http://www.tellementnomade.org/test-ultrasone-edition-12/
Translated in english by Myself, helped (or not) by Google translate. Please forgive errors
Pictures courtesy from @Trance_Gott
Discovery: packaging and comfort
Obviously, Ultrasone has decided to copy Grado and give us his headphone in a stupid empty cardboard box without any associated accessory. In this case, it was not even the famous pizza box filled with foam that makes the charm (or not) of Grado headphones but an anonymous shoebox. Do not even look for 6.35mm to 3,5mm adapter to 3.5mm. Outside the headphones, usuer-manual and a cleaning cloth, there is nothing. Honestly, I laughed out loud when I discovered the package.
The headphone itself is beautiful. If the Edition 10 expensive woody finish and perforated goat leather pads have disappeared in favor of a metallic finish and microfiber pads, the overall design remains unchanged. It is light, refined and really impressive. Unquestionably, the Edition 12 is one of the most beautiful headphones on the market. The headband is covered in the same thin leather than Edition and Signature series. The cable is thick and good surface quality. It ends with a 6.35mm jack neutrik that exudes quality. Note, however, that it is not detachable.
the Edition 12 is as light as a feather. Its weight is actually less than 300 grams. Everything exudes finesse in this headphone and we are surprised to handle it with utmost care in order to avoid altering the refined aesthetic of this Ultrasone. In terms of build quality, I'd say that it's not a headphone that looks as solidly built as a beyerdynamic T1 for example although assemblies and finishes have a beautiful appearance. Microfiber pads are pretty firm but will certainly tend to score, get dirty and aging quickly. Cups adjustment is easy, precise, solid in hand and confirms the overall good quality impression. We discover the way the serial number of the headphone and the "made in germany" which certainly are beautiful effect.
Once on the head, impressions are still excellent. The headphone is as light to wear as handle. The cups leave plenty of room around the ears. Clamping is a bit strong and I have to admit that after a few hours of listening, a little embarrassment appears and a such discomfort never appears with a Beyerdynamic T1. Overally the comfort stays very good.
General sound impressions.
The Headphone was delivered new to me and I often read Ultrasone headphones absolutely need a serious break in before producing a stable sound quality. So I took care to leave the headphones in music (music radio) for about 50 hours before allowing it any serious listening time.
I then used my usual system for the test: a Metrum Acoustics Octave mkI DAC and my DNA Sonett 2 headphone amplifier. I also used a Beresford Bushmaster mkII DAC and an O2 amplifier. This latter system seemed the most suitable for the Ultrasone so the following impressions was built with this system. With a HD800 myself and having spet recently a few times with a Beyerdynamic T1, those two headphones will be my reference point in order to explain my impressions about ed12. The three headphones Edition are also natural competitors in their market.
Upon first listen, the Ultrasone surprised me .... a lot. I was lucky enough to own or listen to several models in the range of the German manufacturer: HFI2400, Signature pro, PRO900, pro750, Edition 8 & 9. Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to meet the ed10. Ultrasone headphones share a more or less typical sound signature. It is characterized by a large energy but a lack of overall refinement, a More or less V-shaped frequency response (very obvious on the PRO900 and far less on the Sig pro) with fast, tactile & live lows, somewhat recessed mids and more or less metallic treble with a lot of energy and bite. The whole family doesn't exhibit thoses charecteristics at the same level but you see the picture.
So what surprises me with the Edition 12 is to see this House sound but without the excesses that may characterize some other models. Additionaly the ed12 adds some "extra" that I had personally never heard with an Ultrasone: a kind of smoothness and some euphonic warmth. The first listening to this Edition 12 immediately put a smile on my face as the sound from the headphones was very involving. This feeling never disappeared throughout my listening.
