Bowers & Wilkins C5 vs.  Sennheiser IE80

Bowers & Wilkins C5 vs. Sennheiser IE80

Bowers & Wilkins C5 In-Ear Headphones (118 dB, 1.2 m) incl. MFi connector cable for Apple iPhone / iPod / iPad (Electronics)

Customer Review

Hello everybody,

Short Einscheidungshilfe for the choice of in-ear headphones:
Vorneweg: Both Inears are sonically amazing and you conjure a certain "wow factor" in the face.

But there are significant differences, which I will briefly discuss:

1. sound:
- The IE80 is - rev without the bass on adjuster - in my opinion clear bass-heavy, as the C5.
- The C5 sounds easier, the centers are emphasized a little more.
- The IE80 sounds voluminous and builds the music a little bit more specific on (locating the instruments but class on both models!)
- The heights are the same outstanding on both models.

Conclusion Sound: 1: 1 draw

2. comfort, cable and quality:
- The C5 sits with his smart loops better on / in the ear, as the IE80.
- The cable of the IE80 is interchangeable and not as unruly as the cable of C5.
- The cable of the C5 opposes after a certain time every smoothing attempt.
- The thin Disconnect the shore line of C5 act little dibasic.
- The first high-quality finish of the C5-Chasis flakes after a few months wear on the sharp edges and the part can clearly see hand out.
- The brushed aluminum cover of IE80 scratched over time.
- Both cables carry almost no contact sound -> Good!

Conclusion comfort, cable management and quality: 1: 0 for the IE80 through better cable.

3. Accessories and Storage:
- Sennheiser gives the IE80 with a smart box, the place has got 2 pairs of replacement ear pieces and a mini screwdriver for adjusting the bass support and cleaning of membrane Gtters.
- The IE 80 has more and better earpieces (including foam ear pieces that are absent in the C5).
- The case of the C5 is very narrow and small. I ask mih until today exactly how the colleagues from England want to do the headphones in here without bending the cable, or the end pieces. In addition, the Reissverschluszunge tangled in the "Zipper" often such that you can not pull properly.

Conclusion accessories and storage: (unique) 1: 0 for the IE 80th

4. Price
To make it short ...

Conclusion Price: (unique) 1: 0 for the B & W C5

Overall conclusion: 3: 2 for the Sennheser IE80.
I find both Inears class and therefore give both 5 star. With the favorable C5 do you get enes very good sound.
Who still wants to invest a little more money, more crisp bass like, grab without thinking for Sennheiser IE80.
Anyone who wants to save some money: Even with the B & W C5 you will delight in (mainly mobile) have music enjoyment.

Restriction: A Inear can sound forth from my mind never a Overear headphones replace (whether open or closed).
Since there are better sound for the same money (eg beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro, Harman Kardon & CL or Audio Technica ATH-ES 700)
Refer to the headset Yearbook 2013/2014 of AUDIO / stereoplay to read objective tests of headphones.

Note: infinitely important in all Inears are the matching earpieces. Suitable for the ear and of course suitable for the device.
Here's a tip to rauszuktzeln somewhat better sound:
[...]. For me personally, I get the really ideal sound out only with the Earplugs of Comply. For the B & W C5 I have the Ts-400, for the Sennheiser IE80 I use the Ts-500. The sound (esp. Bass) is increased significantly! The difference compared to "normal" Earplugs is partly really crass.

Supplement for all Bose fans: No, the IE2 or MIE2 comes sonically not nearly ran these two Inears. But they have the decisive advantage that they do not completely seal off outside noise. Therefore, this is my sport headphones.

I hope to have helped you a little in the decision.

Severely discolored diffuser Rank: 1/5
February 25
salon Rank: 5/5
August 25
Extra 185 Rank: 5/5
April 17
A mini saga Rank: 5/5
September 7
we may return this item Rank: 4/5
August 21
A beautiful work 8 Rank: 4/5
June 1

Related Reviews


Adjust definitely not on Sennheiser IE803 pair INΛIRS AIR1 (S / M / L) Memory foam earpads ★ Latest Generation In-Ear Foam Tips: Convenient & Fester as ear silicone essays ★ In ear earplugs for noise canceling ★ InEars Replacement Earphones Tips for In Ears Headphones (Electronics) Bowers & Wilkins P7 Over-Ear -Nachtrag-Bowers & Wilkins P7 Over-Ear Audio / Studio Headphone incl. MFI-cable for Apple iPod / iPhone (Electronics) Bowers Wilkins Z2Bowers & Wilkins Z2 Airplay Speaker with Dock for iPod / iPhone Black (Electronics) Fits with any docking station / Sounddock --- besides the Bowers Wilkins Zeppelin MiniTeltec adapter housing for Apple Lightning adapter black (Accessories) Sennheiser Momentum 2 - my new referenceSennheiser Momentum 2.0 G Headphone (Electronics) Test Bowers & Wilkons P7: OverratedBowers & Wilkins P7 Over-Ear Audio / Studio Headphone incl. MFI-cable for Apple iPod / iPhone (Electronics) Focal Spirit Classic compared to Sennheiser MomentumFocal Spirit Classic | High End Over-Ear Headphones | dynamic, closed (Electronics) The Bluetooth headsetParrot Zik by Philippe Starck Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones (Electronics) "Hot Chocolate" for the earsFocal Spirit Classic | High End Over-Ear Headphones | dynamic, closed (Electronics) Topp DAC / headphone ampASUS Xonar Essence One MUSES Edition HiFi DAC (incl. 6 interchangeable MUSES 01 Op Amps, Headphone Amp, 600 ohms) My new sound reference in In-EarsSony XBA4 gschlossener High End In-Ear Headphones (Electronics) Finally I have "my" headphone foundSony MDR-1ADAC High Resolution headphones with S-Master digital amplifier HX (Electronics) Really disappointing! The Loudness War is intolerable!Depeche Mode Live in Berlin (Audio CD) Surprisingly Good 49TaoTronics® Bluetooth Headphones In-Ear Headphones Sport Bluetooth 4.0 earphones for mobile phones, iPhone, iPad, laptops, tablets, smartphones (A2DP, speakerphone, built-in microphone, 6 hours of play time) (Electronics) Price-performance mediocre 1Beyerdynamic A200 p portable headphone amplifier (electronics) Overpriced mediocrityBowers & Wilkins P7 Over-Ear Audio / Studio Headphone incl. MFI-cable for Apple iPod / iPhone (Electronics) Doping sound of a different kindMeridian Explorer USB DAC, DAC, headphone preamp, high-end, ultra compact (Electronics) Hervoragende headphones but only for the discerning target group (for all others, there are good and cheap alternatives)Sennheiser IE 80 In-Ear Headphones (Electronics) Quality headset and typed but requiring a good sourceAKG K-701 Wired Hi-fi Headphones Diaphragm dual layer pads "3d-form" Cable 3m (Electronics)