The Sennheiser CX 300-II headphones are a set of entry-level in-ears. Though they might look a bit plain (especially if you choose a model without a splash of color), the CX 300-IIs have a few qualities that set them apart from the average. The CS 300-IIs have a very sturdy, bent plug, which is good news if you plan on hooking up to a media player in your pocket. A bent cord is more durable than a straight one in that scenario, and the robust cord guard also adds protection.
The CX 300-IIs are fairly comfortable, which is likely due to their flexible sleeves (the rubbery part that fits on the end of the ear bud). The CX 300-IIs also don't fall out easily. This is likely due in part to their asymmetrical cord, which puts less tension on the ear buds and more on the part of the cable that you sling around your neck.
While the CX 300-IIs are currently not available in the US, you can still find them from online retailers for under $75.
Performance (read the full lab performance results at HeadphoneInfo.com)
The CX 300-IIs did well on our audio quality tests, solidly out-performing headphones that cost twice what they do. On our frequency response test, the CX 300-IIs showed a strong bass and high-end response, but were relatively weak towards the middle frequencies. This might mean you lose some vocals in a song with loud instrumentation. The headphones had a negligible amount of distortion, which is good for picky listeners who need portable headphones. The CX 300-IIs also had good tracking, meaning neither headphone was ever playing significantly louder than the other.
The headphones did fall a bit short, however, when it came to isolation. Since in-ear headphones have the same basic design as a set of ear plugs, they tend to perform very well on our isolation test. If you have a noisy commute and are looking for a solution, you can do better than the CX 300-Iis. They were capable of a high volume without distortion getting out of control, so you can combat external sounds somewhat (increment volume with caution, because the CX 300-IIs are capable of a dangerously high decibel output). Like virtually all in-ears, the CX 300-IIs don't suffer from any leakage issues; your playback won't be broadcast to everyone in the vicinity.
Comparisons (read more in-depth comparisons at HeadphoneInfo.com)
The Sennheiser CX 300-IIs are a solid pair of in-ears, especially for their price. The Monster Turbines have similar audio quality, and block out more external noise. They also tend to be a bit more uncomfortable because they can fall out easily and, unfortunately, cost significantly more money. Sennheiser's own CX 95s are comparable in just about every category, isolate better, and also cost more. The Shure SE420s are excellent at isolation, blowing the CX 300-IIs out of the water. Their audio quality isn't as good. Following the trend, they also cost more. Compared to Apple's old headphone standard, the CX 300-IIs are actually the more expensive pair in the comparison, but the difference in price will net users a substantial upgrade in comfort and sound quality.
Overall, the CX 300-IIs are a solid pair of headphones that are remarkably inexpensive for the quality they offer. Unless you're solely basing your purchasing decision on isolation, the CX 300-IIs merit your attention.
For a more in-depth review, visit the Sennheiser CX 300-II Review at our partner HeadphoneInfo.com
