The Sennheiser IE 100 PRO Wireless in-ear headphones that should do a good job monitoring and as everyday headphones. How are the in-ears doing in these two areas.
The Sennheiser IE 40 Pro shows why this affordable in-ear monitor is cleverly designed. What is the recipe for the comfort and secure hold offered here? In terms of sound, it also scores, except for one detail.
Pros and Cons
| Sennheiser IE 100 Pro | Sennheiser IE 40 Pro |
| Excellent sound quality | High wearing comfort |
| Good frequency response | Detachable cables |
| Excellent detail and separation | Detailed, balanced sound |
| Treble-accentuated sound | Treble-accentuated sound |
| Some might find it a bit costly | Cool mids |
The Sennheiser IE 100 PRO Wireless are dynamic in-ear headphones designed to ensure reliable monitoring even on the loudest stages. Thanks to the ultra-flat design, they should be comfortable to wear for hours. The construction is robust and suitable for the stage.
It is a revised version of the Sennheiser IE 40, which the Sennheiser IE 100 PRO will replace. The specially developed driver of the IE 100 PRO is intended to enable precise sound reproduction for musicians in live sessions. The new membrane-type creates a powerful, high-resolution and warm monitor sound.
The supplied Bluetooth module also enables the Sennheiser IE 100 PRO Wireless to be used as headphones for a mobile phone, PC or tablet. Thanks to the built-in microphone, phone calls or webcasts are also possible. Furthermore, multi-pairing enables a connection with two devices at the same time.
A dynamic full-range converter is intended to amplify the high-resolution, powerful monitoring sound. This reduces acoustic stress factors through natural and distortion-free reproduction.
Ambient noises are also shielded by the optimized earpiece shape and flexible silicone and foam attachments. The latest codecs such as AAC and AptX Low Latency are designed to ensure low latency.
- 2 in 1 in-ear monitor and headphones
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Multi-pairing
- Full range converter
- Frequency range: 20-18,000 Hz
The Sennheiser IE 40 Pro is an in-ear earphone developed for monitoring by musicians and DJs. Among other things, robust construction and high external noise attenuation. The cable is detachable, and there are wire-reinforced sections at the ends of the cable to be bent for a secure hold when worn over the ear.
The scope of delivery includes three pairs of silicone earpieces (sizes S, M, L) + one pair of molded foam (“memory foam”, size M), a case and a cleaning tool.
- In-ear headphones
- Transmission range: 20-18,000 Hz
- Exterior noise reduction:
- Cable length: 1.3 m
- Weight: 18 g
- 4 pairs of earplugs included
Specification
| Sennheiser IE 100 Pro | Sennheiser IE 40 Pro | |
| $ | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
| Model | IE 100 Pro | IE 4 0Pro |
| Brand | Sennheiser | Sennheiser |
| Released | 22 March 2021 | 2018 |
| Dimension | 9.2 x 5.2 x 2.1 inches | 9.05 x 5.1 x 0.31 inches |
| Weight | 160 g | 18 g |
| Earpiece Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Type | In-Ear | In-Ear |
| Foldable | No | No |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 18 kHz | 20 – 18,000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 115 dB | 115 dB |
| Colours | Black, Clear, Red | Black |
| Driver | 10 mm | 10 mm |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| ANC | Yes (Passive) | No |
| Impedance | 20 Ohms | 20 Ohms |
| Controls | No | No |
| Audio Connector | 3.5 mm (Detachable) | 3.5 mm |
| Cable Length | 1.3 m | 1.3 m |
Design
The Sennheiser IE 100 PRO wireless is available in black and red. In addition to the wireless version. These cost less than 50 USD.
In addition to the in-ears, this includes a 1.3-meter long cable with a 3.5 mm jack plug, a USB cable USB-A to USB-C, a transport case and a cleaning tool.
It also includes three sets of silicone adapters in different sizes and a set of foam adapters in size M, which optimize the fit for every ear size and shape.
The in-ears themselves look very robust and fit very comfortably in the ear. They don’t fall out of the ear easily, but they don’t sit too tight either. So they are well suited for every ear and ensure good wearing comfort.
This makes them very pleasant to use for monitoring on stage or in the studio and for use as headphones in everyday life. After all, you don’t want your headphones to squeeze you during exercise, for example, or keep falling out of your ear.
Thanks to four adapters that can select flexibly, the in-ears are extremely comfortable to wear.
Sennheiser IE 40 Pro- The pleasantly light plastic housing makes a good impression, as does the cable. The cable is connected to the in-ears via a simple plug-in mechanism; there is no need for a bayonet lock or any other type of lock. Never mind, because the connection is strong enough if you are not doing extreme sports.
