Sony is famous for making headphones with great bass. Their XB (Extra Bass) series has always been known for deep, rumbling sound. But a few years ago, Sony changed things up a bit. Their WH-CH700 and WH-1000XM series started having a cleaner sound. However, the XB series still focused on heavy bass, like the WH-XB910 headphones, which had lots of bass but fewer smart features.
Now, Sony has introduced the ULT Wear headphones. These promise not only great bass but also many high-end features. They cost $178 (Rs 16,990), which is a bit more than the Extra Bass series but less than the WH-1000XM5, which costs around Rs 25,000. So, can these new headphones combine awesome bass with smart features?
Design: Comfortable and Cushioned
The Sony ULT Wear headphones (model WH-ULT900N) look bulky because of their large earcups. This makes them stand out when you wear them. But they are very comfortable, with lots of padding on the earcups and headband. They aren’t too heavy, weighing around 255 grams, similar to the flagship 1000XM5.
The Sony ULT Wear headphones resemble the XB-910 model rather than the WH-1000XM5. They have round ear cups with flat, smooth backs, and a headband with Sony branding where it connects to the ear cups. On the left ear cup, you’ll find a type-C port, a power/connectivity button, a button to switch between ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) and transparency mode, and a shiny button labeled ‘ULT’.
These headphones are mostly made of plastic with a matte finish. The cushioning is made of memory foam, which doesn’t crease. Unlike the 1000XM5, the ULT Wear headphones fold inward, making them compact and easy to store in a bag. They come with a sturdy, oval-shaped carrying case. However, the case is a bit bulky, so we often carry the headphones without it. The matte finish prevented smudges, and they were durable enough to avoid any damage.
The headphones are very comfortable to wear. The headband doesn’t squeeze too tightly, so it stay on your head unless you move around a lot. We wore them for 5-6 hours without any issues, though the large ear cups can get a bit sweaty. They come in three colors: black, off-white, and a unique forest gray (which looks more green than gray). Regardless of the color, they all look stylish and feel premium, even though they are a bit large.
Sound Quality
The Sony ULT Wear headphones have 40mm drivers that deliver good volume levels, though they aren’t the loudest we’ve heard (the XB-910 was louder). They use Sony’s Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) to improve the quality of compressed audio, but it’s hard to notice with all the bass. The sound quality is very consistent.
These headphones support SBC, AAC, and Sony’s high-quality LDAC codecs. Support for LC3 and LE Audio will be added in future updates, and Sony is known for quick updates. The headphones also have head-tracking, which keeps the sound source consistent as you move your head. However, this feature currently works with a limited number of services and isn’t compatible with popular ones like Spotify, YouTube Music, or Apple Music.
The Sony ULT Wear headphones are known for their great bass. Their usual sound has a noticeable bass presence without overshadowing other sounds, making them perfect for hip-hop, electronic, and underground music. Artists like Tiesto or DJ Snake sound great with these headphones, offering a nicely boosted bass. The overall sound is clear, though it might feel a bit confined and thick. You won’t get a wide soundstage, but this is typical for bass-heavy headphones. They aren’t as good for jazz, rock, and country, but they shine for action movies, providing a rumbling experience perfect for films like “Fast and Furious” or “Top Gun.”
Press the ULT button once, and you’ll get a bit more bass. Press it again, and the bass becomes very powerful, almost making the earcups vibrate. It’s close to the intense bass of Skullcandy Crusher headphones. Importantly, the active noise cancellation (ANC) on these headphones doesn’t lower the audio quality or create a stuffed-ear feeling.
The ULT Wear headphones are ideal for bass-heavy content and work well for podcasts due to their clarity. However, for other types of listening, they might seem a bit flat. You can adjust this with the Sony Headphones app equalizer, but they’re not the best for casual listening (the Sony CH720 would be a better choice for that). In terms of bass, they are better than the XB910N. Their normal sound signature is similar to the early Sony 1000 XM series, with a hint of bass rather than an overwhelming amount. For extra bass, use the ULT button, but only when you want a deep bass experience, sacrificing some highs.
Sony ULT Wear: Top Features (ANC, Calls, Battery Life)
Sony’s ULT Wear headphones are not just about powerful bass; they also come with some impressive features. Here’s a breakdown:
Advanced Gesture Control
- The gesture control is highly responsive, almost on par with the 1000XM5 headphones.
Exceptional ANC (Active Noise Cancellation)
- The ANC is the best we’ve experienced in bass-heavy headphones.
- It adjusts based on your surroundings, whether you’re sitting, in a cab, or jogging.
- While not as perfect as the 1000XM5, it comes close, effectively reducing external noise in various settings.
Transparency Mode
- This mode lets you hear external sounds clearly, which is useful in noisy environments like cafes or during commutes.
Quick Attention Mode
- This feature lowers the music volume and enhances external sound, allowing you to hear sudden announcements or conversations easily.
Customizable Controls
- You can switch between ANC and Transparency modes with a dedicated button.
- The same button can be set to launch Spotify with a double press.
Seamless Virtual Assistant Connectivity
- The headphones work smoothly with Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa.
- They also have excellent pause and play functionality with ear detection.
Overall, the Sony ULT Wear headphones offer a near-1000XM5 experience with added bass, making them a standout choice for those who value both sound quality and smart features.
The ULT Wear headphones have some great features, but they’re not perfect. The call quality could be better. It works fine in quiet places, but in noisy environments, people had trouble hearing us. Sony says it has wind noise reduction, which works well for music but not as much for calls.
The Sony Headphones app offers many features but isn’t user-friendly. It’s tricky to figure out basic things, like switching between equalizer settings (you have to swipe!). Adjusting settings like ULT1 and ULT2 is also confusing.
On the plus side, the battery life is impressive, lasting around 25-30 hours with noise-canceling on. You can get 90 minutes of audio with just a three-minute charge. Charging fully takes a bit over three hours with a 33W charger and the included USB Type-C cable. You can also use the headphones in wired mode with the 3.5 mm cable provided. The sound quality is still good, but the ULT button won’t work, and there’s no Type-C audio support.
You can connect the ULT Wear to two devices wirelessly at the same time, but you can’t use the high-quality LDAC codec in this mode. Overall, the ULT Wear offers premium features and performance, making it a standout option for bass lovers.