Ultrasone Edition 8 Hand-Made Headphone

By Che

Anytime the asking price for a set of headphones is roughly $1500, you can assume the product has something to offer (you can also assume that dinner will consist of Ramen for awhile..). That’s a lot of money, and whether this superior product is worth every penny is really dependent on individual opinions. After testing the Ultrasone Edition 8 Headphones, I can’t tell you whether you will be entirely satisfied with the price tag, but in my individual opinion…these suckers totally ROCK!!!

Ultrasone has always been known for making outstanding headphones, but I generally think of their products as moderately priced (read: great value). Then, out of left field, this crazy new product shows up that requires me to take out a second mortgage (which, unfortunately, as an audiophile I am more than willing to do, much to the dismay of my spouse). Here are a few selling points that these babies boast:

• They’re hand-made. With people’s hands. Human fingers constructed this. (So cool!)
• They’re hand made with premium quality materials. The leather, for instance, is Ethiopian sheepskin leather, thank you very much (I always say that with a British accent…it’s more fitting). The sleek outer cups are constructed from Ruthenium, a metal known for its stylish sheen and rugged durability. The plugs and adapter are gold-plated.
• Each headphone is stamped with its own serial number.
• Each Edition 8 comes with a travel bag made from (get the British accent ready again) French fine grain Madras goatskin.
• They perform tricks on command and make your dinner. (Well, not really, but that’s about the only thing missing from these babies.)

The sound? Staggering. With thunderous bass and an astonishing range, they are a sonic miracle. When I’m listening to these, I feel as if I have been deaf my entire life. They have taken Ultrasone’s natural S-Logic surround sound technology and taken it to new heights of excellence. The Ethiopian sheepskin is noted to have the most isolation of any leather, and I can honestly say that if a sound isn’t inside the headphones when I’m wearing them, I will not hear it. Another great Ultrasone feature the Edition 8 headphones have maintained is the reduced radiation. You can listen to the best sound of your life and it is far less damaging to your ears.

The Edition 8 phones form an addiction. My work productivity has decreased because all I want to do is listen to music. I can’t watch movies with my family and friends anymore because I just want to hear the sound from the headphones. I don’t need to talk to people. The natural surround sound makes noises sound like they’re coming from all directions; I probably look like a schizophrenic talking to myself when I’m wearing them. They may have to form an intervention soon...

Downside? Does $1500 mean anything to you? Use ‘em properly and you’ll love them. The Edition8 are truly meant to be the star of any audiophile’s collection.

By Madu

I am listening to the new Edition 8 and I must confess I am starting to understand why some folks would pay $1,500 for a pair of headphones. These are almost half the size of the Sennheiser HD800 (which is quite bulky actually) but the sound has nothing to do with small. Even an iPhone can drive these 30 ohms beauties (granted at the max volume setting). Listening to Black Sabbath's Jack the Stripper (Paranoid). Soundstage is huge and there is a part of the song that you can feel a blow in your ears. Yes a blow! Another way I have to tell when a pair of headphones is exceptional is when the music is playing and I startle looking over my shoulders to see if my wife was screaming my name or if someone is banging on the door. The sound comes from outside places, It tricks the brain. Very cool :) Can you tell I write like a kid in a candy store? Well my audiophile friends, I promise to spend more time with these high-end wonders and get some training from Jude on the jargon so I can improve my vocabulary (it doesn't help I was born in Brazil). In the meantime thanks for your patience!

"The best thing next to my ears".
Glenn Rosenstein

Edition 8 incorporates stunning attention to detail in every aspect of headphone design. We wanted to thank all of our fans worldwide, and we are more than thrilled to be able to prove their confidence in our professional expertise with this new pair of Edition headphones. Ultrasone's headphones essentially orchestrate unique features. Each Ultrasone Edition model's extensive development additionally brings together the latest progression in technologies, brilliance in design, premium quality of materials and long-standing expert knowledge in natural sound performance. We invite you to enjoy the composition of the new Edition 8.

