Carroll is a headphone junkie residing in Brooklyn. He's a huge fan of Grado, UK hip hop, and the English Language in general. When not testing audio equipment or writing, you'll find him taking photographs or fiddling with circuit boards.

They do require some running in before they perform at their best, but after a few hours of play your music's high frequencies sound crisp and fresh, while bass notes display dexterity and discipline.

Why is Sennheiser CX 400-II Precision better than Sennheiser CX 300S?

It doesn't take a genius to calculate the CX 300-IIs offer sensational value; they're a simple and extremely effective upgrade. What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

Boost your sound with Sennheiser’s CX 300S earphones which offer amazingly detailed sound reproduction and enhanced bass response thanks to Sennheisers transducer technology. The in-ear design reduces ambient noise to a minimum, and the included set of ear-adapters guarantees an individualized fit with four sizes (XS, S, M, L) to choose from. A Smart remote enables you to pause music and take calls across all devices. Beginning with Alexis Weissenberg’s interpretation of Sergei Rachmaninov’s Prélude No5 in G Minor, the performance sounds human. The headphones capture the dynamics well and you can feel Weissenberg becoming alternately aggressive and withdrawn as he moves through the piece. Slightly smoothed highs prevent the sound from ever becoming too bright or harsh. Of course, in the highest highs, the CX 300S can feel a little intense. But during most of my listening sessions, I was too busy enjoying the overall sound to notice these tiny and infrequent hiccups. Like the lows and mids, the highs abound with detail, and it’s all too easy to get lost in your favorite music with this tiny earphone. Soundstage In general, they’re comfortable. There is a carry case and four options of ear buds, so a good fit isn’t difficult to find. Featuring a fairly run-of-the-mill earbud design, the housings feature a slight angle, allowing for an ergonomic and comfortable fit. Honestly, I could wear these all day without feeling a thing, and the sound definitely merits that consideration.

Undisturbed listening The in-ear design reduces ambient noise to a minimum, and the included set of ear-adapters guarantees an individualized fit with four sizes (XS, S, M, L) to choose from. Call quality remains succinct and accurate enough, with my voice registering clear and crisp. Specifications At this stupidly low price you could jump to the conclusion that these Sennheisers are nothing but cheap tat.