Highlights
- Clear and powerful sound with deep bass
- Impressive battery life of up to 50 hours
- Effective noise cancellation for immersive listening
- High-quality audio streaming with Bluetooth 5.2 and LDAC codec
Sony’s audio names generally come under fire, and rightfully so.
I mean, just look at the likes of WH-1000X M5 for their flagship noise-canceling headphones.
But this new ULT series aims at something a little different, creating headphones not for everybody but for those who enjoy the feel of bass in their music.
Launched in India, the ULT series comprises of headphones, Bluetooth speakers, and a big speaker meant to power parties and annoy the neighbours.
The ULT Wear headphones, equipped with XB (Extra Bass) technology, come with a Bass Boost button and seem to be designed to take over from the 1000x series possibly a little more aggressively.
Now, intrigued by these claims, I decided to spend some time with the ULT Wear, and what I found was quite surprising.
| Pros | Cons |
| Clear, powerful sound | Bass can be overwhelming |
| Long battery life | Call quality can vary |
| Effective noise cancellation | Plasticky appearance |
Sony ULT Wear: Key Specs
- 50dB Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
- 10mm BoomX Technology drivers
- 60 hours of total playtime
- Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity
- IPX5 water-resistant rating
- 40ms ultra-low latency
- Mode Sync RGB LEDs
- Dual device pairing with Boult Amp app
Sony ULT Wear: Unboxing
Unboxing the Sony ULT Wear headphones was a delightful experience.
The packaging felt premium and well-designed, immediately giving a sense of quality.
Inside, the headphones were neatly folded in their travel case, accompanied by a USB Type-C charging cable, a 3.5mm audio cable, and a user manual.
The minimalist and organized presentation made it easy to access each component, setting a positive tone for my first encounter with the ULT Wear.
Sony ULT Wear: Design and Build
The headphones feature a minimal and functional design, giving them a subtle look.
The Sony branding and the ULT button give a rainbow-esque look upon light reflection.
They come in three colours: black, white, and gray.
The weight of 225g is light, but the headphones don’t feel light and breakable while carrying.
They might appear slightly plasticky at first, but a closer look reveals that they are kin to their more premium sibling, the WH-1000XM5, especially in their ear cups.
The ULT Wear folds all the way into a travel case, much like the old 1000X and XB910N models.
It fits into a rucksack easily.
The big ear pads fit around the ear nicely, offering you a very tight grip.
I have worn them on a flight from Delhi, and even though I felt a bit of the weight, they never became uncomfortable.
The headband is slimmer and more in tune with how Sony incorporates design into their flagship series.
A large ‘ULT’ button located inside, its functionality, however, will be discussed later in the review.
The right earcup is touch-sensitive but remains quite minimalistic.
Broadly speaking, the Sony ULT Wear headphones are well built, have a nice form factor, just enough heft, and are very comfortable.
Sony ULT Wear: Features and Companion App
The Sony ULT Wear headphones feature Bluetooth 5.2 and Sony’s LDAC codec for high-quality streaming up to 990kbps, delivering 32-bit/96kHz to the wearer’s ears.
They also come with a Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) to upscale compressed audio in an attempt to restore it to the quality in which it was originally recorded.
Upon pressing the power button, my Pixel 8 Pro immediately locked onto them through Google’s Fast Pair.
I was just a tap away, and the LDAC link was all set to carry out Hi-Res audio.
Playback and an EQ, plus a graphic of the bass, are right there on Sony’s app.
The headphones are equipped with 40mm dome-type drivers and feature touch controls on the earcups for play/pause, track navigation, and volume control.
The product also has buttons for ANC/Ambient sound and the ULT button controls the bass up to three levels: Off, ULT 1, and ULT 2.
The right earcup which, at first glance, looks very minimalistic, also supports several gestures/touch controls, which worked perfectly fine with the play/pause feature.
But what I really love is the ability to cup the right earcup with my palm to enable transparency mode momentarily.
This comes in handy in instances where you might want to listen to a person speak without really pausing the music.
Sony ULT Wear: Sound Quality
Sound quality is a mixed bag on the Sony ULT Wear headphones due to the ULT feature.
