{"id":19044,"date":"2015-11-04T15:22:17","date_gmt":"2015-11-04T19:22:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/?p=19044"},"modified":"2015-11-11T11:46:42","modified_gmt":"2015-11-11T15:46:42","slug":"a-successor-to-the-legendary-orpheus-is-introduced-by-sennheiser","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/?p=19044","title":{"rendered":"A successor to the legendary Orpheus is introduced by Sennheiser"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/ITgKtasYagQ?rel=0\" width=\"645\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Sennheiser<\/strong> is presenting a new reference headphone system, the successor to the legendary <em>Orpheus<\/em> and since this new product shares its famous predecessor\u2019s name, it promises an unprecedented audio experience, which will most undoubtedly redefine the limits of audiophile sound. Composed of carefully selected materials and manufactured with the highest quality craftsmanship, this electrostatic headphone system combines a unique amplifier concept. A frequency response that extends beyond the range of human hearing and the lowest total harmonic distortion that has ever been measured in an audio reproduction system are just some of the technical highlights of this milestone product. <strong>Sennheiser<\/strong> leaves no doubt that the exclusive Orpheus is the best headphone system in the world.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sennheiser<\/strong>\u2019s vision has always been to build high-end headphones which sound so brilliant, that you feel that you are in a concert hall and to also create acoustics that surpass anything that has been heard before. And in 1990\/1991, the audio specialist achieved precisely that: <strong>Sennheiser<\/strong> took the audio world by storm with an engineering masterpiece that eliminated all previous ideas about the performance limitations of headphones. The <em>Orpheus<\/em>, an electrostatic headphone system with an impressive 500 V tube amplifier, became an icon of the audio industry and was recognized as the best headphones in the world \u2013 until now.<br \/>\n<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong>The new <em>Orpheus<\/em> features an unprecedented sound experience with the ultimate in reproduction precision and unique spatiality. Almost 25 years after the legendary <em>Orpheus<\/em>, in the company\u2019s 70th anniversary year, <strong>Sennheiser<\/strong> is once again surpassing the limits of what is technically feasible and is opening up a new chapter in audio excellence. The new <em>Orpheus<\/em> represents a unique combination of meticulous engineering skills and technological brilliance. The result: an unprecedented sound experience with the ultimate in reproduction precision and unique spatiality.<\/p>\n<p>In order to craft a successor to the legendary <em>Orpheus<\/em> as a reference product for the industry itself, <strong>Sennheiser<\/strong> worked tirelessly on innovative technical solutions, consistently putting previously used acoustics approaches to the test and exploiting every conceivable possibility when it came to selecting the optimum materials. For almost a decade, a core team of developers, engineers and designers dedicated themselves to producing a successor, and they have now created a headphone system that is beyond comparison.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sennheiser-amplifier_front.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-19049\" src=\"http:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sennheiser-amplifier_front-647x458.jpg\" alt=\"sennheiser-amplifier_front\" width=\"647\" height=\"458\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sennheiser-amplifier_front-647x458.jpg 647w, https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sennheiser-amplifier_front-295x209.jpg 295w, https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sennheiser-amplifier_front-290x205.jpg 290w, https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sennheiser-amplifier_front-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/sennheiser-amplifier_front.jpg 1008w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 647px) 100vw, 647px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>A patented amplifier concept for incomparable sound<\/em><\/strong><em><br \/>\n<\/em>Reproducing sound that is as natural as possible and precise in every detail: with the new <em>Orpheus<\/em>, <strong>Sennheiser<\/strong> has come closer to this dream than anyone ever before. To achieve this, the headphones use a completely new amplifier concept that combines the superior impulse processing of a tube amplifier with the low distortion of a transistor amplifier to perfection.<\/p>\n<p>The amplifier\u2019s eight vacuum tubes are decoupled from the Carrara marble housing and feature a high-quality patent-pending enclosure consisting of quartz-glass bulbs that perfectly shield them from their surroundings. At the heart of the amplifier are eight vacuum tubes that process the incoming signal. \u201c<em>The advantage of tube amplifiers is their superior impulse processing,<\/em>\u201d said <strong>Axel Grell<\/strong>, Portfolio Manager Audiophile at <strong>Sennheiser<\/strong>. \u201c<em>However, one challenge is their sensitivity to air-borne-noise.<\/em>\u201d For this reason, the amplifier housing was crafted from granular, inhomogeneous Carrara marble and is freely suspended with the amplifier. The decoupling of the tubes in combination with the damping properties of the marble has the effect of reducing structure-borne noise to an absolute minimum. The tubes themselves also have a high-quality patent-pending enclosure consisting of quartz-glass bulbs that perfectly shield them from their surroundings.<\/p>\n<p>The tube amplifier stage is followed by a patented ultra-high impulse amplifier stage that is directly integrated into the cups of the headphones. The result is impressive: a 200 percent rise in efficiency compared to other products. \u201c<em>In electrostatic headphones, most of the amplifier power is lost in the cable between the headphones and the tube amplifier. Only around one third of the power generated is actually used to produce sound waves,<\/em>\u201d explained <strong>Axel Grell<\/strong>. \u201c<em>Our approach was therefore to amplify the alternating voltage to high voltages not at the beginning of the cable but at the point where it is really required \u2013 directly at the gold-vaporised ceramic electrodes in the headphones themselves.