Sennheiser CXC 700

Sennheiser CXC 700

Sennheiser takes its consumer line of audio products just as seriously as it does the recording-studio-standard microphones and headphones it manufactures. It is, therefore, no surprise that the Sennheiser CXC 700 ($319.95 list) noise-canceling earphones offer superb audio quality and laudable noise cancellation. Being an in-canal earphone pair, the CXC 700 already benefits from a bit of passive noise cancellation when it seals off the ear canals. The active cancellation, powered (unfortunately) by a triple-A battery, adds another effective layer of noise reduction. The earphones offer excellent audio performance, with rich, articulate bass and crystal-clear highs. That the CXC 700 outputs audio in passive mode (without the noise cancellation activated), unlike Bose QuietComfort headphones, is a huge advantage. Regardless, all of this may not be enough for those who don't want a bulky battery compartment dangling from their ears. DesignSennheiser has rarely been a manufacturer of awe-inspiring visuals. The CXC 700 is all black, save for some shiny metallic flourishes on the earpieces. The Sennheiser logo graces each earpiece, and the ears' separate cables join into one about halfway down the chest.