The Ultrasone familiar features are found here in a slightly V-shaped signature with a slight boost in the mid-bass, a slightly recessed midrange and a touch of sizzle in the treble. However, I have never felt any imabalance or excess with the Edition 12. The whole sound remains cohesive and fluidly organized. Mids are definitely not sacrificed. The whole range of frequencies appears to have a slight warmth, a little extra body and soul without losing speed and impact. The main interest of the Edition 12 in my opinion is to provide a subtle blend of opposed lineaments to achieve a a quite enjoyable and balanced sound for the listener.
Usually, "euphonic" headphones may suffer of slowness and also an excess of color affecting the accuracy. It's not too much the case here : The Ultrasone does not lack speed and impact and I've just spent time with Bach partita for solo violin and compared with the rendition offered by my HD800 to realize that accuracy is not so altered. At the opposite, "fun" headphones can sometimes cause fatigue due to aggressive treble or overwhelming bass. The Edition 12 avoids both pitfalls too. Certainly the small mid-bass boost is noticable but it does not overwhelm the under or upper registers. The Edition 12 also succeeds (miracle!) to keep the exciting and energetic home treble without the usual metallic tone. At worst, some sibilance appear from time to time when the recording is right. A Ultrasone still remains a Ultrasone ! . i know that some people heard the ed12 as metallic sounding and encoutered hearing fatigue with the ED12. It's definitely not my case but I have to honestly warn about this possibility.
The other highlight of the headphone is its soundstage. Ultrasone offers on all their headphones system owner says "S-Logic". This is actually a misalignment of the transducer away from the entry point of the ear and partial closure (variable depending on the model) of this tranducteur. The goal of the operation is to restore as much as possible a "surround" effect. I'm not going up there to confirm or deny the validity of the approach; I am definitely not able to do that. Still, the presentation by the Edition 12 is really excellent. It is not as wide as a HD800 but little more than a Beyerdynamic T1 and the sound is generally more upfront and closer to the listener than the HD800. So, thanks to the enveloping soundstage and the forwardness, this Ed12 has a real ability to immerse the listener who suddenly has the feeling of sitting in the middle of the musicians. I know that this statement is often overused but I assure you that for once this is very sensitive.
My first hours with the Edition 12 have been spent on a trip in my music Library that contains almost everything. The Edition 12 seemed to like all genres I tested and I couldn't detect from the first listen a genre where it is bad. From what I heard ed12 did wonders for Jazz, especially Classic and Fusion Jazz where his brothers tend to be masters for EDM.
Detailed sound impressions
Bass: The low register of the Edition 12 is centered around mid bass. It's not too heavy, without excess and it does not overwhelm the rest of the register. The fact remains that mid bass dominate. The sub bass extension is less good. then this registry is not as hearable that with my HD800. I have no doubt that Hi End Orthos would outperform the Ed12 too. Overally, the bass stays fast, lively and sensual with a great "fun factor" and offers a realistic reprodution of low registers . On the Classical Orchestral music, this little bass boost does wonders and strengthens a bit the foundation of the music in a very pleasant way. For more demanding tracks on detail, texture and neutrality, a HD800 or T1 will do better. The Ultrasone will naturally shine more easily on genres that benefit from its qualities: Jazz, Jazz Fusion, modern R & B, electro typed "House" will allow you to make the most of the serious Ultrasone. The beat of electronic music and a big fat Kick from Bass drum will certainly not leave you indifferent.
Mids: Big surprise with the Edition 12: mids are alive and full. Certainly it was not neither the definition nor the accuracy of the medium of the HD800 and even less the instruments separation of the HD800 but it provides body and soul while keeping some finesse. This is THE Ultrasone who knows how we enjoy vocals. Iin my opinion even better results are obtained with the saxophones and brass instruments in jazz. The edition 12 manage to restore energy, bite and harmonic richness but also the inherent warmth in this type of music. Dexter Gordon's Tenor Sax or Cannonball Adderley's alto sound like it should to my ears. The Count Basie Big Band realy charms and shines too. The Edition 12 reproduces really well the typical 50/60s Classic Jazz, Classic R&B from James Brown or modern variations. Caution however : family genes are not far away and the whole medium is not hollow but still slightly laid back. Do not wait of this Edition 12 to be an upgrade from the HD600 for mids. Edition 12's mids are really good but not forward. When compared to HD800 ones the ED12 mids sound a bit off.
