Sennheiser’s audiophile in-ear flagship, the IE 900, comes with an advanced and unique transducer system, the X3R. Assembled at the Sennheiser Consumer Hearing factory in Tullamore, Ireland, this deceptively small transducer system delivers the coherent, artifact-free “Sennheiser Sound” found in full-size headphones up to 8 times larger in size.
Introducing an Acoustic System Created for Engaging Listening
The One-Driver Principle
Instead of a multi-driver system that introduces phase incoherence and unwanted distortion, Sennheiser has improved the one-driver principle.
Refined for Accuracy
Developed with an audience of high-fidelity sound enthusiasts in mind, the IE 900 makes even the subtlest nuances of sound audible.
“The X3R system enables the listener to hear more details in their music which is what audiophile listening is all about. The three resonator chambers smoothen the frequency response at high frequencies in the area from 6 to 10 kilohertz, reducing the so-called masking effect. This means that you can better hear frequencies above 11 kilohertz – the details”, says Acoustic Engineer at Sennheiser Consumer Hearing, Andre Michaelis, and continues, “the challenge here is to perfectly balance the three chambers to get the correct response". You need to tune chamber by chamber and then make sure they are perfectly balanced together to achieve the correct frequency response.This process requires advanced acoustic engineering”, Michaelis adds.
Closeup - The three resonator chambers are literally precision-drilled into the elegant aluminum chassis of the IE 900.
Tuned Like a Sports Car
This complete harmony of systems is at work to unlock the details buried within every track. That each earpiece houses three resonator chambers, pinpoint and tame the resonance peaks that mask a recording’s unique textures.
“With the IE900, our engineering team managed to bring the potential of our 7 mm transducers to its fullest. The IE 900’s affinity for detail is striking. The clean and balanced sound signature stays honest to the original recording—even on tracks whose secrets you thought you had exhausted. The IE 900 gives you the best frequency extension and lowest possible distortion within the in-ear category”, Michaelis adds.