Have your say & ask the experts!

Sennheiser Orpheus Headphones, The Best Ever?

5 replies [Last post]
Paul@HiFi-Lounge
Paul@HiFi-Lounge's picture
Offline
Joined: 24 Sep 2012
Posts: 67

Hi Guys,I thought I'd just post the 2 links below for anyone who likes their headphones, basically they are a couple of videos regarding the Sennheiser Orpheus headphones, shot at this years CES, they were released in 1991 and are considered possibly the greatest headphone set up ever created.Only 300 were made, nowadays the video says a 2nd hand pair would cost around $30,000 and I love the fact you use a key to turn them on, that is definitely something I've never heard of before in hifi.As HiFi Lounge are part of Club Orpheus I found it particularly interesting to see where the name come from originally.Well worth a quick watch though as it is extremely cool kit, anyone actually heard them?http://bcove.me/1bik4zvdhttp://youtu.be/Rb8dbrDCNVs

__________________

HiFi Lounge (Bedfordshire)

Specialists in the brands that we are passionate about!

Andrew Everard
Andrew Everard's picture
Online
Joined: 30 May 2007
Posts: 29043
RE: Sennheiser Orpheus Headphones, The Best Ever?

Yes, we had a set in for review on Audiophile magazine (late of this parish) about the time of their launch, and very lovely they sounded, too.

__________________

Consulting Editor, What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision/whathifi.com  Audio Editor, Gramophone

David@FrankHarvey
David@FrankHarvey's picture
Online
Joined: 27 Jun 2008
Posts: 9819
RE: Sennheiser Orpheus Headphones, The Best Ever?

I heard them about 10 years ago and wasn't overly impressed, not for the money anyway. Admittedly that was at a hi-fi show, but that shouldn't be any excuse for headphones.... Smile

__________________

David @Frank Harvey Hi-Fi, Coventry

Mitsubishi HC7000 / Oppo BDP103 / Audiolab 8200AP / Rotel RMB1575 / kick ass speaker system

David@FrankHarvey
David@FrankHarvey's picture
Online
Joined: 27 Jun 2008
Posts: 9819
RE: Sennheiser Orpheus Headphones, The Best Ever?

Paul@HiFi-Lounge wrote:
Only 300 were made, nowadays the video says a 2nd hand pair would cost around $30,000 and I love the fact you use a key to turn them on, that is definitely something I've never heard of before in hifi.

Thorens did it in the early 90's with some rather nice sounding half width pre/power amps they did.

__________________

David @Frank Harvey Hi-Fi, Coventry

Mitsubishi HC7000 / Oppo BDP103 / Audiolab 8200AP / Rotel RMB1575 / kick ass speaker system

Andrew Everard
Andrew Everard's picture
Online
Joined: 30 May 2007
Posts: 29043
RE: Sennheiser Orpheus Headphones, The Best Ever?

FrankHarveyHiFi wrote:
Thorens did it in the early 90's with some rather nice sounding half width pre/power amps they did.

Ah yes - reviewed them, too, way back when, and they were a bit special.

BTW Australian manufacturer Redgum Audio still does the key thing, but it's ages since I've heard any of its equipment – checking back, I tested an amp, speakers and CD player/DAC in 2001.

Redgun RGI35

 

 

__________________

Consulting Editor, What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision/whathifi.com  Audio Editor, Gramophone

Paul@HiFi-Lounge
Paul@HiFi-Lounge's picture
Offline
Joined: 24 Sep 2012
Posts: 67
RE: Sennheiser Orpheus Headphones, The Best Ever?

Excellent, I think we should have more key inspired HiFi nowadays :)

I thought it was interesting in one of the video's that the guy had a chance to compare the Orpheus against the HD800 with the new HDVD 800 head amp and he prefered the new setup, almost making that a bargain at £2500.

__________________

HiFi Lounge (Bedfordshire)

Specialists in the brands that we are passionate about!