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

Value When Reviewed

$39.95

Finest Costs Right now: Sennheiser CX 80U

• Value: $39.95 / £34.99
• Connection: USB-C wired earbuds (works with trendy telephones and laptops)
• Sound: Robust bass and clear vocals for the value
• 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, evidently, they have been wired headphones outfitted with the standard 3.5mm audio connector that Apple finally faraway from the iPhone 7 virtually a decade in the past. The CX vary has developed since then and now contains quite a lot of wi-fi fashions as properly, however I used to be happy to listen to that Sennheiser is sticking to its weapons and not too long ago launched a brand new set of low-cost wired earbuds known 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 dearer than Apple’s Earpods, however they supply good sound high quality for such cheap earbuds and – not like the EarPods – they don’t fall out of my ears each 5 minutes. To be truthful, some folks do just like the design of the EarPods – shared with the inexpensive AirPods 4 as properly – which have a free match with the earpiece resting within the outer ear, slightly than becoming extra firmly into the internal ear. Nonetheless, I discover myself continually adjusting the EarPods merely to cease them falling out, and I a lot favor the extra typical in-ear design of the CX 80U.

Sennheiser additionally offers detachable ear-tips in three totally different sizes that will help you get a great match, and I had no drawback sporting the CX 80U while wandering round throughout the day.  The CX 80U solely weighs round 14g, so that you’ll hardly discover the burden, even after hours of listening time.

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What options do you get for $40?

There are not 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 if 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 gadgets offers easy in-line controls for music playback and voice calls, and there’s a noise-reducing microphone for voice calls as properly. Nonetheless, the standard 3.5mm audio connector has gone finally, with Sennheiser switching to a extra trendy USB-C connection, which is able to work with most up-to-date iPhones, iPads and different cellular gadgets (though Sennheiser does nonetheless make different earbuds and headphones with 3.5mm connectors if you happen to favor).

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 will possibly deal with a lot of the lossless and high-res audio tracks which are obtainable on Apple Music and different streaming companies (Apple Music does go as much as 24-bit/192KHz for some tracks, however if you happen to’re that fussy about sound high quality then you definately received’t be shopping for the CX 80U).

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

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 a great job with the monitor’s slinky bass riff, which glides together with a easy, 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 music properly, capturing the extra high-pitched staccato stab of percussion, and the graceful multi-tracked harmonies on the refrain.

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Muse supply extra of a problem with the dense wall of sound on Knights Of Cydonia, however the CX 80U hits the bottom operating, touchdown the galloping-horses rhythm of the drums with a taut, exact sound that basically drives the monitor ahead. That is Muse throughout their imperial Queen section, 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!” (virtually nearly as good as Roger Taylor’s…). The ultimate instrumental part is a headbanging delight and the CX 80U manages to keep up its composure, holding 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 obtained sufficient energy for headbanging rock, and respectable bass for such an affordable set of earbuds, so it’ll be a great possibility for anybody that wishes an inexpensive set of wired earbuds that they’ll put on round city or understanding on the health club.