There's Something About Ultrasone…

[haloxt]

The exterior of the pro 2900 is clearly the same design as the pro 2500, they only differ in driver, earpad thickness, and possibly how they arrange the holes on the bufferboard (metal plate when you remove earpads). I think it's likely the driver in the pro 2900 is identical to the driver in the pro 900 giving ultrasone's history of using the same drivers in different models, but someone would have to contact ultrasone to ascertain.
 
The bufferboard on the pro 900 is identical to pro 650/750, except in pro 900 they covered the 2nd and 4th holes on the upper 5 holes (I removed them heh heh). And the way pro 2500 differs from pro 650/750 bufferboard is it has none of the 5 upper holes.
 
http://assets.head-fi.org/6/63/6357e287_19.jpg
 
http://www.sam.hi-ho.ne.jp/t-suzuki/audio/img/ultrasone_proline_2500_unit.jpg

 

[Ultrazino]

I've got a question about the HFI-780:
 
I keep reading they have a strong bass but I can't agree at all. The bass is punchy but it's very far in the background. Highs are by far the loudest.
My sources so far are a lo-fi A/V receiver (Technics), an iPhone 3GS and an onboard sound card (Asus P5N-E).
I will get the Zero Dac (OPA627) in two weeks but I'm not sure how far the sound will change.
 
Are my sources too weak to handle the HFI-780's bass or do I just need more than others? I listened to the DT770 Pro yesterday and it had a WAY stronger bass than what I'm used to. (Just as a reference.)

 

[jpelg]

Quote:

The exterior of the pro 2900 is clearly the same design as the pro 2500, they only differ in driver,

What evidence do we have that the 40-ohm, titanium driver in the PRO900/2900 differs from the 40-ohm, titanium PRO750/2500 driver?

 

[haloxt]

Different specs. But you're right, maybe they are the same, should ask them .

 

[erin]

 
Quote:

Origional quote from erin:
"The difference between the PRO750 and the PRO2500, and the PRO900 and PRO2900 is simply open backed or closed back.
This is no secret. Its a matter of personal preference in sound. The open back, sound more open and airy, whereas the closed back have comparatively more closed sound, but more SPL in the bass, giving a more punchy sound. Its just a matter of personal preference and nothing else. I wouldn't necessarily rate one above the other, just different." 
 
erin-Have you heard both the Pro900 and the Pro2900 or is your enlightening opinion based just on the geralisation of closed and open headphones? 
If it is just a generalisation, then do all DT770s sound the same?  DT770, DT770pro DT770M after all they are just closed back DT990 or DT880s aren't they?
I don't think your simple answer is necessarily very accurate or helpful. Does the pro2900 have a bigger sound stage than the Pro900?  How does the mid range compare? In what ways does the bass vary, Pro900 is simply more powerful/impactful?  Do they have the same perceived detail level? 
 
Would a closed Grado RS1 sound just like a Grado RS1 just with a comparatively more closed sound and less open and airy? Just personal preference, I think not.
 
Which Ultrasone headphones have you heard?

I'm an Ultrasone service technician. I have heard ALL Ultrasone models. The drivers are the same in these models. The only difference is open or closed back.( haloxt above has pointed out some other differences)  This changes the perceived sound. I am not talking out of my A$$. I stand by my previous albeit brief description. To me the 2500/2900 sounds open and airy and the 750's and 900's sound more punchy. I would not rate one above the other - just different presentation. I am not familiar with the sound of other brands, so I cant comment, I only service Ultrasone. I wont go into a detailed review because I find that first impressions are lasting and accurate. My comments above are my initial impression and this impression of the sound has lasted over time. One of my co-workers prefers the sound of the HFI 780's - despite my jeering him and pressing him, he says he thinks the bass is louder( or something to that effect) - everyone has different sonic preference. I prefer a more balanced sound. So what I think about soundstage someone else will disagree.To me the 900's and 2900's are more detailed than the 750's and 2500's. The 900's are my favourite at the moment. But previously the 2500's were my favourite. But I do like the Ed.8's.
Sorry YOU don't find my simple answer accurate or helpful. Have you heard ALL the Ultrasone models? My opinion is mine and I was just sharing.
Others may find my comments helpful even if you don't. I don't appreciate being flamed. Perhaps I should not bother contributing If this is how I get treated.