Treble: Curiously for Ultrasone, this registry does not show in my opinion any excessive aggression: Forgotten the piercing treble of the PRO900 or pro750! Forgot the stridency of the edition8. The high range of the Ultrasone Edition 12 is relatively smooth. In direct comparison with the HD800, the Ultrasone also seems to sound more neutral and less bright. However, this is not a flawless treble. I could hear a slight lack of finesse and it seems that a sharp peak is listenable to the point of a slight tendency to sibilance. Not obvious at first, but listening to some recordings of singers like Diana Krall or Norah Jones may be more unpleasant than a HD800 yet already not really forgiving. Sensitive people have to be warned, this treble can bother them. Besides the slight sibilance, the Edition 12 treble can slightly denature the sound of strings in classical music. Nothing insurmountable, however. The Edition 12 seemed to behave quite well wit classical music without reaching the definition and clarity of its famous German competitors.
Soundstage: The presentation is pretty upfront. Without going to the very "In your face" grado presentation, the Edition 12 still ensures intimacy with the music. the HD800 presentation is much more distant for example. Slightly logically given the general characteristics of the headphone, depth and layering are not in my opinion as good as what offers the Beyerdynamic T1. The Edition brings something special to the table ith its ability to position the listener at the heart of music, very close to the musicians and especially the rhythm section. Overall the soundstagee is large (but less than HD800) and deep (but less than T1). The particularity of Ultrasone headphones is usually their tendency to locate us not in front of the musicians but more among them and often closer to the drummer and bassist that the singer. It's still true here but again not as marked here the overall rendering is more natural.
Resolution / Dynamics: If your thing is the precision of the attack, the best imaging and instrument separation, the articulation of phrasing, you can go elsewhere. This is not strong point of the Edition 12 in my opinion. Here, we swim in a rather refined, soft, enveloping warmth. It's not that the headphone is not fast. There is certainly no lack of energy to reproduce technical and fast style. It's just that the attacks appear to be not precise enough. Attacks are too soft. Once again, certain musical styles benefit from this organic and silky way to reproduce the sound where others definitely don't due to the lack of precision. That said, the Ultrasone rendering has the elegance of not falling into syrupy. At this point, I tend to think that a judicious combination of source and receiver must be able to help with the lack of precision of the Ultrasone. A dynamic amplifier with a headphone output with a closest to zero as possible impedance for maximum "grip" on the headphone and a neutral dac detail oriented are the best companions of the Edition 12 in my opinion; no need to round the corners here.
conclusion
Slight lack of detail and accuracy, lack of extension in the sub-bass, overall lack of sharpness with a lingering impression of vagueness affecting the accuracy of the image and attacks: A comparison with the HD800 or T1 start reaveals a real technical deficit in sound reproduction offered by the Edition 12. remains the fact that all even technically flaws of this edition 12 does not obliterate its coherence and especially a very real and true charm that makes you forget the rest. Ultimately, the Edition 12 is an unlikely balance between quality and flaws and even if we're not impressed by its raw performance, we should not forget that it brings real listening pleasure.
Surprisingly, I found that this headphone was not a king for Electronic music like the Ultrasone family. Ultrasone offers here a model more suited to acoustic music, vocals, Jazz, Blues where softness and slightly euphonic warmth does wonders. Although this Edition 12 Ultrasone is not a reference for neutrality, accuracy and transparency, It offers a slight but obvious colouration that will especially please fans of this kind of sound. I'm convinced that this headphone deserves more than the almost total anonymity in which he lives since its release.
I sincerely believe that the Edition 12 is also a good "all-rounder" with which we can enjoy all musics but in my opinion, it's more suitable for styles or recordingss that do not require too much technical perfection . I might as well have personally make Issue 12 a warmer complement a HD800 for example. matter of preferences as usual.
that said, considering the price, I honestly can't say this headphione offers a great value.
