Customer Reviews

Sennheiser CX 680 Earfin Sports Earbuds

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(45)
3 star:		(19)
2 star:		(20)
1 star:		(32)

 

 

I have been on a quest for a new pair of earphones for weeks. I have spent countless hours reading hundreds of reviews on various models. My main criteria (in order of importance) were: 1) Don't fall out when doing strenuous exercise like running, 2) Won't cease functioning or experience a decrease in functionality due to sweating (I sweat profusely when exercising, e.g., my clothes are normally drenched after an hour of cardio), 3) Comfort, 4) Price, 5) Sound quality, and 6) Appearance/Style.

Based on all that I read, I decided that the new Adidas-branded Sports line from Sennheiser might be the best option for me, so I splurged, got the CX680 at a big box store, and decided to test them since I knew I could return them for a full refund within 30 days if not satisfied. If I liked them I knew I could purchase online for 25-30% less. Note that I prefer the in-ear design, but was also considering the neckband design of the PMX680 as an alternate. However, I was hoping to find one pair that I could use for cardio, weightlifting, leisure, and travel.

First, I will explain what comes in the package. You get:

(1) SYMMETRICAL earphones with a 30" cord and a straight jack
(2) a 24" extender with a volume control on one end and an "L" jack on the other
(3) a Velcro carrying pouch
(4) 3 sets (S,M,L) of earfins, 1 set of M covers w/o fins, and 3 sets (S,M,L) of earbud covers
(5) a clip
(6) a cleaning tool

My assessment of each of these components:

(1) Short Cord: Used w/o the extender, the earphones are best worn using an armband (either arm is fine due to the symmetrical cord) with the cord clipped to the shirt on whatever side the armband is to reduce tension on the opposite side earbud. I ran for 1.5 hours last night with the cord clipped this way to the collar of a T-shirt. It stayed in place the entire time and was completely unobtrusive.

(2) Extender: The volume control is very light and can be clipped to the band of your shorts w/o adding noticeable weight. With my iPod Nano clipped to one side, the volume control on the other, and the cord beneath my shirt, there was some cord slack (I'm 5'8"), but the movement was not excessive and not disruptive. The wheel of the volume control has a slight resistance to it so that you won't mistakenly blast out your eardrums while adjusting it.

(3) Pouch: The pouch is good quality and roomy enough to hold the earbuds and a small music player. However, the cords do tend to become entangled easily.

(4) Earbuds/Earfins: With some trial and error I was able to find the right combination of fin and earbud that fit comfortably and didn't fall out with movement or sweat. I've had more difficulty finding the correct fit for my L ear, but even during a 1.5 hour run I only had to adjust the bud once b/c the fin had moved (Note that the earbud itself was still firmly sealed).

(5) Clip: As mentioned above, the clip work great when attached to a collar and probably would also with a hem. I tried to use it in the middle of my shirt and it simply fell off. There's a groove on the top that seemingly is supposed to hold the wire but it does not; you simply have to clip the wire along with the clothing.

(6) I have yet to use the cleaning tool.

Now on to how the CX680 ranks using my criteria.

(1) Fit & Staying Power, 5/5: These things stay put. I've had the stock earbuds which do not fit my ears well, fall out with movement or sweat, and sound crappy. I would imagine that most people should be able to find an earfin/earbud combination that fits them well. I like that this product is customizable rather than one-size-fits-all.

(2) Sweat Resistance, 5/5: More than any other pair of earbuds I've owned, these seem to be unaffected by sweating. They do not loosen when sweat is in the ears and their rubberized materials seem especially sweat "proof". I have not yet tried to put them in water. I would hope that these do not as easily succumb to the issues common with other earphones that seem less sturdy/durable. Even if they do fail at some point, at least with Sennheiser you have their 2 year warranty (another reason I chose these over something with only a 90 day warranty).

(3) Comfort, 5/5: I don't even notice I've wearing them.

(4) Price, 3/5: These certainly are not the cheapest earphones on the market, but they are new and will likely come down in price. The cheapest I've found is $70 online with free shipping. I would highly recommend buying them locally, seeing if they work for you, and then returning them and buying them for cheaper online. If you've got something that works for you now, I'd say wait for the price to drop on these. If money is no concern, just buy them!

(5) Sound quality, 3/5: I'm not an audiophile and I didn't get these b/c I wanted the best sounding buds, and they're not. I listen exclusively to electronic music and they're OK, but slightly lacking in bass. Not sure if "tinny" or "muddy" are the correct terms, but I've thought that my music sounded better with JBuds J2s (but they would fall out when I'd sweat and shorted out after a year), with Acoustibuds attached to stock earbuds (these sound great and actually stay pretty well during movement and sweating but they're bulky, have to be twisted into the ear canal, and it's challenging to find the sweet spot as far as the "best" position for maximum effect), or with over-the-head models (these offend my sense of fashion). The CX680s are not bad, just not the greatest sounding, but I'm willing to sacrifice on music quality to eliminate them moving around, falling out, or breaking b/c of sweat damage.

