ULTRASONE DJ1 PRO
Apr 1, 2005 12:00 PM, BY ROBERT OLEYSYCK
EASY DOES IT > The Ultrasone DJ1 Pros are designed to present the user with a more realistic and less-fatiguing listening experience—even after hours in the DJ booth.
Given all of the advances in technology and gadgetry, it's surprising that the DJ-headphone market hasn't seen any tangible upgrades recently. Yes, new cosmetic designs have emerged, but none have offered anything drastically new or addressed the issues of improved sound quality or hearing protection — until now. Touted as the world's best DJ headphones, the Ultrasone DJ1 Pro hails from manufacturer Ultrasone AG in Germany, maker of professional headphones for more than 12 years. Although specifications such as a frequency range of 10 Hz to 22 kHz from 50mm Mylar drivers in a lightweight, closed-back design are common among high-end DJ headphones, these cans offer further enhancements aimed at creating a better sound with an “ear” toward safety.
The company's patented S-Logic Natural Surround Sound technology is said to expand the perceived listening stage beyond that of normal headphones so that sounds seem to emanate from the room around you instead of remain localized within your head or just around it. This is achieved in two ways: fit and driver placement. Most DJ headphone cups fit on top of the outer ear, forcing it to be pressed against the head and thereby driving the sound directly toward the inner ear. But nature and evolution provide humans with the outer ear to gather and draw sounds toward the inner ear; thus, the DJ1 Pro cups fit around the ear (a design otherwise known as circumaural), allowing it to retain its normal shape. Second, the drivers in the DJ1 Pro are offset toward the front of the cup instead of directly in the path of the inner ear, again allowing the outer ear to perform the way it's supposed to. This technology is also said to allow for a reduction in actual output volume, as great as 40 percent lower dB (3 to 4 dB), while maintaining the same sensation of loudness or perceived volume.
According to sources on the Internet, medical research has shown that low-frequency magnetic fields that are created in the process of converting electrical signals into acoustic signals (as headphones do) can be hazardous to your health. (Okay, what isn't bad for you these days?) In response, Ultrasone has developed and incorporated a special metal shield that reduces the radiation by as much as 98 percent. It's nice to hear that there's one less way to fry those remaining brain cells.
When wearing both cups, the sound from the DJ1 Pro does have a more natural presence, seeming to come from a larger area with better stereo imaging than other headphones while remaining loud and clear. Even at the loudest volume setting, minimal distortion is audible. In comparison, the vastly popular Sony MDR-V700DJ cans do have a more direct and seemingly louder sound at the same volume setting. After using the DJ1 Pro for a three-hour gig, my ears did seem to be less fatigued than normal, but was that just a placebo effect? Who knows? Due to their circumaural design, the cups are slightly larger than those on most other DJ headphones, and the well-padded band connecting the two cups has a more rounded and wider girth (more akin to traditional studio-reference headphones).
All of this aside, the DJ1 Pro has some additional features, enhancements and accessories that make it a standout product. Not only do they come with a pair of extra ear pads that are easily replaced, the drivers are user-replaceable, as well. Two detachable 3-meter cables are included, with each having a threaded ⅛-inch miniplug that screws into the left ear cup and a ¼-inch connection on the other end. One of these even has in-line volume controls for both left and right, as well as a stereo/mono switch. Ultrasone was even thoughtful enough to include a ¼-inc-to-⅛-inch adapter and a carrying bag that's large enough to easily fit the headphones, even when unfolded.
Ultrasone has certainly done its homework in order to provide a superior DJ headphone, but does all this make a realistic difference? The answer is yes and no. Headphones are a personal issue, and DJs make this choice based upon sound quality, fit, comfort and even how cool they look. The manner in which headphones are worn differs between DJs, as well. I wear my cue cup slightly off my left ear, so the sound-quality benefits of the DJ1 Pro are slightly negated. Regardless, the Ultrasone DJ1 Pro is a great pair of headphones.
ULTRASONE
DJ1 PRO > $240
Pros: S-Logic surround technology. Frequency range 10 Hz to 22 kHz. Crisp, clear, loud sound. Two detachable cables, one with independent L/R volume controls and stereo/mono switch. Less fatiguing.
Cons: Pricey. Headband could have more tension.
Contact: www.ultrasone.com
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