Ultrasone intros audiophile-grade Edition 8 headphones
By Darren Murph 
posted February 12th 2009 7:24PM
posted February 12th 2009 7:24PM
Ultrasone's Edition 8 Achieves The Pinnacle Of Headphone Sophistication
Innovative German audio engineering coupled with striking aesthetics result in the world's finest special edition headphones
Wildomar, Calif. - (February 12, 2009) – Ultrasone Inc., distributor for German headphone manufacturer Ultrasone AG, announces the debut of a new special edition headphone – Edition 8. Never before has such attention to detail been given to every aspect of a headphone design; every material and component used in the Edition 8 is second to none.
The Edition 8 is a stunningly elegant, black and silver closed-back headphone that employs Ultrasone's latest S-Logic™ Plus technology that results in an impartial acoustic feeling that allows the listener even more of a spacious tonal perception. Designed with the audio connoisseur in mind, the interior ear cups are covered in fine Ethiopian sheepskin, which provides the most isolation of any leather, while the outer ear cups are covered in Ruthenium, known for its brilliant metallic sheen and durable properties. These special edition headphones contain MU-Metal shielding (ULE technology) that reduce the amount of radiation directed to the listener by up to 98%, as compared to conventional headphones. Each Edition 8 headphone is individually stamped with its own serial number & comes in a leather bag for storage and transportation.
Edition 8 Technical Specifications
* Principle: Dynamic / Closed
* Impedance: 30 Ohm
* Driver size: 40mm Titanium plated
* Magnet: NdFeB
* Frequency range: 6 – 42.000 Hz
* SPL: 96 dB
* Weight (excl. cord): 260g
* USC Cord length: 1,2m (OFC Cable)
* USC Extension cable 4m (OFC Cable)
* 3,5mm gold plated plugs
* Adapter 3,5/6,3mm gold plated
* ULE technology
"This is the first pair of Edition headphones we have released that incorporates our newest S-Logic™ Plus technology," said Paul Taylor, President of Ultrasone Inc. "The Edition 8's drivers provide immaculate detail but are also capable of delivering thunderous bass, the range of these headphones is staggering. I truly believe our engineers have created one of most sonically accurate and visually appealing headphones to date."
The Edition 8 headphones have a MSRP of $1,499 and are available at www.ultrasone.com and other high-end audio dealers.
The things I can do with $1499...
That's what she said..
Which, coincidentally, is why i'm not getting a pair :(
Yes... but these headphones won't give you VD.
well you know there is something wrong when stamped serial numbers are "features"
I can't remember the model but Monster cable was marketing a 3ft(ish) audio cable. I believe it was optical, for $499.00. One of it's 'features' was arrows on the casing to indicate the direction of the...magic sound ions? 7.1 amplified laser beams? I should stress that the arrows were listed as a feature and the arrows were explained as helping the signal. I couldn't make this stuff up.
I wish I had saved the page. I did a little searching to make sure it wasn't just someone going thru a lot of trouble for a so-so joke but it wasn't.
Best.
You mean DIRECTIONAL MARKINGS FOR OPTIMUM SIGNAL TRANSFER
Yeah that's right. Apparently there's a chance that the whole line of electrons will move BACKWARDS.
6 – 42.000 Hz
Quite nice
It'd be better if your ears were capable of discerning those frequencies. Then again, on the internet no one knows you're a dog.
Listening cd's is not enough for those... you have to plug it directly in the artists.
@Boards of Canada
Elton John might like that and probably don't even need the headphones.
@ JWC - a lot of research has shown that although most people can only actually hear up to around 18kHz, we can PERCEIVE difference in sounds that contain frequencies waaaay above that. 6Hz confuses me a little.
You're trying too hard
What kinda jackass manages to comment about his stupid iphone regarding an article about $1500.00 headphones?? Would you people just get a room for you and your iphone and get over it already.
On a side note, you're talking about another product and its 3rd party limits. Yes, the iphone, well Apple in general, they are the guiding force in the growth of the open source industry. Jackass.
Best.
These were created with the "sucker" in mind
oh if only i had money...
Not to mention you'd be crazy to use these with anything other than a decent separate headphone amplifier and an good line level source.
I don't consider anything "audiophile" grade unless it's $1,999.99 thank you very much.
/s
On a serious note, I've been trying to get myself a pair K 701s, and found out they don't come with leather pads, which (if you look at my name) I find appealing. Sad me when I found out the top sports a continental sized slab of thick leather with the brand imprint. Oh well, you can't get everything in life (unless you mod it, heh). And considering I'm currently using headphones with leather earpads anyway, might as well get the 701s...
dennon d-2000s use pleather, sound better than the 701s, and don't need to be amped like the 701s do. I'd look into those.
