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ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
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REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Ultrasone Edition 12 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£1,230Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Ultrasone Edition 12 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Ultrasone Edition 12
5.8/10

Overall score

Score
5.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 74% of models
Score components

80%

5.3

Technical score

20%

7.7

User score

â–¼Worse than 74% of headphones
5.3

Value for money

Value for money
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 97% of models
Score components

70%

5.8

Overall score

30%

4.0

Price

â–¼Worse than 97%
5.3

Technical score

Technical score
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 83% of models
Score components

52%

6.0

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.2

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

5.6

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 83%
7.7

User score

User score
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
Score components

70%

10

User ratings

30%

2.4

Number of reviews

â–¼Worse than 67%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Ultrasone Edition 12

Technical score
Technical score
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 83% of models
Score components:

52%

6.0

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.2

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

5.6

Calls & Controls

5.3
User score
User score
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
Score components

70%

10

User ratings

30%

2.4

Number of reviews

7.7
Popularity
Popularity
2.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
Popularity:
Ultrasone Edition 12 has a popularity score of 2.4 points, which is lower than that of 71.3% of products in this category.
2.4
Value for money
Value for money
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 97% of models
Score components:

70%

5.8

Overall score

30%

4.0

Price

5.3
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
6 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 6 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 84.5% of headphones and equal to 1.8% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
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Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Ultrasone
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
282 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 282 g, heavier than 74.8% of headphones and equal to 0.3% of headphones.
Acoustic design
open-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Ultrasone Edition 12 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Spatial audio support
    This pair of headphones supports spatial audio, the average pair of headphones does not. 15.9% of headphones support spatial audio.
  • 12 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (6 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    6 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 22,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (42,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    42,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • 0.2 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.1 % vs 0.3 %
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 14 mm more spacious earcup width
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup width than the average pair of headphones (58 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    58 mm vs 44 mm
  • 1.8 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (3 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    3 m vs 1.2 m
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 14 mm more spacious earcup width
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup width than the average pair of headphones (58 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    58 mm vs 44 mm
  • 1.8 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (3 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    3 m vs 1.2 m
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • Spatial audio support
    This pair of headphones supports spatial audio, the average pair of headphones does not. 15.9% of headphones support spatial audio.
  • 12 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (6 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    6 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 22,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (42,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    42,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 0.2 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.1 % vs 0.3 %
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 29.4% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (282 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    282 g vs 218 g
  • 13.67x more expensive
    Ultrasone Edition 12 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£1,230 vs £90).
    £1,230 vs £90
  • 3 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (99 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    99 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 38.2% worse value for money
    Ultrasone Edition 12 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (5.26 vs 7.3).
    5.26 vs 7.27
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 13.67x more expensive
    Ultrasone Edition 12 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£1,230 vs £90).
    £1,230 vs £90
  • 38.2% worse value for money
    Ultrasone Edition 12 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (5.26 vs 7.3).
    5.26 vs 7.27
  • 2.43x less popular
    Ultrasone Edition 12 is less popular than the average pair of headphones (2.42 vs 5.9).
    2.42 vs 5.87
  • 3.5% lower user score
    User score
    7.7/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Ultrasone Edition 12
    the average pair of headphones
    Ultrasone Edition 12 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.73 vs 8).
    7.73 vs 8
  • 29.4% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (282 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    282 g vs 218 g
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • 2 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (58 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    58 mm vs 60 mm
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 3 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (99 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    99 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 11 dB lower max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a lower max SPL than the average pair of headphones (99 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    99 dB vs 110 dB
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Not graded

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

musicalhead.de
16/06/2016
Lab-free listening test · Closed-back headphones
Verdict
The Ultrasone Edition 12 is a detailed, airy headphone that sounds best with a tube amplifier, but its bright treble can be harsh with compressed music.
areadvd.de
16/05/2014
Hands-on review · Audiophile listening
Verdict
The Ultrasone Edition 12 is a comfortable, lightweight open headphone with spacious sound, fine detail and deep bass, though its highs are quite prominent.
connect.de
28/08/2013
Listening review · Sound character
Verdict
The Ultrasone Edition 12 is a spacious, detailed open headphone for listeners who like the brand's sound, but its dominant highs can stand out on imperfect recordings.
on-mag.fr
28/10/2014
Hands-on test · Home hi-fi
Verdict
The Ultrasone Edition 12 is a light, roomy open headphone with very airy sound, best for home listening with clean, well-made recordings.
T
tellementnomade.org
15/09/2014
Summary of the review
Ultrasone Edition 12 Review: A flagship apart
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Ultrasone Edition 12

  • Lightweight and elegant art-deco design (approx. 282g)
  • Immersive and upfront soundstage that puts the listener 'among the musicians'
  • Smoother, more euphonic warmth compared to typical Ultrasone models
  • Comfortable microfiber pads and Ethiopian long-haired sheep leather headband
  • Excellent for acoustic, jazz, and vocal genres due to its organic tonality
  • Easy to drive even from portable sources or smartphones

What customers don't like about Ultrasone Edition 12

  • Lacks technical precision, resolution, and micro-detail of competitors in its price bracket
  • Sub-bass extension is relatively poor; roll-off is noticeable compared to high-end planars
  • Thick, high-quality cable is non-detachable, which is rare at this price point
  • Slight mid-bass boost can result in a 'vague' or soft attack on fast tracks
  • High retail price is often cited as offering low value for the performance provided
  • Strong initial clamping force may cause discomfort after several hours

Verdict

The Ultrasone Edition 12 is a hand-crafted, open-back reference headphone featuring 40mm gold-plated neodymium dynamic drivers and patented S-Logic Plus technology for a wide, natural soundstage. Technically, it boasts an expansive frequency range of 6 Hz to 42,000 Hz, a 40-ohm impedance for easy drivability, and a sensitivity of 99 dB, finished with premium materials like Ethiopian sheepskin leather and matte ruthenium-coated ear cups. Its main pros include exceptional transparency, strikingly precise imaging, and lightweight comfort (282g) for long listening sessions. However, it is often noted for a bright, analytical treble that can lead to sibilance on certain recordings and a lack of a detachable cable compared to modern rivals.

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