Sineaptic SE-1 Ribbon Driver Wireless Headphones Review: Innovative Headphones That Attempt Too Many Innovations All at Once

Sineaptic SE-1 Ribbon Driver Wireless Headphones Review

Sineaptic’s $199.99 SE-1 headphones attempt to bridge the gap between high-end audio technology and mass-market affordability. These Bluetooth wireless headphones feature rare ribbon drivers, promising studio-quality sound for a fraction of the usual cost. With an unconventional open-back design and a unique headband system, the SE-1 aims to redefine comfort and sound quality in the wireless headphone market.

Innovation comes with its challenges. These are perhaps the oddest headphones I have ever worn or reviewed. Odd started with the shipment. A large box with the headphones strapped in like a food shipment dropped from an airplane. Even though these aren’t the most ruggedest headphones, I don’t see how damaged they would be without the suspension packaging.

And while the sound is subtle, there is nothing subtle about the design. The very large cans are designed to float on top of the wearer’s head, which they do when all is still. Bend over, and they slip. Shake your head, and they slip. There is no clamping and no adjusting. The gigantic ear cups don’t help. They cover so much surface they don’t seal, as they hit too many parts of the skull, which also results in them not helping with headphone slippage. Everything about the Sineaptic SE-1s feels loose.

What we like

Pros

• High-quality ribbon drivers
• Exceptional sound clarity
• Open-back design for natural soundstage
• Affordable price point
• Good battery life
• Lightweight build
• Bluetooth® wireless and wired connectivity

The Sineaptic SE-1 headphones bring an impressive array of features to the table, starting with their high-quality ribbon drivers, which set them apart in the market. These drivers deliver exceptional sound clarity, allowing users to experience music with a level of detail and precision typically reserved for much higher-end models. Despite the advanced technology, the SE-1 remains remarkably affordable, making high-fidelity audio accessible to a broader audience.

The SE-1s include a built-in digital-to-analog converter with internal amplification. This helps deliver higher-quality sound in wired mode. A 3.5mm cable turns the SE-1s into wired headphones, invoking the internal amp. All the other electronics, including volume control, stop working in auxiliary mode.

At $199, the Sineaptic SE-1s are affordable. That $199 needs to be focused on a simple listening budget. These aren’t walking or exercising cans. Those who want headphones to use in a variety of situations should look elsewhere.

The Sineaptic SE-1 headphones deliver a sound signature that is distinct and compelling, thanks to their innovative ribbon driver technology. With a focus on fidelity and detail, these headphones offer a balanced audio profile that enthusiasts will appreciate. The ribbon drivers excel in providing a natural and open soundstage, allowing instruments and vocals to breathe with clarity and precision. From deep, controlled bass to articulate midrange tones and sparkling highs, the SE-1 headphones showcase a dynamic range that suits various music genres. Whether you’re listening to intricate jazz compositions or energetic rock tracks, the SE-1 headphones offer a nuanced audio experience that enhances the enjoyment of your favorite music.

The SE-1s offer good battery life at over 12 hours. They take about 3 hours to fully charge.

The lightweight build and cantilevered top-of-head suspension are designed for long wear. Individual experiences will depend on the shape and size of the wearer’s head.

The Bluetooth wireless connectivity is seamless. The SE-1s connected easily to laptops and phones. The implementation of Bluetooth 5.2 results in multipoint connectivity and extended range. The Sineaptic SE-1s support SBC and ACC codecs. High-resolution, lossless audio is not supported on Bluetooth (no support for ALAC or LDAC) but can be achieved via the wired connection.

A MEMS microphone handles audio for calls, but I don’t see these headphones as the best choice for video or audio conferences. I would see the microphone more as a backup should someone call during an intense listening session.

For audio alone, the SE-1s will prove worth the price to many, but the long list of doubts in our What could be improved section should be considered before investing in these headphones.

I want to like these headphones. I can see the care put into the design. Unfortunately, the list of improvements (see the What could be improved section) will likely make them a hard purchase for most in the market for sub-$200 headphones, except for those seeking experience with ribbon drivers.

