Customer Reviews

ULTRASONE Edition 9 S-Logic Natural Surround Sound Headphone (Limited Edition)

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The Edition 9 has taken a cue from Bose, attempting to justify its inflated price tag by calling it "The World's Most Expensive Headphone." You'll find more pleasing ways to power your iPod elsewhere. Moreover, it is strongly recommended to sample competing models to decide which "sound" is best for you. While the Edition 9 performs well, it may in someways fall short of perfection. (And in all accuracy, the Edition 9 is half the cost of its limited Edition 7; it's already contradicting its own ad copy before it's even out of the gate.

- The case is astonishing, offering full production in an aluminum-lined enclosure almost worthy of protection in itself. The problem is that, with daily use, a case like this is likely to be stored in a closet. And protection may be a long-term an issue; while most listeners are satisfied, a few have complained about flaking the outer surface flaking. Since these phones are presumably going to be used for a long time, wear is a potential issue. The other "problem" is the Edition 9's ability to be folded away like the Sony V6; but it does not fold into its portable carrying case, rendering the case rather useless.
- The are made of Ethiopian sheep leather, an exclusive material offers good softness and long the ability to listen with better-than-average ease.
- The Edition 9 has a forgiving sound with a prominent bass (thanks to its closed design). The treble is more delicate and clear, but probably not ideal for those who crave detail.
- A great-sounding headphone is worth the price. However, a superior collector's phone like the Grado HP2 can be acquired for less than the price of an Edition 9, and perfectionists (with a larger sound system) may favor the exceptional detail of the AKG K1000 - which, with the right set-up, may be the best dynamic phone out there. Even current phones from Audio-Technica may surprise. Before falling for Edition 9 ad copy, do a lot of listening.

Can a headphone be "the best?" Only your ad copy knows for sure. But anyone who paid $3000 for the Edition 7 probably isn't counting pennies, either.

I am an audiophile. but not in the way so many people are audiophiles.

So many audiophiles go for a hyper clear sound which bears no resemblance to real music in real spaces. Some want imaging that is so defined that it is even clearer than in real life. Others want ridiculous forward presence of a vocalist or - extreme close mic'ing of instruments to believe they are closer to the music- I dub this "false front row syndrome" (Sennheiser 595's) . Some "Audiophiles" seek subterranean bass that simply isn't present at all in the live performance.

Other "audiophiles" are able to live with huge subtractions in octaves from their music so as not to add any distortions whether "euphonic" or not. (Stax headphones that have no true low bass--the midrange however is glorious)

I can say- that at one time or another... I was impressed by the same things that impressed these other audiophiles...until I "got it" and dialed in a system that I felt was live. For instance... A system where you just did not hear Eric Clapton's voice, but you heard his throat, his sinuses and his true live voice and the nuances that make his voice recognizable from a 100 different imitators/impersonators. Bass notes that are cleanly delineated with appropriate attack and decay. Piano that is readily identifiable as not only a Steinway, but a Steinway grand with the cover open and made in the 1960's. Toss on Eagles Hotel California live..and you are there 8th row center in a Cherry picker... or pop on George Michael's "Papa was a Rolling Stone" and at the 2:00 mark- the bass kicks in and sets off the crowd cheering..and YOU ARE THERE).

Caveat: So with these headphones... I must say... right out of the box... they won't get you there. But with a little care/modding they will get you far past just about any headphone.

All other Headphones biggest shortcomings????

1. Lack of realistic tactile bass.

2. Imaging without true depth other than it sounding like the music is in a bubble in your head instead of being a performance in front of you and around you.

3. Clarity at life like volume levels.

Requirements:

You MUST recable this headphone - an additional $300 expense with A Pure Sound's V3 cable or the highs will sound like a glaring titanium tweeter and the midbass hump of this headphone will mask its incredible low bass and make it somewhat muddied in the lowest octaves- the V3 recable will remove this hump without killing the lowest bass. ALO also makes a recable for this headphone which is also good- but not quite as low in the bass dept as it rolls off the bass a bit too much.

A quality headphone amplifier. One with a good amount of current.

1. Best one for Portable use is the TTVJ Millet Portable Tube amplifier.
2. Next in line would be a well burnt in Ray Samuels Audio Predator (at least 500 hours)
3. Then the ALO portable.

Ibasso is also an excellent choice. Likely ranking just below the Millet but I could no a/b this one against the Predator but is very satisfying.

A good Line out dock (if you use an IMOD or Ipod) for this is the ALO audio 22 gauge cryo dock works well.

A 5.5G Imod from ALO audio or redwine audio now with a whopping 240 gig harddrive. This will bypass the crummy amp in the iPod but keeping the very musical DAC- which still is the best sounding of the iPods and iPhones (yes I have tested them all) if you don't want an iMod I would suggest the Ipod touch 2nd Generation.

If you want to use these for home use... Again you will need to recable them. The output of the Apogee Mini Dac is quite good for the money- don't bother with the Lavry DA-11. Other high buck amps are good as well.


These headphones have such good bass that you need not try to augment the bass using a thicker LOD cable. In fact you can overdo the bass and drown out the midbass and midrange.

There isn't a single moment that I am not thrilled to put these on my head and I love the expression on peoples faces when I put these on their ears. I have never been a fan of live rock recordings but these headphones do bring recorded live rock venues to life. Objectively- Classical music could use more bloom- though Jazz is very pleasent. Dance music is off the charts... you are in the dance club with these. IN THE CLUB...REALLY.

Anyway..I hope this review helps offset the other silly one. At headphone meets I have shown this combo to many other respected reviewers who have all heard the same improvements.

If you find you can not afford all the above things to make these truly sing... buy the Proline 900 Ultrasones..while not as detailed- they will require no cable upgrades and can be very musical even with a lesser amp. Its about 85-90% of this Edition 9... but won't put you there like the Edition 9 will.