What about the K1000 or HD800? those are less than $2000. And for sources the Isabellina is relatively easy to find under $2000 same with the PRe3. And the D2000 is a vastly different sound to the K701. Fun vs. clinical.
I could never justify using the advice of a person who advocates the use of that image. I hope you're dearly insulted. Then again, knowing your kind, you probably won't be.
@ pyro
I certainly will. Thanks for the advice. Although Denon's tend to be a little on the pricey side eh? The K 701s are below $300. Another variable to consider. Thanks all the same.
OMG I can't stop commenting: "MU-Metal shielding"? WTF, guess that's handy if you frequently listen to your headphones while standing next to an MRI.
True that. These aren't audiophile grade. They're "I'm a person who cares more about the looks than the function, and I'm willing 3 times more than anyone sane would" With such packaging, the price and whatnot..they're clearly aimed at that market.
You know, everything's better when it's coated with ruthenium. I wouldn't have thought twice about these, but then they had to go and coat them with ruthenium, how can I resist that?
i would say these are audiophile grade... the ultrasone edition 9 is very well accepted by audiophiles. The brand has backing to it.
True, they may have incredible sound. They may well be audiophile grade. Essentially what I'm trying to say is that they're aimed at the audiophile who is spending more money on his headphone's appearance and brand name, than on the performance. 1,500 for headphones? I mean really. It is a little ludicrous. 600 for the Sennheiser 650s is pushing it quite a bit, and you're still essentially paying for the name there in a large proportion.
You probably can't plug this into a first-gen iPhone...
Paul you are one annoying *********************************************************.
If I were spending that much money on a pair of cans, I'd spend it on a pair of Stax ear speakers. They are impeccable.
I can only dream of owing an original Omega.
apologies. I just found it. It was denon and it's a cat 5 cable. $499.00.
http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3429.asp
'Denon's 1.5 meter (59 in.) proprietary ultra premium Denon Link cable was designed for the audio enthusiast. Made from high purity copper wire and high performance connection parts, the AK-DL1 will bring out all the nuances in digital audio reproduction from any of our Denon DVD players with the Denon Link feature connected to a Denon Link enabled Denon A/V receiver. The AK-DL1 employs high level tin-bearing alloy shielding not typically available in commercial cabling, to eliminate data loss caused by noise. Additionally, signal directional markings are provided for optimum signal transfer. Attention to detail when building this cable was used by employing high quality insulation and woven jacketing to reduce vibration and to add durability. Rounded plug levers help prevent breakage. '
Best.
I would like to say that before you posted this, I believed that even people at the very nadir of human existence still had some tiny, smoldering mote of a soul. I can no longer hold that belief. The originator of that cable is a moral black hole, devouring morality like a golden fuel, and expelling an impossible, terrifying nothingness. We are all diminished having witnessed this.
Yet, where I a gajillionaire...
"Additionally, signal directional markings are provided for optimum signal transfer."
I read about that somewhere about a year ago. I thought it was a joke!
Somebody please sue these guys.
Very happy with my studio monitoring Audio-Technica M-50. Only 150$ and the best reviews from the pros.
Id rather take less than 3rd of that price and splurge it on some Sennheiser PXC 450's. Only if I had that much to splurge LOL.
I have Skull Candy Skull Crusher, and even though I have never tested these headphones out, I can say that I have never been more impressed. The headphones themselves have 40mm drivers and actual amplified sub woofers. You can literally feel the bass reverberate.
hahaha
Those "subwoofers" are just your average rumble packs taped onto a headband.
Holy Poopsicle!!!!
I listened to these at CES and I have to say I thought they were terrible. The new Sennheisers are the same price and they were absolutely astonishing. Worth ever penny (if you have the pennies). I have the HD 600s and a tube headphone amp, I've spent...well I'd be embarrassed to say how much on headphones over the years, and Ultrasone seriously doesn't make a pair of cans I'd spend $50 on. Just my 2 pennies.
HURRRRR
Grado FTW.
Vegan - look into some Grados - excellent cans and free of animal products.
Much appreciated.
Silly, why pay for frequencies you can't even hear.
Mostly because audiophiles believe that they had bionic ears implanted (while they were sleeping) on their 12th birthday by the Warm Sound Underground. They're like the God's Chosen People of audio.
Looks like you can pre order them now
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270352531392