New Sennheiser Headsets Promise Audiophile Quality At An Audiophile Price
New Sennheiser Headsets Promise Audiophile Quality At An Audiophile Price
Posted 01/10/2012 at 11:05am
| by Brad Chacos
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It’s an audiotastic kind of day at CES; if the Scosche headsets we mentioned earlier don’t quite tickle your fancy, Sennheiser’s also let loose some information about a pair of new, high-performance headsets coming in March. Like most Sennheiser headsets, the new ones look like they’ll definitely satisfy audiophiles – but that high-end audio comes with a high-end price tag.
First up is the Sennheiser HD 700 (pictured above), a pair of open-ended headphones that have a slight angle to create what Sennheiser calls an “impressively natural listening experience.” The sets are powered by a 40 mm Duofol transducer with “neodymium magnet systems” that “guarantee detailed, lifelike audio reproduction from 10 to 42,000 Hz.” To ensure your shaking, rattling and rolling tunes don’t result in actual physical vibrations in the transducer, the component is cradled by a stainless steel gauze engineered to a specific shape designed to reduce harmonic distortion. And if that’s not audiophile enough for your tastes, a precision-designed ventilated magnet system further reduces distortion by keeping diaphragm wobbling to a minimum. Even the headband gets in on the action; “Dips in the bass level are effectively suppressed by the patent-pending multilayer design of the headband,” the press release boasts.
Sound expensive? They are, to the tune of $1,000. If you’re the kind of audiophile who isn’t scared by a sky-high price tag, you’ll be able to pick up a pair of Sennheiser HD 700s in March.
Then again, if you’re a wandering beat master with a bit less cash in your pocket, Sennheiser also unveiled an aluminum version of the DJ-friendly Amperior. Unlike the HD 700, the Amperior sports a closed cup design – the better to block out the crowd with – and a cable with controls for iOS devices attached. It still sports those nifty neodymium magnets, though. Senneheiser hasn’t released pricing info for the aluminum Amperior, but for comparison, the standard set will cost you a cool $350.
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TokyoRevelation
January 10, 2012 at 10:11pm
I'm not interested until Sennheiser develops/releases an update to the MX W1 totally wireless earbuds.
Why haven't audio companies started marketing this product? It's the logical extension of what many people are seeking in the market today...nobody really wants wires anymore.
tekknyne
January 10, 2012 at 11:32am
If you pay $1000 for headphones, you're not an audiophile, you're a fool.
compro01
January 10, 2012 at 3:01pm
These aren't for audiophiles. These are reference-grade headphones, intended for professional use by sound engineers and similar.
I'm sure audiophiles with money to burn would love these too, but they're not the primary market.
Danthrax66
January 10, 2012 at 5:42pm
They kind of are the target. Audiophiles pay more than sound engineers...
praetor_alpha
January 10, 2012 at 1:16pm
No, if you pay $1000 for an HDMI cable, you are a fool.
Sennheiser has decades of engineering experience building headphones. The HD 280 pros that I bought 2 years ago are hands down the best headphones I've ever had or used (both comfortable and sound great).
From your comment, you don't seem to know any audiophiles. A hardcore audiophile has invested thousands of dollars on equipment and music. $1000 is barely a drop in the bucket.
Trekker1091
January 10, 2012 at 11:52am
I agree completely. What dumb*** is going to pay $1,000 for a headset, save the rich company exec who makes 1M a year or more salary? Thank god I'm only a gamer and am looking at turtle beach for my next headset, at least they're cheaper!
Danthrax66
January 10, 2012 at 5:40pm
Someone that wants the best there are a lot more expensive headphones than that. Turtle beach is garbage for gaming. http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envy-aka-shin-czs-guide-to-headphone-gaming-particularly-with-dolby-headphone check that out if you want recommendations on a headset to buy. And by your logic a Ferari isn't worth the money either, which is fine but then again if you want the best you have to pay. There is a difference in quality between more expensive headphones. I save my money and then buy high end headphones currently I have Q701s which are amazing but I want to one day get http://audeze.com/audeze-lcd-3 and a good headphone amp. Most expensive headphones give you performance to match the price, except Dr. Dre Beats way way way overpriced.
compro01
January 10, 2012 at 3:01pm
Probably a "dumbfuck" sound engineer who's job depends on making shit sound right and therefore needs reference-grade professional sound equipment, like these headphones.
You are not the target market.
Hey.That_Dude
January 10, 2012 at 12:57pm
In addition to Adam Wolfe's comment. This is Maximum PC, They regularly showcase items costing in the $1000 range that "normal" people wouldn't buy. (cough, i7-3960X). I appreciate the article, except for the grammar issues.
Adam Wolfe
January 10, 2012 at 12:12pm
You get what you pay for. The sheer quality and craftsmanship of Sennheiser headsets are unmatched by any other, including turtle beach. Also, not everyone is in your financial situation to where they cannot afford quality trinkets and gadgets. Some people buy a brand new sofa for $3,000 when a simple wooden chair would suffice, others buy a Sennheiser.
kevaskous
January 10, 2012 at 1:25pm
You do -NOT- always get what you pay for in any price bracket. Price doesn't equate to much of anything, also Sennheiser is good, but they are not the holy grail and probably not even the best headphones in any price bracket either. Shhh with the nonsense.
Morete
January 11, 2012 at 5:50am
Circa thirty years ago, Sennheiser used to make good quality (basic low end) headphones when they were actually manufactured in Germany. Ever since Sennnheiser outsourced their manufacturing from Germany to China they became nothing more than landfill material. Now the only decent Sennheiser headphones are the expensive ones.
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