Sennheiser/Adidas Sport Headphones Review

2010 April 2

by David

I’m not really sure if it’s a case of truly stellar research and development or divine intervention but however it happened, I’m stoked. Sennheiser has put out a series of sport headphones that not only sound amazing but also stay where they belong while managing to be comfortable in the process. Deciding to use their audio super powers for good, Sennheiser has partnered with Adidas to create the most athletically user friendly headphones to hit the market. The collection includes the Sennheiser PMX680, Adidas CX680, Adidas MX680 and the Adidas OMX680.

Each pair of sport headphones have certain qualities that are consistent throughout the whole line. Those are:

Moisture Resistant Materials. Now, this is where I get really caught between whether it’s smart design or God breathed. It makes complete sense so it should have been an obvious component for sport headphones (smart design) but why didn’t anybody think of this before? The moisture resistant material draws sweat and rain away from the ear canal and ear bud. This not only keeps the area dry and the ear bud from slipping but also protects the electronics of the headphone to preserve the lifespan of your earphones. Being able to rinse them off under running water is a huge bonus, as well.
Size Adjusters. Sennheiser and Adidas offer 3 different sized adjusters with all of their headphones to ensure a comfortable and accurate fit.
Dupont Kevlar Reinforced Cable. A tough workout requires tough equipment. Clearly skimping on durability was not an option for the design team. Bless their brilliant hearts.
Sennheiser Audio. From standard use headphones to recording studio quality, Sennheiser is a leader in listening technology. The tone of these sports headphones is on par with the finest audio technology on the market today.
2 Year Warranty. Parts and labor. End story.

Here is how each set differs:

Adidas PMX680: Although this particular set of athletic headphones was made prior to the courtship with Adidas, they have been kept in the line because Sennheiser got it right all on their own. These neckband headphones are lightweight and designed for over-the-ear comfort. An excellent option for cyclists.

Adidas CX680: These are an earfin design that fit snugly on the front of the ear but are nearly unnoticeable. A great choice for weight lifters and those who rock the elliptical. Being able to block out up to 20db of gym racket, they are also highly effective at noise cancellation. Which means don’t wear them outside. You need to be able to hear the UPS truck that is about to hit you.

Adidas MX680: This set is considered high performance audio headphones. And for good reason. These are also earfin design but without the noise canceling feature which makes them great for runners.

Adidas OMX680: The OMX680s are a classic over-the-ear design. These are also high performance for the audiofile who likes to rock the indoor or outdoor workout.