 

[haloxt]

Kernmac only meant to question your opinion if they were generalizations, I think he just skipped or forgot the part where you said you have heard all the models.
 
Now that I know for sure they have many similarities, I am tempted to buy a newer design hfi-2200 and implanting pro 900 bufferboard+driver into it, cover up the five upper holes for an awesome looking 2900 . Advisable?

 

[erin]

Hi haloxt,
yes go for it.
 
You know, you should be able to buy the drivers from your local distributor....
You don't need to go to the trouble of buying the whole headphone.
 
The Ultrasone name for the bufferboard is a "mu metal shield" - this stops the EMR getting to your head. Please excuse me, sounds like an ad. LOL
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

[Kawai_man]

I just put my hfi-2400 up for sale because I want to get the pro2900. If I replace the drivers in the 2400's with the pro900 drivers would they be exactly the same as the pro2900's or would they still be different? Is the modification hard to do? Where does one get the drivers?

 

[erin]

The HFI has different earcups than the PRO series. I will check for you tomorrow if the drivers from PRO900 will fit in the 2400.
You might be able to get the drivers from your local distributor/importer. Dont go bothering the local retailer who will probably look at you funny if you ask for the drivers.
 

 

[leeperry]

these drivers are so housing dependent that any transplant will most likely end up in a monumental failure IMHO.

 

[mythless]

Well, I picked up my Ortofon O-One yesterday, and if you're wonder what it has to do with Ultrasone take a look at them, haha. 

 

[chinesekiwi]

What's the O-One an OEM of though? The Alienware Ozma 5 is OEM Ultrasone HFI-550 for example.
 
EDIT: Maybe HFI-550:
 

 

[mythless]

Well the housing is from the 550, but the drivers, I have no idea.  I plan on writing a review soon, and emailing ortofons or ultrasone about it.  From one review, they got an email from ultrasone saying ortofon uses a different driver but uses their S-technology and shielding.  I never heard any of the ultrasone headphones before, but I will say that the Ortofon O-One is pretty good headphone.  I'm burning them in to see if the sibilance will let up, but the resonance is something to be impressed by.  Having primarily IEMs, the resonance on the O-One is a nice touch. 

 

[oqvist]

 
Quote:

It looks like the iPod Touch Gen3 is a mismatch for the ED8. I tried them with the iRiver E10 and the DAP put into shame the iTube Fatman. More colorful and richer midrange, cleaner and nicer trebles, more holographic soundstage. The only thing the iTube did better was the bass control and slam in its lower notes - no surprise here. The iTube was connected to a notebook equipped with a professional USB DAC and lossless files.
 
Regarding the Pro 750, compared directly to the Edition 8 they sounded congested, closed-in, tonally incomplete and harsh. There is no comparison in any terms, also realism, no matter Ultrasone called them PRO.

Don´t know it´s a good portable player... But the thing is I don´t listen to the Koss Porta Pro at home since it doesn´t scale. So I dont miss anything when using it as a portable device .
 
Pro 750 was quite long since I owned but I find my KeeS modded Pro 900 having better soundstaging as in bigger and less closed in then the ED 8s. Pro 900 is not all that different to the 750. Tonally very complete going a bit deeper then the ED 8 and also slightly better treble extension. I would love to hear the Pro 900 with the damping material used in the ED 8 though. But there is where ED 10 kicks in perhaps. Much less ear cup resonances on the ED 8 then the 900. the 750/900 is also more aggressive yes. Sublime on better recordings and harsh on crap recordings. The ED 8 is more audiophile tweaked while yes I do feel the Pro 900 is more Pro/reference type.
 
 
 

 

[leeperry]

one thing's for sure, the SS on the HFI-780 is literally eye-popping

 
It's borrowing some R&D from the Ed.9 apparently -this one doesn't look very comfy either(still the same lousy chinese OEM shell)- but the Ed.8 sure much be quite a blast...too bad they don't have any in-between those 2. If they had a 780 w/ a better shell and less mushy mids for ±$500, I'd be all over it