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ALTERNATIVES
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REVIEWS
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Sennheiser IE 800 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£620Form factor:in-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Sennheiser IE 800 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

5.7/10

Overall score

Score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
Score components

80%

5.7

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 81% of headphones
6.1

Value for money

Value for money
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 95% of models
Score components

70%

5.7

Overall score

30%

7.2

Price

â–¼Worse than 95%
5.7

Technical score

Technical score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
Score components

52%

6.6

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

7.2

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 65%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • No image
No image
Where to buy
    N/A~ £620
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Sennheiser IE 800

Technical score
Technical score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
Score components:

52%

6.6

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

7.2

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

5.7
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
Sennheiser IE 800 has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 73.4% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 95% of models
Score components:

70%

5.7

Overall score

30%

7.2

Price

6.1
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
7 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 7 mm, smaller driver size than 97.9% of headphones and equal to 0.8% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
8 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 8 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 80.3% of headphones and equal to 2.8% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Sennheiser
Form factor
in-ear
Weight
8 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 8 g, lighter than 97.2% of headphones and equal to 0.7% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
N/A
Show more

Sennheiser IE 800 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • 96.3% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (8 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    8 g vs 218 g
  • 23 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (125 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    125 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 10 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (8 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    8 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 0.24 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.06 % vs 0.3 %
  • 22 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (125 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    125 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • 15 dB higher max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (125 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    125 dB vs 110 dB
  • 96.3% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (8 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    8 g vs 218 g
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • 23 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (125 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    125 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 10 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (8 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    8 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 0.24 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.06 % vs 0.3 %
  • 22 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (125 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    125 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • 15 dB higher max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (125 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    125 dB vs 110 dB
  • 33 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (7 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    7 mm vs 40 mm
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 6.89x more expensive
    Sennheiser IE 800 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£620 vs £90).
    £620 vs £90
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 18.6% worse value for money
    Sennheiser IE 800 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.13 vs 7.3).
    6.13 vs 7.27
  • 6.89x more expensive
    Sennheiser IE 800 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£620 vs £90).
    £620 vs £90
  • 18.6% worse value for money
    Sennheiser IE 800 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.13 vs 7.3).
    6.13 vs 7.27
  • 5.87x less popular
    Sennheiser IE 800 is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • 33 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (7 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    7 mm vs 40 mm
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 4 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2012 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    December 2012
    2012 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

8.0
Z Reviews
≈ estimated
03/05/2019
Long-term loan · a year of use and sound impressions
Verdict
Sennheiser IE 800 sounds great and is worth owning if you already have a pair, but its value falls well short of its price.
8.0
Linus Tech Tips
≈ estimated
15/07/2016
Hands-on review · sound, comfort and VR use
Verdict
Sennheiser IE 800 offers outstanding sound and comfort, but is only worth its luxury price for buyers who can afford it.
9.5
Army-Firedawg
≈ estimated
28/09/2015
Week-long hands-on review · sound, comfort and build tests
Verdict
Sennheiser IE 800 delivers stunning, neutral, accurate sound, and the reviewer highly recommends it despite a few minor drawbacks.
Overview video
Not graded yet
Not graded yet
Not graded yet
Not graded yet

