem with an Japanese friend. He will send me a a unit to test and compare with the one from EU. I understand the limitations rule but you are limiting the performances and values of a product that I pay for... It's not ok. But you can always buy a different brand I guess :)

[@agius2]

Happily, in this case the cap is only software based and easy to circumvent - changing of the region is fully reversible. Another thing that using a non-EU region code gives you is a "High gain" option - look for it in the Japanese unit that you'll have to compare with. The actual EU regulation states that the volume should be limited to 85dB, but since Sony engineers cannot know the impedance and sensitivity of the headphones that you'll use beforehand, they played it safe and drastically limited the current that the output stage can supply so that even very sensitive IEMs won't play at "harmful" volume. I think there are exceptions for certain known models of IEMs - somewhere in the settings you can state your model and they might increase the power output if they know that that model is less sensitive. Manufacturers like FiiO on the other hand seem to not care about this regulation and give you the ability to blow your IEMs in smokes if you are so inclined :-)

[@robovirtuoso1354]

These sound great with Chord Mojo, too.

[@robovirtuoso1354]

Only with the Shure 846 and AKG 3003. Still preferred the Sennheiser. I can't pinpoint what it is, but there's something missing with the Shure and AKG that the Sennheiser has.

[@rezakhalvati6150]

@@robovirtuoso1354 Nice. At least someone here knows what they are talking about. I had the IE 800 and used it with the Dragonfly Red and my iphone7. The sound was absolutely phenomenal with no limits. Base, treble, midrange, soundstage, clarity, depth, etc., etc. were all out of this world.

[@ShoganGeorge]

Type-C makes a big difference in powering headphones. I've got a pair of Sennheiser cans I use with a Type-C adapter.

[@ijackiepie7901]

how wide is the soundstage.......look please find out who have more deep and punchh rumble bass between Sennheiser Momentum 3 & IE 800s.....soundstage too? please

[@ijackiepie7901]

please reply @audioreviewchannel

[@ferminvieites]

Nice video thanks

[@beenthere6769]

What is romania and where is it located?

[@audioreviewchannel3365]

S-E of Europe. You can Google it and find lots of interesting things :)

[@user-mg3tm4vu8c]

Hey guys, I am considering to buy a high quality earbud between: IE800S Sony M9 Xelento Could you give me some valuable advice? Thanks;)

[@mariusarhire7463]

I am also looking at IE 800S and Sony IER M9. Would you be able to shed some light on how they compare. Thank you 🙏

[@HiFiInsider]

Sony Z1 + Westone W80 with 4.4mm cable is phenomenal.

[@jamestaylor9905]

the music is a bit distracting and even gets a little annoying by the end. should look into at least lowering the volume so its more background and we can hear you speak more clearly. otherwise nice review.

[@ozdemirsalik]

It looks like they've screwed up the cables this time. But overall I liked the sound quality. I guess it is not possible to create a better sound quality with just a single dynamic driver.

[@audioreviewchannel3365]

Salih Özdemir yes, its about all you can get from a single driver. I m thinking they will step up and get balanced armature in the future

[@ozdemirsalik]

AudioReviewChannel They've never used balanced armatures in their in ears. I wonder why, but I guess they won't use them for years to come. They might use a secondary dynamic driver, though.

[@HenryTheBoilermaker3rdYear]

How does it sound compare to sennheiser HD 600 or 650 or 700 or 800 or 800s?

[@bunhenglek4416]

I am considering buying one of the high-end earbuds, but really can’t decide between: -IE800 -IE800s (just release) -SE846 Currently using: IE80s (just release)

[@dannyykingg]

If you have the extra money, get the campfire audio Atlas (A bit more V-shape, amazing bass) or the Andromedas (More neutral sounding) as I think they are a lot better than those.

[@NiohNiohYT]

IE800 & 800s are unusable piece of garbage. Cable is too short so if you are 184cm+ it will barely be in your pocket, and as soon as you get out player/phone to switch song if cable is under your shirt it will pull earphones out of your ears. Also on IE800 cable is so stiff and heavy that when it hits your clothes while wearing you hear a hit trough the earphones which is unbearable if you are moving (people tend to call this microphonics). Due to too short cable you can't even wear them over the ear which would reduce cable noise and make the fit more stable. Also isolation is miserable, and they have proprietary eartips so you can't use some other normally. Cable noise, bad isolation, not so stable fit, irreplaceable cable, idiotic proprietary tips, really high price... Sure they do sound better than IE80 (that I happily stayed with after returning 800) but for f*cks sake design is not usable unless you are strictly using them at home while barely moving and are shorter than 180cm.

