From the first impression, the Edition 8 retains the familiar Ultrasone house sound. From the Zino, the DJ1 Pro, the HFI-580, the HFI-780, the Edition 8 still retains that sound signature, albeit much improved. The frequency balance is still tipped to the treble and bass, aka V-shaped, but it’s not an extreme V-shape. Ultrasones often are very sibilant in the treble, and has a metallic sound — not so in the Edition 8. The sibilant treble is still there, but only if the recording has it. I wouldn’t blame a headphone for displaying the true signal feed into it. Good thing that the metallic sound is pretty much eliminated. Bass is also very clean and powerful, plenty in quantity, but it never turns into a bassy cans or a bass monster. Bass is definitely the Edition 8’s strong point, and its punch is definitely the best I’ve heard in a while.
I really didn’t get wowed by the Edition 8, the first time I heard it. Perhaps because it didn’t stand out in any one area. For the the HD800, the soundstage really wowed me the first time I listened to it. Likewise with the HE5, it has a brilliant treble and detail that’s unique to the orthodynamic, and it was really impressive the first time I heard it. Not so the Edition 8. Nothing seems to stand out to grab you. So I put the Edition 8 back in its pouch and grabbed for the HD800. People listening to the Edition 8 in a meet condition would leave feeling disappointed.
A few days passed, and I’ve been spending more time with the Edition 8. It still has the same sound that I heard the first time, but now my impressions are starting to change. The imaging capability of the Edition 8 has started to grab me. It may not have a very big soundstage like the HD800, but the imaging of the Edition 8 is very, very good. Definitely one of the best I’ve heard. The image from the soundstage is crystal clear, and the ambience of a live recording can be felt very clearly. From a complex simphony, to a simple piano recital, the Edition 8 is very good in conveying a sense of realism. It definitely has an imaging that’s on par with the HD800, if not, slightly better than the single ended HD800. On some classical recordings that has a big soundstage from the recording, you never feel that the Edition 8 is limited in terms of soundstage. Perhaps this is the first time that I’ve really understand what the S-Logic is all about. The Edition 8 was able to create a projection of the soundstage with no gap at the spot straight in front of you, where I still find that the HD800 still has a little of this gap vacant, right between your eyes, when driven in single ended. Of course, being an open design, the HD800 has an advantage of a more natural sound, like if you’re actually sitting down in the concert hall. But the closed design Edition 8 does have its own advantage, and definitely is superior for portable purposes.
The sound of the Edition 8 manages to tame just about everything that I played through it. It has the energy for rock, the bass and ambience for electronica, the impact and soundstage needed for classical. The only genre that I felt the Edition 8 to be mediocre is for classic instrumental jazz, as the ambience is not quite there. But overall, the Edition 8 is one musical headphone. It even made music out of lousy recordings. I understand that some people felt a frustration when they bought the Sennheiser HD800 and expected to be blown away. Though the HD800 still remains my favorite dynamic headphone, it does require good amplification, source, and recording. And even then, it still doesn’t have the correct voicing for some genres like electronica and rock. The Edition 8 is for those people who wants to be wowed with the $1,500 purchase they just made, regardless of the supporting equipment or musical genre.
adhisan
nice on the spot!!
i agree that ultrasone needed more head time than other cans ive ever heard,, ultrasone is not the type of cans that you will fall in love at the first sight (listen)… 😀
i hope that you give the ultrasone some time to burn in,, because in my experience,, ultrasone need at least 300hrs or so to sound good 😀
RayZLight
i also agree on this one..
usually people try my pl750 for a few seconds and just put it down without any comment..
if they do comment, the usual one is “nothing special”..
you need to hear more n more to praise its quality..
n you need very lengthy burn-in time ,a few hundred hours approximately 😉
aldvmaster
great review man! i have the 8 with “The Predator” that i take everywhere… plugged to my X200 via USB/DAC .. or iPhone lineout… my portable sound system…
i love listening everywhere with all kinds of music thrown @ it…
Once again… awesome review… true to the 8..
Rolo
I hope this Edition 8 are manufacture in the EU specially germany
I would hate to pay that kind of money for something made in CHINA!
Mike
Interesting. I do wonder, where is the Edition 8 manufactured?
John
Edition 8 is hand made in Germany they mentioned it on their website.
Also i think most or all of Ultrasone items are made in Taiwan hehe they specifically put that on their cans, at least i got the label on my Pro 750 and 900. To distiguish it self from Mainland China which are labelled "MADE IN CHINA" and different to "MADE IN TAIWAN" 😛
Mike
Thanks John for the information. 🙂
Sharklordy
is this a good match for hifiman hm-801 or better with beyerdynamic t5p?
