Sennheiser HE1

Joey_V
Joey_V Posts: 8,549
in 2 Channel Audio
Dang
I was super impressed.
What a wonderful product.

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Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • Geoff4rfc
    Geoff4rfc Posts: 2,398
    edited November 2023
    I've got the same look your kids do.......what are we looking at??

    Who's got the headphones.....and who's shelling out the 60K????
    Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2

    Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)

    EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
    When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,549
    I thought the reviews were hyped or unsubstantiated but I was very impressed with how even and natural they sounded and I’m not even remotely a headphone guy.

    As for your question - not sure who owns it other than a few random persons on headfi.

    It’s a very exclusive product, even ordering one seems like a chore.
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,477
    Send them $10K and they'll consider custom manufacturing the headphone system exclusively for someone. Maybe they need to measure the distance between the buyer's ears first. :#

    https://www.sennheiser-hearing.com/en-US/p/sennheiser-he-1/
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  • SeleniumFalcon
    SeleniumFalcon Posts: 3,764
    Or, maybe measure the distance from their wallet to their ears?
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,549
    Emlyn wrote: »
    Send them $10K and they'll consider custom manufacturing the headphone system exclusively for someone. Maybe they need to measure the distance between the buyer's ears first. :#

    https://www.sennheiser-hearing.com/en-US/p/sennheiser-he-1/

    If you check the link, it says unavailable
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,549
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    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,477
    Apparently there's just one guy in Ireland who builds these to order at the Sennheiser factory and it takes him a couple weeks on each system. I know these have been around for several years. A note in the comments section here says Sennheiser may have made around 140 pair of these:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzM0_P0JMew
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,549
    At the private demo at canjam Dallas, they connected me to the US he1 rep. He’s not the easiest to get a hold of but we are communicating.

    It can be customized in terms of marble and knobs. I’m trying to see if I can change the color of the black box where the headphone sits in or maybe the color of the SENNHEISER logo.

    Each customization is expensive.

    And the price of the unit is not $59k
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,549
    For the past two weeks I’ve been tossing the idea of pulling the trigger.

    It was truly the best audio demo I’ve had in my audiophile journey.
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,549
    Emlyn wrote: »
    Apparently there's just one guy in Ireland who builds these to order at the Sennheiser factory and it takes him a couple weeks on each system. I know these have been around for several years. A note in the comments section here says Sennheiser may have made around 140 pair of these:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzM0_P0JMew

    Thank you for that

    It makes this even more special
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,549
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    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,549
    So that’s Damian…
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • Geoff4rfc
    Geoff4rfc Posts: 2,398
    I just regained consciousness after reading the cost increase to 70K......."Honey, are we still getting that little cottage by the lake??"...."No dear, I got a pair of the best headphones on the planet instead"......


    LOL, I'm not knocking it, if you've got the dough, make some cookies.......
    Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2

    Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)

    EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
    When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,549
    Geoff4rfc wrote: »
    I just regained consciousness after reading the cost increase to 70K......."Honey, are we still getting that little cottage by the lake??"...."No dear, I got a pair of the best headphones on the planet instead"......


    LOL, I'm not knocking it, if you've got the dough, make some cookies.......

    I went into the demo expecting a headphone. I even clicked “no interest in purchasing” on the reservation form.

    I left realizing what I heard was just special and that I no longer fear going to the nursing home without my stereo system.

    I’ll request one last demo, this time at home, prior to completing the purchase but it’ll be after the deposit.
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • bcwsrt
    bcwsrt Posts: 1,877
    Joey_V wrote: »
    Geoff4rfc wrote: »
    I just regained consciousness after reading the cost increase to 70K......."Honey, are we still getting that little cottage by the lake??"...."No dear, I got a pair of the best headphones on the planet instead"......


    LOL, I'm not knocking it, if you've got the dough, make some cookies.......

    I no longer fear going to the nursing home without my stereo system.