Translated in english by Myself, helped (or not) by Google translate. Please forgive errors
Pictures courtesy from @Trance_Gott
Discovery: packaging and comfort
Obviously, Ultrasone has decided to copy Grado and give us his headphone in a stupid empty cardboard box without any associated accessory. In this case, it was not even the famous pizza box filled with foam that makes the charm (or not) of Grado headphones but an anonymous shoebox. Do not even look for 6.35mm to 3,5mm adapter to 3.5mm. Outside the headphones, usuer-manual and a cleaning cloth, there is nothing. Honestly, I laughed out loud when I discovered the package.
The headphone itself is beautiful. If the Edition 10 expensive woody finish and perforated goat leather pads have disappeared in favor of a metallic finish and microfiber pads, the overall design remains unchanged. It is light, refined and really impressive. Unquestionably, the Edition 12 is one of the most beautiful headphones on the market. The headband is covered in the same thin leather than Edition and Signature series. The cable is thick and good surface quality. It ends with a 6.35mm jack neutrik that exudes quality. Note, however, that it is not detachable.
the Edition 12 is as light as a feather. Its weight is actually less than 300 grams. Everything exudes finesse in this headphone and we are surprised to handle it with utmost care in order to avoid altering the refined aesthetic of this Ultrasone. In terms of build quality, I'd say that it's not a headphone that looks as solidly built as a beyerdynamic T1 for example although assemblies and finishes have a beautiful appearance. Microfiber pads are pretty firm but will certainly tend to score, get dirty and aging quickly. Cups adjustment is easy, precise, solid in hand and confirms the overall good quality impression. We discover the way the serial number of the headphone and the "made in germany" which certainly are beautiful effect.
Once on the head, impressions are still excellent. The headphone is as light to wear as handle. The cups leave plenty of room around the ears. Clamping is a bit strong and I have to admit that after a few hours of listening, a little embarrassment appears and a such discomfort never appears with a Beyerdynamic T1. Overally the comfort stays very good.
General sound impressions.
The Headphone was delivered new to me and I often read Ultrasone headphones absolutely need a serious break in before producing a stable sound quality. So I took care to leave the headphones in music (music radio) for about 50 hours before allowing it any serious listening time.
I then used my usual system for the test: a Metrum Acoustics Octave mkI DAC and my DNA Sonett 2 headphone amplifier. I also used a Beresford Bushmaster mkII DAC and an O2 amplifier. This latter system seemed the most suitable for the Ultrasone so the following impressions was built with this system. With a HD800 myself and having spet recently a few times with a Beyerdynamic T1, those two headphones will be my reference point in order to explain my impressions about ed12. The three headphones Edition are also natural competitors in their market.
Upon first listen, the Ultrasone surprised me .... a lot. I was lucky enough to own or listen to several models in the range of the German manufacturer: HFI2400, Signature pro, PRO900, pro750, Edition 8 & 9. Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to meet the ed10. Ultrasone headphones share a more or less typical sound signature. It is characterized by a large energy but a lack of overall refinement, a More or less V-shaped frequency response (very obvious on the PRO900 and far less on the Sig pro) with fast, tactile & live lows, somewhat recessed mids and more or less metallic treble with a lot of energy and bite. The whole family doesn't exhibit thoses charecteristics at the same level but you see the picture.
So what surprises me with the Edition 12 is to see this House sound but without the excesses that may characterize some other models. Additionaly the ed12 adds some "extra" that I had personally never heard with an Ultrasone: a kind of smoothness and some euphonic warmth. The first listening to this Edition 12 immediately put a smile on my face as the sound from the headphones was very involving. This feeling never disappeared throughout my listening.
The Ultrasone familiar features are found here in a slightly V-shaped signature with a slight boost in the mid-bass, a slightly recessed midrange and a touch of sizzle in the treble. However, I have never felt any imabalance or excess with the Edition 12. The whole sound remains cohesive and fluidly organized. Mids are definitely not sacrificed. The whole range of frequencies appears to have a slight warmth, a little extra body and soul without losing speed and impact. The main interest of the Edition 12 in my opinion is to provide a subtle blend of opposed lineaments to achieve a a quite enjoyable and balanced sound for the listener.
