Synesso ES.1 | Blurring The Lines Between Cafe & Kitchen

[@zacharyzelle2532]

I've enjoyed brewing with my ES1. The group head heat stability is great for pulling back to back to back shots. I have had multiple issues with my machine(s) in the few months I've had it. First machine had a leak off of the brew boiler on initial start up and also had an issue with the brew valve plunger cycling over and over after a shot and purge. Synesso ended up replacing the machine. The replacement machine is now having a mixing valve issue and requires a valve replacement. Unfortunately, the technician requires the machine be delivered to their shop across town, so that's another annoyance having to drain tanks and move this beast myself. Synesso has been great at working through the issues I've had so far. I have had a bit of buyers remorse not going with the YOU.

[@oscargraveland]

For a 9k machine I imagine the technician sleeps in your garden shed. Toolbox full of spare parts.

[@zacharyzelle2532]

@@oscargraveland I wish! I had to drive it almost an hour away for service.

[@hamdanismail3668]

As always, an honest take. Reading between the lines, I conclude that it is not worth the hefty price tag for home use. Thanks Spro.

[@sohailhines]

Even as a software engineer by profession, I try to avoid excessive tech in our appliances such as the range. It's always the first thing to look dated because tech evolves so quickly. Software updates can also be clumsy and long term support is never guaranteed.

[@slappadabass1977]

This is why I still have my ECM Synchronika with flow control!

[@many_worlds]

However, by that same logic, manual machines were already outdated before they were even released.

[@alanroderick7153]

Thank you for the review. Way outside my price range for sure. I like the minimalistic look, and the segregation of electronics from water and steam areas. But the price ... ... Comment already made about "just buy a Decent", and I think the ES.1 is well into "heart, not head" territory. Having said that, I wish any purchaser many, many cups of wonderful expresso !

[@Sprometheus]

You’re welcome and thanks for watching! And yeah I get that. The Decent does have more capabilities. Though it will be interesting to see how the ES.1 changes over time with the abilities in it that are yet unlocked.

[@slotrans17]

My favorite cafes all have Synesso MVP Hydras, and that's honestly what makes me want an ES1. But, it's too big, and too expensive, so the best I can do is live vicariously through reviews like this one. Oh well!

[@neilrischl9569]

I have been waiting for this review forever! Thank you!

[@Sprometheus]

You’re welcome, and hopefully it lived up to your expectations! Cheers!

[@neilrischl9569]

@@Sprometheus Hey Spro, if you were going to open your own coffee cart what would be your ideal setup?

[@Gerz970]

I love watching your reviews for products I will never be able to afford. They are beautiful but I just can't get over the prices.

[@Sprometheus]

Thanks for watching regardless! And yeah I’m with you the prices on some of these are wild, but rest assured there are quality espressos to be had at nearly any price point.

[@TheDennzio]

@@Sprometheus I'm in that $1500 to $2000 range and pulling out my hair. Nothing seems to be that perfect machine. Any recs? Thanks Spro

[@randomchannel323]

This I why I just get takeout coffee when I'm out. Would take me thousands of dollars to get the same result at home

[@haacseee]

great, honest, no-BS review, as always - cheers 🥳 as a feedback to the manufacturer: I honestly can’t understand the selling point at this price. it’s 2-2,7(!)x the cost of a Decent (depending on model), while it doesn’t seem to give anything over that in terms of capabilities, quality, workflow or even fanciness (should anyone care about that). a little markup I would understand, but this..?

[@davidhunternyc1]

Hear me out. Sometimes I think your videos pander to the manufacturers but then you prove me wrong. You were fully candid with the issues and concerns with the Synesso ES.1. There is no perfect espresso machine. They are all flawed. The trick is to reduce the flaws to a minimum. For instance, the La Marzocco Linea Mini's flaw is that its paddle isn't used for pre-infusion. It's a simple on/off switch. The Decent is known to have software problems and it looks as if the Synesso ES.1 will suffer from these problems as well. With microchips, problems happen. Even going all analog, like with the Olympia Cremina, there is no temperature stability at the grouphead. No matter how much money you spend on an espresso machine, there are problems. I choose to focus on simplicity and ease of operation. For me, there is no better home espresso machine than the Olympia Cremina. How do you improve a spoon? I'm interested to know which espresso machine would be Asa's endgame machine? Please, do tell.