[@timm1589]

@@NiohNiohYT so if i was 196cm tall the ie800s would be a real bad choice to bring outside when walking?

[@NiohNiohYT]

@@timm1589 I was struggling at 184, so I couldn't imagine how it would be even possible for 196. Especially if you wear cable under your shirt. I mean technically maybe it could fit but it'd be impossible to change song without raising your shirt above your belly button :D Also isolation is bad and fit is insecure, as it's not worn with cable over the ear (nor that is possible cos of cable length).

[@timm1589]

@@NiohNiohYT thanks man because im 196cm, so i guess i will pass! i will probably go for the ie80s as it is cheaper and more comfortable to wear!

[@ShoganGeorge]

Why would you use a Samsung smartphone to test though, and not something from HTC or Sony?

[@NiohNiohYT]

Isn't it exact same dac/amp combo on exact same Snapdragon socs with exact same audio properties? Phone manufacturers sometime build in eq in their version of UI so it may vary a little but usually for the worse, and as for audio quality trough earphones only some LG phones have separate DACs? Maybe I'm wrong but that's what I understood

[@S5Dic09]

Because is an Amateur

[@pigpigpig1377]

哈哈，戴着IE800S看这个视频

[@200Carl]

"Never use it with a smartphone"... Uses a SAMSUNG from 1980, and the video is from 2018... BRUH. (Yeah I know it's an S5 or S6, or worse, not from 1980 but u get what I mean lol). Any flagship, or even nice midrangers, from today main good brands (I would say do not include Chinese ones) will be very very good with sound.

[@antonhelsgaun]

Ignoring the fact that most modern smartphones don't have a headphone jack, and ignoring the LG v20/30 for being fair, which phones have good sound?

[@mauroloureiro1781]

Just buy any LG smartphone V series ou the latest G series and you'll be OK. Amazing DAC

[@S5Dic09]

Sony Xperias have the best mobile sound. Samsung sound is flat. These dude is kind of noob anyway

[@martyn_g]

There’s nothing wrong with Chinese DAPs. Above $650AUD, they’re very good

[@punishedchris8576]

I owned the originals (actually still do) they are way too heavy, ceramic. They just don't stay In my ears, no matter what buds I use. Even tried custom ones and nope. If you plan on moving at all with these IEM's seiously, don't bother. They just fall out even walking gently. Are they best IEM's I've ever used? yes but not amazingly. The price Is not worth it In my opinion. The one side Is actually broke, the cable is made with kevlar around it to better protect the cord but that actually works to it's detriment, Its good if you snag it but if you actually bend the cable it snaps the wires inside. That's how mine got broken. Just sitting in my pocket wrapped up when not using. I've moved away from IEM's after these, i got some HD 800s's and purchased a cheap set for walking / gym / etc. If your gonna blow this kinda money just get some HD800's for around the house listening they are much better and get a cheap pair of IEM's for the things these would be better used for, you'd not regret it. Just my opinion, hopefully It helps someone.

[@NiohNiohYT]

Completely my experience. They do sound well but for fucks sake, that short stiff heavy cable, really bad fit, insane cable noise when it hits clothes, too short cable, irreplaceable cable, bad isolation, proprietary shitty tips that can't be easily found aftermarket that are decent, useless impractical case, etc. Sound is great, but form factor and everything else in these is catastrophic, especially for the price when 3 times cheaper Senns own IE80/IE80s have everything: removable long nice cable, standard tips, standardized 2 pin connection, over the ear design which helps with cable longevity and noise from hitting cable, etc.

[@Spazza42]

What this video sho use teach people is the importance of a good, balanced music player like a Walkman. Not a shitty Samsung smartphone or iPhone

[@Yellir1]

Never, never listen to a gold Sony on 3.5!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@adrianravik455]

So if ie 800 s is not that impressive bass. Would you recomand me to go with ie 800?

[@audioreviewchannel3365]

Adrian Ravikumar yes, or ie80 where you can tailor your bass preferences

[@octoslut]

if you want better bass then you need to get a headphone, earphones are far more limited