Sennheiser AMBEO Smart Headset (iOS)

Sennheiser Ambeo/Apogee earbuds Let me start by saying that I am 70 years old. I started playing in rock bands in jr high school in 1966 at the height of the Beatles/British Invasion and kept it up through 2012. Did a pro stint from 69-74 on the road every weekend playing clubs and frat parties. Got married and got a real job but kept it up on a part time basis. So I’ve heard a lot of and performed a lot of music. And in the last 10 years, since stopping performing (I did everything I ever wanted to do in performing with some studio work as well) I’ve been very involved in home stereo. When living in a house suitable for loud speakers I had it cranked up with speakers from just about every manufacturer in the less than $2000 range. Buying and selling and returning with all the 30-60 day “magic” return policies nowadays. Bowers and Wilkins, focal, elac, Jbl, Klipsch, wharfedale, revel just to name a few. Favorite? Magnapan. For its stark realism, soundstage and lack of distortion (clarity). Right now my main system consists of Magnapan lrs, SVS 3000 13” sub, Peachtree audio 700wpc class d amp with matching preamp/headphone amp/dac. Sounds phenomenal. Total - $6,000. All this to say that these earbuds that I paid less than $100, when broken in and with tips that seal properly, sound so close to the $6000 set up it scares me?!?!? And upsets me a bit too! The soundstage and real air experience is missing (somewhat) but the realism and detail of textures is very very close. Created in concert with Apogee (look em up) the simple, perfect length lightning cable hooked to an iPhone creates a solid connection that destroys Bluetooth (and Bluetooth has gotten pretty good). “Audiophile “ reproduction of sound is there in spades (instrument textures, overhangs, minute detail) The control app for these is dedicated just to this set and is genius in its simplicity and precision and flexibility. Bass is phenomenal. Voices and guitars are perfect. Cymbals and bells and tingling things, a joy. The problem seems to lie in the microphone for recording, which is not a problem if you’re recording I’m sure, but since I don’t do that which is probably the case with 98% of users, they have been overlooked. If you’re looking for solid connectivity that gives stunning studio/audiophile quality for dirt cheap you better grab a pair before they vanish. Note: I have a very nice pair of hifiman Ananda’s that retail for $999 that are very good when attached to my $1500 Peachtree Audio headphone/dac/preamp as I have to sit on my sofa cause I can’t carry the PA in my pocket. The senny Ambeo/Apogee set gives me near Ananda performance as I rip through the glory days of my retirement.