Dr. Fritz Sennheiser, audio pioneer, dies at 98

Back in 1945, cryptographer Fritz Sennheiser founded a professional electronics company in an abandoned WWII German laboratory. Today, we've received the sad tidings that Dr. Sennheiser has passed away at the age of 98. Despite his firm's humble origins building voltmeters from spare parts, his continued innovation led to products like the shotgun microphone and supra-aural headphones, and soon propelled Sennheiser to become a respected audio brand. He is remembered by his son Jörg, in whose hands he left the company in 1982, and by users of the many, many headphones that bear his name. You'll find his official biography at the source link; but first, a moment of silence for this pioneer. Considering the volume he's afforded us over the years, we think it's only fair.

[Echuu Posted May 20th 2010 5:34AM]

:(

[SolidSnake Posted May 20th 2010 5:52AM]

@Echuu
A great man.
Condolences to him and his family.

[Prospero Posted May 20th 2010 7:09AM]

@Echuu

Good man

[htd Posted May 20th 2010 9:34AM]

R.I.P - I own quite a few products from Sennheiser, good stuff

[crapNstuff Posted May 20th 2010 9:37AM]

@Echu
oh he's not dead, he just needs a replacement cord

[noxipoo Posted May 20th 2010 1:34PM]

@Echuu
:(
i'm using a sennheiser HD 202 right now, rip dude.

[Irina Posted May 21st 2010 9:22AM]

@Echuu Damn it, and I was in such a great mood from surfing Gawker... :(

RIP Sennheiser. This next song is for you.

[o7o Posted May 20th 2010 5:35AM]

May his soul rest in peace :(

[bigsofty Posted May 20th 2010 5:36AM]

The innovation and quality that Dr. Sennheiser injected into his little company was always evident. Sadly, missed.

[8bit Posted May 20th 2010 5:36AM]

RIP, I'm sure your in a much better place.

[etwashoo2 Posted May 20th 2010 5:38AM]

His technology put a smile on many faces. He will be missed.

[laxlaxlax Posted May 20th 2010 5:42AM]

it might sound hyperbolic but my noise cancelling headphones which bear his name have honestly changed my life for the better.

many thanks for your life's work.

[mmauve Posted May 20th 2010 5:43AM]

I've owned the same pair of Sennheiser HD-25's for close to a decade. Damn fine pair of headphones, and they really changed the way I work with music. This man has my respect and appreciation.

[lexgr Posted May 21st 2010 5:40AM]

@mmauve
Fantastic headphones indeed!
And a shout out for the legendary 416 shotgun mic. It's probably recorded half the TV and Films we've seen:)

[balena Posted May 20th 2010 5:46AM]

RIP. A man who deserves respect for his work.

[King of Fun UK Posted May 20th 2010 5:48AM]

I never trust anything Sennheiser headphones, they are amazing.

RIP dude.

[stephend Posted May 20th 2010 5:53AM]

Nice tribute.

I wear his headphones almost every day.

[ango Posted May 20th 2010 5:57AM]

R.i.p only I can write

I wish that I will stay alive to 98

[HoldenMccrotch Posted May 20th 2010 5:57AM]

wow sad news, my current pair of headphones are sennheiser, had them for a while now and havent found anything quite so durable or amazing

my condolences

[Steven Posted May 20th 2010 5:58AM]

Sennheisers are fucking fantastic quality, my HD595's are beast.

R.I.P.

[Oneill5491 Posted May 22nd 2010 12:54AM]

@Steven I have a pair of 595s too. At first, I thought there wasn't enough bass production in them, but after a long period of scrutiny by listing to different things, I found that they have the best, well balanced dynamic range out of any headphones I've owned before which greatly changed how I listen to music.
Each time I put them on, you will be remembered Dr. Sennheiser.

[jubjub Posted May 20th 2010 6:01AM]

RIP, from a very happy consumer of Sennheiser earphones.

[wasabah Posted May 20th 2010 6:03AM]

@Dinochicken Dude, Sennheiser produces in Germany, Ireland and in the USA (New Mexico).

[Alv Posted May 20th 2010 6:05AM]

he surely innovated the audio industry and he surely had a long and great life, my Condolences to him and his family

[Cluelesskid Posted May 20th 2010 6:15AM]

*listens to silence and bows head*

[microlomaniac Posted May 20th 2010 6:19AM]

RIP, great man.