[@Sprometheus]

Thanks for your honest feedback. I personally don’t feel as though I pander, or even sugarcoat in my reviews, though I do think it’s important to be fair, without being rude, and look at things from both mine and their perspectives. In the end I’m glad you feel as though I was candid and upfront as that is all I ever aim to be when it comes to my take on equipment. It’s true all machines have their flaws, and the ES.1’s heavy reliance on tech I’d say is it’s biggest one in my eyes. In terms of my ideal machine, I don’t think I’ve found it yet. But I find myself drawn to more of the mechanical, simplistic options. Personally I’ve been very keen on trying the Odyssey for its lever control and steam availability. I’ve yet to have a go on one but it could very well be in the running.

[@davidhunternyc1]

@@Sprometheus Wow, thanks for the reply. Yes, the Odyssey Argos could be the machine that brings the Cremina into the 21st century. I'm on the fence about it. I'm being a bit shallow but I think the Argos is ugly. Ross is a mountain climber and engineer, not an industrial designer. Oh well, he's a great guy. You can't win them all.

[@bacca71]

@@Sprometheus IMO you never pander or sugarcoat but present your personal opinions, pros and cons, quite clearly. As (again) here. Good review.

[@MaakBow]

​@@davidhunternyc1it's just a matter of opinion. I think the Argos is the most beautiful lever yet made and the Cremena ugly. I own a gs3 and think it's ugly.

[@toddpower4674]

​@Sprometheus pander to company's......lol more like brutally honest. If his girlfriend asked him if she looked fat, he would get a black eye.

[@OrenUrbach]

Great review, as always! Unrelated question: I always see in your videos the Lagom Mini next to the current machine. I also own one. When do you use it as opposed to the p64 or other grinders? And do you have a good way of marking the grind level for your beans?

[@Sprometheus]

Thanks Oren! And yeah, I use the Mini when I want a more full bodied, complex shot of espresso. The SSP MPs in the P64 lean heavily on clarity and brightness. I do rarely change the grind on my Mini as the conicals are more forgiving and generally I get within range of what I want where it sits. That said I’ve been demoing the new Option-O Mizen es64 burrs for espresso and they produce a more textured traditional shot so the Mini has been hanging out a bit lately.

[@MaakBow]

The price doesnt bother. If you want it enough you will work out how to save for it. Id like more details on what CAN be done with the paddle. Can you pause the shot after pre infusion for example.

[@Sprometheus]

Nope, I mean it may be capable of that in further updates. But as it stands, each tap of the paddle moves to the next phase and each phase has pressure and flow.

[@10jsfvideo44]

Nice balanced review. Glad you highlighted the cost. Does the taste of these espresso’s using these high end machines justify the cost. In my opinion the answer is no.

[@nimitzg]

Another perfectly made video to satisfy our lust,coffee lovers. The video is crisp,the composition are great and the content informative. I would love to see a dial-in process with the machine for a medium roast. Something that take us down to the rabbit hole with the assistance of the functionality.decisions and usage. 🎉❤

[@ozpain1]

I think if I were in for 9k it might be worth saving a bit more and going with a single group Slayer.

[@cryptocontractor7983]

I will keep my Decent. Does everything can't go wrong!

[@Kahlnen]

Each time a machine comes out like this one and the Sanremo You, I always wonder why not just get a Decent for like half the price and equal or better capabilities?

[@Sprometheus]

I get that viewpoint, and yeah it does do more generally. I do still prefer the ES.1 to the decent for its more substantial feel, and rotary pump. But overall I have an aversion to such a reliance on tech, so I don’t think either would be for me in the long term.

[@mexicanhalloween]

oof, more than 2 Decents is a hard sell and with the Decent you can replace the screen with most android tablets or even a pc running android x86. Also, the Decent's tea portafilter let's you do automated gong fu style multiple steepings. The rotary pump does sound better and water filling is easier.

[@Sprometheus]

Yeah I’m with you. Decent played it smart with the tablet, but also has controls on the group too. I’m not sure on the ES.1 if you can get to a point to pull a shot if the screen went out.

