Flipping a massive, German bird to doubting-Thomas economists, Ultrasone has announced the limited U.S. availability of the Ultrasone Edition 9 Hi-Fi headphones. These cans -- if one would deign to call them such -- clock in at a MSRP of $1,799 US, or 156% the GDP of Togo.

These top-shelf earphones are decked out with black-chrome ear-cups and name-plates, (kinda-like my lady -- I like to keep my woman in chrome). The ear-pads and headphone-band are crafted from Ethiopian sheep leather for the ultimate in listener-comfort -- provided, of course, that the listener does not get uncomfortable thinking about how smelly and disease-ridden Ethiopian sheep are.

Looks and scarcity aren't the only price-factors here, though. The Edition 9s sport fine-tuned, titanium-plated drivers for "unrivaled" sonic clarity.

The previous limited edition Ultrasone phones were designated "7," meaning they've skipped eight, kinda like the how the Die Hard franchise made a third installment without making a second film (that I choose to recognize, anyway). I'm guessing the Edition 8 phones were so costly, the project was over-budget before it even left the "I haven't even told anybody I wanted to do an Edition 8" stage.

The Ultrasone Edition 9s are available from select Ultrasone dealers, or direct from their website.