(6) Appearance, 4/5: I don't know why Sennheiser thinks it necessary to make their Sports lines in bright, obnoxious colors (neon green, orange, and now yellow), instead of more muted grays, blacks, or whites, but these are OK. I'm not using them to win any fashion contests, and they're more appealing, IMO, than the neckband, over-the-ears, or over-the-head models.

In summary, I give the CX680s a 4/5: They're great for what they're intended (i.e., reduction of slippage due to movement and/or sweat), but could sound better, be less expensive, and reduce the flashy factor. I would also have preferred an asymmetrical cord design so that the earphones could be used w/o the clip when using an armband. Before my 30 day "trial" period is over, I will be returning these to Big Box Store and purchasing them online. Hopefully they will prove to be a good investment and a solution to the annoyance of finding the best earphones for sweaty cardio freaks like me.

PROS: moisture resistant, excellent sound (after 'treble reducer' eq and removing earfins so they would fit correctly in my ear), great stability.

CONS: awkward cord lengths (comes w/ very long ext. cord, short primary cord), awkward earfins, initial sound quality presents with a bit much treble, tips slightly uncomfortable after a while in ear canals.

CONCLUSION: As workout headphones are concerned, compared to the Bose In-ear 'phones, Apple In-ears, my prev. fav. Sony MDR-EX85s, and even other Sennheisers I've tried, these offer far superior sound and functionality within the scope of exercise-specific headphones. I workout a lot (sweating substantially when doing so) and prefer clear bass; now that I have figured out not to use the earfin feature or bass boost (iPhone 3GS, iTouch 2G: these sound really BAD with boost on, the noise is amplified terribly) I wouldn't hesitate for a second to replace this pair with another of the same, were they to break.

I decided to upgrade to the CX680s after using a pair of CX380s for the last 6 months. The 380s were pretty good but didn't always stay in place during my workouts.

The good news with the CX680s is the ear fin technology works really well. They stay in place the whole time I'm at the gym. The bad news is Adidas/Sennheiser should have given more thought to the cord length. The standard cord is too short unless you're using an armband for your music player. Then it's too long so you have to wrap it around or have it move the whole time you're working out.

If you don't have an armband, then you have to use the extender with the inline volume control. When you do this the cord is way too long and it and the volume control bounce all over the place. You can use the included clip to keep one from moving but you can't stop both from moving. The moving is super distracting because you can hear it through the headphones and you don't know what the cord is going to get snagged on.

Having said all this, I guess these could work for you if you're the right height (I'm 5'10''). Height is important because the volume control also has a clip on it that you can use to keep it from flopping around. In my case, the clip didn't reach my waist so I couldn't clip it so it just dangled.

 

Just got my CX 680 earphones and popped them in. My heart sank with the poor sound quality I heard AT FIRST. In the box comes an instruction manual (yes! an instruction manual for headphones!), and several size fittings (for ear buds and fins), and a cleaning appliance.

Before I purchased on Amazon, I read the reviews and did notice the complaint of poor sound quality. But for what I paid, I could not imagine this to be true. I adjusted the earbuds and ear fins to the large size and popped them in. It was like going from 8 track tape to THX surround. EXCELLENT SOUND QUALITY WITH THE RIGHT FIT.

This the first review I have ever written on Amazon.

First, the pro's of these headphones far outweigh the con's.... However, I have yet to find the perfect headphone for every occasion.

If you are looking for a headphone to replace your apple earbuds or any product comparable, look no further.

I was in search of a headphone that would not fall out on my run's, hikes, and rides. Keeping the headphone in my ear was my number one priority, comfort was number two, and sound quality was number three. For the price point, these headphones meet or exceeded all of my needs. I have used these headphones on over 25 runs and hikes with the longest being 5 miles and here is what I have say:

Pros:

1. THESE HEADPHONES STAY IN YOUR EARS! I have read the reviews stating they don't stay in your ears and I just dont see how that is possible with the variety of fins and bud sizes provided. I have even tried to shake these out of my head after a sweaty run and no slip at all. It did take one or two runs to find the right fin size for me and I had to check myself in the mirror to find the right placement but its just like breaking in a pair of shoes... you gotta be patient and find the right fit.

2. Comfort is fantastic. They are light, breathable, and the variety offered in fins and buds is great. I can say nothing more except they are very comfortable.

3. Sound Quality and Noise Cancellation is fantastic. This was the area of the product that actually blew me away. I have never heard such crisp mids and uppers with bumping base in any earbud except for Bose. I have not yet tested in an airplane but for $50, I think this may be the best sound quality on the market for buds. (I personally think they sound better than my Sony cans that cost me about $40.)