Anonymous
Should be good with the HM-801. Havent heard the T5p, but impressons hasnt been favorable.
Aaron Tan
Hi Mike,
Pretty old article but still a great read. Anyway, was wondering what you would recommend as a portable amp for the Ed8? Cheers.
Mike
There is plenty of choices, I think many of the amps on the Usual Suspects would do. http://www.headfonia.com/the-usual-suspects-12-portable-amps-compared/
Edward Cheung
Have these and agree on the comment about these headphones creating good soundstage and ability to work with most genres. Now just need to get a good portable amp to really get them to shine!
Pickcick
Just wondering how if it compared to W3000ANV then. hehehe…
Both closed, and tag at “premium” $1500 and $1200.
Btw, how’s the performance of Edition 8 if paired with The Continental?
Mike
The Edition 8 is fast paced with very impactful bass. It’s a strong, toe-tapping headphone, with the usual V-shaped signature of the Ultrasones.
The W3000ANV, I’ve never listened to it, but based on the usual closed Audio Technica ful size signature, it should be a more relaxed headphone with a more spacious feel.
Sorry never tried the Edition 8 with the Continental.
Rudolfs Verdins
Greetings, Mike!
I wonder whether you have tried Edition 8 with Tera Player?
I’ll have my chance, I just cannot wait…
Mike
Hi Rudolfs,
Sorry but I don’t have the Edition 8 around at the moment. 🙁
Rudolfs Verdins
Oh, I’m sorry – I red your review only recently, and I did not pay atention to the year when it was done.
Just to say that I am using the Edition 8 Ltd # 545 as my main headphones for the second month now, and I am quite impressed. I use them mainly with Sansa Fuse, but I’m afraid this DAP does not do them justice, therefore I opted for Tera Player (according to the latest message from Charles, he is currently making it for me).
Mike
Alright, Rudolfs. Looking forward to hearing your impression with it.
Mike
By the way I deleted some of the comments you made on the other article since they were not in English. Nothing against foreign language, but I just feel that most people would benefit from comments posted in English. Hope you understand 😉
Rudolfs Verdins
A compatriot wrote to me in Latvian, so I replied. No problem whatsoever (apart from the inevitable side effect of making me less willing to contribute to your site – but I have no doubts that you are experienced enough to have anticipated that ;-).
Ron89
@headfonia:disqus
Mike how do these compare to the beyerdynamic T5p, better, on the same level or just a different type of sound?
I want a high end portable can that works well with modern music, remastered classic rock and pairs well with the HM801.
Rudolfs Verdins
Can only comment in the context of Tera Player as source.
Ed 8 and T5P both are keepers. Ed 8 is very good with [relatively] modern music, exceptionally good with classic rock, and good with remastered classic rock.
However,T5P beats Ed 8 for classical and jazz.
All in all Ed 8 sees more use – it is effortlessly involving, just fun, while T5P is more demanding, and can even be fatiguing at times.
Mike
Thanks Rudolfs for sharing.
Benoît
Hi
First at all thank you very much for all your very interesting reviews.
Do you think the Mojo is a good match with my Ultrasone Edition 8 ?
If not, do you have a another suggestion ? I use a Galaxy S7.
Best regards.
TechnoVolume
Ultrasone Edition 8 Ruthenium incorporates stunning attention to detail in every aspect of headphone design, the outer ear cups are covered in Ruthenium. This precious metal is known for its brilliant metallic sheen and durable properties. The outer ear cups are emblazoned with a decorative clasp of noble metal.The interior ear cups of Edition 8 Ruthenium headphones and the headband are covered in very soft genuine black Ethiopian sheepskin leather. This is the finest leather available and provides the finest isolation of any leather.The metal headband of Edition 8 typifies latest scientific knowledge in headband design and development. This unique progression of headband design made by Ultrasone is highly developed and technical precision work; specifically engineered for the Edition 8 series. The headband is also covered with the very soft genuine black Ethiopian sheepskin leather.The Ultrasone Edition 8 are the best headphones I’ve ever used with my iPod and iPad. When I first got these through B&H Photo Video, I couldn’t get them off my head. I listened for hours and hours every day, enjoying my music and movies more than ever.The Ultrasone Edition 8 sound absolutely fantastic, and they can play loudly directly from an iPod or iPad without using any amplifiers. They isolate from surrounding noise, and don’t leak sound to disturb others.