QuickLook.Technobrains

HFI-2200 Headphones

Headphones have been around for decades and each year we see a flood of new styles and sound

improvements. The line of headphones from Ultrasone are not your average headphones that are part

of the collective. The HFI-2200 ULE headphones are very unique. First off, the HFI-2200 ULE are designed

in Germany. A country known for its design excellence.

By looking at the headphones, you might think these are just like many other home stereo headphones.

Closer examination says otherwise. These headphones excel over most on the market. First, let

me describe the physical advantages of these headphones.

Physical Advantages:

1: The headphones cable is 3 meters in length. About 2 – 3 times your typical cable length.

2: The headphone cable is actually detachable and uses a 3.5 mm gold plated stereo screw in connector.

3 The soft padded ear pads are detachable for cleaning and replacement with no tools.

4: The shell of the headphones are constructed with high impact solid plastic.

5: The headphones can be folded into a compact shape for easy storage.

Audio advantage:

1: Comes with built in S-Logic Natural Surround Sound.

2 – Metal bufferboard which reduces magnetic emissions

3 – Frequency response of 10 – 25,000 Hz

It is very exciting to hear the S-Logic Natural Surround Sound in action. It is not normal to have surround

sound that is built into the headphones themselves. The sound really seems to surround your whole head.

The actual speaker driver is decentralized thus the sound does not enter the ear canal directly. This may

seem out of the ordinary but certainly delivers the cleanest and soft sound. It is so comfortable that wearing

the headphones and listening to music for 3 hours is not stressful to the ears whatsoever.

The human ear has a normal hearing range of 20 – 20,000 Hz. With the HFI-2200 ULE, the audio range is 10 -

25,000 Hz which means you are sure to hear every bit of audio within any music that the human ear can

detect. With the wider frequency range, even very subtle sounds not heard in most headphones are reproduced

and also allows for the cleaner reproduction of mid range sounds. The really low bass and the very

high treble sounds are not overpowering at all. The open back design allows rear speaker sound to exit

thereby minimizing reverberation which can cause interference.

The headphones come in a sturdy box with the 3 meter cable, 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm adapter for home stereo

use. Also included is a demo CD which demonstrates how the full orchestral plus other sounds are repoduced

in true surround sound.

HFI-2200 Headphones

Pros:

- Excellent sound reproduction.

- Allows for a lower volume level thus minimizing hearing damaging if sudden increase in sound levels

occur.

- Solid construction.

- Very comfortable sound and padded headset.

- The extra long cable is a real treat and allows for extended mobility.

Cons:

- none

Rating of 10 out of 10

The HFI-2200 ULE headphones are a wonder of technology and a real pleasure to wear and listen to. If you

listen to classical, jazz or other music categories that have numerous instruments, you will enjoy the range

of sounds that encapsulates your whole head. If you currently use ear bud headphones at home, you may

want to give your ears a rest and switch to these Ultrasone surround sound headphones. Your ears will

thank you. Ultrasone manufacturers a wide range of headphones for home, professional, DJ and mobility

use. All their headphone products utilize the S-Logic Natural Surround Sound. The mobile version called the

iCans are also an excellent version for those on the go. You can read my review of the iCans HERE. If you are

in the market to replace your aging headphones and are looking for that perfect pair, you have to check

out www.ultrasone.com.

iCans Review

Over the last decade, I cannot remember how many headphones I have gone through from

earbuds to professional headphones that fit snuggly over the ears. All headphones were originally

acquired due to a level of performance, craftmanship, and a recognizable manufacturer. I just

came across a manufacturer located in Germany that I have never heard of before. ULTRASONE

AG produces the iCans. I recently did a FIRST LOOK of the product.

These are certainly not your average headphones. For starters these headphones come with

S-Logic Natural Surround Sound built in. Typically surround sound is generated by the driving

sound source and not the receiving speakers or headphones in this case. When I first tried on

these headphones, I was very surprised that the sound was not your treble ladden sound but one

that expressed very low bass sounds as well.

