Astell&Kern VIRTUOSO, Closed-back Dynamic Headphones

Mastering Sound, Perfecting Performance

The Virtuoso is a perfect upgrade of the flagship model of the Ultrasone Signature series, the 'Signature MASTER MKII.’ The Virtuoso embodies the essence of exceptional skill and artistry, reflecting the headphones' meticulous craftsmanship and superior sound quality. In music, a virtuoso is someone with outstanding technical ability and expressive power, perfectly aligning with the high-quality sound these headphones deliver. The Virtuoso suggests that using these headphones is not just about listening—it's about experiencing sound at the level of musical mastery. We believe that the Virtuoso is ideally suited for those who seek a high-fidelity audio experience that resonates with the artistry and precision of music performance. The Virtuoso headphones will offer an unparalleled journey into the heart of sound, where technical brilliance meets emotional depth.

• Ultrasone X Astell&Kern, A collaboration between two artistry and technical excellence brands
• Ultrasone’s proprietary technology, S-Logic®3
• Equipped with a closed dynamic 40mm titanium-plated Mylar driver
• 4.4mm Balanced cable
• Designed with Ultrasone’s exclusive DDF technology
• Manufactured in Germany

ULTRASONE is a high-fidelity audio manufacturer founded in 1989 in Bavaria, Germany, that has specialized in headphones for decades. All products are handcrafted at Gut Raucherberg in Bavaria using high-quality materials, and ULTRASONE's exceptional acoustic technology is brought to life through precise design and meticulous craftsmanship.

Since its inception, ULTRASONE has focused solely on headphone production, leveraging its expertise and experience to continually explore innovative technologies and deliver the best sound quality. This dedication has earned the trust of both professionals and audiophiles. ULTRASONE's commitment to craftsmanship, ensuring even the smallest details are not overlooked, leads to originality and innovation, creating audio devices that exceed customer expectations.

Equipped with a closed dynamic 40mm titanium-plated Mylar driver

The VIRTUOSO boasts a balanced sound across the entire frequency range, featuring a 40mm titanium-coated diaphragm Mylar driver inherited from the Edition series. This driver ensures a wide playback frequency range while maintaining the excellent delicacy and detailed sound tuning of the previous generation model, providing low distortion along with deep and powerful bass. Additionally, it delivers clear sound that allows for precise monitoring down to the sub-bass level, achieving low distortion across all frequency ranges.

ULE (Ultra Low Emission) Technology

The VIRTUOSO adopts ULE (Ultra Low Emission) technology, a proprietary technology that reduces electromagnetic radiation generated by the drivers. This technology focuses on minimizing the low-frequency magnetic fields produced during the process of converting electrical signals into acoustic signals in the headphones. The VIRTUOSO uses an upgraded material based on “MU Metal”; a special military metal used in the original ULE technology. This new material allows for reduced shieling thickness while increasing the overall size, and is installed between the source of the electromagnetic radiation and the human body, resulting in enhanced protective capabilities over previous technology. This setup bends the direction of the electromagnetic waves before they reach the body, reducing emissions by approximately 98%. This ensures safe listening over extended periods and provides users with a more comfortable listening experience.

Balanced Connection

The VIRTUOSO supports a balanced connection, delivering optimal performance in various audio environments. Based on feedback from audio enthusiasts, the internal circuit board of the headphone has been redesigned to accommodate a 4-pole balanced connection. As a result, VIRTUOSO comes with a 1.4m straight cable featuring a 4.4mm balanced plug, allowing users to expand their sound possibilities based on their needs and connection options.

Cable Technical Specification

• 2 Core Conductors each core 0.08X20 strand – Silver Plated OFC (Type 1 Litz Wire with strain relief 200D Kevlar DuPont Filament) (26 AWG)
• 2 Core Conductors each core 0.08X20 strand- 5N OCC Copper (Type 2 Litz Wire with strain relief 240D Kevlar DuPont Filament) (26 WG)
  * AWG(American Wire Gauge) – The smaller the wire gauge number indicate the thicker the diameter of the wire and greater the electric current can carry
• Core conductor insulation material-LumiFlex ™ (PVC mixture with secret technique by Luminox Audio, lower insulation density greatly reduce the surface contact between insulation and conductor, reduce impedance improve sensitivity)
• Length : 130cm ± 3cm (Tolerance Length)
• Cable Diameter : 4.40mm
• Outer Cable Insulation Material : TPE

DESIGN

The design of Virtuoso embodies the collaboration between two iconic brands, symbolized by the 'X.’ Using soft curves that align with Astell&Kern’s design guideline, the X shape is elegantly expressed, flowing seamlessly from the center to the outer edge of the housing. This fusion brings together exceptional craftsmanship with Astell&Kern's signature style, creating a product that balances artistry and technical excellence.

Virtuoso’s design is a reflection of musical mastery, where every curve and detail is thoughtfully crafted to elevate the user’s experience. We’ve integrated sleek, modern lines with refined textures to create a visual harmony that mirrors the balance between precision sound engineering and emotional depth.

This isn’t just about listening—it’s about immersing yourself in a high-fidelity audio journey where design and performance unite in perfect harmony.

General Specifications