[DVDRey]

 
Quote:

I honestly don't know why everyone raves about the pro900 so much, i think more value could be had for alot cheaper w/ a dt770, d2k, or a thunderpants

 
Me too, but Pro900 is a must have for bass head or for gaming/movie fans. I use it principally for movies and gaming and its excellent.
 
Pro900 is much more detailled than dt770, but also more clinical. Finally pro900 is technically far superior than dt770 imo, after its subjective.
 
D2K is not better, just different, a much more all rounder headphone, Pro900 is really limited to certains songs. In europe, pro900 is also less expensive than D2K   (generally 470 € for D2K and 390 € for pro900). All Denon gear are always overpriced in europe We have good price with sennheiser/ultrasone/Beyer/AKG... but Denon and audio technica its an other story.
 
Pro2900 for example, is technically at the same level than pro900, but i like it much more  than D2K (i prefer D2K to pro900).
 
 
 

 

[Gwarmi]

 
* First Mini Review + Impressions *
 
I had the chance to briefly sit down with a 'distributor pre-release' unit of the Signature Pro today
in Melbourne at Addicted to Audio
 
Build quality and general notes:
 
The Signature is a rugged yet light unit, in the hand it feels more compact than the Pro 900 and
certainly feels like a smaller phone on the head. Clamping pressure is reasonable, think along
the lines of the Pro series. Build quality is excellent all round, the most obvious change being
this 'Beyer-esque' inspiration with the headband, all Ethiopian sheep skin which also adorns
the ear pads. Cups only swivel in the one direction, unlike other headphones eg, ATH-M50 etc
Ultrasone insignia on the cups is actual glass glaze which gives off quite a shine (you'll need
a cloth handy at all times to keep them clean from finger prints )
 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Brief (very, very brief) listening impressions:
 
Only had about an hour on and off with this pair, before the audition I had no dea
on what to expect ~ is this a premium closed all rounder? or a break-out
can for the DJ/Basshead crown?
 
The answer was difficult to ascertain in such a short period, armed with
some Daft Punk 'Discovery', Keith Richards 'Main Offender', Jazz at
the Pawnshop ~ most of the audition was conducted amped out of
the Burson 160 + Burson DA-160 DAC ~ this combination felt wrong
off the bat, an inherent warmth that detracted from the listening
experience, this also pointed to a trait of these cans ~ they're not
likely to shrill with sibilance any time soon. I found the treble to
be quite smooth, even a little rolled off which will suit many tastes.
 
Switched over to a Violectric V800 DAC connected via 3-pin XLR to a Sugden
Masterclass HA-4 headphone amplifer (much clearer)
 
Good points?
 
Bass, this headphone really does dig deep. Even the Pro 900 is bested in
terms of being able to dig up such sub-bass, given the short amount of time,
it did occasionally spill over into the mids but again, this is not a headphone
that will shine with Patricia Barber or Diana Krall ~ it's a beat emphasized
headphone and it does so quite admirably. An Ultrasone Edition 8 popped
up mid audition ~ pressed play and again, the Signature Pro had the lower
registers down pat. 
 
I'll leave any verdict on the mids alone and inconclusive for now, bit of a cop
out but it really needs another audition, overall placement is not quite as
forward as most bass heavy headphones.
 
Lastly, isolation ~ honestly one of the best passively isolating headphones
I've come across ~ the Ethiopian sheep skin just works on any cranium.
Put them on and I found myself literally sticking my nose into a colleague's
ear to hear these things - they're that good ~ Ultrasone are clearly aiming
at a portably amped, mobile crowd here.
 
 
 

 

[MuppetFace]

Thank you SO MUCH for these impressions, Gwarmi!
 
Hmm. They sound to me, from your description, like they're more similar to the Edition 9 than the 8, which is pretty much what I was hoping for. Have you heard the Edition 9?

 

[Gwarmi]

Quote:

Thank you SO MUCH for these impressions, Gwarmi!
 
Hmm. They sound to me, from your description, like they're more similar to the Edition 9 than the 8, which is pretty much what I was hoping for. Have you heard the Edition 9?

That's the dilemma ~ That's a no for the Ultrasone Edition 9 

 
Hence, I fully understand that I was perhaps not the best equipped to really lay down some meaningful
comparisons in a short period of time, having said that it did stand up to the Edition 8 that was lying
around, but as you said ~ without an Edition 9 to refer to ~ this was a strange new sea of headphone
for me!
 

 

[MuppetFace]

Quote:

That's the dilemma ~ That's a no for the Ultrasone Edition 9 

 
Hence, I fully understand that I was perhaps not the best equipped to really lay down some meaningful
comparisons in a short period of time, having said that it did stand up to the Edition 8 that was lying
around, but as you said ~ without an Edition 9 to refer to ~ this was a strange new sea of headphone
for me!
 

No worries, I appreciate you sharing your findings. I'm glad Ultrasone decided to go with glass on the outer earcups, as their metal coatings have a tendency to flake off. My Edition 9 is looking really nasty now because of it. I'm also liking the new headband.

