Sennheiser has announced the IE 300. A new wired earphone offering professional sound quality, but at a premium price.

At 259 pounds / 299 euros (about $363), the IE 300 is considerably more expensive than Apple's noise-canceling AirPods Pro. But Sennheiser says the buds are a "detailed hi-fi listening experience" for serious audiophiles.

This means no Bluetooth connectivity, a crowd-pleasing feature but one that does not allow for the cleanest, sharpest sound possible. To that end, the IE 300 is built around an upgraded version of Sennheiser's 7mm Extra Wide Band (XWB) transducer, which was found in other high-end Sennheiser earphones like the IE 800 S, and does not have the boomy bass or overly Rather than emphasizing boomy bass and piercing highs, the goal is to achieve a balanced and accurate sound signature.

Unlike the IE 800, the IE 300 features a more secure-fitting ear-loop design and a wider housing for passive noise isolation to provide wider coverage of the ear canal.

Sennheiser's no-cost approach also extends to manufacturing quality. For example, the 3.5mm cable that comes in the box is reinforced with aramid. In addition, the removable tips are available in three sizes and come with both silicone and memory foam tips.

Of course, once the IE 300 is released, you will have to pay at least $300 for this one. This would not only be more expensive than the AirPods Pro, but probably more expensive than Sennheiser's Momentum True Wireless 2.

Also, the IE 300 looks like a bargain compared to the $1,000 IE 800 S, so if you're an audiophile and want to get your hands on a bud with Sennheiser's XWB drivers, this might be easier. the IE 300 is Europe by March It will be available in all regions.