Usually, "euphonic" headphones may suffer of slowness and also an excess of color affecting the accuracy. It's not too much the case here : The Ultrasone does not lack speed and impact and I've just spent time with Bach partita for solo violin and compared with the rendition offered by my HD800 to realize that accuracy is not so altered. At the opposite, "fun" headphones can sometimes cause fatigue due to aggressive treble or overwhelming bass. The Edition 12 avoids both pitfalls too. Certainly the small mid-bass boost is noticable but it does not overwhelm the under or upper registers. The Edition 12 also succeeds (miracle!) to keep the exciting and energetic home treble without the usual metallic tone. At worst, some sibilance appear from time to time when the recording is right. A Ultrasone still remains a Ultrasone ! . i know that some people heard the ed12 as metallic sounding and encoutered hearing fatigue with the ED12. It's definitely not my case but I have to honestly warn about this possibility.
The other highlight of the headphone is its soundstage. Ultrasone offers on all their headphones system owner says "S-Logic". This is actually a misalignment of the transducer away from the entry point of the ear and partial closure (variable depending on the model) of this tranducteur. The goal of the operation is to restore as much as possible a "surround" effect. I'm not going up there to confirm or deny the validity of the approach; I am definitely not able to do that. Still, the presentation by the Edition 12 is really excellent. It is not as wide as a HD800 but little more than a Beyerdynamic T1 and the sound is generally more upfront and closer to the listener than the HD800. So, thanks to the enveloping soundstage and the forwardness, this Ed12 has a real ability to immerse the listener who suddenly has the feeling of sitting in the middle of the musicians. I know that this statement is often overused but I assure you that for once this is very sensitive.
My first hours with the Edition 12 have been spent on a trip in my music Library that contains almost everything. The Edition 12 seemed to like all genres I tested and I couldn't detect from the first listen a genre where it is bad. From what I heard ed12 did wonders for Jazz, especially Classic and Fusion Jazz where his brothers tend to be masters for EDM.
Detailed sound impressions
Bass: The low register of the Edition 12 is centered around mid bass. It's not too heavy, without excess and it does not overwhelm the rest of the register. The fact remains that mid bass dominate. The sub bass extension is less good. then this registry is not as hearable that with my HD800. I have no doubt that Hi End Orthos would outperform the Ed12 too. Overally, the bass stays fast, lively and sensual with a great "fun factor" and offers a realistic reprodution of low registers . On the Classical Orchestral music, this little bass boost does wonders and strengthens a bit the foundation of the music in a very pleasant way. For more demanding tracks on detail, texture and neutrality, a HD800 or T1 will do better. The Ultrasone will naturally shine more easily on genres that benefit from its qualities: Jazz, Jazz Fusion, modern R & B, electro typed "House" will allow you to make the most of the serious Ultrasone. The beat of electronic music and a big fat Kick from Bass drum will certainly not leave you indifferent.
Mids: Big surprise with the Edition 12: mids are alive and full. Certainly it was not neither the definition nor the accuracy of the medium of the HD800 and even less the instruments separation of the HD800 but it provides body and soul while keeping some finesse. This is THE Ultrasone who knows how we enjoy vocals. Iin my opinion even better results are obtained with the saxophones and brass instruments in jazz. The edition 12 manage to restore energy, bite and harmonic richness but also the inherent warmth in this type of music. Dexter Gordon's Tenor Sax or Cannonball Adderley's alto sound like it should to my ears. The Count Basie Big Band realy charms and shines too. The Edition 12 reproduces really well the typical 50/60s Classic Jazz, Classic R&B from James Brown or modern variations. Caution however : family genes are not far away and the whole medium is not hollow but still slightly laid back. Do not wait of this Edition 12 to be an upgrade from the HD600 for mids. Edition 12's mids are really good but not forward. When compared to HD800 ones the ED12 mids sound a bit off.
