HFI-850 provides good audio output thanks to
ULE (ultra-low emission) technology and S-Logic Natural Surround Sound Plus
technology promises to give you natural sound as well as a comfortable feeling
through several hours in use.
RRP
is $200
The German brand’s headphone is
well-appreciated because it follows Safer Hearing standard, applying two
technologies to protect user’s hearing: Ultra Slow Emission (an anti-static
shielding reduces ration by up to 98%) and S-Logic Natural Surround Sound Plus
(able to reduce pressure on ears by 40%). S-Logic Natural Surround Sound Plus
technology is not similar to 5.1 surround sound effect. It still brings original
stereo sound but creates a 3D effect reducing pressure because Ultrasone doesn’t
place the speakers directly towards user’s eardrum, creating an angle which is
not perpendicular to the outer ear.
As a result, 50% of signal goes to eardrum
while the rest 50% goes to the helix. Thus, sound pressure reduces by 40%.
S-Logic design also gives a 3D effect as well as natural sound. These two technologies
used to be for Ultra Pro series dedicated to experts, singers and composers
that work with headphone in many hours daily. However, in recent 5 years, all
headphones of the brand have been integrated with the technologies. S-Logic
Plus is an upgrade of previous S-Logic. It is designed for HFI-580 series
following new standards and able to produce sound which is powerful, accurate
in amazing details, helping listeners recognize the artist easily.
The
headphone is carefully packed with 3.5/6.3 jack adaptor (gold-plated); bag;
Demo CD and user guide
With regard to design, HFI-580 is
black-pearl colored. The cup’s housing made of anti-static and stainless steel appears
sturdy and strong. It also feature 50mm Mylar driver allowing for high-frequency
sound. HFI-580 goes with every music genres though it is most ideal for bass
and vivid music.
Trying it on iPhone with song “Memory (from
Cat)” by Barbra Streisand, we had a feeling which was strong, clear and
vibrant. From the start accompanied by piano, low notes definitely indicated
that bass was well treated. When her vocal rose, listeners would immediately realize
Barbra Streisand if they had listened to her before, which proves the
headphone’s ability of detecting fascinating vocals. Throughout the song, vocal
and music were up then high, diving then rising…Those expressions were too
enough for listener’s demand.
Next, we tried it on Dell Vostro 1310 with
a YouTube’s clip: John Denver Sings “This Old Guitar” For All His Friends. The
sound of acoustic guitar, especially bass, turned out lively. The American country
singer’s male vocal with the world of John Denver appeared vibrant, interesting
and subtle, which easily caught listener’s feeling. However, streaming music
from Internet is not as good as those on iPhone or MP3 music played directly on
PC. Moreover, it is far less fascinating than playing CD music.
Thick
sound-proof ear cups are soft enough to comfort listener’s ears
Playing MP3 tracks of Opera Carmen (CD recorded
by Deutsche Grammophon, 128kb/s bitrate) shown the headphone’s great
performances in any audio range, especially bass. When the Prelude started, listeners
were immediately absorbed in extremely Spanish rhythms and melodies. In the
next track Sur la place chacum passe, a choir appeared in accompany of bouncing
sound of contrabass.
Right after Sur la place chacum passe, Regardes
Donce cette petite began following with an introduction of harmonious violin
performance plus typical recitative (in opera). Like that, the opera interestingly
continued until its end. Nowadays, Carmen is not so popular around the world. Many
of its parts have been used as ringtones and music on hold. Sadly, Carmen
opera’s first demonstration in 1875 didn’t succeed. The composer, George Bizet
(1838 – 1875), was very grieving over it. He got ill and dead in his early age.
Headband
has a layer of cushion which prevents pressure on top-head and helps positioning
the headphone
Audio quality was drastically improved when
we tried playing the enclosed Demo CD along with HFI-580 on PC. In first track
“Sileypud” New Haranni Poison Mixers – except (John Barnes), there was a soft demonstration
of wind instruments which sounded vivid. The next track "Auf geht’s – ab
gheht’s", Tripercussion, Nr.06 – except (Th. Keems) brought out a big
party of percussion. Drum bass sounded thick and thunderous. In another track:
"Applaus", Bagilioni (soundclip, Ulrasone production), there was
simple rounds of applause, which makes this track ideal for the process of
detecting devices.
Demo CD includes 20 tracks available in any
genres and demand. "Ave verum Corpus" (W.A. Mozart, KV 618) delivered
organ music with thick and deep bass while "Rondo Allegro", ( in
Ludwig van Beethoven’s Sonate Nr.8, C minor, Op.13) gave listeners piano sound
which was high-pitched, sharp, clear and no less powerful…
7 of 20 tracks in Demo CD are sound clips
extracted from natural sounds. For example, 11th track "Feuerwerk
2002" (soundclip – except, Ultrasone Production) was recorded at a
festival. Its main output is mainly various sounds of fireworks (in the air and
on the ground). Therefore, HFI-580 headphone is for not only common users but
also professional in recording sounds.
The
housing is made of anti-static and stainless steel while the 50mm driver is
from Mylar
Supporting hi-end stuff is not HFI-580’s
first priority. This is shown in the 3.5mm jack port at default. There’s also a
3.5mm/6.3mm adaptor for purpose of enjoying hi-fi/hi-end devices. Though, playing
Demo CD with device having 6.3mm port, like Teac ZD-7000 CD player,
transistorized amp Marantz Esotec Series PM5, the result was quite enough. The
shortest track (also the 7th one) gave listeners a feeling that the ground was
shaking while Organ music is calling upon.
Track 8 of Demo CD is
"Chakraphon-Improvisation I" (Ulrasone production) recreated vibrant
sound of orchestra bells ringing in every detail and it made us feel we were
standing in a real orchestra. The 9th track "Andante larghetto"
(trong Concerto Nr.2 của G.F.Handel) played by PM5 appeared splendid
though PM5 has not much improvement compared to ZD-7000. HFI-580’s performance
sounded better with Denon DCD 3300 CD player than with ZD-7000. The best output
resulted from the setting of HFI-580 with tube amp Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum on
DCD 3300 Player although HFI-580 headphone ($210) has considerably higher audio
definition than Ultrasone Zino model ($145). Despite all, Pro 650 ($335) has much
finer definition.
Main
3.5mm jack and 3.5/6.3mm gold-plated adaptor
Specs
Next-generation S-Logic Plus Surround Sound
technology
Versatility
Frequency response: 10Hz – 22,000Hz
Impedance: 32Ohm
Sensitivity: 101dB
ULE (Ultra Low Emission) standard
50mm Myler ear cups
Net weight: 285g (without cable)
Cable’s length: 3m
Overview
Good
Vivid sound
Dynamic design
Sharp detail
Pure quality
Bad
Hi-fi quality is not as good as that of Pro
Series
