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ALTERNATIVES
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Sennheiser IE80 Review | 93 Data compared

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

Sennheiser IE80 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Sennheiser IE80
5.9/10

Overall score

Score
5.9/ 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 69% of models
Score components

80%

5.6

Technical score

20%

7.1

User score

â–¼Worse than 69% of headphones
6.9

Value for money

Value for money
6.9/ 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 79% of models
Score components

70%

5.9

Overall score

30%

9.2

Price

â–¼Worse than 79%
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 69% of models
Score components

52%

5.9

Sound

20%

5.0

Features

10%

6.4

Design

8%

5.1

Connectivity

6%

4.9

Battery

4%

5.0

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 69%
7.1

User score

User score
7.1/ 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 84% of models
Score components

70%

7.6

User ratings

30%

5.8

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 84%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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 IE80

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 69% of models
Score components:

52%

5.9

Sound

20%

5.0

Features

10%

6.4

Design

8%

5.1

Connectivity

6%

4.9

Battery

4%

5.0

Calls & Controls

5.6
User score
User score
7.1/ 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 84% of models
Score components

70%

7.6

User ratings

30%

5.8

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
7.1
Popularity
Popularity
5.8/ 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 51% of models
Popularity:
Sennheiser IE80 has a popularity score of 5.8 points, which is lower than that of 50.2% of products in this category.
5.8
Value for money
Value for money
6.9/ 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 79% of models
Score components:

70%

5.9

Overall score

30%

9.2

Price

6.9
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
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
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
yes
This pair of headphones supports EQ customization. 76.8% 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
141.7 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 141.7 g, lighter than 71.7% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
N/A
Show more

Sennheiser IE80 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • EQ customization
    This pair of headphones supports EQ customization, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
  • 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
  • LE Audio support
    This pair of headphones supports LE Audio, the average pair of headphones does not. 11.6% of headphones support Bluetooth LE Audio.
  • 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.
  • 35% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (141.7 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    141.7 g vs 218 g
  • 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 %
  • USB-C charging
    This pair of headphones uses USB-C charging, the average pair of headphones does not. 29.5% of headphones use USB Type-C.
  • 35% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (141.7 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    141.7 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 %
  • 13 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (116 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    116 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
  • USB-C charging
    This pair of headphones uses USB-C charging, the average pair of headphones does not. 29.5% of headphones use USB Type-C.
  • LE Audio support
    This pair of headphones supports LE Audio, the average pair of headphones does not. 11.6% of headphones support Bluetooth LE Audio.
  • 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.
  • LHDC support
    This pair of headphones supports LHDC, the average pair of headphones does not. 2.1% of headphones support LHDC.
  • EQ customization
    This pair of headphones supports EQ customization, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 2.89x more expensive
    Sennheiser IE80 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£260 vs £90).
    £260 vs £90
  • 13.3% lower user score
    User score
    7.1/ 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
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sennheiser IE80
    the average pair of headphones
    Sennheiser IE80 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.06 vs 8).
    7.06 vs 8
  • 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.
  • 2.89x more expensive
    Sennheiser IE80 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£260 vs £90).
    £260 vs £90
  • 13.3% lower user score
    User score
    7.1/ 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
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sennheiser IE80
    the average pair of headphones
    Sennheiser IE80 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.06 vs 8).
    7.06 vs 8
  • 6% worse value for money
    Sennheiser IE80 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.86 vs 7.3).
    6.86 vs 7.27
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
    December 2011
    2011 vs 2016

Video reviews

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

9.0
Linus Tech Tips
≈ estimated
11/12/2013
Long-term test · three weeks of daily listening
Verdict
Sennheiser IE80 is a fun, bass-heavy pair for bass lovers, not suited to flat studio monitoring.
8.0
Geekanoids
≈ estimated
18/03/2012
Hands-on review · sound tuning and unboxing
Verdict
Sennheiser IE80 offers very clear, detailed sound for listeners seeking precision, though bass lovers should look elsewhere.
Not graded yet
Not graded yet

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Sennheiser IE80

  • Wide soundstage that offers an open, speaker-like listening experience
  • Adjustable bass dial allows users to customize low-end response
  • Excellent build quality with durable materials and a detachable cable
  • Extensive selection of included ear tips for a personalized fit
  • Warm, smooth sound signature that is non-fatiguing for long listening sessions
  • Efficient and easy to drive from standard smartphones or portable players

What customers don't like about Sennheiser IE80

  • Upper-bass can sometimes feel bloated and veil the mid-range frequencies
  • Stock ear hooks are often described as fiddly and prone to falling off
  • High price point compared to some modern competitors
  • Shallow fit may lead to below-average isolation without aftermarket foam tips
  • Treble extension is rolled off, which may lack the detail sought by some audiophiles
  • Sensitive enough to pick up background hiss from some powerful audio sources

Verdict

The Sennheiser IE80 is a premium in-ear monitor featuring dynamic drivers with neodymium magnets, delivering a wide frequency response of 10Hz to 20,000Hz, 16-ohm impedance, and a high sensitivity of 125dB. Its hallmark characteristic is a unique, manual bass-tuning screw on each earpiece that allows users to customize low-end response, complemented by a brushed-metal housing and a 1.2-meter detachable cable for durability. Key pros include an expansive soundstage—exceptional for an IEM—and effective passive noise attenuation of up to 26dB; however, common cons involve a potentially boomy mid-bass that can veil midrange clarity and a somewhat finicky fit due to its larger housing design.

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