At a glance
Expert's Rating
Pros
- Low price
- USB-C wired connection
- High-res support
- Comfortable fit
Cons
- Wired-only
- No IP-rating
- No noise-cancellation
Our Verdict
These affordable wired earbuds don’t include any extra features such as Bluetooth or noise-cancellation. However, the sound quality is good for the price, and the adoption of USB-C for a wired connection provides compatibility with a wide range of computers and mobile devices.
Price When Reviewed
This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined
Best Pricing Today
Best Prices Today: Sennheiser CX 80U
- Price: $39.95 / £34.99
- Connection: USB-C wired earbuds (works with modern phones and laptops)
- Sound: Strong bass and clear vocals for the price
- Extras: Inline controls and microphone
- Missing features: No Bluetooth, no noise cancellation
The first set of headphones that I ever bought back in my student days was from the affordable Sennheiser CX range. That was way back in the pre-iPod era and, needless to say, they were wired headphones equipped with the traditional 3.5mm audio connector that Apple eventually removed from the iPhone 7 almost a decade ago. The CX range has developed since then and now includes a number of wireless models as well, but I was pleased to hear that Sennheiser is sticking to its guns and recently released a new set of low-cost wired earbuds called the CX 80U.
Design and comfort: Do the CX 80U stay in your ears?
Priced at just $39.95/£34.99, the CX 80U earbuds are a little more expensive than Apple’s Earpods, but they provide good sound quality for such inexpensive earbuds and – unlike the EarPods – they don’t fall out of my ears every five minutes. To be fair, some people do like the design of the EarPods – shared with the less expensive AirPods 4 as well – which have a loose fit with the earpiece resting in the outer ear, rather than fitting more firmly into the inner ear. However, I find myself constantly adjusting the EarPods simply to stop them falling out, and I much prefer the more conventional in-ear design of the CX 80U.
Sennheiser also provides removable ear-tips in three different sizes to help you get a good fit, and I had no problem wearing the CX 80U whilst wandering around during the day. The CX 80U only weighs around 14g, so you’ll hardly notice the weight, even after hours of listening time.
The USB-C interface can handle the latest lossless and high-res audio formats on Apple Music.
What features do you get for $40?
There are no noise-cancellation features either – not at such a low price – but the firm fit of the ear-tips does help to block out some of the background noise when you’re travelling. Inside the compact earpieces, the CX 80U houses 9.7mm drivers that boast 17–20KHz frequency response. The cable that connects the earpieces to your iPhone or other devices provides simple in-line controls for music playback and voice calls, and there’s a noise-reducing microphone for voice calls as well. However, the traditional 3.5mm audio connector has gone at last, with Sennheiser switching to a more modern USB-C connection, which will work with most recent iPhones, iPads and other mobile devices (although Sennheiser does still make other earbuds and headphones with 3.5mm connectors if you prefer).
The other advantage of using USB-C is that it allows the CX 80U to support digital audio formats up to 24-bit/96KHz, so it can handle most of the lossless and high-res audio tracks that are available on Apple Music and other streaming services (Apple Music does go up to 24-bit/192KHz for some tracks, but if you’re that fussy about sound quality then you won’t be buying the CX 80U).
Why buy wired headphones in 2026?
Wired earbuds and headphones are experiencing a resurgence among listeners who prioritize high-fidelity audio, reliability, and value. While wireless options offer convenience, they often rely on data compression that compromises sound quality. Wired earbuds, like the Sennheiser CX 80U are able to offer true lossless and high-resolution audio, despite their low price.
Also, because they draw power directly from the source device, you never have to worry about them running out of charge during a long journey or a workday.
Sound Quality: How do they sound for the price?
The 17–20KHz frequency response of the CX 80U lets it dig a little deeper on bass response than many low-cost earbuds, so I start with the rumbling tonsils of Leonard Cohen on You Want It Darker. The CX 80U does a good job with the track’s slinky bass riff, which glides along with a smooth, hip-swaying rhythm. And, of course, there’s the gravelly voice of Cohen himself, which has a rich, gritty texture to it. The CX 80U also handles the contrasts in the song well, capturing the more high-pitched staccato stab of percussion, and the smooth multi-tracked harmonies on the chorus.
The CX 80U includes a microphone, with in-line controls for playing music and taking voice calls.
Muse offer more of a challenge with the dense wall of sound on Knights Of Cydonia, but the CX 80U hits the ground running, landing the galloping-horses rhythm of the drums with a taut, precise sound that really drives the track forward. This is Muse during their imperial Queen phase, and the CX 80U captures all the details in the band’s multi-tracked harmonies, and the piercing edge on Matt Bellamy’s falsetto as he wails – “no one’s gonna take me alive!” (almost as good as Roger Taylor’s…). The final instrumental section is a headbanging delight and the CX 80U manages to maintain its composure, keeping each instrument clear and precise as the galloping drums and riffing guitars charge off into the sunset, and there’s no distortion even when I push the little earbuds right up to maximum volume.
Should you buy the Sennheiser CX 80U?
You’re not going to get Hi-Fi sound quality from a set of earbuds costing less than $40, but the CX 80U provides very good sound quality at a competitive price. It’s got enough power for headbanging rock, and respectable bass for such an inexpensive set of earbuds, so it’ll be a good option for anyone that wants an affordable set of wired earbuds that they can wear around town or working out at the gym.
Best Prices Today: Sennheiser CX 80U
Author: Cliff Joseph, Contributor, Macworld
Cliff Joseph is a former editor of MacUser magazine and a freelance editor with 30(ish) years experience of Mac and PC technology. He first used a Mac working as a magazine sub-editor and found it so much better than using scissors and a pot of glue to make the words fit on the page that he become a convert to the Mac overnight. He has spent the rest of his career following the ups and downs of Apple (and is old enough to remember the time Apple came close to going bust). Cliff writes many of MacWorld’s games reviews - and is currently exploring options for getting Diablo IV to run on a Mac…