Technically the mids are on the same level as the bass section. Good, but not as pronounced as in the IE 900. All-in-all it’s a great mix of technicalities and musical fun, and that makes the mid section addictive and very pleasing to the ear.

They’re every bit as eloquent when dealing with the big gestures as they are the fine details – and they allow it all to take place on a large, properly defined and thoroughly organised soundstage. Even when the going gets complex or hectic, locating specific elements of a recording is no trouble whatsoever. This piece sounds very lively and engaging. The instrument separation is superb. You can follow every string on each instrument. There is a lot of texture and detail. The presentation is warm and inviting and never gets too bright or edgy. Third, the top end section is even softer on the ears, with less extension and to me a lower technical level. Treble in SE mode for me is a bit simple and not present enough. Recessed design protects the gold-plated connectors to ensure reliability after 500-plus attachment cycles. The IE600 housing is fabricated using metal-powder-based 3D printing that can create any shape imaginable within tight tolerances. Chambers and channels form as part of this additive manufacturing process with no milling required. However, cost does limit the potential applications of this new material. One of the only places you’ll find it — besides ultra-high-end products like the IE600 — is in the drilling head of a NASA Mars Rover where extraordinary resilience in extreme conditions is required.vs ier M9 : ie600 has much better dynamics and impact, deeper rumble and higher treble extension, yet in soundstage, separation, and imaging, ie600 become a dwarf compared to M9's monstrous pin point imaging, M9 sounds much more calmer, warmer, and more neutral And then to double down on all the high-end high-quality good taste that this listening session seems to be all about, the first listen is to a DSD64 (5644.8kbps) file of Stevie Wonder’s mighty Living for the City [Tamla]. The results are predictable, but no less enjoyable and engrossing for it. Finally, I will only evaluate the IE600 based on their performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.

Through a patented 3D printing process, the housings of the IE 600 have been crafted from ZR01 amorphous zirconium, a metal with a glass-like atomic structure that gives it triple the hardness and bend resistance of high-performance steel. One of the only other places ZR01 amorphous zirconium is used — besides ultra-high-end products like the IE 600 — is in the aerospace industry, such as in the drilling head of the NASA Mars Rover, where ultimate toughness in extreme conditions is required. Through multiple elaborate treatment processes, a beautiful surface finish is achieved that is extraordinarily resistant against corrosion and scratches. This exceptional resilience ensures the IE 600 can be enjoyed for many years while its distinctive great looks remain undiminished. The spaces, silences and pauses for breath apparent throughout the recording are all given due consideration too, and even though this song is generously overdubbed the IE600 present it as a lucid and consolidated whole. Only the top of the frequency range, which extends as gratifyingly far as it does at the other end, sounds the mildest of alarms – there’s an almost subliminal edginess to the way the Sennheiser serve up treble sounds. As far as this recording is concerned, the shine and wolfish bite aren’t problematic – but give the IE600 a toothy recording or attach them to an unsympathetic source of music and they could be. Power StruggleSpecielt udvalgte 7 mm TrueResponse-transducere, optimeret til at opnå den mindst mulige forvrængning I do not feel that the detail level is very far apart but the IE600 feels smoother and more liquid in the treble, whereas the Keto has more edge and bite. The S12 has a single custom 14.8mm Planar Dynamic Driver, which is both larger and based on a different technology than the 7 mm dynamic TrueResponse driver of the IE600. The IE 600 are supplied with a selection of ear tips in three different sizes with a choice of silicone and memory foam. Both types of tips are very high quality. I tried the memory foam tips and the quality of the acoustic seal was first class, creating a great sound and a high level of passive noise cancelation. The upshot is a comfortable fit that can be worn for long periods without suffering fatigue. Having already established that the IE600 sounds very good with the RME ADI-2 DAC FS, I start trying out other options. Triggered by curiosity, I start with the least portable amplifier I have. WOO WA22 TUBE AMP

The bass has a bit more body with the IE600, but it’s already strong enough for me with the IE200. Otherwise, differences are hard to distinguish. I got to hear these as part of the IE600 tour, and they're now on the way to the next listener. Thanks @ericpalonen for the loan. Opinions here are subjective, unvarnished and unquantified. This cookie is set by the Sumo. This cookie is used for verifying whether the user is logged in or not.

What should you get instead of the Sennheiser IE 600?

Soundwise, the S12 has a wider soundstage. The bass is quite good and punchy but quantity-wise it is less than the IE600. The S12 Pro also is generally brighter sounding, with a more energetic treble. It can feel a bit dry. The IE600 has significantly more refinement in the treble region, and except for the bigger soundstage, I prefer the IE600 overall. The S12 is great for the money, and they fit nicely in my ear when I find the right tips (for me it was Comply foams). They are very light and quite compact but not as small as the IE600. A fast transient response goes a long way, and the IE 600 features that well with its midrange extension. The IE 900 also has a clean and detailed timbre, but in terms of drive it is not as impactful as the lows and takes on a more natural response. Instrumental and vocal clarity are incredible on both IEMs, but in terms of tonal richness, the IE 600 has a bit of an advantage over the 900. Some might actually prefer the 900’s more subdued performance in its midrange, as I think less aggression here balances the frequency response in a way that makes a more specific sound profile emerge. One that might be more dynamic that the constant force of the mids on the IE 600. Highs

The bass line is powerful and quite tight but with some bloom. Cohen’s voice is warm and with plenty of body, yet textured as only Cohen’s voice can be. The percussion is crisp but not too bright. The soundstage is neither big nor small, I’d call it slightly intimate. Instrument separation is top-notch without ever being clinical sounding. AMPLIFICATIONRecently I have been able to analyze two of Sennheisers top IEMs, the IE 600 and IE 900, The IE 600 is the most recent release from the brand, while the IE 900 is their flagship for this series. When I reviewed both of these IEMs I was impressed by the fantastic quality shown by both products. Even though they’re in vastly different price ranges, I think these IEMs are definitely comparable. In fact, in my review for the IE 600, I compared the two sound signatures directly, so a dedicated comparison review is warranted to delve deep into which IEM is more worthwhile. What You Get IE 600 Ad perfectum compromissum. That’s what the IE 600 really is, the perfect blend between the reference IE 900 and the super fun IE 300. If you want a bit of both worlds, the IE 600 is the IEM to go for.