Switching back to my traditional earbuds, I noticed a clear difference in sound and felt cheated

with my earbud headphones. The range of sound immenating from the iCans is a shear pleasure

to listen too. The full crisp sound is something that is not found in other headphones I have

experienced. Having tried various sound sources like, FM radio, CD, DVD, Internet radio, MP3 files,

all sound great using these headphones..These headphones bring out subtle sounds not heard

through numerous other headphones. You can say I am a headphone junky. I can now spend

hours listening to music and not feel tired or the need to take a break from music as I have with

other headphones. According to the manufacturer, these S-Logic Natural Surround Sound, reduces

the output by 3 – 4 decibels. This will certainly help reduce any ear damage from sudden

increases in sound levels.

iCans From Ultrasone

Another unique feature of the iCans is the decentralized or off centre speaker driver placement.

The sound is not driven into the ear canal directly. The sound hits the outer ear and enters via the

outer ear indirectly. This certainly gives the impression the sound is emanating from an external

source and not speakers directly attched to your ears. If you listen to a full orchestral recording

that clearly has stereo separation, you will certainly experieince this with the iCans. Various instruments

that fall in the frequency range of vocals can be distinguished with these headphones. If

you appreciate the full range of a drum kit and cymbals, a great recording with these sounds will

come to life.

The iCans are designed to fold like a pair of glasses and can be easily stored away. The headphones

come stored in a metal padded can like case thereby the name iCans most likely.

iCans From Ultrasone

The case though is not that practical for everyday use outside. I would have preferred a more

hinged eyeglass style carry case instead. That said, you may spend more time using these headphones

instead of being stored away. The quality of the materials are excellent. The headphones

utilize very light and durable materials. One of the lightest headphones I have experienced

without the feel of the unit being low grade or flimsy. The earpads and the outer fabric are very soft

to the touch.

If you create much of your own digital music, I would recommend you create the files for portability

while listening to the file on your desktop using the iCans. As the website title indicates

www.lost-sound.com, you will certainly minimize the lost sound when listening to the end product

on your mobile music player. Use any existing mixing utility you have to adjust the bass, midrange,

and treble before creating your audio sound file from your CD’s. Then these sound files or sounds

will jump out at you when you listen to them through your mobile audio player and the iCans.

I recently reviewed a digital audio book called the Playaway. By using the iCans instead of the

headphones include with the Playaway, the audio quality was improved by leaps and bounds. The

voice of the reader was crystal clear. The audio books included headphones were good but using

the iCans truly makes it a more enjoyable listening experience.

The manufacturer states that since you have a fuller sound range, you can listen to music at a lower

volume level compared to other headphones. This is certainly true.

Here are other features in the iCans not found on other mobile headphones.

- S-Logic Natural Surround Sound.

- ULE Technology (Ultra Low Emission) Reduces over 90% of the magnetic field affects.

- Frequency range of 20 – 20,000 Hz. (many mobile headphones are typically around 100 – 18,000

Hz)

- Speaker driver uses mylar film for optimum lightweight and strength.

- Produced in Germany and not somewhere in Asis.

These headphones do truly enhance the listening quality of any sound source. The lightweight

design will allow you to miminize stress on your head. The sound is one of the clearest I have

listened to.

Pros:

- Great sound quality

- Minimizes battery drain due to a lower volume level required to listen.

- Lightweight

- Solid construction

Cons:

- Metal case impractical for mobile use.

Rating:

9 out of 10

The iCans from ULTRASONE are a great pair of headphones. You should be able to purchase

these at a dealer near you or online for around $150.00 USD or less. These headphones will

greatly enhance your audio listening experience. If you have been using headphones that

come prepackaged with your digital audio player only, you have to give the iCans a try. You

will not be disappointed with the quality. The price maybe prohibitive for some but is an

investment in quality and protection of your hearing. Don’t let low grade headphones

damage your hearing.