Cons:

Cord Lenth and volume placement are the area's which made me lower my review from 5 stars to 4 stars. I am 5'10" and do not use an armband when I run. I need to pull my shorts up about 1" higher than I would like for the volume control to clip in place on my waistband. This also leaves about 18" of cord which I need to tuck in by pocket with my iphone. Also, the way the phones connect to the volume input require you to only wear with the clip facing down meaning that flipping the volume control upside down to clip on the bottom of your shirt is awkward and unstable. If I were to re-design these, I would arrange so the phones connect to the volume control from the side, or add another clip on the back giving the option to clip upside down.

Overall:

I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT TO A FRIEND, especially an avid runner, hiker, or cyclist.

I paid $65 for this product and have no regrets. $75 is the most I would pay and if you can find them for $50 or less its an absolute steal!

I had high hopes for these headphones. I was previously a user of the Sennheiser MX 75 Sport. I loved these headphones. But after 3 years of dealing with my sweaty head, one side finally started to go out a bit and sound pretty tinny. So I looked at Sennheiser's new offering. I thought the CX680's would be good for me when I run because they would cut down on wind now since they are in ear headphones.

So the first time I took them out was on a long bike ride, they worked pretty well. It was hot out, I was sweaty and they stayed in for the most part. That is about as good as this story gets. Over the course of the next few weeks, I took them out for some runs. To start with, the cord length isn't a good fit for someone who is tall. I had to put my MP3 player way up high on my arm and turn it upside down in order not to have the cord pull the headphones out of my ears. If I put cord extender with the volume control, it is long enough, but then the cord flops around on your body pretty bad with the "heavy" volume control in the middle of the rope. I say "heavy", but the control isn't heavy, but it is bigger and bulkier than just a normal cord. So I've been on multiple runs now and every time, no matter which fin and ear bud size combination I try, the headphones will not stay in. It isn't too bad at the beginning of the run, but once I start to sweat, I have to spend way too much time pushing the headphones back into my ears. I have looked at the book, followed the instructions, and it doesn't really matter what I do. THERE IS NO WAY I CAN RECOMMEND THESE FOR RUNNING.

I give these a two star rating because when they are in, they do sound nice and I do like the external volume control. The stay in fine for activities other than running, but since that is the primary reason I bought them is for running, it is hard to say I am satisfied with these, especially after my Sennheiser MX 75 Sport's were so satisfying.

I wanted comfortable earbud headphones that would not fall out while jogging, would repel sweat, and has rich sound quality - all for under $150. My search took me from opinion to opinion and had me learning terms such as "Frequency Range", "Impedance", and "Sound Pressure Levels". Eventually, I came across the Sennheiser Sports product line and was impressed with the technical details, durable construction, and that I can rinse them under running water without harming them. The Sennheiser CX 680 is the latest model of the Sennheiser Sports line (at the time of this review) with a retail price of under $120. The soft rubber ear adapters and fins of the CX 680 make a tight and comfortable fit that allows me to hear the deepest bass and the highest treble as I desire.

WARNING: If your spouse or significant other listens to them you may be forced to purchase a second pair for her/him...I was.

The latest earphones I am reviewing are the Sennheiser CX680 Sports Earbuds which the company are working with Adidas that offer:

* Sweat and water-resistant ideal for sports
* Earfin holding system secure and comfortable fit during workouts
* High-output ear-canal drivers energizing sound and superb noise insulation
* DuPont Kevlar cable, superior strength and durability

Packaged with the earbuds are rubber black earfins (Small, Medium and Large), housing covers, ear adapters (S, M, L), volume control/extension cable, storage pouch, cable clip and cleaning tool.

I. FIRST GLANCE

Sennheiser is a pretty solid company that is known for many products. In first glance of the CX 680, you kind of hope there are other colors available aside from fluorescent green/yellow but for the most part, it is visible and if you have it in your gym bag, you can easily spot it. Love the fact that for its pricepoint, you do get multiple ear buds, adapters and housing covers but I have to give Sennheiser a major thumbs up because I have reviewed more expensive earbuds that give you the extra ear buds but that's it. So, you're getting extra accessories, especially the extension cable/volume control was a nice addition and you can keep everything in its black Sennheiser pouch. So, thumbs up for the additional accessories.

II. AUDIO QUALITY

I did a lot of tests with these earbuds. From US rock, hip hop, pop, jazz, classical, French Pop, J-Pop, K-Pop, etc. while working out on the bike. Bass comes out quite clearly but as does treble. Tried various settings on my iPod and also tested it on a SanDisk Sansa and the quality was fantastic!

When I read one reviewer mention the "tinny sound", I at first was wondering if I had the same problem but then I realized, I was wearing them improperly and adjusting it in my ears, then I was able to get strong bass.

