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Sennheiser IE 100 Pro Review

An excellent pair of no-frills, entry-level studio monitors
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Sennheiser IE 100 Pro Review
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Price:  $100 List
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Manufacturer:   Sennheiser
By Graham Faulknor, Genaveve Bradshaw, and Clark Tate  ⋅  Sep 28, 2024
63
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#16 of 25
  • Sound Quality - 40% 7.5
  • User Experience - 20% 5.3
  • Noise Cancellation - 15% 5.2
  • Battery life - 15% 10.0
  • Call Quality - 10% 0.0

Our Verdict

One of the few wired options in our extensive review of the top-ranked earbuds, the Sennheiser IE 100 Pro are solid entry-level studio buds, designed to help musicians hear themselves on stage or in the studio. They're comfortable, secure, and deliver reasonable sound quality. With a warm bass, full mid-range, and crisp high-end, these earbuds provide a well-balanced mix, though they lack the impeccable clarity of top-rated models. They're powerful, but clarity suffers at the highest volumes, especially in the treble range. While they lack active noise cancellation, they do effectively block high-frequency sounds physically with their seal. Since they're wired, you don't have to charge them, but you do need to manage the cables, and they don't include a microphone for calls. While not ideal for casual listeners, they are a great choice for budget-conscious musicians who need reliable performance for gigs, recording sessions, and listening to music on the go.
REASONS TO BUY
Balanced sound
Impressive volume
Studio quality
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive for a wired option
No microphone
Sensitive cable connection
Limited feature

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Top Pick Award
Best Entry Level Studio Monitor
Editors' Choice Award
Best Wired Earbud
 Best Buy Award
Best Budget Wireless Earbuds
Best Buy Award
Best Wireless Earbuds on a Tight Budget
Price $100 List
$89.99 at Amazon
$18.00 List
$17.97 at Amazon
$22 List
$23.99 at Amazon
$150 List
$98.35 at Amazon
$50 List
$24.99 at Amazon
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Bottom Line Solid entry-level studio quality earbudsForgoing flash for a great fit and impressive sound at a great price, these wired earbuds are hard to argue withTrades wireless ease for great sound, comfort, and a pleasantly low priceThese buds offer an impressive soundstage and sturdy construction — if they fitIf you don't need noise cancelation or top-notch audio, these are a good deal
Rating Categories Sennheiser IE 100 Pro UliX Rider - 3.5mm Linsoul KZ ZSN Pro X Jaybird Vista 2 Amazon Echo Buds
Sound Quality (40%)
7.5
8.1
7.3
7.8
5.0
User Experience (20%)
5.3
5.6
4.0
6.4
6.2
Noise Cancellation (15%)
5.2
2.5
5.3
3.6
2.3
Battery life (15%)
10.0
10.0
10.0
6.0
5.7
Call Quality (10%)
0
8.8
9.0
7.6
6.7
Specs Sennheiser IE 100 Pro UliX Rider - 3.5mm Linsoul KZ ZSN Pro X Jaybird Vista 2 Amazon Echo Buds
Active Noise Cancelling No No No Yes No
Earbud Location Tracking No No No Yes Yes
Measured Battery Life N/A N/A N/A 6.3 hr 5.9 hr
Waterproofing N/A N/A N/A IP68 IPX2
Measured Weight 0.74 oz 0.62 oz 1.06 oz 0.24 oz 0.18 oz
Quick Charging N/A N/A N/A 5 mins = 1 hr 15 mins = 2 hrs
Charges Per Case N/A N/A N/A 2 3
Wired Charging Port 3.5mm jack 3.5mm jack 3.5mm jack USB-C USB-C
Wireless Charging Option No No No Yes No
Claimed Battery Life N/A N/A N/A 8 hrs 5 hrs
Charging Carrying Case N/A N/A N/A Yes Yes
Transparency Mode No No No Yes No
Multipoint No No No No No
In-ear Detection No No No Yes Yes
Multiple Ear Tips Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Sennheiser IE 100 Pro earbuds stand out as one of the top plug-in monitors we tested. Designed for performers, these monitors allow musicians to hear themselves in the studio or on stage without interfering with microphone recordings. We did notice that while a cord has some perks, they are a bit sensitive to movement and rubbing, registering some noise in our ears. It's not too distracting, but if you expect to be jumping around in these things, you may want to take this into consideration.

Performance Comparison


We tested these earbuds with a panel of expert listeners, a wildly extensive playlist, and our very own Brüel & Kjaer Type 5128 Head Simulator, Darwin.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Sound Quality


Warm, thumping bass lines, a full mid-range, and a crisp and snappy high-end make the IE 100 Pro earbuds a pleasure for music lovers, including our panel of expert listeners. Our test mix spans pop's treble vocals, hip-hop's resonant bass lines, and the mid-tone-heavy guitars, banjos, and mandolins of country music. The diverse set list showcased the earbuds' well-balanced soundstage, which offers both depth and complexity.


