Sony Ult Wear headphones better buy than WH-1000XM headphones?

Sony not only makes very nice and good TVs like the Bravia X90L, but also very good headphones such as the noise canceling headphones WH-1000XM5. However, like many premium headphones, these don’t come cheap, like many other Sony products: quality comes at a price. Sony now wants to change that by introducing the sub-brand Ult. With Ult, Sony is mainly aiming at a younger target group and this is also reflected in the name Ult. Ult is used by (mainly) gamers as an abbreviation for Ultimate or Ultimate. Since young people often have (slightly) less to spend, Sony opts for a striking price-quality ratio that should appeal to young people. With Sony Ult, Sony wants to compete with JBL.

Sony Ultimate Power Sound
The Ult Power Sound series consists of three speakers with the Ult Tower 10, Ult Field 7 and Ult Field 1 and therefore the wireless Ult Wear headphones. All models in the series have the Ult button, which provides distinctive sound quality by amplifying the music with one or two different sound modes. The 7-band equalizer will be available after the official introduction of this Ult model and an update of the app, so that you can adjust the EQ. It will be available in the app stores no later than the week of April 15. Furthermore, the Ult Wear has a Low Latency mode: the technology used in the Ult Wear is comparable to that of Sony’s 1000X series and they all have Low Latency. These Ult headphones also have LDAC for High Res Audio playback, but no aptX adaptive.

Sony Ult Wear headphones
Below you can read some of the most important features of the Ult Wear:

• Ult Power Sound – Press the Ult button for good sound: Ult1 delivers deep bass (more intended for house and dance), while Ult2 delivers powerful bass that you can use more for rap.
• Good processor – The Ult Wear features Sony’s Integrated Processor V1, the same processor found in Sony’s award-winning 1000X series headphones. The driver unit is designed for the Ult Power Sound series for good resonant bass and clear details.
• Noise canceling – With the Dual Noise Sensor technology and the Integrated Processor V1, the Ult Wear has excellent noise canceling.
• Comfortable design – The headphones are comfortable with soft ear cushions and more space around the ears. Ult Wear has a foldable design and comes with a carrying case.
• Everyday use – Ult Wear exudes functionality, form and functions. A sensor pauses your music when you take it off and starts it again when you put it back on. Bluetooth pairs with two devices at the same time.

Test Ultimate Wear
During an exclusive Sony event last Monday, I was able to put on the Ult Wear myself to hear what the sound is like. Now sound is often a personal thing, but the sound sounded great and it fits comfortably. I personally have the Sony WH-1000XM3, which I am very satisfied with. With the recommended retail price tag of 199 euros for the Ult Wear, this Ult Wear is a (strong) competitor for its more expensive brother. However, it logically misses a number of things that the WH-1000XM series does have, such as ‘fast-forwarding’ a song with your fingers on the shells and turning the music up and down.
I’m looking forward to testing these headphones for a longer period of time.

Price and availability
The Ult Wear headphones are available in black, gray and white from today, priced at €199.