Ultimate Ears 900s

Could this be the ultimate in-ear headphone?

Find out if this is right for you.

The Ultimate Ears 900s Up Close

Ultimate Ears 900s

NEW:  Check out my video of the contents of the Ultimate Ears 900s

               

                For professional musicians and audiophiles quality is the primary concern. Ultimate Ears, an industry leader and popular choice for professional musicians, created the UE 900s as a way to provide easy access to exemplary performance.

                In the higher echelon world of in-ear headphones, the admission price to enter this world can be substantial.  There is a defined market for devices in this class.  Here price is decidedly secondary to performance.  For demanding audiophiles, nothing short of excellence will do.

                Priced at $ 399.99, this does not constitute bargain basement pricing.  Even for those who want more than average sound, this may be a bit difficult to justify.  For those who settle for whatever came in the box with their mobile phone or whatever else that can produce sound, this may appear to be outrageously expensive.  But it may be so out of line when you consider other factors.

The very well crafted container for your IEM and all the extras

                Before you let the cost become alarming, think about this in relative terms.  Compared to the custom built IEMs ( In Ear Monitors ) that Ultimate Ear manufactures,  the UE 900s become more reasonable.  This may not be for everyone. It does fill a gap between those that want ultimate sound and are willing to pay several hundred rather than a grand. 

                If excellent sound is what you are after, it makes sense to look at a company that produces top tier products.

                Inevitably the question arises concerning quality. Can the UE 900s rise to the occasion?  Are they able to produce exemplary sound.  In this critical area, it captures detail that lesser earphones can’t muster.       

                Bass, an Achilles’ Heal for some ear-buds, is not a problem here.  They are handled with ease and do not drown out the mid range and upper tones.  

Assorted tips to fit assorted sizes and preferences and the maintenance jell 

                A big advantage with the 900s is that it comes packed with accessories.  Lower cost headphones may not include these type of  “bonus” extras.  Including these additions can certainly extend life expectancy.  They also add value.

                The first thing to go with earbuds are wires.  Ultimate Ears has included two detachable ones.  One simply connects to your device and the other has mic and volume for phone calls.  Of note, the remote and mic are supported only by iPod nano® (4th generation or later), iPod classic® (120 GB, 160 GB), iPod touch® (2nd generation or later), iPhone 3GS® or later, and iPad®.

                In order to achieve the best possible sound, a good fit is essential.  If you fail on this point, you are dealing with deterioration in quality, and guaranteed discomfort.  To ensure the best possible fit, there are 36 ear cushions included.  Six are memory foam and the remainder silicon. 

The black carrying case 

                Fit is essential.  Where the 900s differentiates itself from lower priced headphones is how it fits the ear.  There is a stiff wire that goes around the ear.  Placing them requires a little bit of effort.  After a while it becomes less cumbersome.  The advantage of this configuration is that you avoid the ear-buds from falling out of your ear. 

                The bottom line is always sonic quality.  In this area, the 900s is a high achiever.  One expects quality at this price point, and it does come through with the goods.  Base tones are handled with grace and the upper register is very clear.  Detail is well served.  There are no muddled sounds or distortion.  For those familiar with lesser quality devices, these in-ear headphones will be nothing short of a revelation. 

                I think it is a safe assumption to say that most people settle for the earbuds included with their devices, like mp3 players, smartphones and the like.  It can also be assumed that most users would not consider earbuds as a big ticket items.  For serious audiophiles and professional musicians IEM’s (In-Ear Monitors) are something to be taken seriously.

The extra cable in case one goes south

                For those of us who cannot afford the luxury price of custom built IEM’s, Ultimate Ears has found a way to make what was inaccessible to most of us a bit more accessible.  Their answer comes in the form of the Ultimate Ears 900s noise isolating earphones.

                Summation

                Obviously the 900s is designed for a more demanding listener who wants a superlative sound, but without the greater cost of customization.   There are certainly audiophiles for whom $ 399.99 is not an issue.  What you get when you purchase in-ear headphones from the same makers that well known professional musicians use is improved quality and longevity over your average ear-bud.  Another plus here is a comfortable fit and a highly elevated experience.  If you are the type of user that sees ear-buds as disposable, at $ 399.99 you are not likely to look at this option.  However, if you want great performance and an extended life expectancy, the UE 900s becomes more viable. 

If you are looking for a high end in-ear headphones and are looking for a device that will endure, Ultimate Ears has produced a winner.