[@oscargraveland]

"When it comes to brewing the best coffee, the importance of water can not be understated" I think you mean overstated

[@SKG-d2t]

Thank you for the review. Neither fish nor fowl, this is too automated for the person wanting a craft experience, and for those who want to push a button-get the coffee-and go there are machines that will do that for MUCH less. It is a bit feature light with less range than the person wanting to experiment would like, see Decent. So where does this fit?

[@Sprometheus]

You’re welcome and that’s well said. I think that’s spot on. It’s sitting in a odd no man’s land for sure.

[@TomJones-tx7pb]

Totally agree.@@Sprometheus

[@ende421]

Three preprogrammable physical buttons would have gone a long way to solve the "wife needs to step through menus on a touch screen" problem.

[@robertgill1389]

What do you think about being able to get to the water reservoir for cleaning? Seems difficult from what I’ve been told. People say the gs3 is just as difficult…but you would know.

[@cheekster777]

Thank you my friend.

[@Sprometheus]

Of course, thanks for watching and have a great weekend!

[@psak8302]

It’s nice for features/options to be available for future roll out, but I can see how some manufacturers might use this as a crutch to race an essentially unfinished product to market with the understanding that they’ll push out software fixes as time goes on. That said, 9k gets you a lot of machine. At that price point, why not spend a touch more and get an MVP Hydra?

[@s96822]

Some thoughts from a 220V Spaziale S1 owner. Anyone with such a high end machine (9K USD) would be well served to get a 220 V model as to not degrade max performance. an electrician can easily create a 220V line using 110 x 2 (you already have) 25 minute warm up time should be reduced. You may already have a 220V line for an oven and perhaps tapping it for a receptacle is possible though could not use oven and coffee machine simultaneously. Would be a very practical option to be able to just turn on brew boiler if espresso is the goal rather than wait so long for the entire machine to come to temp. synesso should be able to engineer a "fly by wire" paddle that electronically simulates an actual pressure flow paddle. Question; is the tea tap specifically designed for tea? or is it just a standard hot water tap that u find on numerous espresso machines.

[@davidpinnington213]

I have had my Decent XXl for just over 2 years grinding with a Weber HG2 - no regrets - This looks a premium build but I do feel the aesthetic patent lawyers/police would have a case and the price..........its akin to a Porsche 911 and a Singer 911 great but only for a few

[@robertjason6885]

You are a very smart gent. Sure, many if us realize anything with the Synesso name won’t be cheap. But waiting till the last minute to say $9k? Brilliant.

[@tonymendestv]

Great vid ! But for me making coffee at home by pushing a screen its a "NO No" still liked and suscribed ;) hoping for mechanic as well 😅🙏🏼

[@asmith2886]

So what is the better buy for espresso (not tea😂)the synesso ES1 or san remo you?

[@harvey6850]

The ES.1 seems similar to some hand made low volume Italian sports cars that are beautiful, but probably not nearly as reliable as a Toyota Camry. I think this machine would be very fun to have, but it is probably best suited for those that consider $9,000 pocket change.

[@marcusannegarn8497]

Great video! Seems amazing but I still feel the Decent looks better overall. The Meticulous is the only thing that looks like it could really compete - can't wait to see user reviews

[@mcgKW]

Any quick mill essence review😮

[@knottymatt]

Can't help but think this machine doesn't compete with current offerings, then I look at the astronomical price. This machine will need to go some way to meet the market.

[@thenameiwantedwastaken]

Ooooft! $9k!? Thats a hard sell when you compare it to a Decent or San Remo You Whats a Slayer worth in the US?

[@wakeawaken430]

I used to work with synesso hydra MVP for many years and I can say that the quality of build is at the top Doesn't have direct pressure control just like marzocco Strada but hey, who use it in commercial environment....noone Here we are talking obviously for a home machine but I don't thing that this subject will change a lot Apart from that, the price is too high, one must not thing the fact performance to price. It's like buying a Bugatti, "that is the price, if you want it, take it"

[@tamninja]

Comparing to Decent: Non-replaceable screen vs easy to replace low quality tablet dual boiler vs heat plate rotary pump vs dual vibration pump more manual controls vs LED GHC physical 3 days support vs 1 day online support commercial community vs online established community Better build quality? 9000+ USD vs 4000+ USD Unless you're really really into rotary pump otherwise I think there're many cheaper options out there...