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

trustedreviews.com
04/09/2012
Review · Single-driver in-ear
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE 800 is a highly impressive in-ear with deep, powerful bass and detailed treble, though its bright top end can tire some listeners.
H
head-fi.org
01/10/2012
Summary of the review
Sennheiser IE800 - Reviews - Head-Fi
headmania.org
25/03/2013
Hands-on review · Open-feeling in-ear
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE 800 is a pocket-sized in-ear with open, spacious sound and tight, deep bass, ideal for travelers who can add a good DAC.
klauseulenbach.de
08/06/2013
Short review · Easy-fit in-ear
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE 800 is an easy-fitting in-ear with airy sound and powerful bass, though it can make instruments sound small and better value exists elsewhere.
pcmag.com
15/07/2013
Expert review · Flagship earphones
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE 800 is a small, lightweight earphone with rich bass and clear mids, though its non-removable cable and lack of controls hold it back.
whathifi.com
30/07/2013
Test-room review · In-ear headphones
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE 800 is open, detailed and neutral, but it needs a top-quality player to shine, and few portable players are good enough.
W
wired.com
18/09/2013
Summary of the review
Sennheiser IE 800 headphones review - WIRED
soundandvision.com
24/12/2013
Listening test · Single-driver in-ear
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE 800 is one of the best-sounding small in-ears, with a sound close to a big headphone, but its bass runs fuller than accurate.
avforums.com
01/04/2014
Hi-fi review · Premium earphones
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE 800 is a small, well-built earphone with convincing sound, though it has no remote or microphone and an understated look.
totallydubbed.net
18/03/2015
Hands-on review · Premium earphones
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE 800 sounds excellent with good punch, but its fixed cable, proprietary tips and short cable make it awkward to wear.
soundonsound.com
15/02/2016
Studio review · In-ear monitors
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE 800 is a small, light earphone with powerful, clean sound suited to mixing, but whether it's worth its cost is up to you.
theheadphonelist.com
14/03/2016
Detailed review · Dynamic-driver earphones
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE 800 is a bassy, airy earphone that is very comfortable, but its proprietary tips and split cable hold it back.
everydaylistening.net
19/03/2016
Long-term review · Flagship in-ear
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE 800 is a well-balanced flagship with clear mids and spacious sound, though its proprietary tips and splashy treble can annoy.
t3.com
04/09/2012
Hands-on review · Luxury earphones
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE 800 is a light, rugged earphone with detailed, bass-rich sound and a luxury look, but its high price makes it a tough sell.
kopfbox.de
06/09/2016
Hands-on review · Flagship in-ear
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE 800 is a light flagship in-ear with deep, controlled bass and fine detail, suiting listeners who can live with a fixed cable.
imaedia.de
21/09/2015
Review · Hi-fi in-ear
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE 800 is an airy, warm in-ear with a wide stage and very deep bass, suiting most genres, though its mids sit slightly back.
klauseulenbach.de
08/06/2013
Short review · Easy-fit in-ear
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE 800 is an easy-fitting in-ear with airy sound and powerful bass, though it can make instruments sound small and better value exists elsewhere.
lesnumeriques.com
17/12/2015
Lab test · Hi-fi in-ear
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE 800 is a well-finished, airy in-ear with very low distortion, though its rustling cable and forward cymbals limit its use on the move.
on-mag.fr
16/08/2015
Listening test · Ceramic in-ear
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE 800 is a full-bodied, comfortable in-ear with a wide stage, best for careful owners rather than rough everyday use.
alpha-audio.net
18/08/2013
Hands-on test · Ceramic in-ear
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE 800 is a warm, open in-ear with deep bass and a wide stereo image, but cable tapping noise spoils it when you walk.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Sennheiser IE 800

  • Exceptional sound quality with a natural, detailed, and non-fatiguing signature
  • Remarkable bass performance that is deep, punchy, and well-controlled without bleeding into other frequencies
  • Ultra-lightweight and compact ceramic housing that is durable and scratch-resistant
  • Wide and airy soundstage with excellent instrument separation and spatial imaging
  • High clarity and micro-detailing across the frequency range
  • Extremely comfortable for long listening sessions due to its diminutive size

What customers don't like about Sennheiser IE 800

  • Non-detachable cable design at the earpieces, making repairs difficult and expensive
  • High level of microphonics (cable noise) when the cord rubs against clothing
  • Proprietary eartip design makes finding third-party replacements difficult
  • Potential for the upper portion of the cable to harden over time with use
  • Fit can be shallow and prone to slipping out during movement or exercise
  • Treble can occasionally sound thin, artificial, or border on sibilant for sensitive listeners

Verdict

The Sennheiser IE 800 is an audiophile-grade in-ear monitor featuring a 7mm Extra Wide Band (XWB) dynamic transducer, the smallest of its kind, housed in a scratch-resistant, dual-chamber ceramic shell with metal vents. This German-engineered system delivers a highly detailed V-shaped sound signature, notable for its deep, punchy sub-bass that reaches down to 5 Hz and crisp, transparent highs extending up to 46.5 kHz, supported by a patented Dual-Chamber Absorber (D2CA) system to prevent masking. While praised for its immense resolution, natural midrange, and extremely lightweight 8g design that ensures long-term comfort, the IE 800 has notable drawbacks including a non-detachable Kevlar-reinforced cable that produces significant microphonics (cable noise) and a reliance on proprietary ear tips that limit third-party options.

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