Sennheiser CX 300-II

Design

Though the Turbines have a better aesthetic design, they do look a bit drab compared to the CX 300-IIs. The CX 300-IIs also have a more durable design. Compare the ear buds and plugs of the two headphones. The CX 300-II has better cord guards at the ear buds and a significantly better guard at the plug. Also, the plug is bent, which helps protect the internal wires better than a straight plug.

Sennheiser CX 300-II	Monster Turbines

Frequency Response

Both headphones have nearly the same frequency response.

Sennheiser CX 300-II	Monster Turbines

Distortion

The Turbines have slightly more distortion present, but it’s a negligible ammount.

Sennheiser CX 300-II	Monster Turbines

Tracking

This isn’t an obvious comparison, but the CX 300-IIs have a slightly better tracking. The graphs we use are normalized to enhance their readability, which sometimes eliminates a spike or two. Just trust us when we say the CX 300-IIs play on a slightly more even kiel. Practically speaking, the listener won’t notice a difference between the two headphones.

Sennheiser CX 300-II	Monster Turbines

Isolation

The Turbines had slightly better isolation than the CX 300-Iis. Note the CX 300-IIs’ graph shoots up a bit abruptly just before 1000Hz, while the Turbines creep up more gradually. Also, note the relative sizes of the big humps in each graph: the Turbines block out more sound in this area overall.

Sennheiser CX 300-II	Monster Turbines

Comfort

Both of these headphones are comfortable for in-ears.

Wear
Sennheiser CX 300-II	Monster Turbines

Verdict

The CX 300-IIs and Monster Turbines are comparable. They have about the same capabilities, although the CX 300-IIs are better in almost every quality. The CX 300-IIs also cost half what the Turbines cost. We’re siding in favor of the Sennheisers.