Sennheiser IE7 High Fidelity Sound Earbuds with Noise Reduction

by Sennheiser

Product Details

• Item Weight: 0.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00125UBVA
• Item model number: IE7
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 7, 2008

Product Description

Sennheiser IE7 High Fidelity Sound Earbuds with Noise Reduction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TEH best IEM for sub-250 range, July 7, 2009

By 

R. Ding (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sennheiser IE7 High Fidelity Sound Earbuds with Noise Reduction (Electronics)

update: 8/12/2011:

I thought I'd update my review on these after over two years of ownership.

First thing: THESE BABES ARE BUILT LIKE TANKS!!! I've had these two years and two months. I've taken them around the world to China, South Korea, Japan, and back to America. During my travels I've shoved them in tightly packed bags, pockets, suitcases, all without the carrying case. I've sat on them, thrown them around, etc, and they emerged WITHOUT ONE SCRATCH. Seriously I can sell these off as "like new" and no one would object.

While my personal preferences in sound have definitely changed/evolved over the past two years, having owned the ER4PT, SE535, MTPC, EX1000, CK10, UE700, GR07, and countless other start-ups like Meelectronics, Brainwavz... well, most of them came and went, but the IE7 has always been the pair that I was hesitant to sell off. Don't take this the wrong way, I'm not saying that the IE7 trumps all these above listed phones, but that it offers such a well rounded package with a unique sound that I'd rather keep it in my collection. Soundstage is enormous, separation/layering is amazing. Still crystal clear and detailed even after comparing to the ER4-PT (not as flat or accurate but definitely great clarity and detail).

One thing I started to get annoyed with was the awkward bass. It's still got a good thump, but unlike IEMs like MTPC and TF10, the bass on IE7 just don't bleed enough into the upper ranges. It extends downward nicely, but quickly gets cut off as it ascends into the upper-bass and lower-vocal ranges. I like bass on my ER4-PT, tight and controlled. But the bass on IE7 feels like it's got "oomph" but then doesn't really "oomph." You'd think because of the amount and impact, the bass should at least bleed a little into vocals, but it's quickly cut off around upper-bass and lower-mids range. This of course, could be a result of drivers degrading after 2 years of usage.

Last thing, since 2009, the IEM industry has changed a lot, with budget-oriented IEMs offering performances that almost match the big boys. I haven't found that to be my experiences. With my Meelecctronics A151 and CC51p, and VSonic GR07 (all highly regarded top-value-to-performance IEMS), there's is just something lacking, something not "hi-fi" about the sound they make, that in the end make me not keep them.

As the market stands today, I'd say $150 and upward is still a good value for the IE7, even with competitors like the B2, GR07, EX600, PFE in the same price range. It's just that now you have many more choices to suit your personal tastes. (Can't believe Amazon is charging more for IE7 than IE8i!)




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I have owned many similarly priced headphones: Shure SE310, SCL2, Ultimate Ears 5 Pro, UE 5, Sleek Audio SA6, ATH-ESW9, EW9, EM9, EC700, B&O A8,. Not top of the line but still counts as mid-fi at least.

I'll just come out and say that for anything below $250 dollars, Sennheiser IE7 beats everything I've ever listened to. Ever. I say $250 because SE530 is just above that at $260, and TF10 is a little bit more than that, and because of their triple-BA design I can't really say the single-dynamic drivers of IE7 beats them.

In terms of packaging, design, durability, accessories, and mostly the sound quality, the IE7s are just tops. It is very easy to see the amount of care and effort put into these. Offering the most complicated, exciting, and revolutionary unboxing experience ever, it took me a good half an hour to savor the whole process. You get everything you can imagine, from shirt-clip, ear-loops, to 9 pairs of eartips including 3 pairs of : foam, single silicon, and bi-flange (Think there might be even more but too lazy to count). Cleaning tools, 6 copies of instruction manual (in 6 different languages), and a metallic carrying case that is compact, secure, yet can carry all the accessories included. There is a very pleasant surprise in the mechanics and design of the packaging/unboxing experience that I just cannot spoil.

Bad news with the included eartips, is that I did not like any of them. The foam tips for the IE7s, which are the most popular type of tips for IEM, suck. They are the exact same ones you get from a $12-pair of JVC airheads or whatever cheapo IEMs out there. Just terrible.

Good news is, UE5s come with 2 sets of same sized foam tips, and they fit perfectly on the IE7s. So I just used my spare pair. They fit comfortably.

The cable material, shape of the buds, connector, are all very nicely designed and made. Though it's only silver-plated instead of Gold. The cables are soft, yielding, yet feels very sturdy and durable. The shapes of the IEMs fit very nicely, contrary to what the sharp corner may suggest, they really won't poke your ears or anything.