What could be improved

Cons

• Bulky, awkward design
• Questionable sound isolation as large earcups don’t seal well/open back design (no ANC)
• Volume issues
• Fragile build quality
• Poorly placed controls
• No wearing sensor
• Weird packaging

While SE-1s offer excellent audio, the overall design will likely challenge their use beyond mostly stationary listening. The build quality, while aesthetically pleasing, feels fragile and raises concerns about durability. I would not recommend these headphones for travel. The bulky design will not appeal to everyone, particularly those looking for compact and portable headphones.

My personal experience is that the cantilevers do not support the weight of the cans well enough, which means the top of the earcup ends up resting on the top of my ear, which can become annoying over time.

I found the headphones to occasionally need more volume than they could produce. Even after turning up and turning off everything I could (sound limiters), I could not get the SE-1s to really roar.

While I like the sound, the quirky design isn’t just quirky, it needs to be paid attention to. At $199, these are not expensive headphones, but they should appear and feel more robust than they do. In normal circumstances, when the owner takes good care of their headphones, they will likely have a long life.

However, as I was writing this review, the very long 3.5mm cord slipped over the edge of my desk, landing on the floor in a puddle. As puddles will do, it attracted my foot, which unwittingly became entangled. I got up to refill my water, and the headphones came crashing down on my office floor mat. Fortunately, the headphones were not damaged, but even those of us who coddle our technology at times make mistakes that can put that technology in jeopardy. For the SE-1s, I’m not sure how many bumps and falls they have in them.

For day-to-day use around the office and when traveling, I find many sub-$100 headphones prove much better companions than the Sineapatic SE-1s. The same money, however, could buy a pair of cans (or two) from Cleer, OneOdio, Tozo, or 1More with Active Noise Cancelation or other features that would make them better in-home, travel or studio partners.

The SE-1s do not support active noise-canceling. Noise isolation comes from the earcup seal, which is very unstable given the amount of movement the headphones make with almost any adjustment of one’s head. The open-back design is great for building a natural sound stage, but it doesn’t help with the isolation issues. (Note from the company’s website: “Open-back headphones allow for a more natural sound stage, providing an expansive and detailed auditory environment. However, it’s best enjoyed in serene settings, ensuring external sounds don’t interfere with your immersive experience.”). These headphones will not perform well in noisy environments. They are for home listening, ideally seated in a nice leather chair with a scotch and a comforter handy. Be cautious, though. If you fall asleep, you may find the headband slips down and becomes a visor, which, for some, might be a feature.

And then there is the AirGuard floating box, which is, well, a lot of box. The headphones must be extracted from the box. It seems like a lot of drama for a pair of headphones that probably won’t be treated this nice ever again.

Sineaptic SE-1 Ribbon Driver Wireless Headphones: The bottom line

The Sineaptic SE-1s offer impressive audio performance with their advanced ribbon driver technology, which delivers clear and detailed sound across various genres. They try to excel in comfort with their plush ear pads and self-adjusting headband, but the actual experience can be challenging depending on the wearer’s head size, ear shape and other factors. The inclusion of Bluetooth and wired connectivity options adds versatility, though the lack of noise-canceling and potential sound leakage may detract from the experience in noisy environments.

The build quality, while sleek, could benefit from improvements to ensure long-term durability. For those who prioritize exceptional sound quality and comfort for home use, these headphones are worth considering, especially given their unique ribbon driver technology at an accessible price point.

It’s hard to take issue with Sineapatic for innovating. Unfortunately, they don’t pull off all the innovations in equal measure. The ribbon drivers seem to work, though I’m not sure how much they contribute to the SE-1’s maximum volume challenge. As early ribbon-driver headphones, they suggest a promising new technology at this price point. The large earcups combined with the cantilevered supports just don’t work for me. They offer no fit control, but the weight of the earcups, at least for me, required adjustments as they just felt loose with every wear, resulting in discomfort in long listening sessions and a lack of seal at the edges, leading to reduced noise isolation.

Sineaptic provided the SE-1 Ribbon Driver Wireless Headphones for review. Images courtesy of Sineaptic unless otherwise noted.

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