Short answer: the Sennheiser IE 200. It ranks #18 of 148 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $129.95. The Sennheiser IE 4 ranks #123, rated 2.3/5, at $89, $40.95 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Sennheiser IE 200 is the better-sounding pick. Bass and midrange land almost exactly on the Harman target in oratory1990’s measurement, within about 0.5 dB from 60 Hz to 3 kHz, which gives a natural tonal balance and a preference score of 79. Watch for: The presence region from 3 to 6 kHz sits about 5 dB under target, with a 5.7 dB dip near 4.4 kHz, so vocals and snare attacks sound a little recessed.
What the Sennheiser IE 4 does well: Sub-bass and bass both sit more than 6 dB above target and extend fully to 20 Hz, a good match for listeners who want big, rumbling bass and a V shaped sound. The tradeoff: A huge 15.3 dB peak near 5.1 kHz and presence about 10 dB above target make vocals and snares sound shouty and fatiguing.
Buy the Sennheiser IE 200. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $40.95 you would save on the Sennheiser IE 4 does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser IE 200 | Sennheiser IE 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.95 | $89.00 |
| Ranked | #18 of 148 in In-Ear Headphones | #123 of 148 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 79 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 53 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.86 dB standard deviation | 3.59 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.43 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.8 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+5.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 7mm dynamic | 1 x dynamic |
| Impedance | 16 ohms | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 119 dB SPL/V | 106 dB SPL/V |
| Weight | 0 lbs (4 g) per earphone | - |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
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- Sennheiser IE 200 vs Sony WF-1000XM5
- Sennheiser IE 200 vs Sennheiser IE 600
- Sennheiser IE 200 vs Sennheiser IE 900
- Sennheiser IE 4 vs Sennheiser IE 600
- Sennheiser IE 4 vs Sennheiser IE 900
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The Two Headphones In Full
Sennheiser IE 200: $129.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: Bass and midrange land almost exactly on the Harman target in oratory1990’s measurement, within about 0.5 dB from 60 Hz to 3 kHz, which gives a natural tonal balance and a preference score of 79. At 16 ohms and 119 dB SPL/V sensitivity it plays loud straight from a phone with no amp. Each earpiece weighs only 4 g, and the single 7mm dynamic driver is a simple, wired design with no battery to charge.
Cons: The presence region from 3 to 6 kHz sits about 5 dB under target, with a 5.7 dB dip near 4.4 kHz, so vocals and snare attacks sound a little recessed. The top octave runs about 5.8 dB hot, which adds sparkle that can read as thin or bright on some recordings. The Final Audio A4000 and Shuoer S12 carry higher ratings at lower prices.
Full Sennheiser IE 200 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.86 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 7mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 79 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 119 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (4 g) per earphone |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +0.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,135 Hz | +4.3 dB | 1.83 |
| Peak | 1,520 Hz | -1.9 dB | 1.99 |
| Peak | 180 Hz | -1.2 dB | 1.14 |
| Peak | 67 Hz | +1.0 dB | 1.34 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -6.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 727 Hz | +0.8 dB | 1.79 |
| Peak | 5,480 Hz | +1.2 dB | 3.96 |
| Peak | 1,154 Hz | -0.6 dB | 3.44 |
| Peak | 2,978 Hz | +0.4 dB | 3.96 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sennheiser IE 4: $89.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Sub-bass and bass both sit more than 6 dB above target and extend fully to 20 Hz, a good match for listeners who want big, rumbling bass and a V shaped sound. The 16 ohm impedance and 106 dB/V sensitivity let it run fine from a phone. It is rated level with the CCA PLA13 at a similar price.
Cons: A huge 15.3 dB peak near 5.1 kHz and presence about 10 dB above target make vocals and snares sound shouty and fatiguing. The KZ ZAS is rated higher and costs less.
Full Sennheiser IE 4 review and specifications →
| Released | 2005 (21 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.59 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 53 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+5.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.43 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.2 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -3.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,393 Hz | +6.5 dB | 0.39 |
| Peak | 4,512 Hz | -13.3 dB | 0.97 |
| Peak | 8,609 Hz | +6.4 dB | 1.20 |
| Peak | 200 Hz | -2.3 dB | 1.14 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,324 Hz | +2.4 dB | 3.14 |
| Peak | 3,227 Hz | -4.2 dB | 4.39 |
| Peak | 64 Hz | +0.9 dB | 2.17 |
| Peak | 4,107 Hz | +2.7 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons