Sennheiser’s new earbuds are 3D printed with the same material used in the drill bits for the Mars rover. The IE 600 earbuds have a shell that’s composed of ZR01 amorphous zirconium. This makes it exceptionally durable and aesthetic.
Zirconium is a shapeable metal that’s highly resistant to corrosion. Therefore, it is frequently used for a plethora of industrial and medical applications and is commonly used in steel alloys.
It might be thought that using this material would somehow provide you with extraordinary sound quality, but this is not the main point of the product. In fact, it’s the malleability of the material and toughness that makes it a remarkable choice for a lightweight and durable shell.
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Sennheiser products have always been directed at audiophiles, and the IE 600 is no different. The IE 600 relies on either a 3.5mm or 4.4mm wired connection to support hi-fi and lossless audio. The IE 600, like other in-ear models from Sennheiser, can be disconnected at the earbud itself so you can easily replace the cables when they get worn out.
IE 600 will use a single 7mm driver and precision-molded resonator chambers to provide a “tonally neutral” sound profile.
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The IE 600s are scheduled to launch later this spring, and with an MSRP of 699 euros (roughly $785), they certainly represent an investment that isn’t for everyone but could pay big dividends for just about any audiophile who can afford the price. Or for someone who wants to listen to their heavy metal catalog through some light metal headphones.