[@dewiyoung1]

Decent all the way 🔥☕

[@Stralnikov]

What is the cost of this machine?

[@adamg.manning6088]

Not that it’s going to stop you getting sponsors, but the line should be “the importance of water cannot be *overstated*”, as in “you cannot say it too much.”

[@matthewwilson9749]

Fantastic video, as always…..pony boy!

[@Sprometheus]

Thank you my friend! I appreciate the kind words. Stay caffeinated!

[@tobiasbouma4071]

Both against this and the YOU, I feel like LM is doing a better job with novel features. Guess that means I'll be saving up a bit.

[@Sprometheus]

I feel like LM is slowly coming into the 21st century with its new additions of Smart Control boards and connections to scales, but I personally still think they’re great for there lower reliance on tech to function.

[@MaakBow]

Strada X1? Leva X?

[@tobiasbouma4071]

@@MaakBowStrada X any day of the week

[@alxbengosu]

This kind of machine would be useful if the coffee you buy would come with the brewing recipe including of course grind size.

[@BrucePappas]

I still prefer an analog machine, like a La Pavoni. I'm less and less enthralled about digital platforms. My mouth dropped when you told us how much these machines cost. Where have we gone astray? It's just coffee.... and a hobby....

[@Sprometheus]

I get you, and the more of these highly technology focused machines I try the more I want something very analog like the La Pavoni. I think there will be something like that in my near future .

[@BrucePappas]

@@Sprometheus - I'll help you purchase/refurb a La Pavoni. I've reached out to you before, so you have my contact info. It would be a fun project.

[@davidrogala7597]

good video!

[@benadkison6578]

Never trust that future features will definitely be added. Many times they are not.

[@samajayaalex]

i will stick wif my GS3mp & ZM tq

[@allen.t]

I think the main thing I can’t see myself liking is the paddles functionality. I feel like flicking it to swap through brewing phases is a little strange and doesn’t seem like it would be that elegant or seamless to use for a $9k machine. Based off of what I’ve seen in reviews and insufferable espresso threads I think the YOU beats this machine.

[@Sprometheus]

Yeah I’m with you, the paddle function just doesn’t feel satisfying compared to more direct pressure adjustments on other machines, and in that case the on-the-fly capabilities of the YOU would definitely be more appealing to me.

[@Vortex1988]

Made for the home, priced for the commercial market.

[@bjfeerus]

☕☕☕ Love Is Important 💗 ....

[@Sprometheus]

Indeed my friend! I see a new profile picture as well, cheers!

[@gregfd]

I didn't watch tons of review on this machine. But it could be one candidate as an endgame espresso machine if I ever win at the lottery. But one thing bother me, what about this very huge distance between the group and the drip tray? It could be a deal breaker. I can picture myself with a white machine and naked portafilter trying to fill a very small white porcelain cup and spraying coffee literally everywhere. Very difficult to convince your uneducated guests it totally worth the $9000 price tag

[@jeffjones6667]

I wish you and other reviewers would form a team/ company and make coffee equipment....who better to have best input. It might take 5 years to go through all manufacturing headaches but I'd buy it.... maybe start with manual external water source, hand grinder and dripper?

[@Sprometheus]

That’s not a bad idea, but then who would review the reviewers machines? We’d have to recuse ourselves as it would be difficult to be objective. Haha

[@asdqwe8940]

9barista😍😍😍

[@pandjichristian7872]

I think drawing water from both boilers all the time facilitates better flushing to keep the boilers in great condition?

[@Hundredthldiot]

Aside from the insane price it's just too big for that sort of design. Look at it hanging over the edge of the countertop. The Decent gets away with it because there is some degree of "cute' factor - calculating the volumes of the basic cuboid excluding portafilters I get 27 litres for the Decent vs 87 litres for the ES1. That's over three times the volume! Feel free to check my maths :-)

[@MattM-24]

The ES1 is three times more expensive so the math checks out

[@Hundredthldiot]

@@MattM-24 aha, volumetric pricing! 😃

[@arzezra]

As a 17 year coffee pro this machine is not for regular people. lol. It will take you a long ass time to know what parameters affect taste and mouthfeel. Most worker baristas don’t know to this extent. And to learn you would need access to soooo much coffee. Which a working coffee pro would. But if you have the money ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ also it should have an app that connects to an iPad or phone instead of a built in screen.

