Sennheiser CX 680i

Design

The Sennheiser CX 980s have a pretty unique look to them, but we’re not sure if that’s a good or bad thing: their odd aesthetics and needlessly fancy plug are simply things to consider. In terms of durability, both headphones seem about equally matched.

Sennheiser CX 680i	Sennheiser CX 980

Frequency Response

It’s not really much of a surprise, but the two Sennheiser headphones had very similar frequency responses.

Sennheiser CX 680i	Sennheiser CX 980

Distortion

Neither set of headphones had any issues with distortion. No problems here.

Sennheiser CX 680i	Sennheiser CX 980

Tracking

Both headphones have the same “it’s good, not great,” brand of tracking. The CX 680is had a more gradual shift in volume while the CX 980s had a more sudden, more compartmentalized shift.

Sennheiser CX 680i	Sennheiser CX 980

Isolation

The CX 980s blew the CX680is out of the water with tracking. If you need isolation, check out the CX 980s.

Sennheiser CX 680i	Sennheiser CX 980

Comfort

We thought both headphones were roughly the same level of comfortable. The CX 680is have the optional crux fins to help keep the headphones in place, but otherwise the two headphones aren’t very different. The one minor complaint we’d make regarding the CX 980s is that their control pendant is a bit bit for the limited functionality it provides (just volume control).

Wear
Sennheiser CX 680i	Sennheiser CX 980

Verdict

The CX 680is are definitely the budget option of the two, but there’s nothing about the sound quality or construction of the CX 980s that really justifies such a large price difference. If you want high-end headphones, the CX 980s are the better bet, but at their price there are other