Sennheiser IE 300

Excellent build and comfort ; Impressive bass depth ; Lush, full midrange

Lacks class-leading subtlety ; Rhythmically and dynamically outclassed ; No in-line remote

Sennheiser’s premium wired earbuds certainly have their strengths, but class-leading insight isn’t one of them

Balanced, spacious and clear audio Solid and precise construction Affordable for in-ear monitors

Cheaper wireless competition Cable noise fairly prominent No in-line remote or mic

For those that are looking to dip into the world of hi-fi and don't mind missing out on the feature sets of modern wireless buds, the IE 300 offers a gorgeous audio experience for a (relatively) low price of entry.

Superb sound: clean, clear, open, full-bodied, well-balanced ; Detachable cable lets you upgrade to a balanced connection ; Adjustable ear hooks keep earpieces securely in place

Expensive

I’ve got nothing but high praise for the Sennheiser IE 300. As long as it’s used with the right eartips for your ears, it delivers clean, clear, open, full-bodied sound with superb imaging, and the balance between bass, midrange, and treble is nigh on...

Entertaining sound with excellent attack and dynamics. Tight and concise bass, and a well-balanced soundstage.

Not the softest, warmest sound. Overtones don't shine as much as the rest.

It’s been a while since I’ve heard wired earbuds, and every time I forget how much better they sound than the wireless variants. You get used to Bluetooth wireless earbuds and are impressed by the best ones, thinking that it is proper sound quality....

Trendy design ; Rich audio profile ; Easy to use

Too expensive ; Uncomfortable fit

Looks good, excellent fit ; Detachable cable with MMCX connectors ; Low impedance makes it easy to drive ; Balanced sonic signature ; Rich, detailed sound with high-resolution source audio

Expensive for what’s on offer ; Not quite an audiophile experience

The Sennheiser IE 300 is a very good pair of earphones, with solid build quality and design, and impressive sound quality. It's easy to drive and use with even basic audiophile equipment and source devices, and performs well even when plugged directly...

One of the most premium sound quality in earphones (lossless audio) ; Minimalistic and comfortable design ; Lightweight

Not wireless (3.5mm audio jack connection) ; No smart features ; No mic

A more-than-capable pair of wired earphones, but restricted by the lack of features and high price tag.

Impeccable audio ; Secure, comfy fit ; Wide range of tips

Expensive ; No bonus features ; Lots of cable noise

There are absolutely music fans who’d be willing to make concessions on design and features to get the absolute best sound. And yes, they may even be willing to pay $299 for the privilege. Unless you’re one of these hardcore audiophiles, know that your...