[@valdetgashi1468]

Hello! I will sell hamburgers and on the side I want to sell coffee, I expect to sell 60-90 cups max per day, which machine can you recommend that can handle this and costs under 2000 dollars? Best regards

[@fredito8242]

At that price range you won't find anything.

[@andrei0525]

as MKBHD always says: never buy any piece of tech on the promise of future (software) updates

[@timzhao6689]

“Future update” isn't a reason to open the wallet, it's been some time since Decent hit the market. That's everyone thinking future espresso machines are like that. Having a similar machine with less than notable features, not to mention more expensive. I don't see their goal here.

[@user-pf5bo2nk2h]

Great review, never liked the looks of this from day 1, obviously subjective. So even a great review wasn't going to sway my opinion on this look-a-like bread making machine. I get the minimalist approach to atheistic but this is just really boring. It just lacks "soul" like a lot of these new LCD styled options. Thanks again for the review!

[@enavy58]

Cost for basic model $9,100. Renton WA based company

[@Sprometheus]

That is correct.

[@Fuuntag]

For any product, you should never buy it based on “promises” or “maybes”. Unless Synesso fully commit to a specific road map to expand the products features and customisation options as well as the promise of updates for at minimum 5 years I’m struggling to see how this machine could be appealing to anyone apart from cashed up commercial buyers and coffee geeks with nothing else left to buy. 10k for something so simple and, to be honest, for the price, “average” it’s just not worth it. Either go way out on the post purchase experience and upgrades or cut the price by at least 1/4 to 1/3. I’m not trying to be negative, just trying to make this machine make sense. 😮

[@veronicachung4220]

Never buy a product for it's future promises

[@gordon2875]

If you all this money for this machine, just get the MVP Hydra single group😂

[@orrinbelcher6593]

Nicely done video, for me I’ll pass on this one.

[@ehcoper]

9000 and they couldn't get a screen from this decade that's bigger than 4 inches.

[@lowhangingvegetable]

$9000?!

[@ashkanpower]

Imagine if you have millions of dollars lying around and you don’t want to buy a coffee machine who peasants use in your mansion! This device is for you!

[@seemtorecall78]

That’s a hard sell, with so many interesting new machines coming out, at that price it doesn’t seem very special

[@PtWhiteBelt]

$9000 is a ridiculous price for that machine. Absolutely ridiculous.

[@oscargraveland]

I am hoping that the price comes down when they start mass manufacturing these. Just like it did with PC's in the 90's 🙃

[@MaakBow]

Can everyone please stop comparing this with the decent FFS. They are completely different machines apart from some rounded corners and a touchscreen.

[@TomJones-tx7pb]

I agree. It would be like someone comparing a BMW to a Mercedes.

[@Alwaysaspy]

Look, we don't understand the specs or how espresso machines work. We just see mild aesthetic similarities and that's literally all we care about. The two machines are identical.

[@TomJones-tx7pb]

If you have the arm strength to pull a long lever, this machine loses the advantage/disadvantage score compared to using a Flair 58, because you have to understand enough to use this machine to also be able to pull a great shot with the Flair. In fact, if a machine was able to discharge precise water temperature control from a Flair, this machine would be inferior.

[@TeeLichtet]

It's just too expensive an the integrated screen would put me of. I'm in IT and seeing how quickly things get obsolete, I'd not want to invest 9k into something hard wired to a mediocre touch screen.

[@mgsboedmisodpc2]

boba tea sprometheus ever see it get made and the gear used to make it

[@Sprometheus]

Haha interesting question. No I’ve never seen it get made in commercial quantities, but I do love a good boba tea.

[@Naardvark]

$9000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $6300 Maybe but $9K is just bonkers.

[@BlackBox-USA]

For half the money you can just buy the MaRo Model 1 and get the same or even better.

[@wykpenguin]

Uncanny resemblance to a decent machine. Did they not pay the deseign team enough?

[@ericpmoss]

Quality aside, this is the least attractive design aesthetic I’ve seen in a while. It’s almost brutalist.