Treble: Curiously for Ultrasone, this registry does not show in my opinion any excessive aggression: Forgotten the piercing treble of the PRO900 or pro750! Forgot the stridency of the edition8. The high range of the Ultrasone Edition 12 is relatively smooth. In direct comparison with the HD800, the Ultrasone also seems to sound more neutral and less bright. However, this is not a flawless treble. I could hear a slight lack of finesse and it seems that a sharp peak is listenable to the point of a slight tendency to sibilance. Not obvious at first, but listening to some recordings of singers like Diana Krall or Norah Jones may be more unpleasant than a HD800 yet already not really forgiving. Sensitive people have to be warned, this treble can bother them. Besides the slight sibilance, the Edition 12 treble can slightly denature the sound of strings in classical music. Nothing insurmountable, however. The Edition 12 seemed to behave quite well wit classical music without reaching the definition and clarity of its famous German competitors.
Soundstage: The presentation is pretty upfront. Without going to the very "In your face" grado presentation, the Edition 12 still ensures intimacy with the music. the HD800 presentation is much more distant for example. Slightly logically given the general characteristics of the headphone, depth and layering are not in my opinion as good as what offers the Beyerdynamic T1. The Edition brings something special to the table ith its ability to position the listener at the heart of music, very close to the musicians and especially the rhythm section. Overall the soundstagee is large (but less than HD800) and deep (but less than T1). The particularity of Ultrasone headphones is usually their tendency to locate us not in front of the musicians but more among them and often closer to the drummer and bassist that the singer. It's still true here but again not as marked here the overall rendering is more natural.
Resolution / Dynamics: If your thing is the precision of the attack, the best imaging and instrument separation, the articulation of phrasing, you can go elsewhere. This is not strong point of the Edition 12 in my opinion. Here, we swim in a rather refined, soft, enveloping warmth. It's not that the headphone is not fast. There is certainly no lack of energy to reproduce technical and fast style. It's just that the attacks appear to be not precise enough. Attacks are too soft. Once again, certain musical styles benefit from this organic and silky way to reproduce the sound where others definitely don't due to the lack of precision. That said, the Ultrasone rendering has the elegance of not falling into syrupy. At this point, I tend to think that a judicious combination of source and receiver must be able to help with the lack of precision of the Ultrasone. A dynamic amplifier with a headphone output with a closest to zero as possible impedance for maximum "grip" on the headphone and a neutral dac detail oriented are the best companions of the Edition 12 in my opinion; no need to round the corners here.
conclusion
Slight lack of detail and accuracy, lack of extension in the sub-bass, overall lack of sharpness with a lingering impression of vagueness affecting the accuracy of the image and attacks: A comparison with the HD800 or T1 start reaveals a real technical deficit in sound reproduction offered by the Edition 12. remains the fact that all even technically flaws of this edition 12 does not obliterate its coherence and especially a very real and true charm that makes you forget the rest. Ultimately, the Edition 12 is an unlikely balance between quality and flaws and even if we're not impressed by its raw performance, we should not forget that it brings real listening pleasure.
Surprisingly, I found that this headphone was not a king for Electronic music like the Ultrasone family. Ultrasone offers here a model more suited to acoustic music, vocals, Jazz, Blues where softness and slightly euphonic warmth does wonders. Although this Edition 12 Ultrasone is not a reference for neutrality, accuracy and transparency, It offers a slight but obvious colouration that will especially please fans of this kind of sound. I'm convinced that this headphone deserves more than the almost total anonymity in which he lives since its release.
I sincerely believe that the Edition 12 is also a good "all-rounder" with which we can enjoy all musics but in my opinion, it's more suitable for styles or recordingss that do not require too much technical perfection . I might as well have personally make Issue 12 a warmer complement a HD800 for example. matter of preferences as usual.
that said, considering the price, I honestly can't say this headphione offers a great value.
