Buzz
Sennheiser IE 100 Pro and IE 40 Pro have recently captured the attention of enthusiasts. I've been flooded with inquiries about sound quality, pairing with dac/amp, and the ideal music genres for these headphones. This article aims to address those questions.In this review, we'll audition them with Fiio M11, iFi Hip DAC, Fiio Q3. The playlist for testing spans diverse genres such as Rock, Jazz, Classical, Acoustic, Hip-Hop, and Pop. Tidal serves as the music source for this evaluation.
Product Overview
Sound Experience
Grooving with the moonlight – Genesis (from the album Selling England By The Pound)
Here's a classic rock favorite of mine, the IE 40 Pro delivers direct sound, distinct vocals with a hint of edginess and dryness. On the other hand, the IE 100 Pro boasts thick vocals, with the high-mid tones softened, making it a suitable choice for newcomers transitioning from bass-heavy, warm headphones to a more detailed and bright sound without the sharp intensity. If you're seeking a balanced experience, the IE 100 Pro is a reasonable choice.
The IE 40 Pro is the go-to choice for those who love intense and aggressive sound. It excels in genres like Metal and Symphonic Metal due to its open high-mid range and energetic treble. However, if your taste leans towards Progressive Rock, such as Pink Floyd or Dire Straits, the IE 100 Pro offers a dreamy, enticing sound that captivates the ears.
Discover the mesmerizing vibes of Something About Us by Daft Punk with these headphones, taking your music experience to a whole new level.
😄:)
So, when it comes to an overall comparison, both IE 40 Pro and IE 100 Pro showcase unique strengths in different music genres, especially in rock and classical. IE 40 Pro may lack the ability to reproduce the deep tones of drums or frugal horn, but it still delivers ample power to handle double bass and cello admirably. The bass of IE 100 Pro is warmer and focuses more on the low-midbass range. Although I've been emphasizing upper bass so far, a careful listen to albums rich in low-bass like Janis Ian's 'Breaking Silence' reveals that the low-bass below 50Hz in both IE 100 Pro and IE 40 Pro still feels somewhat 'young.' A slight boost in intensity would make it truly outstanding. We can address this by skillfully pairing the equipment.
After putting IE 100 Pro and IE 40 Pro through the testing wringer, I've observed that when paired with Fiio M11 and Fiio Q3, the sound resonates most harmoniously with my ears. However, if you're inclined towards a more pronounced sub-bass, clearer distinctions, and sweeter mid-tones, then dancing with the Hip Dac might be your move. M11 elevates the dynamism of IE 100 Pro and IE 40 Pro, adding a touch of brightness. It almost makes the high mids of IE 100 Pro sound akin to IE 40 Pro, while the bass range remains robust :D. Plugging IE 40 Pro into M11 and cranking up the volume gives the sound a slightly dry and bright direction, which I fancy, but it might not be everyone's cup of tea. This also explains why I assert that IE 40 Pro isn't tailored for newcomers who fancy warm tones and abundant bass.
Playing with Q3, I find it to be the go-to solution for those who relish sound characterized by robustness, warmth, and richness. If your playlist leans towards Vpop, ballads, or Pop music in general, then Q3 and IE 100 Pro unequivocally become the winning combo for this easy-to-play, easy-to-win music genre.