 

[majkel]

Had a short listen at the Audio Show in Warsaw. These are indeed lightweight and rugged. The price is lower than the Denon AH-D7000 in Poland, an so is the sound more pleasing to my ears. The Signature Pro have quite different tonal balance than the Pro 900, more flat with richer lower midrange and no bump in the frequencies where mids and highs stick together. Because of the specific show conditions, overall noise and unknown signature of the source components I couldn't tell much more than what is different from the Pro 900. I could try the Edition 10 from early production and it was what it had always been and I didn't even touch the Pro 2900 which I knew from listening at home. For me the Signature is a friendly and "normal" sounding headphone, more durable and cheaper than the top Denon model here, so they left me positively impressed. I'll for sure consider them before buying a closed headphone.

 

[Gwarmi]

Quote:

No worries, I appreciate you sharing your findings. I'm glad Ultrasone decided to go with glass on the outer earcups, as their metal coatings have a tendency to flake off. My Edition 9 is looking really nasty now because of it. I'm also liking the new headband.

What surprises me is that Ultrasone appear to have left the fans to figure out 'possibly' where it might fit in the line-up or more importantly
what cans from other manufacturers should stack up against it. I found myself scouring the rack for a neutral base, and I picked up a pair
of AT Pro 700 MkII just as a big bass comparo and a HD600 for as a neutral reminder for every track before scribbling down a note or two.
 
Sub Bass and Passive Isolation were the two big highlights for sure.

 

[MuppetFace]

Quote:

Had a short listen at the Audio Show in Warsaw. These are indeed lightweight and rugged. The price is lower than the Denon AH-D7000 in Poland, an so is the sound more pleasing to my ears. The Signature Pro have quite different tonal balance than the Pro 900, more flat with richer lower midrange and no bump in the frequencies where mids and highs stick together. Because of the specific show conditions, overall noise and unknown signature of the source components I couldn't tell much more than what is different from the Pro 900. I could try the Edition 10 from early production and it was what it had always been and I didn't even touch the Pro 2900 which I knew from listening at home. For me the Signature is a friendly and "normal" sounding headphone, more durable and cheaper than the top Denon model here, so they left me positively impressed. I'll for sure consider them before buying a closed headphone.

How did you find the highs on the Signature Pro? The PRO 2900 are too sibilant for my liking, and the Edition 8 can every now and then sound a bit too hot in the treble.

 

[MuppetFace]

Quote:

What surprises me is that Ultrasone appear to have left the fans to figure out 'possibly' where it might fit in the line-up or more importantly
what cans from other manufacturers should stack up against it. I found myself scouring the rack for a neutral base, and I picked up a pair
of AT Pro 700 MkII just as a big bass comparo and a HD600 for as a neutral reminder for every track before scribbling down a note or two.
 
Sub Bass and Passive Isolation were the two big highlights for sure.

I agree. Ultrasone's customer relations have never been particularly good.
 
I've been assuming they're closer to the Edition 9 simply based on their sharing a somewhat similar housing. Also they say on their site that it's supposed to have an "Edition sound," and since the Edition 8 is currently in production, it seemed more fitting to me to bring back the 9. Of course, the other alternative would be to have a totally new sound.

 

[MacFrank]

Quote:

I agree. Ultrasone's customer relations have never been particularly good.
 
I've been assuming they're closer to the Edition 9 simply based on their sharing a somewhat similar housing. Also they say on their site that it's supposed to have an "Edition sound," and since the Edition 8 is currently in production, it seemed more fitting to me to bring back the 9. Of course, the other alternative would be to have a totally new sound.

Which, to be honest, would mark the third time that US brings back the Edition7-sound signature.
But I do agree - I'd like the Signature Pro to be near the Edition 9's sounding. To my ears a very impressive, yet cultivated sound. But, also, the only US so far to fit my taste.
 
Thanks for the impressions, Gwarmi!

 

[majkel]

I observed no sibilance but cannot guarantee it will never happen. I agree the Signature Pro is closer to the Edition 9 than 8.

 

[Gwarmi]

Quote:

I observed no sibilance but cannot guarantee it will never happen. I agree the Signature Pro is closer to the Edition 9 than 8.

Did you find that the treble is a little shelved? They were a few times on a well known track when I could anticipate a well extended
high coming up and it just......well nothing ...happened

 

[MuppetFace]

I wonder if the Signature Pro pads will fit the Edition 9 since they look pretty much the same. The guy I bought mine from exposed them to cigarette smoke, and I've never been able to fully get the smell out, even a year later.

 

[DigitalFreak]

Quote:

I wonder if the Signature Pro pads will fit the Edition 9 since they look pretty much the same. The guy I bought mine from exposed them to cigarette smoke, and I've never been able to fully get the smell out, even a year later.

That's an easy fix, get some red roses, the ones with the real strong perfume like smell. and mangle the pedals into some warm water. The more pedals you use the better. Let the pedals soak for a few hours then apply a nice thick coating on your ear pads. Your headphone will smell like roses for a week or two but once the perfume subsides for whatever reason it'll take the smokey smell with it. Don't ask me why it works I just know it works. My ex girlfriend used to do it with used smoke smelling stuff she bought on eBay.

 

[MuppetFace]

Quote:

That's an easy fix, get some red roses, the ones with the real strong perfume like smell. and mangle the pedals into some warm water. The more pedals you use the better. Let the pedals soak for a few hours then apply a nice thick coating on your ear pads. Your headphone will smell like roses for a week or two but once the perfume subsides for whatever reason it'll take the smokey smell with it. Don't ask me why it works I just know it works. My ex girlfriend used to do it with used smoke smelling stuff she bought on eBay.

I think I've tried everything EXCEPT that, hah. Thanks for the tip.