3 December 2015
Sennheiser Orpheus - The Best Headphones in the World
When hi-fi manufacturers talk about a new product, they may like to use all sorts of superlatives, but they always remain cautious. The risk is too great that the claim the new device is the best of its kind will attract a competitor who will want to prove the statement's inaccuracy with a cease-and-desist lawyer. However, when Sennheiser introduced its new Orpheus as the best headphones in the world, there was no objection whatsoever. The effort put in is simply too great, and the technological lead over everything else that can be used for direct sound to the ears is too far ahead. This inevitably brings another unreachable superlative along with it. With a price of around 50,000 euros, the Sennheiser Orpheus is also, by a wide margin, the most expensive headphones in the world.
The original Orpheus from 1990 was already a real statement. Since there has been no challenger in the last 25 years, Sennheiser simply built one themselves.
The story of the Orpheus actually begins back in 1990. At that time, the German headphone specialists proved for the first time what they are technically capable of when neither cost nor reason presents obstacles for the developers. With the original Orpheus – which, at just 16,000 euros, was comparatively a bargain – Sennheiser set a benchmark that no one else has wanted or been able to match since. And since no one else tried to surpass the Orpheus and construct even better headphones, now, 25 years later, their own engineers had to step up again.
What both the Orpheus of 1990 and the 2015 version have in common is the absolutely uncompromising approach to pushing the boundaries of what is technically possible to the limit. That’s why the new one, like its predecessor, is designed as a complete system of headphones and matching preamp, guaranteeing a perfectly coordinated playback chain. As you would expect, a whole battery of tubes in this preamp ensures the uniquely warm, 'analog' sound. The exceptionally high level of Sennheiser’s sound optimization is evident at first glance. All the tubes are surrounded by a quartz glass cylinder, which is intended to protect them from at least theoretically sound-damaging air vibrations.
To eliminate the usually much stronger vibrations that can be transmitted from the floor and furniture, an equally unusual and effective solution was devised. The housing of the preamp is milled from a solid block of marble, naturally sourced from Carrara. The whole thing rests on spring-mounted feet, so the housing is, in effect, its own mass damper and can hardly be disturbed by anything.
Sennheiser uses absolutely consistent analog technology for the preamplification, but of course digital sources are no problem for the Orpheus. These can be connected via TOSLINK, S/PDIF, and USB, with the USB input also working excellently with modern high-resolution formats (PCM up to 384kHz, DSD256). Digital-to-analog conversion is handled by a high-quality DAC chip, the SABRE ES9018 from ESS, which, thanks to its four internal converter circuits per channel, delivers highly precise and extremely low-noise signals to the amplifier tubes. Naturally, the connection of analog source devices is also possible, with both conventional and balanced high-quality inputs available.
If you go to such lengths with the preamp, this high standard naturally has to be continued with the actual headphones. The transducers in the Orpheus are electrostatic. In this principle, an ultra-thin film is made to vibrate evenly by electrostatic attraction, so the entire diaphragm surface reproduces all frequencies at all times. Especially for headphones, this technology offers significant sound advantages over conventional drivers. However, electrostatics operate with very high voltages, and the necessary high-voltage amplifiers usually work in the external preamp box. But in the search for perfect sound, Orpheus developers were bothered by the capacitive resistance of the cable. So, the existing technology was further developed so that the Class-A MOSFETs now fit inside the ear cups of the luxury headphones, right next to the drivers. The result of this enormous design effort is an as yet unmatched efficiency (Sennheiser itself speaks of an improvement by 200%), accompanied by practically perfect impulse fidelity.
As you would expect from headphones of this price and performance class, all other components also meet the highest standards. It starts with the silver-plated, oxygen-free cables, continues with the ear cups made from solid aluminum, and doesn't end with the handcrafted ear pads covered in genuine leather and microvelour. For months, there were rumors in the scene that Sennheiser was working on something truly big. But when the Sennheiser was presented to the world press and selected dealers a few days ago, the astonishment was still great. The few chosen ones who have so far been able to try out the new Orpheus are still searching for the right words to describe their listening experience. It is too far removed from all others, too far beyond the known, operating in a completely separate league. Even phenomenal measured values such as a frequency response of 8 to 100,000 Hz or a previously unattainable distortion factor of 0.01% are only partly suitable to describe the extraordinary nature of the Sennheiser Orpheus.
Listening sessions in an exclusive circle. Auditorium Managing Director Sebastian Schwarte was among the select few who recently had the opportunity to try out the new Orpheus in Wedemark.
In February 2016, Sennheiser will begin production and, at full capacity, plans to produce about 50 units – per year! The Orpheus will therefore remain at least as rare and exclusive as its predecessor. To even have a chance to listen to or even buy this precious piece, interested parties need to sign up for a waiting list; Sennheiser will then gradually offer listening sessions with the Orpheus at its home base in Wedemark. As a special service, we offer you the opportunity to sign up for this list simply and easily. Just leave your name and email address in the following form, and we will take care of the rest. Naturally, we will use your data solely for this registration purpose!