<\/em>\u201d The great advantage of this design is the extremely short distance between the amplifier and the diaphragm, which is less than one centimeter in the new <em>Orpheus<\/em>. As a result, the headphone system requires far less power for charge reversal, as the current capacities are much lower. At a voltage of only around 5\u00a0Volt, the music signal is transmitted balanced to the high-voltage amplifier integrated into the headphones and is amplified there. This ensures extremely high impulse fidelity with relatively low power requirements. Just like the tubes of the tube amplifier, the system\u2019s MOS-FET transistors have a square characteristic curve to prevent the hard distortion that occurs in amplifiers with bi-polar transistors.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sennheiser<\/strong> places the new amplifier concept in a class that the audio specialist calls <em>Cool Class A<\/em>. In the low-frequency range, <em>Cool Class A<\/em> provides <em>Class A<\/em> power at any volume. In the high- and ultrahigh-frequency range, the amplifier switches from <em>Class A<\/em> to the usual <em>Class AB<\/em> operation. That will, however, only be the case when listening to a very unusual frequency spectrum. \u201c<em>Cool Class A is a brilliant idea: the music signal is reproduced without distortion and the headphones remain cool,<\/em>\u201d said <strong>Axel Grell<\/strong>. \u201c<em>We carried out extensive signal analyses and listening analyses as well as detailed tests to find out how much current we need at which frequency in order to achieve this unusual result.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?url=https%3A\/\/api.soundcloud.com\/tracks\/226445904&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;visual=true\" width=\"645\" height=\"450\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Gold-vaporised ceramic electrodes and platinum-vaporised diaphragms<\/strong><br \/>\nMeticulous attention has also been paid to every detail of the material selection for the <em>Orpheus<\/em> in order to fully exploit the sound potential of the reference headphones. Each of the more than 6,000 individual components was carefully chosen, their acoustic characteristics were evaluated and finally the optimum combination was put together. After all, it is the interaction between all components that is ultimately responsible for the audio quality of the headphones. For example, to ensure the outstanding performance of the acoustic unit, <strong>Sennheiser<\/strong> uses gold-vaporised ceramic electrodes and platinum-vaporised diaphragms.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<em>When developing the electrodes, our aim was to find a material that is absolutely rigid in order to avoid the possible occurrence of distortion peaks at frequencies in the range of three to four kilohertz,<\/em>\u201d explained <strong>Axel Grell<\/strong>. Against this background, the engineers finally decided to use ceramic \u2013\u00a0a material whose internal damping and granular structure make it much more resistant to resonances than, for example, glass. However, producing such ceramic electrodes is a complex task: ceramics can neither be etched nor suitably drilled. For that reason, <strong>Sennheiser<\/strong> crafts the electrodes using a sophisticated spraying and grinding process. Subsequently, a layer of gold is vapor-deposited to guarantee optimum electrical conductivity.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Headphones_RGB.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-19051\" src=\"http:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Headphones_RGB-647x348.jpg\" alt=\"Headphones_RGB\" width=\"647\" height=\"348\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Headphones_RGB-647x348.jpg 647w, https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Headphones_RGB-295x159.jpg 295w, https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Headphones_RGB-290x156.jpg 290w, https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Headphones_RGB-300x161.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Headphones_RGB.jpg 1008w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 647px) 100vw, 647px\" \/><\/a>Material selection and processing are also decisive when it comes to the coating for the diaphragm. After intensive tests, the choice was made in favor of a vapor-deposited coating of platinum. The thickness of the entire diaphragm is precisely 2.4\u00a0micrometres. With regard to the ratio of the diaphragm thickness to the coupled air mass, 2.4\u00a0micrometers was found to be the optimum for allowing controlled vibration of the diaphragm \u2013\u00a0the result of extensive testing by the team of developers. \u201c<em>In this case, it&#8217;s not a matter of &#8216;the thinner, the better&#8217; but of finding the absolute optimum,<\/em>\u201d said <strong>Axel Grell<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>It goes without saying that the cables too have been specially designed and built. The eight wires of the high-performance cables are made of oxygen-free copper and plated with a coating of silver, which provides optimum conductivity for perfect transmission of the audio signal. The wires are sheathed in an insulating layer that has a mixture of differently structured materials which eliminates the sound waves acting on the cable.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Ultra-wide frequency response and the world`s<br \/>\nlowest total harmonic distortion<\/em><\/strong><em><br \/>\n<\/em>With its unique transducer system, the new <em>Orpheus<\/em> has a frequency response of 8\u00a0hertz to more than 100\u00a0kilohertz which ensures that, in the audible range, the sound of the headphones is virtually free of distortion. This is a frequency range which far exceeds the limits of human hearing ability. Nevertheless, this extremely wide frequency response does have an effect on the sound experience, as it ensures that, in the audible range, the sound of the headphones is virtually free of distortion.