The neutral blend of bass, mid, and treble tones works well for easy-listening oldies like “Say You Love Me” by Fleetwood Mac and melodic takes on drill rap like “Sprinter” by Dave and Central Cee.

The treble range is above average in these earbuds and never tips into harsh or keening territory. Renee Rapp's cutting high notes in “Tummy Hurts” (feat. Coco Jones) peak but don't pierce. At max volume, however, the highest frequencies can sound muddy.

Expert Panel Sound Quality Ratings
ProductBassMid-RangeTreble
Best8.79.08.7
Sennheiser IE 100 Pro7.87.57.5
Average6.66.96.5
Worst2.03.53.0

The mid-tones are warm, full, and robust but can lack lucidity at times, especially when you turn the volume up. For example, “All is Well” by Daisha McBride sounds great at moderate levels but becomes brash and brassy as the volume increases and the percussion interferes with the lead vocals.

sennheiser ie 100 pro - we took these earbuds to our state of the art audio testing studio...
We took these earbuds to our state of the art audio testing studio to chart their performance.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

The bass is smooth and full-bodied. In “Shower Song” by Tierra Whack, the funky instrumental line is powerful and punchy without losing its playful tone to muddiness in the lower registers. We also appreciate the balanced bass in “Wanna Know” (Remix) by Dave and Drake. However, while the bass works well across genres, it never knocks our socks off.

sennheiser ie 100 pro - our expert listening panel enjoyed the sound of these earbuds in...
Our expert listening panel enjoyed the sound of these earbuds in every frequency range, but they aren't as clear and detailed as our favorites.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

These earbuds are certainly loud enough. However, clarity and quality diminish at the highest volume levels, particularly in the treble range. That said, it's difficult to listen to them comfortably at those levels.

The soundstage of these buds was good, but it didn't blow our socks off.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Soundstage


The soundstage of a pair of earbuds describes how music seems to be positioned in the space around you. Earbuds generally offer a more enclosed listening experience due to their in-ear design, making truly expansive and immersive soundstage rare. New technology is making strides, though, and this element of sound is a make-or-break aspect of the top-quality earbuds. The Sennheiser IE 100 Pro buds have it, but it's not of the highest caliber.

Soundstage Ratings
ProductSoundstage Rating
Best10.0
Sennheiser IE 100 Pro8.0
Average7.2
Worst4.0

These earbuds do create depth and layers, but they don't create the immersive, impeccable clarity and surround-sound experience of the top-tier options. This keeps them from achieving top marks overall in the sound quality metric.

Casual listeners might not notice, but critical audiophiles will likely hear a slightly compressed sound signature that can at times feel muddy. You can hear the layered vocals and instrumentation in “I Feel the Earth Move” by Carole King. But the lack of clarity makes it feel distant, less captivating and immediate than the best options.


When we recorded the earbuds' frequency response curve with the help of our Brüel & Kjaer Type 5128 Head Simulator, our listening experience didn't align perfectly with the results. The bass frequencies register almost identical with our GearLab House Curve, but the mids don't see as big of a scoop in comparison, which may be the source of a bass that doesn't knock our socks off due the counteracting magnified mids. The combination works, but not as well as the higher-scoring options with more idealized curves.

sennheiser ie 100 pro - we listen closely to an extensive playlist and chart each earbud's...
We listen closely to an extensive playlist and chart each earbud's frequency response to judge their audio quality. When the results don't align, we trust our own ears.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

User Experience


The Sennheiser IE 100 Pro earbuds serve as wired studio monitors, so they have a different purpose and design than most models in the test. They take some getting used to, but once mastered, they are quite comfortable for extended wear. That said, their wired design can be cumbersome, especially for those with long hair. Apart from this, they are straightforward and effective.


Comfort


Though they are slim and lightweight, it takes time to unlock the most comfortable fit for the IE 100 Pro earbuds. They feature a malleable wire that wraps around your ear to hold them in place. It can be frustrating at first, since the wire loses shape easily, forcing you to readjust it each time you wear them. Over time, this process becomes intuitive.

After that, you can appreciate the comfortable, unobtrusive silicone ear tips, which are available in four sizes. They are light enough to avoid pressure points, and we are able to wear them for over an hour with no discomfort, which is ideal for studio or stage use.

While slim and lightweight, finding the perfect fit for the IE 100 Pro earbuds requires patience. The malleable wire that wraps around your ear looses its shape easily, and you need to adjust it every time you pull them on. While frustrating at first, it becomes second nature with repeated use.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Stability


These earbuds feel secure in the studio or at your desk when your movements are limited. They're less reliable especially if you have longer hair. Unlike typical wired earbuds that are designed to connect to a phone in a pocket, the IE 100 Pro wires are meant to run down your back to a receiver, making them prone to tangling with hair or clothing.

sennheiser ie 100 pro - as long as you can keep the wires from tangling in your hair or...
As long as you can keep the wires from tangling in your hair or clothes, these earbuds stay in place.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

The IE 100 Pro earbuds do not have an ingress protection rating, so we don't know how well they resist infiltration from solid particles like dust or liquids like sweat.