Soundquality is, once again, top notch. It's amazing how large the soundstage is, yet the frequencies are very cleanly and clearly presented and layered. One gripe, though it may be a pro for most people, is that I find the bass too overwhelming at times. You really get the "BOOM BOOM" out of these buds, like from big cans. Of course, the air vent and large chambers of the earbuds contribute to that.

One would expect much subtle details in the music to be lost due to the thumping bass, especially in mid/high freq. Amazingly, compared to airier phones like SE310 and EW9, the IE7s have really good highs. I can hear more details in IE7 than any other phones I have, all thanks to the large soundstage, the great separation/layering/definition of each sound/instrument/frequency.

All in all, since the price has come down to about $160 for these, I'd say unless you want to get the triple-BA driver ones, like Westone3, SE530, TF10, etc, and spend about $300 bucks, the Senn IE7s are your best bet. For those of you who want specifically analytical/accurate/cold sound with absolutely no bass presentation, go for ER4s. But for everything else, for a flexible, enjoyable, involving listening experience, get the IE7s!

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Precsion in listening music !!!, July 30, 2009

By 

A.Powers "Iron Ears" (Los Angeles,CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sennheiser IE7 High Fidelity Sound Earbuds with Noise Reduction (Electronics)

In short (if that is possible when you are writing about this product,but here is my take on the IE7.
Truly exceptional quality,in built,design,and foremost this monitors are made for music.(Not that you couldn't listen anything else of course,but music is what they are precisely made for).
I've had them for 3 months now,and simply have them anywhere I go with me.Im a composer,and really appreciate all music(the sound of music),all sound,anything that's not just "noise'(if you know what I mean).
The Sennheiser IE7,is absolutely beyond what I expected in ear bud headphones,amazing,is the least to say!
1.Highs and lows-check.(What a bass!...),wait till you hear it!!!
2.Mids-check(I read other people reviews about mids in general,and complaining,how they are "missing",or been "weak",how much mids really can u "find" in headphones<absolutely unnecessary,[my opinion].
3.Fit,build,material-check.
4.Design-check.
5.Detail-check.(about that,if you get those,which I highly recommend ,You will hear things from ur songs,music,whatever You are listening to,that You have been missing before,simply by lack in performance for your headphone product.In other words you'll discover listening same music,in a whole different level.
Interesting experience,right when I bought them,I was blown-a-way buy it,and said,well let see if its just me,and had my colleague,and two buddy's trying them on,they were like "Whhoa,this things are LOUD man",had to turn the volume way down,so they can keep'em on .
Well,after all that been said,my dear readers,if you are shopping around,I think you are at the end of ur road,This is DDEE product!Im set as far as ear buds go.
Have a pair of Sony dynamics,not even close.
Enjoy it to the fullest.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great IEMs, February 3, 2011

By 

Fizzo (Milpitas, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sennheiser IE7 High Fidelity Sound Earbuds with Noise Reduction (Electronics)

I recently purchased these as a replacement for my Bose IE headphones to wear at work (so will have these in my ears 6-10 hours a day) and have been incredibly pleased with the sound, comfort and noise reduction of the IE7s.

Ergonomically they've fit very well in my ears, and with the right tip selection, they've felt secure in my ears without creating any odd pressure or fatigue from having them in all day at work (with cheaper sony's i've had some pain in my left ear after about 6 hours). The Bose i had never caused pain, but didn't have the fit that these do, they were much looser and less sealed, so to get a balance between comfort and seal, these have nailed it wonderfully. I do think there is a wide enough selection of tips that come with the headphones that should give a secure fit to most everyone. This fit also helps with noise reduction as they seal out a fair amount, but not all of the noise at work. It's enough that once i have music playing, i don't notice other sounds (important because my office is fairly noisy) and to the point that i'd never use these skiing or biking or any activity where hearing things was important to my well being. The sound reproduction is also fantastic. I don't find the bass to be too muddled as other people have stated, i think all ranges of music shine through on these. I listen to everything from classical to funk and hip hop and have been impressed by the quality of sound that these buds produce.

I think you get what you pay for, i'm sure the IE8s or any high end set of earbuds will be more refined, but for under $200, these have been great. I would definitely recommend these for anyone. I would also check out Ultimate Ears TripleFi 10 Noise Isolating Earphones, i think they're fairly equivalent and have had some friends rave about them. I'm beyond happy with the IE7s, and wouldn't trade them for the UE tripleFi, but different people have different tastes, and if you're looking to drop around $200 for earbuds, i'd say those are worth considering too.