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Sennheiser CX 80U: review

Recently, one of my esteemed colleagues shared a brand new term with me: “friction-maxxing”. The term – coined by columnist Kathryn Jezer-Morton – concerns the practice of rejecting modern digital conveniences, and building tolerance for discomfort while resisting the temptations of technological ease. I assure you, all of this is relevant to my verdict on the retro-feel Sennheiser CX-80U wired earbuds — just stay with me a little longer.

So, all of this friction-maxxing talk got me thinking about tech and its role in our lives. Previously, we’d head to a Blockbuster or a local library to hunt down a movie we want to see, whereas we now bear witness to an unending wall of films on Netflix. Once we would have gone to a record store or entertainment outlet, and purchased a new vinyl pressing or CD, but now we just stream tunes via Spotify. And we used to queue up outside video game stores eagerly awaiting a new release, while now, you can pre-order a title from a digital store instantaneously.

We’ve taken so many inconveniences away, but has it come at the expense of the human experiences that stick with us forever? Maybe. But all is not lost. We can still bring some friction back into our lives. For instance, Sennheiser is here, and it’s plugging the wires back into your earbuds, and transporting you away from the ultra-convenient Bluetooth earbuds that dominate today’s market. Yes, I present to you, the Sennheiser CX 80U – a budget-friendly pair of USB-C in-ear headphones, aiming to compete with the best wired earbuds in their price bracket.

The Sennheiser CX 80U are a USB-C adaption of 2021’s Sennheiser CX 80S – essentially the same buds, but ones that use a 3.5mm connector. Like the CX 80S, Sennheiser’s new earbuds use 9.7mm dynamic drivers, with a frequency range of 17Hz-20kHz. The result? Clear full range sound, with powerful bass, clean mids, and vibrant treble. Given that they’re on sale for less than $40 / £35, I was really impressed with the sonic capabilities of these buds and, after two weeks of testing, I’d argue that they’re among the best I’ve tried in the budget category.

When I tuned into Timeless by Shinchiro Yokota, I was treated to full-sounding, impactful bass and exciting yet controlled percussion in the treble range. Piano and vocal chops came through with plenty of clarity in the mids too, and as the track built, the individual layers never got muddied or convoluted.

I was especially pleased with the sense of space that treble sounds have. Highs often sound as if they’re operating in a well-defined pocket, giving them plenty of room to express themselves. For me, this created a great sense of immersion in my tunes, something that many budget rivals fail to offer. Even at peak volumes, the CX 80U’s treble never sounded harsh or tinny, and solid dynamics were maintained at all times.

As a regular user of the Sennheiser IE 200, I like the way that Sennheiser approaches the low-end on its more budget-friendly products. It never feels like bass is bloated or over-emphasized for an attention grabbing, but unbalanced sound. Instead, products like the IE 200 favor an agile, clear interpretation of low-end sounds – a punchy sound, rather than an untamed one. And it’s a very similar story on the CX 80U.

These wired buds offer responsive, clean bass that grabs your attention without spoiling the party for sounds in the mid and treble ranges. For instance, when I tuned into Fascinator by Max Dean, although the sub-bass was a little subdued, mid-bass sounds were rapid and full-sounding, never sounding lethargic or ‘boomy’.

It would be rude not to give the mids a bit of airtime too, so let’s discuss them for a bit. Now, I’ll be upfront, I don’t think you’re getting the most nuanced or detail-oriented mids around with these earbuds. However, they certainly sound clear, and well balanced and very robust for buds in this price-range.

For instance, when I listened to Ventura Highway by America, acoustic guitars in the intro came through with beautiful tonal accuracy, and sounded surprisingly expressive too. But as vocals entered the mix, I couldn’t help but realize that they didn’t sound perfectly separated from those guitars, and lacked the definition in the mix supplied by pricier rivals. This really is a nitpick, though. These budget-friendly buds sound absolutely fantastic, and I’d never expect them to compete with $100 / £100 models.

(Image credit: Future)

I’ve spoken about sound pretty extensively now, so let’s talk about something else that will affect your enjoyment of these buds – their comfort. Now, I have to say that I found the CX 80U to feel very pleasant in-ear. I happily engaged in multi-hour listening sessions, and never experienced discomfort or irritation. For reference, I used the medium-sized eartips, although small and large alternatives are included in the box, helping you to find your perfect fit.

And getting that ideal seal will be pretty important if you want to enjoy the CX 80U at their best. With the right fit, I didn’t only unlock high-level comfort, but surprisingly strong passive noise isolation. When people were chattering away in my office, I genuinely couldn’t hear a word they were saying at around 70% listening volume. On top of that, typing sounds and doors closing barely broke through at all.

That’s pretty amazing when you consider that the CX 80U don’t use fancy foam eartips or any particularly advanced technologies to keep noise out. Sure, they won’t stop you from hearing surrounding traffic or the rumble of a jet engine if you’re taking a flight, but they’ll still dampen surrounding clamors nicely, and that in itself is a major plus.

Sennheiser’s in-ears are well designed in just about every other way too. For instance, I love their classy look, which is marked by rounded buds, attractive silver details, and slim wires. There’s an in-line controller here too, which isn’t too close to the face or too far down, and is attached to the right bud, so you know which side is which.

But unfortunately, the controller seems to house just about every issue I have with the Sennheiser CX 80U – even though my critiques are few and far between. First of all, I was puzzled by the lack of volume controls. There’s a single button that can be used to pause or play tracks or take calls, but that’s all. That meant that whenever I wanted to change volume, I had to pull my phone out – not ideal when you’re on the go.

