Ultrasone’s regal Edition 10 open-back headphones were singled out with the Red Dot Award in the “Honourable Mention” category.
The Red Dot Award is one of the most prestigious design awards and is recognised world-wide. This year once again, the award ceremony at Essen’s Aalto Theatre was a special event full of exquisitely designed products. The masterpiece by Bavarian headphone manufacturer Ultrasone AG was singled out in the “Honourable Mention” category for its outstanding design.
The open-back headphones impressed the jury of experts with their dynamic lines and select, highgrade materials. The ear cups are coated with ruthenium, an extremely rare and lightweight precious metal similar platinum. Zebrano wood inlays underscore the striking design of the headphones. This fine wood is frequently used in the construction of musical instruments and its unique grain makes each Edition 10 a one-off. Ear cup pads and the head pad made of supremely soft Ethiopian sheepskin ensure optimum comfort, even after hours of use.
The Edition 10 impresses not only on the strength of its sound and high-grade components but also by virtue of being superbly handcrafted exclusively at the company headquarters in Tutzing, Bavaria.
A statement for combining sound with design Ultrasone’s patented S-Logic-Plus technology with the decentralised arrangement of the transducers forms the basis for the excellent sound quality of the Edition 10. It enables unprecedented accurate and detailed reproduction of music: a vivid sound with undreamt-of surround sound quality that delivers a precise reproduction in the stereo panorama and tremendous depth of sound. The Edition 10 was conceived as open-back dynamic headphone for hi-fi enjoyment and, despite the open design, offers a depth of tone and precision otherwise only possible with closed headphones.
With a frequency range of 5 hertz to 45 kilohertz, a handpicked titanium-coated 40-millimetre transducer more than covers the entire spectrum of the human ear and is responsible for the impressive sound. With additional attenuation, the transducer and buffer board form a unique sound unit resulting in an even more neutral sound impression with optimised surround perception of voices and instruments from stereo sound signals.
“It is a tremendous honour for the Edition 10 to receive the Red Dot Award”, says Michael Zirkel, COO of Ultrasone AG. “We are delighted that our open-back headphones – a true work of art – are now mentioned in the same breath as the most important German design classics. This award also acts as an incentive for us to continue to combine impressive design with excellent sound.”
Ultrasone: the company
Ultrasone AG is one of the leading developers and manufacturers of headphones and has built up a good reputation amongst audiophile listeners throughout the world since its foundation in 1991. Ultrasone headphones are just as popular in the proaudio industry, among top DJs and renowned recording studios, as they are with hi-fi and audio aficionados in over 50 countries. For several years now owners of MP3 players have also been able to enjoy their audio through portable Ultrasone headphones. The company, based in Tutzing, Bavaria, holds over 60 patents.
One of the special features of Ultrasone headphones is their patented S-Logic technology, which, thanks to the decentralised arrangement of the sound transducers, provides natural surround sound whilst protecting the wearer’s hearing. The ULE shielding developed in 1997 marks another milestone in headphone history as it reduces the head’s exposure to electromagnetic radiation by up to 98%.