Hello Head-Fi!
Our 75th Anniversary has offered us an opportunity to revisit key Sennheiser moments. This month in Sennheiser history is particularly special as it was 29 years ago that the original Orpheus was released.
If you’ve heard either Sennheiser electrostatic headphone, feel free to drop a first impression. Here’s a look back on that historic headphone from our Anniversary team.
This month in Sennheiser history – August 1991:
We created the best headphones in the world.
Former CEO Jörg Sennheiser's goal was to build a milestone in audio history. He wanted the world’s best headphones — headphones that would forever be associated with the Sennheiser brand and pursuit of audio excellence. He asked the engineers to create headphones that transform music from something you listen to into something you live in.
Legend has it that time and money didn’t play a role in this very special mission. When the developers heard the call to “Build the best headphones in the world!”, it certainly spurred their ambition. Then when they heard that “costs play no role” they knew it was a passion project as well as a statement to the world that Sennheiser is the industry leader when it comes to sound.
We had experience with electrostatic headphones but these new ultra-high-end headphones were expensive. The components were all made from top materials and a unit price was nearly 20K Deutschmarks (€10K). Named after the legendary musician in ancient Greek religion, the Orpheus was launched and produced as a limited edition of 300 units. Audiophiles and journalists of that decade considered the Orpheus “The best headphones of the world”. It became an icon for audiophiles with the added value of being truly rare. Worldwide audiophile collectors bought it and over the decades the value rose to €30K per unit.
Fast-forward nearly 25 years to 2015. We wanted to show that we could push the limits further and we launched Orpheus' successor, the HE 1. Our uncompromising philosophy and dedication to sound remained, but this time we had the opportunity to add unique features and state-of-the-art technology.
We upgraded the sound with better transducers and placed the amplifier next to them making the HE 1 active headphones (Orpheus was passive). Our ambition was to create the feeling of being at a concert as opposed to just listening to a recording of one (this is the same concept driving our AMBEO division). Once the sound quality was dialed-in, we turned our focus to making the HE 1 an eye catcher. By placing the tube amplifier into a Carrara marble housing, we transformed the "turn-on" feature into a one-of-a-kind experience.
It takes five days to build one HE 1 by hand. Six-thousand components are needed to produce it. Nearly all mechanical parts are made in Germany and suppliers for some special materials are located in Europe. At the HE 1 launch, one guest said “The sound of the Orpheus gave me goosebumps, but the HE 1 makes me cry.”
Today, the HE 1 cost €50K (plus tax). It is made to order, assembled in its very own room in our headquarters in Hannover, Germany. When we talk about premium audio and best-in-class sound, it’s because we strive to achieve them. And having the best headphones on the planet for nearly 30 years is a testament to our commitment to the future of audio.
Want to listen to an HE 1 in action? Head over to one of our brink-and-mortar stores (once it’s safe) and hear what you’ve been missing. #Sennheiser75
Our 75th Anniversary has offered us an opportunity to revisit key Sennheiser moments. This month in Sennheiser history is particularly special as it was 29 years ago that the original Orpheus was released.
This month in Sennheiser history – August 1991:
We created the best headphones in the world.
Former CEO Jörg Sennheiser's goal was to build a milestone in audio history. He wanted the world’s best headphones — headphones that would forever be associated with the Sennheiser brand and pursuit of audio excellence. He asked the engineers to create headphones that transform music from something you listen to into something you live in.
We had experience with electrostatic headphones but these new ultra-high-end headphones were expensive. The components were all made from top materials and a unit price was nearly 20K Deutschmarks (€10K). Named after the legendary musician in ancient Greek religion, the Orpheus was launched and produced as a limited edition of 300 units. Audiophiles and journalists of that decade considered the Orpheus “The best headphones of the world”. It became an icon for audiophiles with the added value of being truly rare. Worldwide audiophile collectors bought it and over the decades the value rose to €30K per unit.
Fast-forward nearly 25 years to 2015. We wanted to show that we could push the limits further and we launched Orpheus' successor, the HE 1. Our uncompromising philosophy and dedication to sound remained, but this time we had the opportunity to add unique features and state-of-the-art technology.
We upgraded the sound with better transducers and placed the amplifier next to them making the HE 1 active headphones (Orpheus was passive). Our ambition was to create the feeling of being at a concert as opposed to just listening to a recording of one (this is the same concept driving our AMBEO division). Once the sound quality was dialed-in, we turned our focus to making the HE 1 an eye catcher. By placing the tube amplifier into a Carrara marble housing, we transformed the "turn-on" feature into a one-of-a-kind experience.
It takes five days to build one HE 1 by hand. Six-thousand components are needed to produce it. Nearly all mechanical parts are made in Germany and suppliers for some special materials are located in Europe. At the HE 1 launch, one guest said “The sound of the Orpheus gave me goosebumps, but the HE 1 makes me cry.”
Today, the HE 1 cost €50K (plus tax). It is made to order, assembled in its very own room in our headquarters in Hannover, Germany. When we talk about premium audio and best-in-class sound, it’s because we strive to achieve them. And having the best headphones on the planet for nearly 30 years is a testament to our commitment to the future of audio.
Want to listen to an HE 1 in action? Head over to one of our brink-and-mortar stores (once it’s safe) and hear what you’ve been missing. #Sennheiser75
