Sony
ULT WEAR: one of SONY’s big surprises for 2024
A new player in the headphone category that raises the standard at its price point.
This year SONY has made a change in the category of headphones that we have not seen for a long time, and that is to change the name of a model since the Japanese company has accustomed us to models such as WH-1000XM5 or WF-1000XM5 characteristic of its premium personal audio line. Now comes the ULT Power Sound family, which was unveiled last April in New York City. Over the past few weeks, we have had the opportunity to test the ULT WEAR headphones in this new family in all kinds of conditions, including an airplane, to give you our final impressions.
ULT WEAR Specifications
- Diaphragm: 40 millimeters over-ear
- Impedance: 314 ohms (1 kHz) (when connected via cable with power on), 32 ohms (1 kHz) (when connected via cable with power off)
- Sensitivity: 110 dB/mW (when connected through the cable with the power on), 100 dB/mW (when connected through the cable with the power off)
- Frequency Range: 2.4 GHz band (2.4000 GHz-2.4835 GHz)
- Magnet: Neodymium
- Frequency: 5Hz - 20,000Hz (JEITA)
- 1.2 meter cable
- Weight: 255 grams
- ULT and noise reduction button
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2, NFC and multipoint connection of up to 2 devices simultaneously
- Range: 10 meters
- Audio: Hi-Res and DSEE
- Codecs: SBC, AAC and LDAC
- Profile: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP
- Noise reduction: V1 chip with dual microphones in each earpiece and dual noise sensor technology
- Battery life: Up to 40 hours without ANC and 30 hours with ANC
- Charging via USB-C
Basses on a variety of levels
The main feature of the ULT WEAR is its 3 bass levels, the first of which is the default (when the ULT function is disabled) because it is more refined than the WH-1000XM5. We think they are fine by default, but this is a matter of taste. For listening to rock, grunge, reggaeton, pop, techno, concerts or other genres where we literally want to feel more bass, these headphones are the option, but they are not bad for listening to other types of tracks, even classical music.
The ULT button is used to toggle between the ULT1 level for deep, low frequency bass or ULT2 for more powerful bass. The fact that it integrates DSEE helps to improve music that comes compressed, and the Headphones Connect application even allows us to access the equalizer to adjust everything to our liking.
Audio Quality
The integrated V1 processor helps eliminate external noise with low latency, bringing the noise cancellation experience closer to that of the WH-1000XM5.
In the ambient sound mode, which we can access through the Sony Headphones Connect application, we can adjust the ambient sound in 20 levels or use the Focus on Voice setting to converse with someone without taking off the headphones.
As for the perception of frequencies, we can perceive the balance of the top of the range headphones of the brand, reiterating the focus on bass.
It also integrates the ability to listen to 360 audio if you have a service that has it, as may be the case of Tidal, but adds the function of head tracking if we have a compatible smartphone and service.
For video games we can say that they are more than adequate, especially if you are going to connect them to a computer or portable device wirelessly and if you connect them with a cable the latency is much reduced, but it is important to clarify that they must be turned on, since turned off the audio quality drops considerably.
If they are to be used as a hands-free kit or for recording audio, they do a good job with very good noise management.
Software
As usual with SONY’s top of the line headphones, the Headphones Connect app allows us to control the devices to which we connect them, enable or disable adaptive sound or noise cancellation, change the type of sound, equalize it either with the app or with a subsection that facilitates it, configure 360 audio or voice assistants (Alexa or Google), configure the touch panel on the right earpiece, customize the Noise Cancel button, enable or disable voice recording during a call, as well as customize services such as Spotify or Endel, since they have special functions with this model. It also has the activity log to know how long we use it, the safe listening function that takes care of our ears with indicators based on data issued by the World Health Organization, as well as the already known badges of use.
Design
The thermofoam pads greatly reduce wrinkling and minimize external noise well, something we really liked is that they fold up so they can be placed in their carrying case, which is less large than the WH-100XM5. They are also made from recycled plastic and the case does not contain any environmentally harmful plastic. Visually, they may not look like the top of the line, but they certainly have a look that matches the price point without losing the aesthetic essence of the brand.
Accessories
By adding a branded WLA-NS7 wireless transmitter connected to a BRAVIA XR TV, the ULT WEARs can also create Dolby Atmos virtualization.
Conclusion
The ULT WEAR are headphones with very good sound quality, but with enhanced bass, so keep that in mind because even if you turn off the ULT feature, it will still be there. They have almost all the features of Sony's top-of-the-line headphones like the WH-1000XM5, but at a lower price. Noise cancellation is among the best, and battery life is excellent. The design may not look premium at first glance, but they don't look like entry-level headphones either, and the fact that they fold down reduces the size of the case, which is appreciated.
Best
- Excellent noise cancellation
- Top-of-the-line performance from SONY
- 44 hours battery life with active noise reduction
- Good price
Worst
- Finger-marked material
- Lacks passive audio
- ULT settings are too high
- If you don't like boosted bass, these aren't for you
Score: 9