At AES 2010 Ultrasone Inc. showcased the only open-backed headphone in its PRO Series, the PRO 2900.
For the first time ever, Ultrasone has released both a standard, single cable version and a balanced, double cable version of a pair of headphones.
With the PRO 2900, Ultrasone feels it has struck a balance between powerful and accurate sound production, with the airy and natural sound characteristics of an open-backed headphone.
While standard, single cable headphones are commonplace in most pro audio and audiophile applications, a balanced headphone coupled with a balanced amplifier offers unique advantages over the former such as increased audio performance due to a doubling the slew rate and voltage swing power, while reducing distortion components & eliminating crosstalk.
The end result is decreased distortion and ultimately superior audio performance.
Balanced headphones must be paired with a balanced amplifier (4-channel amp with 2 inverted positive channels) that instead of using a common ground, uses two wires per side to deliver positive and negative audio signals to each side of the headphone.
Ultrasone’s PRO 2900s feature a classic black design, velvet covered black ear pads and a diamond-cut logo insignia on the ear cup.
The PRO 2900 includes a 40mm titanium-plated driver and a soft USC-Cable that is paired with industry leading Neutrik connectors. Ultrasone’s newest headphones contain MU-Metal shielding (ULE technology) that reduce the amount of radiation directed to the listener by up to 98%, as compared to conventional headphones.
The PRO 2900s also contain Ultrasone’s S-Logic Plus technology for reduced sound pressure on the ear drum and improved tonal perception. This gives users the advantage of wearing Ultrasone headphones for many hours without their ears hurting.
Ultrasone’s PRO 2900 comes in a hard-sided carrying case along with two removable cables (one spiral and one straight) and spare speed-switch ear pads.
PRO 2900 Technical Specifications
• S-Logic Natural Surround Sound Plus
• Dynamic principle, open
• Frequency range 6-42.000 Hz
• Impedance 40 Ohm
• Sound pressure level 96 dB
• MU Metal buffer board, reduced field emissions in accordance with ULE (=Ultra Low Emission) standard
• Driver 40 mm titanium-plated
• Weight 295 g (without cord)
The PRO 2900 headphones and the Balanced PRO 2900 headphones are currently available from Ultrasone’s network of dealers and the Ultrasone website.
