The ultra-tough earphone housings of the IE 600 have been crafted from ZR01 amorphous zirconium, a metal with a glass-like atomic structure that gives it triple the hardness and bend resistance of high-performance steel. One of the only other places ZR01 amorphous zirconium is used, we're told, is in the aerospace industry, such as in the drilling head of the NASA Mars Rover, where ultimate toughness in extreme conditions is required.

Through multiple elaborate treatment processes, a beautiful surface finish is achieved that is extraordinarily resistant against corrosion and scratches. This exceptional resilience ensures the IE 600 can be enjoyed for many years while its distinctive great looks remain undiminished.

Designed in Germany, the IE 600 is the first release to benefit from the company's new owners. It is manufactured at Sonova Consumer Hearing's state-of-the-art transducer production facilities in Ireland to the very highest standards. Said to be one of the most advanced production lines of its type globally, this manufacturing facility has a singular purpose, “to exceed the expectations of audiophiles with the highest manufacturing standards, like industry-leading channel matching.” 

Jermo Köhnke, Product Manager for Sennheiser Audiophile, told StereoNET: 

The IE 600 delivers a neutral reference tuning in combination with our industry-leading miniature transducer technology. The paradigm-shifting acoustic performance is appropriately clad in highest-performance amorphous zirconium. The IE 600 will be a reference for the most demanding mobile audio enthusiasts.

Sennheiser tells us that voicing of the new release “lends a presence and intimacy that brings listeners closer to the music, allowing them to discover new accents and details.” The nozzle houses dual resonator chambers that are the key to high-fidelity sound. Precisely formed to tight tolerances, these chambers make even the finest textures of a listener's music audible “by eliminating masking resonances that – in lesser headphones – can obscure higher frequencies.”

The IE 600 employs Sennheiser's TrueResponse transducer, a single 7 mm driver responsible for an extra-wide frequency range and ultra-low distortion. The company also says that the acoustic system “has been optimised to produce a steep bass slope resulting in a powerful yet fast and accurate low-end response.”

Finally, the ergonomic package features gold-plated MMCX connectors recessed into the housing for greater stability and guidance. They support cable diameters of 4.8 mm and smaller, allowing listeners to plug into a wide range of audio sources and hi-fi components with balanced outputs. To allow the choice between para-aramid reinforced unbalanced and balanced cables, both 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm sizes are included with the IE 600. Two different earbud tips — silicone and memory foam — are provided in three sizes, ensuring a perfect seal in any ear, while flexible, adjustable ear hooks further enhance the long-lasting comfort for extended listening sessions.

The Sennheiser IE 600 will be available in Asia in Q2 2022 and sell for around USD$700 | S$1,099..

For more information visit Sennheiser