Experimentation resulted in finding the best sound profile by using the Bright EQ preset on the Headphones app with the ULT set at 1 (moderate).
These settings made listening to the ULT Wear a pleasant affair regardless of whether one is using compressed music from Spotify or lossless tunes from Tidal.
The headphones have good performance for genres like rock and electro-pop, and its prowess was showcased in handling almost all genres of music.
Listening to the song “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen, the mids and highs were clear, and again, the soundstage was nice and wide, enabling the listener to feel each intricate layer of the song.
Bass-heavy music’s excellent quality is represented in the Billie Eilish track “Bad Guy.”
ANC, Call Quality and Battery Life
The ANC performed well in ensuring an immersive listening experience by putting a stop on ambient noise, making it perfect for long listening sessions.
This new offering from Sony provides a robust sound experience with clear mids, crisp highs, and a bass resonating with deepness, particularly for bass enthusiasts.
Call quality, for the most part, is solid on the ULT Wear.
The voices were loud and clear when taking calls, and mostly without outside interference, although some ambient sounds and voices did sometimes bleed in.
Its battery life is also quite good, allowing for about 30 hours with noise cancelling on and 50 with it off.
It has a special quick charge support: 5 hours of operation in just 10 minutes or 90 minutes in just 3 minutes.
The feature facilitates the device for long listening sessions and on-the-go use without the worry of frequent recharges.
Final Verdict
The Rs 24,990 Sony ULT Wear headphones, available for Rs 16,989 on Amazon, deliver a robust blend of advanced features and performance for bass heads.
They are sleek and functional in terms of design, built strong, and offer a comfortable fit.
Running Bluetooth 5.2, LDAC codec, and 40mm drivers, they bring quality sounding music with clear mids, crispy highs, and deep bass.
The DSEE enhances compressed audio, and an ULT button gives users control over just how much bass they want.
A few little issues are noticed with the bass boost and sometimes call quality interference, but overall, they perform well.
5 Reasons to Buy
- Excellent Sound Quality: Clear mids, crisp highs, and deep bass provide a well-rounded audio experience.
- Impressive Battery Life: Up to 50 hours of playback without noise cancellation, ensuring long listening sessions.
- Effective Noise Cancellation: The ANC effectively blocks out ambient noise, making it ideal for immersive listening.
- High-Quality Streaming: Supports Bluetooth 5.2 and LDAC codec for high-resolution audio streaming.
- Comfortable Fit: Lightweight design with large ear pads and a slim headband for extended wear comfort.
3 Reasons Not to Buy
- Overwhelming Bass: The bass boost can sometimes become muddy, detracting from the overall sound quality.
- Occasional Call Quality Issues: Some ambient sounds and voices can bleed through during calls.
- Plastic Appearance: The initial plasticky look may seem less premium compared to other high-end models.
FAQs
What are the main features of the Sony ULT Wear headphones?
The Sony ULT Wear headphones feature 50dB active noise cancellation, 10mm BoomX technology drivers, 60 hours of total playtime, Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, an IPX5 water-resistant rating, and dual device pairing with the Boult Amp app.
How does the ULT Wear handle bass-heavy music?
The ULT Wear headphones come equipped with a Bass Boost button, offering three levels of bass intensity. While the bass is punchy and full of life, it can sometimes become overwhelming, especially at higher boost levels.
Are the Sony ULT Wear headphones comfortable for long listening sessions?
Yes, the ULT Wear headphones are designed for comfort with large ear pads, a slim headband, and a lightweight build, making them suitable for extended wear.
How effective is the noise cancellation on the Sony ULT Wear headphones?
The active noise cancellation (ANC) on the ULT Wear headphones is effective at blocking out ambient noise, ensuring an immersive listening experience even in noisy environments.
What is the battery life of the Sony ULT Wear headphones?
The Sony ULT Wear headphones offer up to 50 hours of playback with noise cancellation off and 30 hours with it on. They also support quick charging, providing 5 hours of operation with just a 10-minute charge.
Also Read: Sony WF-1000XM5 TWS Earbuds Launched in India: Pricing, Specs, Availability, and, More