Sennheiser IE 80 S Review | 93 Data compared

The Sennheiser IE 80 S in-ear headphones are highlighted as a highly capable mobile monitor upgrade over their predecessor, the standard IE 80. Dr. Martin Mertens notes that Sennheiser successfully rounded out the previously angular casing design to provide a highly anatomical, secure, and comfortable fit. Sonically, the "S" model shifts to a slightly lower efficiency of 116 dB (compared to the non-S variant) but pairs perfectly with an optimal 16-ohm impedance for mobile players. The core strength of the product lies in its wonderfully clear, dynamic, and transparent mids and highs, paired with a solid, well-defined bass response that performs beautifully out of the box. However, the review details specific design compromises and functional parameters to consider before purchasing. On the pros side, the earphones boast an exceptionally generous accessory package consisting of nine total pairs of ear tips (including silicone, lamella-silikon, and premium Comply foam options), a robust storage box, detachable dual-sided cables, and specialty ear hooks to mitigate microphonics (cable noise). On the cons side, the built-in mechanical bass adjustment feature—which utilizes miniature rotary dials adjusted via...

The Sennheiser IE 80 S wired in-ear headphones received a "good" rating of 2.3 from the German publication COMPUTER BILD due to their exceptionally warm, precise, and dynamic sound quality. A standout feature of these lightweight 17-gram earbuds is the unique mechanical bass adjustment system, which allows users to manually fine-tune the intensity of the low-end frequencies on each earpiece using an included mini-screwdriver. Laboratory testing confirmed an extremely balanced frequency response curve with minimal distortion. Additional design pros include excellent wearing comfort, a highly visible red marker to easily distinguish the right earpiece, and thick, tangle-resistant cables that are fully detachable and replaceable. Despite its premium acoustic performance on par with more expensive rivals, the IE 80 S lost rating points due to a complete lack of inline controls, meaning there is no microphone or volume buttons on the stock cable to support smartphone hands-free functionality. Reviewers also noted that the physical bass dials are quite finicky and cumbersome to adjust on the fly. Furthermore, the package is somewhat sparse for its price bracket, providing ear tips in only...

The Sennheiser IE 80 S is a versatile pair of wired in-ear monitors highly valued by musicians, athletes, and stage performers due to their customizable features and secure fit. A standout design element is the inclusion of nine distinct pairs of ear adapters—including expanding Comply memory foam tips that offer a substantial 26 dB of passive noise isolation—alongside plastic ear hooks that route cables securely behind the ears. The earphones deliver a naturally balanced sound signature right out of the box. They also feature a unique, entirely mechanical dial on each earbud capsule that allows users to manually boost or dial back the bass response to fit their genre preferences without relying on internal electronics. Key Pros and Cons Pro: Exceptionally balanced tonality that handles various music genres cleanly. Pro: Mechanical adjustment screws provide high levels of bass customisation. Pro: High-quality bundled accessories, including 9 pairs of tips and plastic ear hooks. Pro: Detachable, easily replaceable headphone cables. Con: Smartphones cables featuring an in-line remote and microphone are sold separately for an extra €50. Overall, the reviewer praised the execution...

The Sennheiser IE 80S BT is a premium, puristic neckband Bluetooth In-Ear headphone designed for audiophile performance on the move, carrying a price tag of nearly €500. On the positive side, it features high-quality dynamic drivers with Neodym magnets that deliver excellent sound definition and deep, precise bass response. The build quality is durable, and the extensive selection of nine ear tip options—including Comply foam tips—provides exceptional passive isolation and comfort. Furthermore, the inclusion of a high-end AKM DAC and an impressive range of Bluetooth 5 codecs, such as aptX HD for high resolution and aptX LL for low latency, ensures outstanding audio transmission. The ear pieces are also detachable, letting users optionally convert them to a wired configuration. However, the review highlights several distinct drawbacks that prevent it from receiving a perfect audiophile rating. Most notably, for a premium mobile headphone, it lacks Active Noise Cancelling (ANC), which forces it to compete heavily with environmental noise outdoors. On a technical front, the device suffers from a strictly limited Bluetooth range and an average battery runtime of only six hours....

The Sennheiser IE 80 S BT is a high-end neckband Bluetooth earphone that delivers exceptional sound quality characterized by a warm, wide, and low-distortion audio signature. Equipped with a high-quality 10mm wideband driver, an exclusive AKM digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and a powerful headphone amplifier, it offers outstanding dynamics and a remarkably natural reproduction of vocals. Performance over wireless transmission is maximized via high-end Bluetooth codecs, including aptX HD, aptX Low-Latency, and LHDC. A standout hardware feature is a mechanical micro-bass regulator on the earhooks that lets users manually adjust lower frequencies with an included screwdriver. Additionally, it offers excellent flexibility, allowing users to swap out the neckband for a proprietary wired cable (sold separately) to bypass battery reliance and unlock uncompressed audio quality. Despite its excellent acoustic performance, the earphones suffer from several practical drawbacks. The primary drawback is a poor, non-innovative fit; the standard silicone tips fail to secure a reliable seal in the ear canal, causing the earphones to slip during movement and dramatically degrade the sound profile. While the included Comply memory foam tips improve isolation and...

The Sennheiser IE 80 S is a lightweight (17 grams) in-ear headphone that stands out for its high-quality, balanced, and dynamic sound. Its defining feature is a manual bass adjustment mechanism on each earbud, which allows users to fine-tune the intensity of the low-end frequencies using an included mini-screwdriver. In laboratory testing, the earphones earned high praise for an exceptionally warm sound, low distortion, and clear, precise bass separation across all adjustment levels. Additional practical design benefits include a highly durable, tangle-resistant thick cable, a distinct red marker to easily identify the right earbud, and a detachable cable system with official replacement parts available for purchase. Despite its premium audio performance on par with more expensive competitors, the IE 80 S suffers from clear lifestyle limitations. The primary drawbacks are the complete omission of an inline microphone, volume buttons, or media control keys on the cable, meaning it lacks basic smartphone headset functionality. Additionally, the earphone plays at a relatively quiet volume despite its smartphone-friendly 16-ohm impedance, and the package only includes ear tips in three sizes, which is sparse...

The Sennheiser IE 80 S BT is a high-end neckband Bluetooth in-ear monitor that pairs the established acoustic driver housing of the wired IE 80 S with a lightweight wireless neckband, retailing at a premium price of €499. Weighing only 30 grams, it features a single dynamic driver setup and an integrated AKM DAC that supports high-resolution audio codecs including LHDC, aptX HD, aptX Low Latency, AAC, and SBC. It scored a high overall rating of 9.1 out of 10 in the Kopfbox review, praised heavily for its expansive, three-dimensional soundstage, organic bass precision, natural midrange detail, and a highly customizable bass adjustment screw on the earphone faceplates. The primary pros highlighted in the review are its warm, full-bodied sound signature, excellent ergonomic fit, lightweight build, and the functionality of its mechanical bass tuning dial. Conversely, the major cons center on its high cost and the notable absence of a standard 3.5mm analog cable in the box—which would allow users to use them as traditional wired monitors without buying a €50 accessory. Additionally, the review points out that the control...