Ultrasone Inc. officially announces the ZINO to the rest of the world

[ultrapaul]

Ultrasone Unleashes Zino - The World’s Best Sounding & Safest Portable Headphones

Available exclusively at Amazon.com, new supra aural headphones deliver outstanding acoustic performance for mobile listening applications

Wildomar, Calif. - (June 1, 2009) – Ultrasone Inc., distributor for German headphone manufacturer Ultrasone AG, introduces a new portable headphone called Zino. Designed for use with iPods, MP3 players and other portable music players, Ultrasone’s Zino features the company’s patented S-Logic™ and ULE™ safe listening technologies in an ultra-mobile design.

Ultrasone has given the Zino a sleek, modern look with gunmetal black, brushed aluminum ear cups and silver colored diamond-cut aluminum nameplates. Even though the Zino was designed for mobile applications, it features two powerful 40mm gold plated drivers, which most commonly are found in full-sized studio headphones. The Zino’s foldable design allows for easy storage and safe transportation in the included hard carrying case.

Despite its small size, the Zino utilizes Ultrasone’s patented S-Logic™ technology. Rather than directing the sound to the listener’s ear canal, as most conventional headphones do, S-Logic technology employs decentralized drivers that direct audio to the listener’s outer ear. This technology not only gives the user a natural surround experience in a stereo headphone by utilizing the ear’s anatomy, but it also reduces sound pressure on the eardrums by an astonishing 40%.

Additionally, the Zino features MU-Metal shielding (ULE technology) that reduces the amount of radiation directed to the listener by up to 98%, as compared to conventional headphones.
Zino Technical Specifications
• Principle: Dynamic / Semi-Closed
• Impedance: 35 Ohm
• Driver size: 40mm Gold plated
• Magnet: NdFeB
• Frequency range: 15 – 25,000 Hz
• SPL: 101dB
• Weight (excl. cord): 84g
• Cord length: 1,2m (OFC Cable)
• 3.5mm gold plated slim-plug

"The combination of eye-catching aesthetics, phenomenal sound and convenient portability makes Zino the best mobile headphones Ultrasone has ever created," said Paul Taylor, President of Ultrasone Inc. “Music lovers, concerned about the effects that ear buds have on their hearing, will be glad to know a safer and better sounding headphone solution is here.”

The Zino headphones have a MSRP of $129 and are available at Amazon.com and Ultrasone

[Markj]

Where is Edition 8? PRO 900 + 101 AMP combo?

[jpelg]

How exactly does the new Zino differ/improve upon the previous iCan's model?

[devilcm3]

think that its abit roundy?

i saw many holes there...does it mean that the audio jack can be detachable and plug into another holes to suit user preference?

[ultrapaul]

Originally Posted by Markj

Where is Edition 8? PRO 900 + 101 AMP combo?

We will begin delivery of the Edition 8's this week. The amp and the balanced PRO 900 will be available at a later date,whih is still to be determined.

[ultrapaul]

Originally Posted by jpelg

How exactly does the new Zino differ/improve upon the previous iCan's model?

The iCans had a 30mm driver and a stiff headband. They were also not easy for a lot of people to understand how to fold them back up into the aluminum carrying-case. The ZINO has a 40mm gold-plated driver and a more flexible, and durable, headband and they fold up just like a pair of sunglasses.

A lot of research and development was done, along with a lot of listening to a lot feedback from various consumers around the world, so we could put it all together into a consumer headphone that not only sounds great, but looks great, too.

The ZINO's come with both the S-Logic and the ULE technologies.

[ultrapaul]

Originally Posted by devilcm3

think that its abit roundy?

i saw many holes there...does it mean that the audio jack can be detachable and plug into another holes to suit user preference?

The holes in the bottom are to provide a way for the air from the driver to escape and provide a deeper sound stage. They are not for use as auxiliary audio jacks.

[Jazz1]

I really need something portable, foldable, and not crappable for my coffee house runs with iPhone

[Ultrazino]

Originally Posted by ultrapaul

Ultrasone Unleashes Zino - The World’s Best Sounding & Safest Portable Headphones

This is one headline that has brought you a new customer.

I have broken my eardrum two weeks ago and I will now replace my Sennheiser CX 500 in-ear with the Ultrasone Zino. This will be my first open on-ear headphone yet and I am very curious to find out how they sound.

I have ordered today. Are they actually available yet?

[cheemo]

Looks really cool and its always great to see more headphones being created.

[Ultrazino]

Originally Posted by Ultrazino

I have ordered today. Are they actually available yet?

I have found an official Twitter entry that says they were released this Friday (June 26th).
Unfortunately, I also got a mail from the distributor saying they're already sold out!
Guess I'll have to wait another week...

[hawker800mech]

I look forward to trying these out.

[Ultrazino]

My wife wearing the Zino (with Cowon D2+):


Me:


Short impressions:
They sound great when plugged into my Technics AV receiver and listening to vinyl. (Especially with full bass and treble.)
However, they sound pretty flat and high pitched on my Cowon. (Nothing the equalizer can't fix, though.)

Play time ~ 3 hours so obviously no burn-in. Didn't have time yet...
(My ear is still broken. My wife says they sound really great.)

[Jazz1]

Ultrazino, sorry about the ear. I had surgery on mine 6 months ago and it was Hell hanging up the cans for awhile. I hope you get to enjoy these soon.

[younglee200]

can anyone comment on the isolation on these?

Thanks.