He'll live on forever in the nametag of one of the best microphones ever built, the MD421. And on all the other great mics and headphones, too, of course.

[triptych Posted May 20th 2010 6:22AM]

Will listen to sad music on my trusty HD600s in remembrance...

...and consider those HD800s again =)

[bebop Posted May 20th 2010 6:59AM]

@triptych

Yep, HD600s. That set alone would be a great legacy...

[eddieexe Posted May 20th 2010 6:27AM]

Skull Candies must have been like someone giving him the finger every time he saw them in the wild.

[JFH Posted May 20th 2010 11:57AM]

@eddieexe

And giving whoever was using them the finger as well, as they royally suck compared to sennheiser products.

[kyuuketsuki Posted May 20th 2010 7:26AM]

I do not currently own a pair of Sennheisers, but they are one of the best brands in the world.

This man helped shape the audio industry and audio technology as we know it today. My condolences go to his friends and family. May he rest in peace, knowing that his legacy will last so long as high fidelity audio equipment is needed.

He was a great man, and he left behind an equally great legacy.

[Sax25 Posted May 20th 2010 7:27AM]

Thanks for making awesome headphones Dr. Fritz! Loving my eH 350s. My headphones will always say Sennheiser. RIP good man.

[iPhone freak Posted May 20th 2010 7:32AM]

I must say iPod or Zune, who ever may it be, without excellent headphones from sennheiser, they don't stand a chance ...

[Shalabi Posted May 20th 2010 7:42AM]

Dude made some wicked ass headphones.

[hh83917 Posted May 20th 2010 7:53AM]

Hats off to this great man... or actually I'll pull my HD800 off my head for him...they are just so comfortable and I just don't want to take them off. Big thanks to Dr. Sennheiser...

[panga Posted May 20th 2010 8:38AM]

While I read this sad news I am listening to music through Sennheiser headphones in front of my computer. Cheap and solid =) Thanks Mr. S.

[Sliderocket21 Posted May 20th 2010 8:42AM]

Amazing quality products, I've purchased Sennheiser products without fail ever since I got a free pair with a laptop I bought. Thank you sir, for all you've done for audio technology. May you finally rest in peace.

[poblano Posted May 20th 2010 8:53AM]

A pair of Sennheiser headphones has been used by me faithfully over the years and remains the best pair I have ever owned. Thank you, sir and rest in piece. God bless.

[hikeskool Posted May 20th 2010 9:00AM]

Rarely does a brand maintain its high quality and principles over such a long period of time as does Dr. Fritz's. Let us mourn this loss but celebrate this great man's contributions.

[anupamsingh09 Posted May 20th 2010 9:13AM]

Dr. Fritz Sennheiser

Thank you

[Spaldinggreat Posted May 20th 2010 9:24AM]

First Les Paul and now Fritz Sennheiser. Sorely missed

[washingtonegasgmailcom Posted May 20th 2010 9:24AM]

Very sad news I love his microphones the best in the business R.IP.
Mr . Sennheiser

[albinomexi Posted May 20th 2010 9:46AM]

I've never own a pair of his company's headphones, but when I worked at Circuit City, they sold like hotcakes. Ive heard great things about these headphones and in his honor, I'll buy one.
RIP and may you listen to your music as it should sound

[Stereotype Posted May 20th 2010 10:13AM]

Thank you Dr. Sennheiser, for all that you have contributed to the industry....I really love Sennheiser's stuff, solid, amazing pieces of technology.

R.I.P. You will be missed. My condolences to the family.

[Constitution First Posted May 20th 2010 10:39AM]

38 years ago your product demonstrated to me what the term "High Fidelity" meant, I never forgot. Thank you Dr. Sennheiser, you will be missed, but not forgotten.

[Muu Posted May 20th 2010 10:43AM]

I'll listen to some tunes on my HD650 in his memory today... oh wait, I do that every day already. Thank you sir for allowing me to truly appreciate music of all types.

[Blacknimbus Posted May 20th 2010 10:52AM]

I really have very little brand loyalty, generally speaking, but I use my Sennheiser PX 100 headphones everyday. I wouldn't buy anything else.

RIP

[Theta Posted May 20th 2010 11:03AM]

RIP good doctor, you've made my ears happy for many years to come.

[Prevacator Posted May 20th 2010 11:20AM]

I use his headphones everyday along side my COWON s9.

Truly this man knew quality.

[JFH Posted May 20th 2010 11:58AM]

Amazing sound, and now silence.