Sennheiser CX 80U Evaluation: Reasonably priced USB-C wired earbuds with spectacular sound

Greatest Costs As we speak: Sennheiser CX 80U

• Worth: $39.95 / £34.99
• Connection: USB-C wired earbuds (works with trendy telephones and laptops)
• Sound: Robust bass and clear vocals for the worth
• Extras: Inline controls and microphone
• Lacking options: No Bluetooth, no noise cancellation

The primary set of headphones that I ever purchased again in my pupil days was from the inexpensive Sennheiser CX vary. That was method again within the pre-iPod period and, for sure, they have been wired headphones geared up with the standard 3.5mm audio connector that Apple finally faraway from the iPhone 7 nearly a decade in the past. The CX vary has developed since then and now contains a variety of wi-fi fashions as properly, however I used to be happy to listen to that Sennheiser is sticking to its weapons and just lately launched a brand new set of low-cost wired earbuds referred to as the CX 80U.

Design and luxury: Do the CX 80U keep in your ears?

Priced at simply $39.95/£34.99, the CX 80U earbuds are a bit of costlier than Apple’s Earpods, however they supply good sound high quality for such cheap earbuds and – in contrast to the EarPods – they don’t fall out of my ears each 5 minutes. To be honest, some folks do just like the design of the EarPods – shared with the cheaper AirPods 4 as properly – which have a free match with the earpiece resting within the outer ear, moderately than becoming extra firmly into the interior ear. Nevertheless, I discover myself continually adjusting the EarPods merely to cease them falling out, and I a lot desire the extra standard in-ear design of the CX 80U.

Sennheiser additionally offers detachable ear-tips in three totally different sizes that can assist you get an excellent match, and I had no downside sporting the CX 80U while wandering round through the day.  The CX 80U solely weighs round 14g, so that you’ll hardly discover the load, even after hours of listening time.

Sonova Shopper Listening to

What options do you get for $40?

There aren’t any noise-cancellation options both – not at such a low worth – however the agency match of the ear-tips does assist to dam out a number of the background noise once you’re travelling. Contained in the compact earpieces, the CX 80U homes 9.7mm drivers that boast 17–20KHz frequency response. The cable that connects the earpieces to your iPhone or different units offers easy in-line controls for music playback and voice calls, and there’s a noise-reducing microphone for voice calls as properly. Nevertheless, the standard 3.5mm audio connector has gone ultimately, with Sennheiser switching to a extra trendy USB-C connection, which can work with most up-to-date iPhones, iPads and different cell units (though Sennheiser does nonetheless make different earbuds and headphones with 3.5mm connectors in case you desire).

The opposite benefit of utilizing USB-C is that it permits the CX 80U to assist digital audio codecs as much as 24-bit/96KHz, so it may well deal with many of the lossless and high-res audio tracks which might be obtainable on Apple Music and different streaming providers (Apple Music does go as much as 24-bit/192KHz for some tracks, however in case you’re that fussy about sound high quality then you definately gained’t be shopping for the CX 80U).

Sound High quality: How do they sound for the worth?

The 17–20KHz frequency response of the CX 80U lets it dig a bit of deeper on bass response than many low-cost earbuds, so I begin with the rumbling tonsils of Leonard Cohen on You Need It Darker. The CX 80U does an excellent job with the observe’s slinky bass riff, which glides together with a clean, hip-swaying rhythm. And, after all, there’s the gravelly voice of Cohen himself, which has a wealthy, gritty texture to it. The CX 80U additionally handles the contrasts within the track properly, capturing the extra high-pitched staccato stab of percussion, and the graceful multi-tracked harmonies on the refrain.

Sonova Shopper Listening to

ALSO READ:  search engine optimization immediate seem highsoftware99.com

Muse supply extra of a problem with the dense wall of sound on Knights Of Cydonia, however the CX 80U hits the bottom working, touchdown the galloping-horses rhythm of the drums with a taut, exact sound that actually drives the observe ahead. That is Muse throughout their imperial Queen part, and the CX 80U captures all the small print within the band’s multi-tracked harmonies, and the piercing edge on Matt Bellamy’s falsetto as he wails – “nobody’s gonna take me alive!” (nearly nearly as good as Roger Taylor’s…). The ultimate instrumental part is a headbanging delight and the CX 80U manages to take care of its composure, protecting every instrument clear and exact because the galloping drums and riffing guitars cost off into the sundown, and there’s no distortion even once I push the little earbuds proper as much as most quantity.

Do you have to purchase the Sennheiser CX 80U?

You’re not going to get Hello-Fi sound high quality from a set of earbuds costing lower than $40, however the CX 80U offers superb sound high quality at a aggressive worth. It’s received sufficient energy for headbanging rock, and respectable bass for such a reasonable set of earbuds, so it’ll be an excellent choice for anybody that wishes an inexpensive set of wired earbuds that they will put on round city or figuring out on the health club.