So, not sure if the reviewer used the different earbuds or did any repositioning but one I did it, the tinny sound was replaced with solid bass.

III. DURABILITY

When I saw the mention of Kevlar, I was amused. What is the kevlar made for and you learn it's with the cables. For anyone who has used earbuds, even with major companies, there were times that I would get frustrated with problems with a wire and would have to bend the wire to make them work. So, its great to see Sennheiser going the extra step in using Dupont Kevlar for their cables.

I tested the various earbuds and fins, and no problems. I've read one reviewer who had broken her fins, while you do get multiple fins (S, M, L), not sure how they broke because they are durable unless you are trying to stretch them out. But because Sennheiser is a well-known company, I'm sure one can easily contact customer service for additional accessories.

JUDGMENT CALL:

As mentioned, I have reviewed several earbuds, expensive earbuds and these are probably one of the better ones I have reviewed that not only produce great sound, come with multiple accessories and extras that many other expensive big brands don't even offer. As mentioned, there are are some good brands that I have used that failed, especially with its cable after using it. While I don't know how long these Kevlar cables last, the fact that Sennheiser has used Kevlar for their cable is actually a big thumbs up for me and shows me that they are trying to address quality issues that people have had with earbuds.

While, I could go for a different color than fluorescent early '90s Bodyglove colors, I can easily recommend these earbuds. Once again, I personally don't think these fins can easily be busted unless one was stretching them too hard and as for the tinny sound, at first I experienced them until I repositioned to find that "sweet spot" and my perspective changed for these earbuds. They sound great on my iPod and Sansa and tried various styles of music with different EQ settings and the CX680 were quite solid.

Sure, there is a lot of competition out there for earbuds but if you want to get your money's worth, the Sennheiser CX680 is definitely worth it!

The most important thing I can say about these earphones is that they stay where they should, in your ear. This is a simple thing but it is still quite revolutionary given the sweat and movement of exercise. Given this, I also have to say I like the design (but I wish they were orange instead of yellow like the older models), the short cord is perfect for me when I use an armband because it gives me range of motion without enough cord to get snagged on thigns, and I especially like that the earphones can be rinsed off after you are done with your workout.

Now to the other question, how do they sound? To that, I have to say more than acceptable. I can say while they don't match up to my Shure SE115s, they are plenty good and work well in the gym. They isolate me enough from what is going on and sound good, covering both the highs and the lows with a fairly strong midrange. During pauses in my workout I can hear the full range of the music, certainly better than anything in the $10 range will give me. That said, I think they let enough sound in that one could run on the streets with them, but I suggest that the better course of action if that is your game would be to go with earbuds vice these in-ear earphones.

So why four stars? Bottom line, this is a lot of money for something just to use at the gym. If they last, maybe it will be worth it.

Somewhere between audio enthusiast and audiophile, I'm often driven to extremes when it comes to providing myself with clean frequencies in any setting where I crave music. The Sennheiser 680i earbuds were a steal at the $72 I paid.

These are better than the default iPhone earbuds in every way conceivable. Better sound quality, better isolation, better mids, highs and lows, better comfort, more durability (effing kevlar!), and they don't mess up your tracks when you're sweating. I have only one complaint with my 680i ear buds: Minimal bass response. But since these are strictly for the gym, it's not a deal breaker at all.

Comfort: These Sennheisers come with three sets of ear adapters, three sets of ear fins and a set of earpiece covers (no fins) to use when you're not working out. They are as comfortable as they need to be and everything that touches the skin is very soft. But obviously ear buds without fins are more comfortable than those with fins. So they lost a comfort point there on that technicality alone. The trick is to really sit down and play with the combinations until they fit perfectly. This involves rotating the fins around the earpiece bit by bit until they sit nicely inside your ear crevices. Do that and they'll stay put through intense workouts.

Sound Quality: The overall sound quality is really quite excellent. The isolation is fantastic for a product of this price. The highs are tight and vibrant, the mids are crisp and creamy. But the damn bass, OH if only they upped it a tick or two. Personally, I love loud tight bass response. The bass kicks a bit, don't get me wrong, but to get it where I like it I need to turn it up to a point where the highs get piercing enough to give you the "tweeter headache." But since I only use them for the gym, I can't really take off many points for the bass.

Style: It used to be that the people with those telltale white earbuds were the "cool kids," back when Apple's portable products were still kind of new. Now if you use them, you're just settling. These are black and that bright green-yellow that matches a lot of great athletic products, like Salomon shoes and some of those Lulu Lemon shirts with the silver woven in. Very cool to look at and there aren't really any other products quite like them. You'll probably be the only one at your gym using them. And I love that they come with a cleaning tool and a durable, sporty pouch so they don't get banged up in my gym bag.

Conclusion: I love you, but I'm not IN love with you. Still, I can't find a better set of 'buds for working out at the gym.