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Sennheiser IE 8i Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£260Form factor:in-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Sennheiser IE 8i Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

5.6/10

Overall score

Score
5.6/ 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 83% of models
Score components

80%

5.6

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 83% of headphones
6.7

Value for money

Value for money
6.7/ 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 87% of models
Score components

70%

5.6

Overall score

30%

9.2

Price

â–¼Worse than 87%
5.6

Technical score

Technical score
5.6/ 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 68% of models
Score components

52%

5.9

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

8.0

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

6.2

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 68%
?

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~ £260
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 8i

Technical score
Technical score
5.6/ 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 68% of models
Score components:

52%

5.9

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

8.0

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

6.2

Calls & Controls

5.6
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 8i 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
6.7/ 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 87% of models
Score components:

70%

5.6

Overall score

30%

9.2

Price

6.7
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
9 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 9 mm, smaller driver size than 92.3% of headphones and equal to 2.6% 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
10 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 10 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 67.2% of headphones and equal to 12.6% 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
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
1
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 1 microphones, more microphones than 26.9% of headphones and equal to 50.9% 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
?
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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
yes
This pair of headphones supports voice assistants. 39.2% 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
18 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 18 g, lighter than 86.5% of headphones and equal to 0.6% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
N/A
Show more

Sennheiser IE 8i vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 91.7% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (18 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    18 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
  • 8 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    10 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • 0.2 % 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 %.
    0.1 % 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
  • 91.7% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (18 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    18 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
  • 8 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    10 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 0.2 % 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 %.
    0.1 % 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
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • 31 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (9 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    9 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 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.
  • 5.87x less popular
    Sennheiser IE 8i is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 9.1% worse value for money
    Sennheiser IE 8i has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.66 vs 7.3).
    6.66 vs 7.27
  • 2.89x more expensive
    Sennheiser IE 8i is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£260 vs £90).
    £260 vs £90
  • 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.
  • 5 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2011 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    March 2011
    2011 vs 2016
  • 5.87x less popular
    Sennheiser IE 8i is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 9.1% worse value for money
    Sennheiser IE 8i has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.66 vs 7.3).
    6.66 vs 7.27
  • 2.89x more expensive
    Sennheiser IE 8i is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£260 vs £90).
    £260 vs £90
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 31 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (9 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    9 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.
  • 5 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2011 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    March 2011
    2011 vs 2016

Video reviews

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

Not graded yet

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

trustedreviews.com
08/07/2011
Listening test · Dynamic in-ears
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE 8i is a warm, deep-bass earphone that suits bass lovers, but anyone wanting bright or neutral sound should look elsewhere.
reviewed.com
21/03/2011
Lab test · Comparison
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE 8i has better bass and clearer sound than the Shure SE535, and its cords are replaceable, but it blocks outside noise poorly and costs more than rivals.
theheadphonelist.com
05/06/2013
Hands-on review · IE8 series
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE8i shows that dynamic drivers can hold their own against multi-armature in-ears.
avguide.ch
01/09/2010
Hands-on test · Fit and controls
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE 8i blocks outside noise well and its remote and mic work reliably with iPhone, but the ear hooks and cable make it fiddly to wear.
avguide.ch
12/01/2012
Listening test · Bass dial
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE 8i gives deep, punchy bass that doesn't boom, with natural piano, crisp brass and warm vocals.
J
journaldugeek.com
12/05/2009
Summary of the review
Quick review: Sennheiser IE8 (Base model identical to the IE 8i)
(Translated)Show original
L
lesnumeriques.com
25/02/2009
Summary of the review
Sennheiser IE 8 Review (IE 8 Series including the i version)
(Translated)Show original
theheadphonelist.com
05/06/2013
Hands-on review · IE8 series
Verdict
The Sennheiser IE8i shows that dynamic drivers can hold their own against multi-armature in-ears.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Sennheiser IE 8i

  • Adjustable bass response via a manual tuning screw on each earpiece
  • Exceptional soundstage that feels open, airy, and spacious
  • Durable build with user-replaceable signal cables for increased longevity
  • Generous accessory bundle including multiple tip types and a hard travel case
  • Includes an in-line microphone and three-button remote for mobile device control

What customers don't like about Sennheiser IE 8i

  • High retail price compared to competitors offering similar performance
  • Bass can feel overbearing or 'soft' even at the lowest setting, occasionally bleeding into the mids
  • Unusual peaked treble (6.5-8kHz range) that can sound shrill or sibilant
  • Large, angular earpieces may cause comfort issues for users with smaller ears
  • Isolation from external noise is not as effective as some rival foam-tip models

Verdict

The Sennheiser IE 8i is a high-end, dynamic driver in-ear monitor featuring a wide 10Hz–20kHz frequency response, a high 125dB sound pressure level (SPL), and a low 16-ohm impedance, optimized for mobile iOS devices with its integrated three-button remote and microphone. Its standout characteristic is a unique, manual bass-tuning screw on each earpiece that allows for customizable low-end response alongside a spacious soundstage and up to 26dB of passive noise isolation. Key pros include a rich, punchy bass performance, a durable user-replaceable cable, and an extensive accessory kit with 10 pairs of ear tips; however, common cons include a somewhat bulky housing, a proprietary cable connector that limits third-party replacements, and a sound signature that some find overly warm or lacking the ultimate treble clarity of multi-armature rivals.

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