Stagg SHP-4500-(Cheap Ultrasone Maybe?)

I just purchased these today for $35 US dollars. I like looking for different things to try, and needed a cheap pair of close phones. Low and behold, I happened to see these at my local guitar store, "Musicians Head Quarters". I had grown up around this store since high-school, over some 25 years ago when I played guitar and was in a few bands. I just happened to look around for the first time in 20 years today. I had been looking for cheap pair of closed phones

They sound great out of the box. 3d imaging is great, and if true, then higher end Ultrasone’s must sound awesome. Only 2 hours of break-in using the Ultrasone self-made test/demo CD. These appear to be similar to the Ultrasone DJ1 HFI 500, HFI 550, Ultrasone DJ, Ultrasone DJ Pro, and the Proline 550 since these are the are the only Ultrasone’s I know of that have 50mm drivers. The left side cord is coiled and is removable, and the extra cord is straight with a volume control included. These do not sound like normal headphones as there appears to be a holographic sound to them and nature that makes them seem live.

Specs:
Type: dynamic, “closed back” design
Driver unit: 50mm(2”) diameter
Impedance: 60 ohms (@1Khz)
Sensitivity (SPL): 102dB/mW (at max.power)
Power Handling: 200mW (max.rated)
Frequensy response: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
Cord: 1.2 to 4.0 m/ 4 to 15ft. coiled cable w/ 3.5mm(1/8”) ø gold plated stereo mini-plug
Weight: 385g/ 13.6 oz (including cord)
Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Accessory
One 6.3mm(1/4”) ø gold plated stereo plug adaptor.

SHP-4500 Picture:
http://www.staggmusic.com/image.php?id=16251

Ultrasone Link to Phones to get to Pictures:
Ultrasone DJ - http://www.ultrasone.com/htdocs/08_f...t/dj_index.php
Ultrasone DJ Pro - http://www.ultrasone.com/htdocs/08_f...t/dj_index.php
Ultrasone DJ1 HFI 500 (Image from Headroom) - http://www.headphone.com/productPhot...icn=0020360500
HFI 550 - http://www.ultrasone.com/htdocs/08_f.../hfi_index.php

You guys tell me if I am off base here, but they sound great out of the box, and for $35 bucks. If I am not mistaken, Stagg is located in or near Germany.

Happy listening!

I will look to see what the driver looks like during the week and will post a picture. I did take the pad off, but the foam behind it is attached with light type of compound. The cord pulls out with a good tug, but does not screw in like the Ultrasone. It has a 1/8" plug, and the rubber behind the plug has a very snug fit. 53 hrs. of break-in and they are sounding better and better. Yes they have a very nice soundstage and air to them, almost as airy as my K701, bass impact, and nice mids. The highs are nice and extended as well.

themick
Does Ultrasone license some of it's products to others or have OEM partners? I keep thinking Stagg is out of Belgium.

More to come as I just got them Saturday with 53 hrs on them.

Here are some quick pics from my camera phone. The detachable cable is barely sitting on the edge of where it plugs in, and the straight cord which is longer, has volume control, plugs into the same socket. As you can see, the foam is on there pretty good and would be ruined if I removed it. So before I remove, I have to find the right foam material.

I can see under the foam in some areas. It has a bunch of vents in a circular pattern around the ear piece, with some completely covered, and some of them not covered, but with felt material seen under the vents. There are also small screws under the foam as well for driver removal. When I listen with the cover off, the sounds appears to come from the lower mid half of the ear piece, not exactly centered.

Hope this helps.

Last comment on sound until 100 hrs. When I first got home from work around the 53 hr. break-in mark, they seemed to sound smoother. Now at the 55 hr. mark, the soundstage seemed to widen a little wider while listening, but I don't know if it is for the best yet. Almost comparable to K701 soundstage in width, again with bass becoming smoother and with more punch than the K701. Overall sound with the soundstage widening became steely sounding sort of.

Can someone with an Ultrasone comment on different periods of break-in if the soundstage ever widens, and if they ever sound steely at some point in break-in. These have changed a lot in 55 hrs, and I am just loving it. Trying something different is wonderful, and is making this old man feel like a school kid.

Yes, and got bigger at 55 hrs. I am so hoping they remain hologrphic in nature.

I do have to say that before I got these, I was trying out the Vic Firth. Had them for a week prior with 144 hrs. on them. They are so comfortable and isolate so much noise. The details remind me of the ER4S, great mids, bass is accurate but light like the ER4S. Maybe a little more bass. My wife did not want me to return them. May get another pair for her. They have a Mylar driver and sound great, except I wanted a little more bass. When I got them there were 6-7 Stagg's on the shelf. When I returned them this past Saturday (store does mostly in store credit) there was only this one Stagg left.

Heck if these keep improving, they may become my favorite phone. They are already headed that way. I also may check to see when he gets more in, as I may pick up a couple more pair.

When I feel these are no longer changing I will let folk here know. Also if any of you are around the Dallas, TX area, sent me a PM, because you will be welcome to hear what I am hearing in my home. Beer is welcomed, but I am a Crown Royal man.

Here is what a quick search turned up two pages deep. All of the other sites seem to be German language or Dutch. Prices are lowest $28 up to $45. I am amazed with these, and they are considered professional monitors. (Diamond in the Rough to my ears)

http://earthshakingmusic.com/SHP-4500.html

http://www.coloradodrum.com/proddeta...=2007214192324

http://www.ritzmusic.co.uk/index.php/cPath/56_57

http://www.playrecord.net/music-acce...es.p29640.html

Last post for the night. My break-in method. When I am not listening to the headphones, they are running pink noise or THX tests with heavy bass. Mostly pink noise. This is at a pretty good volume over what I listen. I listen with the dial (slider on my 4 headphone jack amp) on 1 1/2 or 2.

When I am at work or sleep the dial is on 5-6, making sure they are not distorting. This is with the phones not folded or folded. With them folded together, you feel through the phones more of the reverberation through of the diaphrams/drivers. Then I close the doors of my study, and I am off to do whatever. I do not listen when I awake, and wait until I get home from work to take an accasional listen.