Closed over-ear headphones developed with Ultrasone
Astell&Kern Virtuoso is an over-ear headband headphone created with Ultrasone and built around 40 mm Mylar Titanium dynamic drivers.
It develops the Signature MASTER MKII platform and uses technologies associated with Ultrasone circumaural headphones, including S-Logic 3, DDF and FGC. Alcantara is used on the headband and ear pads, while the 4.4 mm balanced cable connects directly to compatible Astell&Kern DAPs and headphone amplifiers.
Key features
- Closed-back over-ear headphone with headband.
- 40 mm Mylar Titanium dynamic drivers.
- 32-ohm nominal impedance.
- Specified frequency response from 6 Hz to 42 kHz.
- 98 dB sensitivity.
- Ultrasone S-Logic 3 technology with DDF Double Deflector Fin.
- FGC headband design with Alcantara headband and ear pads.
- 4.4 mm cable using OFC copper and silver-plated OFC copper.
S-Logic 3 works with the geometry of the sound field
S-Logic 3 uses an offset transducer arrangement and specific internal geometry to make greater use of interaction with the outer ear before sound reaches the eardrum. DDF then influences energy distribution within the ear cup to refine the perceived spatial presentation.
Circumaural comfort rather than IEM ergonomics
FGC introduces a subtle indentation in the central headband area to distribute pressure more evenly across the head. Alcantara is used for both the headband and cushions. Stated weight is 400 g, making pressure distribution and headband ergonomics important parts of the overall design.
A completely different product from the other four
Novus, Stella, XIO and Luna are all in-ear monitors placed in the ear canal; Virtuoso is a conventional over-ear headphone. It is therefore aimed at listeners who prefer circumaural pads, passive isolation from a closed structure and a soundstage shaped by S-Logic 3, while retaining a 4.4 mm balanced connection suited to the Astell&Kern ecosystem.
