The Sennheiser Orpheus 2? A First Look At The Sennheiser HE-1 (The New Orpheus)

[PATB]

It appears Sennheiser has proven they can make a headphone better than the SR-009.  But can they do it at the same price point, i.e., at around $2800?

 

[tonykaz]

Mr.Saidentary, 
 
I've learned how to make Audio stuff sound superb, working with good basic gear.  
 
I imagine Sennheiser know how to do this too.  
 
This super duper device is only a glitzy "packaging" arrangement, they'll get plenty of money for it cause they're considered the best at this.
 
Still, only the Mastering Folks like Bob Ludwig or Bob Katz will know if the results are accurate ( which I doubt ).  How can anyone other than the creators of Music know if the reproduction comes close? and then, how close? 
 
Sennheiser are using all the "Higher Authorities" ( they can line up ) to Kiss this system, they're using the "Higher Authority" Close ( as salesmen describe the technique ) to sell it.  It doesn't work on me!  
 
One of Sennheiser's Videos shows a Recording Engineer say'n how the earlier version was "lacking", hmm imagine that, it was lacking something after all these years of hearing how perfect it was.  Of course they "fixed" all those areas where it was lacking and now the new is Perfect!   Yawn and yawn again.  
 
Tony in Michigan 

 

[tonykaz]

Mr. PATB,
 
Where's that Proof?
 
Tony in Michigan

 

[eke2k6]

It appears Sennheiser has proven they can make a headphone better than the SR-009.  But can they do it at the same price point, i.e., at around $2800?

I think that's a bit of a jump. Nothing has been proven, not a comparison even published.

 

[tonykaz]

Does anyone know what 1060 signifies?
 
Tony in Michigan

 

[RMSKFX]

Old P.T. would have a good laugh

 

[PATB]

I think that's a bit of a jump. Nothing has been proven, not a comparison even published.

That's why I said "appears."  My guess is based on Jude's video, showing Sennheiser with the a STAX SR-009, Orpheus I, and Orpheus II.  When you give experienced engineers a particular, realistic target with lots of budget, they should be able to do the job.  And we are talking about Sennheiser, who made the Orpheus I. 

 

[lamode]

I'm going to buy these and start a new business, charging head-fiers $10 an hour to listen to them. At 40 one-hour bookings per week, these babies will be paid off in only 2.5 years!

 

[bmichels]

 
That's why I said "appears."  My guess is based on Jude's video, showing Sennheiser with the a STAX SR-009, Orpheus I, and Orpheus II.  When you give experienced engineers a particular, realistic target with lots of budget, they should be able to do the job.  And we are talking about Sennheiser, who made the Orpheus I. 

The Headphone & Amp "may" be at the STAX level, but... the DAC inside seems quite "standard & basic" technology.
 
Besides, considering the tight room inside left by the fancy motorized & raising pots & tubes, I do not see how they can fit a TOL DAC + a TOL Amp (let alone the interference between those 2 devices that here need to be so close to each other and so close to all the motors that move/raise the cover, pots & tubes).
 
I would have MUCH prefered no fancy raising cover/tubes/pots and more room for the 'real' electronic.

 

[PATB]

  The Headphone & Amp "may" be at the STAX level, but... the DAC inside seems quite "standard & basic" technology.
 
Besides, considering the tight room inside left by the fancy motorized & raising pots & tubes, I do not see how they can fit a TOL DAC + a TOL Amp (let alone the interference between those 2 devices that here need to be so close to each other and so close to all the motors that move/raise the cover, pots & tubes).
 
I would have MUCH prefered no fancy raising cover/tubes/pots and more room for the 'real' electronic.

I thought you could bypass the DAC?

 

[Sko0byDoo]

  I'm going to buy these and start a new business, charging head-fiers $10 an hour to listen to them. At 40 one-hour bookings per week, these babies will be paid off in only 2.5 years!

 
Let me know when.  Might as well get the Orpheus I so I can compare the two.  Good business plan! How about insurance against use damages and such?  

 

[icebear]

If you go for 24/7 bookings it will be paid for in 230 days ... I'd step by to listen, too

 

[bmichels]

 
I thought you could bypass the DAC?

Yes, but then WHY inserting (and charging) for a DAC if it is not at the level of the rest of the system, and need to be bypassed to get all the benefice of this "stellar" headphone technology...

 

[icebear]

  The Headphone & Amp "may" be at the STAX level, but... the DAC inside seems quite "standard & basic" technology....

OK which other DAC uses 4 ESS9018 per channel ?
 

  Yes, but then WHY inserting (and charging) for a DAC if it is not at the level of the rest of the system, and need to be bypassed to get all the benefice of this "stellar" headphone technology...

How many independent (or even sponsored) reviews have been published at this point, comparing the internal DAC vs any other external DAC?
 
And yes, I agree about the mechanical gadgetry in the start up process

 

[madwolfa]

  OK which other DAC uses 4 ESS9018 per channel ?

 
It's just one ESS9018 chip with 8x internal DACs (one per channel)...