<\/p>\n<p>At one kilohertz and a sound pressure level of 100\u00a0decibels, the total harmonic distortion of the headphone system is a mere 0.01\u00a0percent, which means it reproduces the sound of the audio source with greater fidelity and in more detail than any other product in the audio world. Therefore, in terms of sound purity, <strong>Sennheiser<\/strong> is venturing into areas that have never before been measured in a sound reproduction system. Even the slightest nuances of the music become audible. \u201c<em>In some music pieces that I had known for years, I suddenly became aware of details which I had never perceived before,<\/em>\u201d said <strong>Axel Grell<\/strong>, describing the listening experience with the new <em>Orpheus<\/em>. \u201c<em>I found this really moving \u2013\u00a0and every other listener will also be overwhelmed by this unique audio experience. After all, music is all about emotions.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Amplifier_Backview_RGB_red.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-19050\" src=\"http:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Amplifier_Backview_RGB_red-647x315.jpg\" alt=\"Amplifier_Backview_RGB_red\" width=\"647\" height=\"315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Amplifier_Backview_RGB_red-647x315.jpg 647w, https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Amplifier_Backview_RGB_red-295x144.jpg 295w, https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Amplifier_Backview_RGB_red-290x141.jpg 290w, https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Amplifier_Backview_RGB_red-300x146.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Amplifier_Backview_RGB_red.jpg 1008w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 647px) 100vw, 647px\" \/><\/a><strong><em>Technology beyond the reference<\/em><\/strong><em><br \/>\n<\/em>The <em>Orpheus<\/em> can be operated with a wide range of analogue and digital audio sources. Apart from balanced inputs, the headphone system also has unbalanced input sockets; the incoming signals are balanced before being further processed. Digital audio sources are connected via <em>S\/PDIF<\/em> (optical and coaxial) or <em>USB<\/em>. To convert the digital music data into analog signals, the <em>Orpheus<\/em> uses the <strong>ESS<\/strong> <em>SABRE ES9018<\/em> chip \u2013 a reference in the field of digital-to-analog converters. In the <em>Orpheus<\/em>, its eight internal DACs convert audio data with a resolution of 32\u00a0bits and a sampling rate of up to 384\u00a0kHz or <em>DSD<\/em> signals with 2.8\u00a0MHz and 5.6\u00a0MHz into balanced analog signals. For each stereo channel, four DACs are connected in parallel for noise reduction. As a result, the entire frequency spectrum of high-end audio sources is reproduced without distortion. The circuit was optimised for the fully symmetrical design of the <em>Orpheus<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Unrivalled sound experienced for all senses<\/em><\/strong><em><br \/>\n<\/em>The unique <em>Orpheus<\/em> experience begins long before you start listening. When the on\/off-volume control is pressed, the controls at the front slowly extend from the amplifier housing, before the vacuum tubes with their quartz glass bulbs rise from the base and start to glow. Finally, a glass cover is automatically raised, allowing the headphones to be removed. \u201c<em>Our aim was to provide a sensual experience by using highest quality materials,<\/em>\u201d said <strong>Axel Grell<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The marble that <strong>Sennheiser<\/strong> chose for the amplifier housing comes from Carrara in Italy and is the same type of marble that Michelangelo used to create his sculptures. The rotary switches for the source and the volume controls are milled from a single piece of brass and chromium-plated. The positions of the four switches are controlled by a microprocessor and activated by high-quality relays. Each element can be remote-controlled and will follow any adjustments that the listener makes. For example, if the input switch is changed by remote control from <em>USB<\/em> to <em>Balanced<\/em>, the respective button will also rotate.<\/p>\n<p>The genuine leather ear cushions are crafted in Germany and ensure the highest possible comfort even over several hours. The combination of outstanding technology, exquisite design and the highest-quality materials is also continued in the headphones themselves. At the inner side of the cushions, hypoallergenic, breathable microfiber fabric provides additional acoustic absorption. All these materials form an ingenious combination of design, comfort and function \u2013\u00a0for a unique audio experience that appeals to all senses.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Orpheus<\/em> was developed at <strong>Sennheiser<\/strong>\u2019s headquarters in Germany. The new reference product will also be manufactured there. The <em>Orpheus<\/em> will be available from mid-2016 and will cost around \u20ac\u00a050,000.<\/p>\n<p>To immerse yourself in the unique world of the <em>Orpheus<\/em>, please visit:<br \/>\n<strong><u><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sennheiser-reshapingexcellence.com\">www.sennheiser-reshapingexcellence.com<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sennheiser is presenting a new reference headphone system, the successor to the legendary Orpheus and since this new product shares its famous predecessor\u2019s name, it promises an unprecedented audio experience, which will most undoubtedly redefine the limits of audiophile sound. Composed of carefully selected materials and manufactured with the highest quality craftsmanship, this electrostatic headphone [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":19045,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[9,21,10],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19044"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=19044"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19044\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/19045"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19044"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19044"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19044"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}