I was at Causeway Point today, and I just felt the itch to audition the Ultrasone Edition 9 that Stereo carries.

The Edition 9 is probably the best closed-back headphones one can acquire. I've known about it for a long long time already, but have never gave it go before. Mainly because it costs an arm and a leg, or more specifically, a whooping SGD$1900.

So, I was at Stereo looking fixedly at the Ultrasone range of products. The salesperson felt obligated to engage me in audio small-talk. I suppose he was trying to feel me out, to gauge if I actually knew my stuff. Well, I do know my stuff, and he allowed me to try out the Edition 9.

The fellow handled that pair of headphones with utmost care, as befitting a 1.9K piece of equipment. He lifted it delicately out of the headphone's silver hardcase, and handed it over to me. Time to roll.

So I sat down on the provided stool, which coincidentally blocks half of an aisle, making me feel even more uncomfortable. I was already feeling the pressure of trying out their prized headphones, furthermore there's that dumbass salesguy who's pretending to be busy but in truth eyeing me for any heretic transgressions that I might commit upon their worshipped Edition 9s. That's why I greatly prefer Jaben. 

Getting down to business, the Edition 9 is like amazing.

Smooth, pleasing midrange, they got it just right. And that sweet sweet sweet treble which sings high and true but never piercing. Deep, resounding bass, but not the least bit muddy or overwhelming. Beautiful decaying of notes, with some really impressively wide soundstaging. The sound is very rich, and robust, but not being too forward, like the Grados are. Very warm, but not exactly deep colouration. Awesome separation of instruments to boot. Vocals-wise, it favours male ones more, but Eva Cassidy through the Edition 9 sounded oh-so-divine as well.

It's like vintage wine, aged to perfection. 

I returned the headphones, and the guy engaged me in more small-talk while wiping down the Edition 9 with some lint-free cloth. And I left feeling awed by another of Germany's fine products.