Grado Statement vs Ultrsone Ed 9

That's a very loaded question, and there are all kinds of things to consider. On an 'overall' level of "audiophile" performance, both the GS1000 and the ED-9 outclass the K701 by a remarkable amount. But that doesn't end it, nor does it answer your question.

The ED-9 is one of the sickest cans on the market. The bass impact, definition, speed, color and texture are out there... there isn't a can that can perform hip-hop or electronic insturments better (that's not named the L3000).

The GS1000 isn't a can that you can just plug into any system and make it sound good.. oh no. the GS1000 needs a system built around it's sound signature and needs to be only "part" of a very good chain of components to sound good. at the top, I personally think that it is far better than the RS-1, however doesn't show it until you hook it up with the right stuff.

On a sound level the GS1000 has a very wide soundstage, has a laid back (if not distant) center (so voices can be a little far), and has by far the best resolution, control, impact, and "neutrality" of any of the cans on your list.

The K701 is probably the best "all around" headphone in the hobby. It doesn't make any mistakes when it comes to reproducing sound, but it doesn't leave the listener as engaged in the music either. The K701 can be adapted to a high number of differing systems and still sound good.

The thing you might consider (if you truly love the K701) is not upgrading. Balancing the K701 (on a GSX or Headroom) has yielded some of the best results I've heard to date. I can't stay that it "scales" as well as the Sennheiser cans, but it certainly does wonders for the K701 and brings it up to the level of the single ended GS1000.

I do not share this opinion at all for one reason: K701 cannot do rock very well. An "all around" headphone that does not do rock?

+1 for granodemostasa's comparison.

Balancing the K701 improves the impact of the bass quite a bit, and some could use them as rock cans in that configuration I suspect.

Although I havent heard the GS1000, I do have the 701, Senn 650 and Grado RS1. Of the 3 the 701 gets listened to the least. Even thought it has a clear nice sound I just dont find that it makes me want to listen to it the way the 650s and RS1 do since they bring me right to the performance.

K701 is Jack-of-all-trade.... may be master in vocals.

I currently have both the 701 and GS-1k connected to my Opera. The GS-1k has the best bass I've heard from a headphone bar none. It is also by far the most natural sounding of the 3 (GS-1k, 701, 650) when it comes to instruments. On the other hand, vocals are just not as smooth and forward as I'd like them to be. If only the 701's had the GS-1K bass...that would be something to behold.

X2
we can only hope somebody from AKG R&D stumbles across this place

Not having heard of Ed 9 I can not be 100% sure, but for ELECTRONICA , TRANCE, CLUB or HIP HOP you can do a lot cheaper with modded K340. Other than that GS1 put K701 in shame easy, IMO.

Since the poster has posted the same question in another forum, I just copy my response here :-

I have the Edition 9 for 6 days, the GS1000 for some 6 months, and a K701 for about a year.

Initial impression of the Edition 9 is quite nice, but I heard that its sound will change over time so I will not jump to conclusion before the first 200 hours. But obviously it sounds different compared to all othe dynamic phones I have. I tried it with the headamp of Benchmark DAC1 with USB (this is a standard step because the Benchmark DAC1 is very accurate and transparent I am now using it as a "reference" to compare how different headphone sounds to replace my Lehmann BCL), LaRocco PRII, and WA6. As at now I found the Edition 9 to be highly resolving (detailed but not analytical), and head-stage is superb especially with regard to pin point accuracy of instruments and artists locations relative to each other. There is ample, deep, nice bass but I would expect it will tighten up after some time.

The GS1000 is very different. First it is more laid back, though still very detailed. GS1000 is very picky on headphone amp and honestly the best experience I have with it is the Little Dot Micro Tube (which is ironic because this is the cheapest of all my amps to-date). It works well with the WA6 but this combination will not "touch your heart". Out of my collection, the Graham Slee Solo is the best SS amp for the GS-1000. For tubes, the Raptor is also a good match to the GS1000. The GS1000 is good for classical and jazz music but for some recordings I found its bass to be a bit bloomy. This is not always the case though. In terms of build quality the GS1000 is not even close to the Edition 9, which is a great demonstration of German craftmanship.

The K701 is, as many have said, a great all-rounder. It is definitely much better value than the GS1000 in my opinion. It does required an amp with good driving power (more current) and it takes longer to fully burn-in. Give it some 500 - 600 hours before drawing any conclusion. The K701 is sounding great with most of my amps - WA6, Raptor, Solo, Lehmann and even the Benchmark DAC1 with USB. Personally, it remains one of my most heard earphone despite my recent acquisition of a L3000, Edition 9, and a CD3000. I like it so much that I ordered another K701 fully balanced Equinox from Stephan Audio Arts, and hopefully it will dance with my future full balanced headphone amp.

For re-cabling to balanced configuration, from what I have read the best effect is on HD650 and K701. Some said the Edition 9 in balanced also sound good but only very few people do that so the statement may not be conclusive. It is also a matter of relativity. Besides, I checked with Ultrasone Germany HQ which confirmed Ultrasone does not offer balanced re-cabling so you will have to find a 3rd party to provide that service. Other consideration is the resale popularity of a balanced headphone.

Last, if money is no problem I do think the L3000 is "the headphone" to have. I have it for a few weeks and honestly it was quite an experience - almost a revelation ! Also, a HD650 with Revelation Audio Labs cry'od Paradise cable is also very very impressive (better than the Zu, Cardas, and even the rare and famous RnB Grave Five Two.) I have a Equinox LE on order and hopefully this will be the ultimate comparison before the Paradise can be crowned king of HD650 cables.

Finally, it is important to note that my impressions above are based on my own musical taste - classics, especially instruments ( piano, violin, cello, harp..), smooth jazz with some R&B, slow pops and some ambient and electronics. I do not listen to Rock, Metal, Rap.....

Hope this helps.
Francis