My second point of criticism – which is admittedly pretty minor – concerns the controller’s built-in mic. I tried recording a voice note, and realized that there was noticeable background static in the recording throughout. My voice was decently clear, in fairness, and the mic isn’t bad overall, but it won’t provide the best call quality around.

But that’s about where my complaints end. Sure, it would be nice if the CX 80U had an IPX4 rating for some protection against raindrops, for instance, but it’s pretty common for buds in this price range to leave waterproofing out.

Otherwise, I have nothing but good things to say about the Sennheiser CX 80U. They sound spectacular for their sub-$40 / £35 price-tag, they’ve got a classy look, and their adoption of USB-C makes them a great fit for modern smartphones and laptops. If you want to bring some friction back into your life with a budget-friendly pair of wired buds, the CX 80U would be my top recommendation.

(Image credit: Future)Sennheiser CX 80U review: price and release date

• $39.95 / £34.99 (about AU$57)
• Launched in January 2026

The Sennheiser CX 80U were announced in January 2026, alongside the Sennheiser HD 400U USB-C wired headphones. They have a list price of $39.95 / £34.99 (about AU$57), planting them firmly in the budget category. They’re available in a single black and silver colorway.

Sennheiser CX 80U review: specs

Drivers

9.7mm dynamic

Weight

0.5oz / 15g

Frequency range

17Hz-20kHz

Waterproofing

Not stated

Connectivity

USB-C

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Sennheiser CX 80U?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Surprisingly good noise isolation, mic is just OK, and controller could use volume buttons.

3.5/5

Sound quality

Clean, agile bass, clear mids, expressive treble – very solid detail for the price.

4.5/5

Design

Classy look, impressive build quality, no waterproofing.

4.5/5

Value

Very cheap and sound more premium than you’d expect – you can’t ask for much more.

5/5

Buy them if...

You want good sound at a low cost
The Sennheiser CX 80U are some of the best-sounding wired earbuds I’ve tested in their price category, offering powerful bass, clear mids, and expressive treble. For less than $40 / £35, they really are worth every penny.

You’ve got an eye (and an ear) for detail
For the price you pay, the Sennheiser CX 80U look seriously classy. Their metallic details and rounded buds make them very easy on the eye, and their comfortable fit ensures that they’re strong performers in the design category.

Don't buy them if...

You want ultimate convenience
As much as I loved using the Sennheiser CX 80U, I wouldn’t say they were the most convenient buds I’ve tested. The main reason for that was their lack of volume adjustment buttons on the controller. This would have made using them on the go a lot easier, as I had to take my phone from my pocket to crank the volume up (or dial it down) every time.

You need your buds to be waterproof
There’s no mention of a waterproof rating for these wired buds, which is pretty common for Sennheiser audio gear. If you want splash-resistant in-ears, I’d recommend trying out the Skullcandy Set USB-C.

Sennheiser CX 80U review: also consider

Sennheiser CX 80U

SoundMagic E80D

Apple EarPods USB-C

Price

$39.95 / £34.99 (about AU$57)

$44 / £39.98 / AU$66

$19 / £19 / AU$29

Drivers

9.7mm dynamic

10mm dynamic

Dynamic

Weight

0.5oz / 15g

0.6oz / 16g

1.1oz / 30g

Frequency range

17Hz-20kHz

15Hz-22kHz

20Hz-20kHz

Connectivity

USB-C

USB-C

USB-C

SoundMagic E80D
SoundMagic may not be quite the household name Sennheiser is (unless you're an audiophile on a budget), but the company produces a lot of great quality affordable audio gear, including the SoundMagic E80D USB-C earbuds. With detailed audio, impressive noise isolation and a genuinely comfortable fit, these buds have a lot going for them. Read our full SoundMagic E80D review.

Apple EarPods USB-C
Here’s a super-cheap pair of wired earbuds that you’ve probably come across before: the Apple EarPods USB-C. These buds have a more open design, leaving out the in-ear seal of the CX 80U and SoundMagic E80D. They’re sleek, well-made, and have a solid built-in mic too. They sound OK for the price, with solid low-end weight, but you won’t get the detail or nuance of Sennheiser’s buds. Read our full Apple EarPods USB-C review.

How I tested the Sennheiser CX 80U

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for two weeks
• Used in the office and while out and about
• Predominantly tested using Tidal

I spent two weeks testing the Sennheiser CX 80U, and took them with me just about everywhere I went. I tested them at home, at the office, and even on walks, to really grasp their noise isolation capabilities.

Although I used them for streaming the odd bit of video, I predominantly used the CX 80U for music listening. When playing tunes, I predominantly used Tidal, and had them connected up to the Nothing Phone (4a). To begin with, I made sure to run through our TechRadar testing playlist, which features tunes from a wide array of genres. However, I also made sure to tap into some tracks from my personal library.

More generally, I’ve spent two years reviewing gadgets here at TechRadar, and audio gear is a key focus of mine. I’ve reviewed a lot of wired earbuds like the Master & Dynamic ME05 and the JBL Tune 310C, but I’ve also tested IEMs, like the Sennheiser IE 200 and IE 600. On top of that, I’ve gone hands on with some of the best noise cancelling headphones, like the Sony WH-1000XM6, Dolby Atmos soundbars such as the Samsung HW-Q800F, and Bluetooth speakers like the Marshall Kilburn III.

• Read more about how we test
• First reviewed: March 2026