Customization


These earbuds lack a dedicated app, meaning you can't adjust their equalization (EQ) settings to balance bass, mid, and treble tones. They also don't include features like an ear fit test to ensure a proper seal or a location feature to help you find them if lost. They are compatible with a variety of devices, including both Apple and non-Apple products, though you'll need to make sure they actually have an auxiliary cable outlet.

sennheiser ie 100 pro - these earbuds don't offer much in the way of features. using them is...
These earbuds don't offer much in the way of features. Using them is as simple as plug-and-play.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Noise Cancellation


Unlike many other options in the test, the IE 100 Pro monitors don't actively cancel noise. They do passively isolate it though, since they can't help but physically block some sounds from entering your ear. Active noise cancellation is better at blocking lower frequency bass tones, and can help you focus in noisy environments like offices or on planes. Passive isolation excels at blocking higher frequencies, like screaming fans or plates clattering at a diner.


Of the non-noise cancelling options in the test, these offer some of the best noise isolation in the test, thanks to pliable silicone tips. This effective sound shielding helps you focus on your music, whether you're a professional singer, like one of our expert testers, or are just enjoying your favorite tunes on your commute.

To test how effectively these earbuds isolate your ears from distracting sounds or damaging decibels, we played the same noisy soundtrack with the earbuds and without them. Then SoundCheck, Listen Inc.'s advanced audio software, calculates the sophisticated audio analysis that helped us measure the difference.


In the graph above, the line represents how much volume the earbuds block at each frequency. The more decibels it blocks, the quieter external sounds seem. Most earbuds without noise canceling do little or nothing to block bass frequencies below 200 Herz and struggle to filter out mid-ranges, letting in nearly every sound below 2,000 Herz.

As you can hear in the video below, the IE 100 Pro buds don't have this problem. They offer impressive noise isolation across the board, though they do quiet high-frequency sounds more than the rest. We were pleasantly shocked by its performance, giving us hope that we don't have to always fork over extra cash for fancy technology.

While these earbuds don't offer active noise cancellation, they do a stellar job of passively blocking it.
Credit: GearLab Staff

Battery Life


The Sennheiser IE 100 Pro earbuds are wired, meaning they connect directly to your phone or audio receiver without needing a battery. The advantage is they're always ready to use, eliminating any wait time to charge up before you can enjoy your music.


The tradeoff is managing their wires, which can be cumbersome. Whether or not the trademark is worth it is up to you. Regardless, they earn a top score here for being perpetually powered and ready to rock.

sennheiser ie 100 pro - these earbuds don't have internal batteries. they're ready to go as...
These earbuds don't have internal batteries. They're ready to go as soon as you plug them in.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Call Quality


These in-ear studio monitors aren't designed for fielding phone calls and lack a microphone. Unlike their battery life, where the absence of a battery earns them a top score, the absence of a mic means they don't rank in this category at all.


While it's logical that Sennheiser didn't include a microphone in earbuds intended as in-ear monitors, we're comparing them to a broad range of earbud options. This low score calls your attention to a feature that might be essential for some users. If you don't require a mic, don't let this low score deter you.

Should You Buy the Sennheiser IE 100 Pro ?


The IE 100 Pro earbuds are the best choice in the test for musicians who need in-ear monitors for the studio or the stage. Their super lightweight fit, impressive sound quality across frequencies and volume levels, and exceptional noise isolation, all at a reasonable price point. Once you get used to placing them, they're also very comfortable. These earbuds are less ideal for casual listening but are a solid option for a musician on a budget who wants to perform, record, and enjoy some music on their way home.

sennheiser ie 100 pro - everything these earbuds arrive with -- four silicone ear tip...
Everything these earbuds arrive with -- four silicone ear tip options for a comfortable and secure fit and a storage pouch.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

What Other Earbuds Should You Consider?


The Linsoul KZ ZSN Pro X earbuds are another pair of in-ear monitors. They sound similar to the Sennheiser IE 100 Pro, block just as much background noise, and are far less expensive. They are bulkier though, both the cord and earpieces are heavier and easier to see, and they don't let your ears breathe as well. Let's just say they aren't subtle like the Sennheiser. The Ulix Rider wired earbuds sound better than both and are comfortable to wear. They block very little ambient noise though, and may not be the best for loud stages. Either the Linsoul or Ulix would be better for casual listening. If you want to make the cordless leap, the Amazon Echo Buds 2023 are in a similar price range, though they don't match the audio quality of these wired options. The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro do, but they cost more and work best with Android devices.

Graham Faulknor, Genaveve Bradshaw, and Clark Tate