Ultrasone HFI-2200 and proline 2500

[Ibanez173]

how do these cans sound for music like classic rock alternative and blues? Im asking because i think i can get a pretty good deal on some and i have seen mixed reviews on them. They look like some of the most comfortable headphones ive seen so can anyone comment on that also?

[Dexdexter]

Originally Posted by Ibanez173

how do these cans sound for music like classic rock alternative and blues? Im asking because i think i can get a pretty good deal on some and i have seen mixed reviews on them. They look like some of the most comfortable headphones ive seen so can anyone comment on that also?

Hi Ibanez,

I own both the HFI-2200 ULE and the PROline 2500.

Bob A just compiled some of my posts describing the differences between them over on the Ultrasone BIG THREAD, so I'll pass them along here:

I own both, LTUCCI, and I must say that the HFI-2200 ULE are easily my most "fun" pair of Ultrasones. Not only do they look retro-fabulous, they are warm and lush, ever so smooth at both low and high frequency extremes, and as such are perfect in my desktop system which I mainly use with my iPod running files in AAC. So they are absolutely unfussy about source quality.

In this case, the extra $100 for the PROline 2500s would easily be money well-spent, as they are truly reference-quality in every regard, with far better detail retrieval and bass extension with top-quality source material than the 2200s are able to muster.

With the PROline 2500 & 750, rhythm sections kick like a gut-bustin' mofo, bass is just about as deep as it gets, cymbals shimmer with genuine metallic sheen. But since these cans are also as transparent as I've ever heard, they are also ruthlessly revealing of source and recording quality; they simply will not pretty-up crappy discs!

The HFI-2200 ULE and HFI-650 are much more forgiving in this regard, but at the expense at some detail and extension at both ends of the spectrum. They have a lush, warm character that manages to seduce somehow on even shoddily recorded material. I consider them my "fun" cans. So they are pretty much ideal for listening out of an iPod at lower bit-rates. But, obviously, they are not exactly the last word in neutrality.

Summing up my brief encounter with the HFI 2200 ULEs, I'd hazard to say that while they are far from paragons of neutrality and accuracy, there is unquestionably a seductive quality to what they do. Anyone who is predisposed toward hip-hop or techno just might enjoy spending some time with these gangstas.

But for overall balance combined with their uncanny ability to play from strength to strength, for me, the PROline 2500s effortlessly carried the day. Transparent, yet refined, their numerous charms continually crept up on me throughout my time with them, their subtle rightness simply better replicating the aspect that I enjoy with my loudspeakers.

In short, I listen to a lot of classic rock and alternative and both the 2200 and 2500 are extremely well-suited to these genres. So it's really just a matter of your own priorities as to which might be best suited to you.

Regarding comfort, I think they're reasonably comfortable, but they are not exactly lightweights; you definitely know you're wearing headphones! But I have no problem with fatigue during longer listening sessions.

Cheers, Dex

[Ibanez173]

i know the 2500s leak like a bitch but what about the 2200s?

[MaZa]

Originally Posted by Ibanez173

i know the 2500s leak like a bitch but what about the 2200s?

Both are open design, and open headphones always leak.

[Dexdexter]

Originally Posted by Ibanez173

i know the 2500s leak like a bitch but what about the 2200s?

Yup, exact same deal; comes with the territory!

[Beagle]

Yeah, but nothing leaks like Ultrasones, except perhaps the AKG's. There's more sound coming out the back than the 'front'!

[slwiser]

Originally Posted by Beagle

Yeah, but nothing leaks like Ultrasones, except perhaps the AKG's. There's more sound coming out the back than the 'front'!

In my experience the Beyer DT880 was much louder outside my ear cups. Maybe it is because I can listen the my 2500s at a lower level with the same enjoyment.

[kazsud]

What is a good amp for the HFI-2200?
I have a Nuforce Icon Moble with the gain set on high but I'm a noob so should it be set to low for these cans? and i don't think they sound all that better then my old bose tri-ports lol

I have it connected to my Alu MacBook via usb > Applelossless and while at work they are connected to my iPhone 3G (no LOD yet)

Both Cans and amp have almost 100 hours of combined listening and burn in

[haloxt]

I'd say do a lot of overnight burn-in until you hit 300-500 hours, I've heard two full-sized Ultrasones evolve from new and it's pretty horrendous how they can sound before 300 hours. I don't think you have to worry about an amp with the HFI-2200, they aren't really about detail, but about musical presentation and goes well with many setups.

[kazsud]

Thanks
I was planning on getting a Black or Silver Dragon cable from Moon Audio like yourself.

[haloxt]

A boutique cable won't be worth the cost/benefit unless all other weak links in the audio chain have been dealt with. In fact I've sometimes preferred stock cable's sound quality when using gear other than the best setup I have. I'm gonna be getting some dreaded iCans for portable :], stock everything out of an mp3 player ftw.

[kazsud]

Most of the time at work I use the Shure S210s > Mobile Icon > iPhone

I hope to get a LOD for my iPhone or get a older iPod and LOD for mobile purposes and only use the HFI-2200s at home because they seem to be a little too loud at work.

[jpelg]

Not sure why someone would invest in an expensive (same cost as the headphones themselves) cable when the next model up in the Ultrasone line costs less & will give you a better, more detailed driver.

To me, the beauty of the HFI-2200 is their musicality, if at the cost of a slight amount of detail. If detail is what you are after, go up the Ultrasone line before investing in cables.