Review of headphones Sennheiser IE4

The Sennheiser IE4 is one of the classic models of in-ear headphones. If you're looking for travel "plugs" for a portable player and have sound quality requirements, this option is a must consider. On audiophile forums it is unlikely that anyone will recommend IE4, but it is worth noting that many connoisseurs of "warm tube sound" started their way with these headphones.
Package and appearance
Sennheiser marketers made everything as modest as possible: the buyer gets the headphones and three pairs of replaceable silicone ear cushions in a standard polyethylene bag. The cable insulation and the bodies of the dynamic heads are made in radical black. The plug, a 3.5mm stereo angle jack, is gold-plated and looks quite massive. The shape of the housings is the same as that of the CX series headphones. The sound conduits are covered with a protective metal mesh, which, according to user reviews, requires regular cleaning.
This model has no microphone and controls: it will not replace a headset, and the volume will have to be adjusted at the sound source - phone, computer or player. The headphones can hardly be called universal, but their design has a minimum of potential "points of failure". The user will not find the Sennheiser logo and the model name, only the letters "L" and "R", indicating the left and right channels respectively.
Claimed specifications
Sensitivity:
to voltage, dB/V
to power, dB/mW
127,3
109,8
Impedance, Ohm 16
Frequency range, Hz 10 - 18000
Weight, g 5

Advantages and disadvantages
The first pair of IE4 was made in 2005, and the model is still in production, so it is deservedly considered a long-liver among vacuum headphones. Opinions of different users regarding the performance qualities are most often the same. The owners of the Senkh allocate the following advantages:
Unbreakable design. Sports activities, trips on public transport, carrying in the pocket and other ways of "shortening life" are ineffective for Sennheiser. Cable insulation withstands 30-degree frost without cracking or becoming stiff.
Good bass and midrange response. For their price category, the IE4s boast a wide frequency range and dynamics. The instrumental testing of the AFC shows a rise in the area of 70 - 100 Hz and absence of obvious dips in the middle. The owners of the headphones note the good detail of the bass, bass and voice. IE4 are not geared for any particular musical style. They are equally comfortable to listen to rock, electronics and even classical music.
Soundproofing. IE4 is a closed model. Soft ear cushions fit your ears well. You can listen to music in almost any environment: at home, on public transport, outdoors. You're isolated from outside airborne noise and those around you are isolated from the sound of the speakers. Closed-type headphones (all, not just Sennheiser) have one drawback: most owners experience fatigue after 2 - 3 hours of continuous listening to music.
Also highlight a number of characteristic disadvantages:
Modest design. If you choose headphones for a gift - look for another model.
Microphone effect. When you move the cable there are characteristic ghosts.
Few high frequencies. The peak around 8 kHz ends with a sharp drop. Most users find that the high-frequency range is too weak, and attempts to compensate for it with EQ lead to clipping (overloading).
Counterfeit. It's probably hard to find a Sennheiser model that isn't counterfeited. You should buy the IE4 only from authorized dealers, because the number of counterfeit products is just off the charts.
User ratings of quality and reliability are mostly positive. The sound is natural, without coloration and distortion, even at high pressure levels.
Closest competitors
Sennheiser CX 300. With minor external differences, this model is slightly cheaper than the IE4. CX 300 has less rich bass, so it is unlikely to be suitable for fans of electronic music. In this case, rock and classical music they sound very pleasant.
Fischer Audio Silver Bullet. The middle and high frequencies here are subjectively better. However, the bass is not clear, it is clearly not enough. Attempts to raise the bass with the equalizer lead to hum and even more "smearing". Users also note the very stiff cable of the Bullettes.
Beyerdynamic DTX101. This model is very similar to the IE4 in the amount of bass, softness of the cable and also suffers from the microphone effect. It comes with a soft case and an adapter for Skype. The price is slightly higher than the Sennheiser.
Shure SE215. American brand headphones win over the IE4 in high frequencies and have good bass quality. They are only worn behind the ear. The main design feature is the ability to replace the cable. Naturally, you will have to pay extra for this option. At the cost of the basic kit in the region of $100, the wire for the iPhone will cost another $50. Another disadvantage of Shure is that you will have to look for them (or even order them from overseas resources), while the Senkha will probably be found in most specialized stores.
Bottom line
Despite the fact that the Sennheiser IE4 are far from perfect in terms of sound, they are definitely worth the attention of those who focus on reliability. The light weight and soft ear cushions make the inserts fit securely and comfortably. The headphones have a good price/quality ratio and are suitable for everyday use on the street, at home or in the office.

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