Ultrasone Announces First Balanced-Version Headphone: The PRO 2900

(Editorial note: As many AVguide and Playback readers may already know, one of the fastest growing movements within the high-end headphone community is a shift toward equipping high-performance headphones with cable set—and in some cases other modifications—to allow the ‘phones to be driven by fully balanced amplifiers. In a tacit acknowledgement of the significance of this movement, the German headphone manufacturer Ultrasone has just released its first balanced-version headphone: the PRO 2900. We present, below, the text of the Ultrasone press release for the PRO 2900 along with images of the product. Note that the release provides a simple and cogent explanation of the benefits of switching to balanced drive for headphones.).
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Ultrasone Releases Standard & Balanced Versions of Its Latest Headphone Innovation - PRO 2900

New open-backed headphones with titanium-plated drivers, velvet ear pads and Neutrik connectors feature an airy & transparent sound

Murrieta, Calif. - (September 13, 2010) – Ultrasone Inc., distributor for German headphone manufacturer Ultrasone AG, is proud to debut the only open-backed headphone in its legendary PRO Series, the PRO 2900. For the first time ever, Ultrasone is releasing both a standard, single cable version and a balanced, double cable version of a pair of headphones. With the PRO 2900, Ultrasone has struck a balance between powerful and accurate sound production, with the airy and natural sound characteristics of an open-backed headphone. 

Balanced versus Single Cable Headphones

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. To achieve this paragon of headphone fidelity, 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.

PRO 2900 Features

Ultrasone’s PRO 2900s boast a classic black design, velvet covered black ear pads and a diamond-cut logo insignia on the ear cup. The PRO 2900 features 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 patented 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)