In the early '90s, Sennheiser started its mission to create
the best headphones in the world. To obtain optimum result, the technicians
were asked to put aside the price factor. Shortly Sennheiser finally created a
legendary audiophile product named Orpheus. There were only 300 units produced,
until now it’s still hunted by many collectors. And the story of Orpheus
apparently won't stop there.
In early November, this German audio company gave exciting
news by introducing the latest incarnation of Orpheus. Sennheiser managed to
break its own record to surpass the quality and price of the previous
generation. The headset is called the HE 1060/HEV 1060. Reportedly, Sennheiser
took two decades in order to complete it.
Orpheus HE 1060 / HEV 1060 has one simple premise: You might
have listened to your favorite song a thousand times already, but with
Sennheiser Orpheus headphones it'll be your first time hearing it this clearly.
Sennheiser doesn't want to take shortcuts and compromise about quality, so the
HE 1060 / HEV 1060 will be produced only 250 units in a year.
Sennheiser Orpheus is a special product, both in appearance,
and when you wear it on the head. When activated, HE 1060 / HEV 1060 will not
'rush' to emit the sound, it will heat the amplifier tube until it reaches the
optimal temperature, and then be ready to handle the music on vinyl, CD or high
resolution files. The voice range is between 8Hz to more than 100 kHz. The
level of distortion is also very low, the lowest of the high-end audio
products: 0.01 percent at 1 kHz, 100dB SPL.
HE 1060 / HEV 1060 is the first electrostatic headphones
which use Cool Class A MOS-FET amplifier that's integrated in the ear cups -
minimize the capacitive barrier, so the impulse boost will be two times more
efficient than other solutions. The Ear cups store gold ceramic electrode, and
there is also a platinum-vaporized diaphragms as thin as 2.4-micrometer. The
list of precious metal usage doesn't stop here; the OFC Cable is also coated
with silver so that the electric current will be running smoothly.
Just like the predecessor, Orpheus HE 1060 / HEV 1060 is not
a portable headset. It is designed to be placed on the table like a piece of
art. The Headphones and marble amplifier sections can't be separated, it's
imported from Carrara, Italy. The Ear cup pads utilize genuine soft leather,
with free-allergenic microfiber.
Sennheiser Orpheus HE 1060 / HEV 1060 reportedly will begin
to be produced in Germany by the middle of next year, and is offered at a price
of approximately US $ 55,000.