[complin]

About Club Orpheus
Club Orpheus takes its name from the legendary Orpheus headphones. Released in 1991, Orpheus is still regarded as the most exclusive and expensive headphone ever produced. Its limited run of only 300 pieces, combined with unparalleled levels of engineering and component choice, means the Orpheus has left its mark on the audio world forever.
Club Orpheus has been created around the very same values as this superlative product – its members represent the finest and most experienced audio retailers in the UK. In buying from a Club Orpheus member, you receive a range of benefits not found anywhere else. These include unparalleled expertise and first-class service. You can also be confident that you are getting the very best in quality from an approved Sennheiser specialist.
We truly believe that there is something for every audio enthusiast. Remember that our most prestigious models are only available through Club Orpheus members.
 
http://www.sennheiser.co.uk/uk/home_en.nsf/root/club_orpheus_club_orpheus_about
 
CLUB ORPHEUS PRODUCTS:
 
 

HD 800	HDVD 800 & HDVA 600	HD 700
IE 800	RS 220	MOMENTUM

 

[complin]

The question is will they add to the range at CES 2013?
 
It was r[size=medium]umoured at the recent Vienna audio exhibition that Sennheiser will introduce two new electrostatic models as replacements for the original HE90 and HE60.[/size]
 
[size=medium]Not long to wait now to see if its romour or fact

 [/size]

 

[Bones13]

Quote:

The question is will they add to the range at CES 2013?
 
[size=medium] [/size][size=medium]

[/size][size=medium] [/size]

 
Yes, that's my question at least.  I'm not sure that Club Orpheus will be in the USA, there are certainly very few audiophile headphone brick and mortars nowadays.
 
Not sure what registering with Club Orpheus would do for someone who already owns HD800, HD650 and Momentum.
 
Are they announcing retail outlets?  I guess I don't understand, certainly more information is coming.
 
I was thinking "Club Orpheus" might be a new system

 

[spritzer]

This is just the new dealer structure Sennheiser is doing now which is just a fancy way of getting around the whole notion of fixing prices being illegal... 

  Basically, if you want to sell the expensive stuff you have to do it on their terms so no slashing of prices etc. 

 

[Mech0z]

Any chance we will see anything new in the HD558-HD600 range ? I am planing to buy HD 598 soon, just if I should hold off for now

 

[GloryUprising]

Quote:

This is just the new dealer structure Sennheiser is doing now which is just a fancy way of getting around the whole notion of fixing prices being illegal... 

  Basically, if you want to sell the expensive stuff you have to do it on their terms so no slashing of prices etc. 

 
Damn, one of the reasons I love Sennheiser was because of the reasonable prices and the deals offered when a buy is patient....
 
I guess I'll be waiting a little longer then normal to try the HDVD800...

 

[Asr]

No offense complin, but are you affiliated with Sennheiser? I'm confused as to why a non-MOT is posting Sennheiser-related announcements.

 

[complin]

No affiliation at all, just a long time user of their products and interested particularly at this point in time just in case the rumor about the new electrostatics turn out to be fact !
As I live in the UK I dont have the opportunity to visit CES - but most of you do, so just a heads up of stuff that you might want to take the opportunity to look at
 
To be honest i'm surprised you even asked the question

 
If we have information that could be of interest to our community shouldn't  we share it?  

 
Quote:

No offense complin, but are you affiliated with Sennheiser? I'm confused as to why a non-MOT is posting Sennheiser-related announcements.

 

[Asr]

Quote:

No affiliation at all, just a long time user of their products and interested particularly at this point in time just in case the rumor about the new electrostatics turn out to be fact !
As I live in the UK I dont have the opportunity to visit CES - but most of you do, so just a heads up of stuff that you might want to take the opportunity to look at
 
To be honest i'm surprised you even asked the question

If we have information that could be of interest to our community shouldn't  we share it?  

 
Only reason I asked is because I'm somewhat familiar with your post history over the years and I can't recall you posting much about Sennheiser's going-ons in the past. Plus Sennheiser already has an official rep on Head-Fi, so I was wondering why you were posting the new info instead of that rep. I have nothing against the sharing of info, just wanted to make sure that the info being posted is accurate.

The real explanation is that I'm probably being over-cynical here but I initially didn't believe that your posted announcements were genuine - with the new "Club Orpheus" consisting of products far below the level of the HE90/HEV90, Senn showing the Orpheus at CES (I really thought "seriously?"), and the gaming headsets being claimed as "legendary". No offense to anyone but all 3 announcements made my "BS" radar hit red and made me double-check to make sure it wasn't April 1st.

 
Also to correct you on a minor point: CES is a trade show and closed to the general public. Most people don't get an opportunity to attend CES, unless they work in the consumer electronics industry, and even then there are further limiting aspects....

 

[zerodeefex]

Quote:

This is just the new dealer structure Sennheiser is doing now which is just a fancy way of getting around the whole notion of fixing prices being illegal... 

  Basically, if you want to sell the expensive stuff you have to do it on their terms so no slashing of prices etc. 

Yup, bingo right here.
 
I get that they don't want big retailers diminishing the 30 points of margin everyone is taking on these things, but this is definitely not a good move for the consumer.

 

[shaun_g]

As always there are two sides to a difference of opinion...
 
From my point of view as the owner of a specialist headphone retailer, Club Orpheus is a way for Sennheiser to ensure that the better quality dealers who are willing to invest in bricks and mortar demo facilities (we just spent £15,000 on such a headphone demo facility) and trained staff can be sure they are not going to face customers using their demo facilities and then leave to purchase from some outfit running a web store from their bedroom.
 
With higher end headphones like the HD800 and HD700 (and whatever else Sennheiser is developing) I think it's in the customer's best interest that Sennheiser are selecting dealers who have demo facilities where the headphones can be compared with high end headphones from other brands.
 
Shaun

 

[Frank I]

Quote:

Yup, bingo right here.
 
I get that they don't want big retailers diminishing the 30 points of margin everyone is taking on these things, but this is definitely not a good move for the consumer.

Its 60 pts

 

[Happy Camper]

I see it as a way to maintain value for it's owners. If I'm a B&M store, I'd not make such an investment and lose out to internet whores. I personally would be grateful to the manufacturer willing to do this for their distribution team. If ya want to play big, pay big, I respect that.