Sorry for digging this old thread up, but I wanted to mention I've listened to the Pro 2900 for a few days now. They were purchased as a gift for my girlfriend to try and get her more involved with my hobby. She's been enjoying them immensely, and surprisingly so have I. Even with my Edition 8 and 9, various Stax and orthos, etc. they've been getting a fair amount of head time. ....When she's not using them herself, of course.
I haven't heard the Pro 900, so I have no point of reference. Consequently I'm not sure how much bass these have compared to their closed-design counterparts. There's certainly plenty of it. Very powerful stuff, possessing a visceral impact and very low extension. It's the detailed kind of bass thankfully and not a one-note window-rattling car stereo affair. In terms of the quantity, I'd place it slightly lower than the Edition 9 in stock (as in not re-cabled) form. Speaking of re-cabling, she's already looking at her options. The most likely candidate will be the Moon Audio Blue Dragon. Looks like she's well on her way to becoming an audiophile.
If there's one criticism I have for the Pro 2900, it's the slightly (every-so-slightly) sibilant treble on certain tracks. I'm assuming this will dissipate once burn-in is complete. Admittedly, I'm still somewhat undecided on the issue of burn-in, but Ultrasones are perhaps the most notorious (aside from the K701) when it comes to obvious changes from burn-in. Maybe my experience with the Pro 2900 will make a fully committed believer out of me.
Midrange seems slightly recessed, with vocals set a few rows back. The clarity and detail is impressive without being overly analytic. Soundstage is also impressive thanks to S-Logic Plus and the open design of the Pro 2900. I felt it was very dimensional and spacious, with a nearly complete 360 degree field encircling me. Instrument placement was easily discernible and correct, while instrument separation was decent.
Build quality is better than I thought it would be. The plastics used have a matte finish and sturdy bulk, with the entire construction having a solid feel to it. The Edition 9 still feels superior with its higher-end materials and added heft, but the Pro 2900 doesn't feel cheap either. These are very comfortable headphones for both my girlfriend and me. As much as I enjoy leather ear pads, I have to admit the velour feels nice. Finally, these come housed in a very nice mini-case with the Ultrasone logo and model number on it.
Overall, these are very "fun" headphones with a powerful, punchy bass presence. As one might expect however, the bass is slightly less dominating than with some of the closed-back Ultrasones. The open design also affords a spacious listening experience, so I feel you get the best of both worlds through the combination of punchiness and roominess. While these headphones are fun, they're also seriously detailed. Once again it would seem to be a case of having the best of both sides: slightly analytic detail but without the cold, lifeless analytic presentation.
I personally feel these are worth their $550 price tag. If you can find them used for less, even better.