With the wire-reinforced cable ends, the Sennheiser IE 40 Pro can be put over the ear from behind and sits perfectly. At 1.3 m, the cable has a proven short length and is sheathed with a medium thickness. It ends in a rather compact angled mini-jack plug. In addition to the black version, the Sennheiser IE 40 Pro is also available in a transparent version (“Clear”)
Simple and practical: For optimal bass reproduction and sound insulation, there are two positions (approx. 2 mm apart) where the earmolds can click into place. Different shaped ear canals are thus taken into account.
Thanks to the three sizes and the molded foam variant in size M, it is very likely that you will find the almost perfect fit. It is very comfortable to wear in combination with the integrated wire bracket end of the cable and the low weight. At some point, you may forget that you are wearing in-ears – that’s how it has to be.
Sound
In terms of sound, the in-ears cut a really good and, above all, distortion-free figure in our Sennheiser IE 100 PRO wireless. In general, the sound emphasizes the highs more clearly. That might sound a little strange for some ears; connoisseurs already know about the typical Sennheiser sound that we hear here as well. The bass and mid-range image are still clear and precise, and the overall picture of the sound can be used for monitoring purposes.
Since the Sennheiser IE 100 PRO Wireless is about in-ear headphones, they are comparable to closed models used for monitoring or recording. As a result, the spatial representation, both in the depth graduation and in the stereo panorama, is rather secondary. The focus is on avoiding crosstalk during recording and shielding against outside noise.
The headphones’ sound is consequently placed in the middle of the phantom without sacrificing differentiation or localization.
The even frequency response at low and high sound pressure levels. This ensures a stable sound regardless of whether you use it on stage or during sports. The low impedance ensures that they also supply mobile devices with sufficient power and thus produce a decent sound. The Sennheiser IE 100 PRO Wireless convince with a really good sound in their price range.
Sennheiser IE 40 Pro- The first impression is really good for the price range: The sound is very clear and present, spatially differentiated and with quite accurate bass dynamics.
Thanks to the high sensitivity, the book has considerable output power. Every bodypack transmitter and rather underpowered headphone amplifier will deliver enough output to listen very loudly with the Sennheiser IE 40 Pro. And at high levels, the sound distortions are within an acceptable range.
According to the manufacturer, the outside noise is attenuated by 26 dB. That coincides with my impression: Anyone who has found the best earmolds for themselves can look forward to being well sealed off from the outside world.
The bass range is convincing. The representation of the Sennheiser IE 40 Pro extends comfortably deep down into the frequency basement, whereby it does not exaggerate anywhere in the course up to the high bass.
The mids are detailed and balanced. This ensures flawless speech intelligibility and ensures that the “body” of instruments comes into its own.
The frequency region at roughly 8 kHz is a little overemphasized on the Sennheiser IE 40 Pro. Even further up in the spectrum, everything is fine again. The transmission range ends at 18 kHz, but enough highs are transported for an “open” sound.
For a 100 $ in-ear, the Sennheiser IE 40 Pro comes with considerable impulse fidelity. Especially in the bass, the “crispness” of the transients is evident in the form of clearly contoured, “dry” strokes of a kick drum and the like.
Conclusion
The Sennheiser IE 100 PRO Wireless made a very good impression. Sennheiser has successfully managed the balancing act between suitability for everyday use and musical standards.
In terms of comfort, nothing stands in the way of prolonged use – the various silicone adapters included should be emphasized here.
The wireless function via Bluetooth works flawlessly without dropouts, even over a large range. The even frequency response at low and high sound pressure levels ensures a pleasant, balanced sound.
All in all, with the Sennheiser IE 100 PRO Wireless, you get great in-ears at a good price-performance ratio.
As an affordable, universal in-ear monitor, the Sennheiser IE 40 Pro is impressive in sound and ergonomics. The transmission range begins surprisingly far below the sub-bass; the mids are neutral and detailed, the highs are present.
Only in the area of the sibilants, percussion cymbals, and similar sounds does he play a bit over-motivated – now and then, he sounds a bit too pointed for long sessions without symptoms of fatigue.
- The output power is very high (with relatively low distortion).
- The spatiality is differentiated in width and depth.
- The fine dynamics clearly show transients as such.
The Sennheiser IE 40 Pro scores at least as much with its excellent fit – the reinforced cable ends that can be bent into a small bracket are responsible for this. In addition, there is a low weight of 18 grams and the options for the included ear tips. This offers excellent wearing comfort with a secure hold and good external noise dampening. The cable is also detachable.
All in all, the affordable in-ear monitor achieved a very good four and a half out of five points in the Sennheiser IE 40 Pro. Recommended for all musicians with a moderate budget.
