If there is an Edition 9 successor in the "works", there should be absolutely no question whatsoever, that this new model be the very top of the line of the Ultrasone line. Though I heard and read a lot of acclaim for the Edition 9, I had my doubts that the Edition 9 truly was the top of the Ultrasone line. My doubts involved the idea that the Edition 9 was more "bling" than quality. I'm not saying it wasn't an excellent quality headphone. But, what I am saying is that it seemed as though Ultrasone placed more emphasis on aesthetics than sound and build quality. I would like to point out that I have never heard the Edition 9 so I am not commenting on it's sound quality.
The first mistake in manufacturing the Edition 9, IMO, was that it had the same frequency range as the Pro 750. When the Edition 9 was first issued, the Pro 900 didn't exist and the Pro 750 was, according to Ultrasone, supposed to be the "top" of the Pro series. Before I was very familiar with Ultrasone, I was in an audio store comparing headphones. I had heard the Pro 650 at that point and the sales clerk was telling me about the Pro 750 and the Edition 9. He had neither one of them in stock. When he started telling me about the Edition 9, he showed me some literature on it. We were both looking at the specs and found out that the frequency range was the same between the Pro 750 and the Edition 9. The salesman than looked surprised and said to me, "I wonder why they charge so much money for this one when the frequency range is the same." I then explained to him that the size of the frequency range doesn't always necessarily dictate the sound quality. This story is a very good example of one way in which the headphone buying public thinks. And, this includes some professionals.
With the above example in mind, one thing that Ultrasone should definitely do is make absolutely certain that the next Edition model has the widest frequency range of any of the Ultrasone headphones.
Another suggestion I have is detachable cables. The cables (actually wires, they should be thicker and more sturdy) on the Edition 9 look too thin to me. They appear as though they would be easily dislodged from their sockets or strained to the point of "shorting out". With detachable cables, one is assured that the cables are easily replaced. Also, it would enable those who want custom cables to replace the stock cables (with screw-in cables similar to the stock cables) without fear of voiding the warranty.
The headband is another issue. While I have found the headband on the Proline 750 to be reasonably comfortable, it isn't the most comfortable headband I've ever worn. The Edition 9 had the same headband as the Pro series headphones. If the Edition series is truly the top of Ultrasone's line, the next Edition model should have a superior, more comfortable headband than the other Ultrasone headphones.
The customer should be given a choice between the Ethiopian Sheep Skin and the velvet covered ear pads at a somewhat less expensive cost.
More emphasis should be placed on build quality and sound quality on the next Edition model (Once again, here, I am not commenting or passing judgment on the sound quality because I have never heard the Edition 9. What I'm trying to convey is that the Edition headphones should have everything sound-wise that the other Ultrasone headphones have and more). No other Ultrasone headphone should have a "sound feature" such as "S-Logic Plus" that the next Edition model doesn't have. The next Edition model should have it all.
There should be absolutely no question from the perspective of the high-end headphone consumer that the next Edition model is absolutely the very best headphone available.
Off the original subject, another suggestion:
Ultrasone should consider starting, in addition to the Edition line, another line called the "Ultimate" line. They could call their first in the "Ultimate" series the "Ultimate One". What is the proposed Ultrasone "Ultimate One"? It's an electrostatic headphone.
Think about it. An electrostatic headphone with "S-Logic Plus". Now, that would be something special!