    Comment of the Day! You can't take it with you, so get something you can take to the nursing home! 😄👍

    Brian

    One-owner Polk Audio RTA 15TL speakers refreshed w/ Sonicap, Vishay/Mills and Cardas components by "pitdogg2," "xschop" billet tweeter plates and BH5 | Stereo REL Acoustics T/5x subwoofers w/ Bassline Blue cables | Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III integrated tube amp | Technics SL-1210G turntable w/ Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 MM cart | Sony CDP-508ESD CD player (as a transport) | LampizatOr Baltic 4 tube DAC | Nordost & DH Labs cables/interconnects | APC H15 Power Conditioner | GIK Acoustics room treatments | Degritter RCM
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,549
    bcwsrt wrote: »
    Joey_V wrote: »
    Geoff4rfc wrote: »
    I just regained consciousness after reading the cost increase to 70K......."Honey, are we still getting that little cottage by the lake??"...."No dear, I got a pair of the best headphones on the planet instead"......


    LOL, I'm not knocking it, if you've got the dough, make some cookies.......

    I no longer fear going to the nursing home without my stereo system.

    Comment of the Day! You can't take it with you, so get something you can take to the nursing home! 😄👍
    It’s a real concern! Hahahaha
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,933
    This product is right up your alley, Joey. Almost like it was made specifically for you. You should definitely get it.
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,549
    Clipdat wrote: »
    This product is right up your alley, Joey. Almost like it was made specifically for you. You should definitely get it.

    We will see
    Prob more a matter of time
    The price is more than I expected and I may have to get spousal approval
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,933
    whoosh
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,581
    Send it to me Joey to make sure it's safe for you. Just consider me your taste tester for the king...
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,549
    audioluvr wrote: »
    Send it to me Joey to make sure it's safe for you. Just consider me your taste tester for the king...

    I’m not even sure it’ll make it to me
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,500
    I know a guy that had a couple of these. Pretty cool...
    snjaw7jgzaqi.jpg

    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,549
    F1nut wrote: »
    I know a guy that had a couple of these. Pretty cool...
    snjaw7jgzaqi.jpg
    The granddaddy
    Did you get to hear it Jesse?
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,500
    I did not, we live too far apart.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,549
    The more I sit here and think, the more I am convinced to pull the trigger on the he1.

    It was the first time I heard something that was just all around the peak for audio reproduction. The imaging was dense, you close your eyes and the stage is right there. I hate headphones but this one was weirdly different.

    It had the perfect tone and timbre.

    And yet it was astonishingly simple to operate. No multi units, no tube roll, no cabling, no rack. No speaker positioning. No bass traps. Just plug and play.

    It was amazing. By far, the best audio reproduction I have ever heard in my life.

    You remember when you first heard a good stereo? The first time you drove a car? Where you were when princess diana passed? Where you were on 9/11?

    It is that significant for me. A huge data point in my audiophile journey. One that bifurcates the road in front.

    (Immediately after the private 30 min demo I ran down to canjam to listen to what I thought was the best system there - the stax x9000 on metataxes class a amp… and it was a magnitude less convincing…)
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,549
    Heard everything from Magico M9, Audio Vectors, Acora, Von Schweikert Ultra 7 and 55, Estelon Forza, Wilson XVX, Stenheim 5SE, Rockport Cygnus, Martin Logan Neolith, Kharma, Zellatons, Harbeths, Sonus Faber Aida, Alsyvox… Taiko servers, Pink Faun. Doesn’t matter.

    The He1 was the most enjoyable thing I have ever witnessed.

    Bar none. No contest.

    And if it’ll cost me some sacrifice, I think I’m willing to make that leap.
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,477
    I think a large audio company that does something unique like Sennheiser is doing with the HE1 headphone system, rather than lazily feeding off of run of the mill products, deserves support in the market.

    What source were they using for the demo? And can that end of it be further improved on?
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,549
    Emlyn wrote: »
    I think a large audio company that does something unique like Sennheiser is doing with the HE1 headphone system, rather than lazily feeding off of run of the mill products, deserves support in the market.

    What source were they using for the demo? And can that end of it be further improved on?

    I bet I could improve it with my analog set up or my emm labs.

    The source was a simple iMac, with the Dac being the he1’s 8 Dac chips.

    It was ridiculously simple.
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,549
    edited November 2023
    My viewpoint with the he1 engaged.

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    My kids completely unaware that my mind was blown.

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    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,500
    The imaging was dense, you close your eyes and the stage is right there.
    You'll get the same with a pair of modded vintage SDA speakers and save tens of thousands.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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