Edition 8 is hand-made in Germany. The outer ear cups are covered in Ruthenium. This precious metal is known for its brilliant metallic sheen and durable properties. The outer ear cups are emblazoned with a decorative clasp of noble metal. The interior ear cups and the headband are covered in very soft genuine dark grey Ethiopian sheepskin leather. This is the finest leather available and provides the finest isolation of any leather. In addition to a new titanium plated tri-bass-tube driver, this is the first Edition series headphone that follows Ultrasone´s newest S-Logic™ Plus technology. The Edition 8 also contains MU-Metal shielding that reduces magnetic field emissions. Finally, these headphones come with an exclusively manufactured bag made from smooth, fine grain Madras goatskin produced in France.

Ultrasone traveled the world in search of the finest materials for the Edition 8 headphone. Only those manufacturers that have proven their high standards of quality, by working with the most exclusive and luxurious automotive and clothing brands from around the world, were chosen as suppliers for the Edition 8.

S-Logic™ - ULTRASONE´s Natural Surround Sound The patented S-Logic™ technology is described as Natural Surround Sound. No digital surround system can compare with this new standard. Normal headphones sound direct and even on both sides, but the S-Logic™ system pushes the sound around your head! It appears as though you are listening to speakers at the other side of the room. Even at very low levels, this spacious sound allows you to hear more accurately. The Edition 8 uses new titanium-plated tri-bass-tube drivers which offer the most accurate and finest sound reproduction. To top it all off, the S-Logic™ technology doesn’t need any additional electronic enhancing equipment!

How does S-Logic™ work? S-Logic™ sends the sound around your head and not just into it, because this technology uses decentralized driver positioning. Did you know that all of us use and need the outer ear for 3-dimensional hearing to define the direction and the distance where sound comes from? Instead of hitting the inner ear directly, with S-Logic™, the signals are reflected off the surface of the outer ear in different directions before entering the auditory canal, to create a natural 3-dimensional sound. S-Logic™ is the only headphone system which includes your entire sense of hearing. S-Logic™ doesn’t change your personal hearing, it intensifies it for your individual needs and listening pleasure. S-Logic™ doesn’t require artificial echo nor digital processing or cross over run time delay (like DSP). You hear the music just the way the sound mixer produced it.

How does S-Logic™ Plus work? S-Logic™ Plus is the newest advancement in the S-Logic™ Natural Surround System. S-Logic™ Plus profits directly from innovations developed for the Ultrasone Edition series, the ultimate headphones for critical listening. This sophisticated new technology combines precision dampening with micro-acoustic reinforcement, allowing driver, buffer-board, and spatial parameters to complement one another in an optimal manner. The acoustically redesigned ear-cups of these new models, and their tonal fine-tuning, result in the most neutral sound impression, with more vivid perception of voices and instruments.

ULE technology - ULTRASONE´s MU Metal shielding for reduced magnetic field emissions ULE stands for Ultra Low Emission. The ULTRASONE ULE technology was systematically developed for professionals who spend most of their professional lives in headphones. Most headphone drivers convert an electric signal into an acoustical signal, producing low-frequency magnetic fields. In response, ULTRASONE developed a special MU Metal shielding (ULE technology) to reduce this radiation up to 98% compared to other current headphone technologies. All professional ULTRASONE headphones are equipped with this technology. Naturally, the Edition 8 headphones incorporate the ULE technology. The exclusiveness of these headphones call for the ULE standard. This patented technology has stood the test of international review and is recommended by technical surveillance organizations worldwide.

ULTRASONE´s concept for safer hearing The S-Logic™ technology not only creates Natural Surround Sound, it allows for a lower dB output (3-4dB) at the same time providing an equally perceived loudness. This may reduce the risk of hearing damage while ensuring hours of fatigue-free listening. However, ULTRASONE generally advises not to listen to music at high volumes to prevent hearing damage.

Rating Read More

This is my personal favorite full-size headphones. They are light, not too bulky, beautifully constructed, and unbeatable dynamic sound. It's the closest you will get to a live concert performance experience. Hand-made in Germany, the Edition 8 delivers punchy bass without losing detail. Great 3-d imaging and extremely efficient, these can be driven by an iPod Shuffle without the need of an amp. Need say more? :)