Sony ULT Wear Headphones Review – ULTimate Bass on a Budget

The Sony ULT WEAR headphones are designed for bass lovers, offering two unique “ULT” bass modes and powerful active noise cancellation (ANC) in a comfortable, foldable design. This review analyzes ULT WEAR’s features, sound quality, microphone quality, ANC performance, and overall value proposition.

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Specs and Features: Familiar Design with Budget-Friendly Materials

While resembling the premium WH-1000XM5 headphones, the ULT WEAR utilizes a more budget-friendly plastic construction. It boasts a dedicated ULT button for bass control, a foldable design for portability, and a comfortable fit. However, features like Hi-Res wireless certification and DSEE Extreme audio processing are absent, replaced by the basic DSEE version. Battery life reaches 30 hours with ANC enabled, and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity supports LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs. Controls are divided between the earcups, with a touchpad on the right for volume and music, and buttons on the left for ANC, power/pairing, and the ULT bass mode button.

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Microphone Quality: Decent But Not Class-Leading

The ULT WEAR’s microphone delivers crisp and clean audio in quiet environments. However, in noisy conditions, it struggles to isolate your voice from background noise. While sidetone allows you to hear your voice during calls, it can be disabled in the app. Compared to the flagship XM5s, the microphone performance falls short.

Active Noise Cancellation: Effective and Improved Over Previous Models

The ULT WEAR’s ANC effectively cancels out ambient noise, surpassing the XB910N and even matching the performance of the XM5s. It offers a significant improvement over the XM4s, which masks midrange noise with white noise. While the XM4s excel at low-frequency rumble cancellation, the ULT WEAR provides a more balanced approach.

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Transparency Mode: Natural Sounding with Caveats

The transparency mode offers a natural listening experience, allowing you to be aware of your surroundings during conversations. However, it does not amplify your voice and might block some very loud noises.

Sound Quality: All About the Bass (But Customisable)

The core strength of the ULT WEAR lies in its bass capabilities. With the ULT button disabled, the sound signature exhibits a V-shape with boosted bass and highs, preserving some crispness in vocals. Overall, the sound leans slightly warm in the midds, creating an energetic feel.

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The ULT Bass Modes Explained:

• ULT Off: Delivers a moderate bass boost with a focus on upper mids and highs.
• ULT1: Further enhances sub-bass and mid-bass for increased punch and impact.
• ULT2: Delivers an overwhelming bass experience, boosting bass by up to 15db compared to the default setting. This mode might overpower the rest of the audio for some listeners.

The Sony Headphones Connect app allows further customization through EQ presets that maintain the chosen bass balance (ULT Off, ULT1, or ULT2).

Conclusion:

The Sony ULT WEAR caters to bass-heavy music enthusiasts seeking powerful ANC and a comfortable, foldable design. Its customizable sound allows for adjustments, but the microphone quality falls short of the XM5s. While not the most premium offering, the ULT WEAR delivers a compelling option for those prioritizing bass performance.

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