The box that holds it all

Purchasing Information

               

What Comes With These IEM

1.       Ultimate Ears 900 IEM

2.       36 ear cushions

3.       Two Cables, one with mic and controls, the other without.

4.       Maintenance Gel

5.       A carrying case

6.       User Documentation

7.       Jewel Case Container for all of the assorted elements

Technical Specifications

• EARPHONE TYPE:In-ear
• DRIVER TYPE:4 proprietary precision balanced armatures
• IMPEDANCE:30 ohms, 1 kHz
• SENSITIVITY:101.2 dB (50mW, 1 kHz)
• FREQUENCY RESPONSE:20 Hz - 20 kHz
• NOISE ISOLATION:26 dB
• CONNECTION:3.5 mm (1/8 inch) gold plated
• CABLE LENGTHS:48 inch (121.9 cm)

The remote and mic are supported only by iPod nano® (4th generation or later), iPod classic® (120 GB, 160 GB), iPod touch® (2nd generation or later), iPhone 3GS® or later, and iPad®.

Velodyne’s vPulse In-Ear Headphones

 Do the vPulse In-Ear Headphones deliver the goods?  Read on

Velodyne's Web Site

The vPulse In-Ear Headphones

Usually earbuds are included in the price of devices that require them.  The key word is usually.  High end mobile phones can ship without them, and an increasing number have stopped including them.  Those that include them are certainly not offering “the best of breed.” 

                To enjoy a fully realized sound, one has to look at a third party.  Velodyne, makers of extremely high end subwoofers, have created the vPulse In-Ear Headphones as their solution to providing high quality sound in a small portable package.

                For those only familiar with the standard issue ear headphones that accompany assorted devices that play music, e.g., mp3 players, smartphones and some ebooks, it could be difficult to conceive that there are profound differences between the various types on the market.

The vPulse container

                The difference between bargain basement earbuds and higher end models available not fully comprehended until you literally do “the taste test.”  Listening is truly believing here.  

                To provide some perspective, I had used the standard issue headphones that came with my high end smart phone for a long time.  I had also used the earbuds that came with my mp3 player.  I thought they were acceptable.   

                When my mp3 player’s ear buds suffered from a severed chord, I decided to replace them with “seriously discounted” ear buds.  At the time, I thought there would be no difference in sound quality.  I swiftly learned that there is a huge difference.

                The sound from my replacement was thin, muffled and simply put, awful.  There was no range and no bass.  What came out was unacceptable by any standard.   Then, when I compared my earbuds that came with my smart phone and mp3 player to the Velodyne offering, the results was nothing short of amazing.

The flat wire, no tangles

                Using the vPulse was a revelation.  The sound was reminiscent of the quality I had with using headphones, rich and fully bodied.  It was hard to believe that in ear headphones were capable of this type of depth of sound.

                10 mm drivers and quality materials are part of the reason why Velodyn’s offering is superior.  However, all of the stats and high end materials mean nothing without great sound.

                To be expected from a company known for its subwoofers, the vPulse delivers rich bass.  Neither overblown nor understated, the sound is pure and certainly not muffled.   

                A serious down side with ear-buds that boast powerful low sounds is that they may cripple middle and higher range ones.  Using poorly made earphones, the base can become so obnoxious that it stampedes everything near it.   

The volume and mic

               This is where the vPulse truly shines. It can handle a broad range of sounds.  The bass is deep, but it does not stomp out the subtlety of other sounds.  This is particularly important when a prominent baseline is featured in music. 

                The reality for listeners is that they enjoy a spectrum of music.  Even if confined to one genre, there are still ranges to be found within a category.  In order for earphones of any kind to be successful, they should be capable of handling a variety of music.   If they can’t, then they should be labeled as such. 

                To see just how capable an in-ear headphone can be is by testing it with a variety of music.  It is the area of music that the vPulse truly excels. 

                Listening to Judy Collins sing “Michael from Mountains,” one could hear the power of the orchestra while at the same time hearing the vocals with clarity.   Old school soul fared exceptionally well.  James Brown’s unique sound communicated potency.  There was a vibrancy and grace that created a rich fully flavored sound.  At no point was the sound muddy.  

The container

                Hip hop, jazz, classical, pop, rock, alternative and nearly every hybrid I could think of, the vPulse was adept at handling whatever category of music it was given.  It is range that is a very good indicator of quality. 

                An interesting point was when using these in-ear headphones with beats equipped systems.  The smartphone I was using featured beats audio. It is an enhancement that boosts the base.  On lesser quality of earbuds, this feature can result in better sound.   That was not the case with the vPulse.   

The beats audio simply muffled the sound.  Higher ranges were truncated.  The nuances of music were drowned out for the sake of booming sound.  When the beats feature was turned off, the result was the vPulse producing rich distinct sound.  Where beats could only offer up volume, the vPulse could provide support for a wide range of sounds without losing lower tones. 

The clean look

 

                A point that distinguishes quality centric ear headphones from bargain basement ones are the accessories.   Comfort is a crucial ingredient in ear buds.  If they do not fit properly, sound is sacrificed.  If something is not comfortable, the chances are very good it won’t be around for long.  Helping to make their earbuds practical to a broad range of consumers, there are 16 extra buds included.

                Solid construction translates into a longer life span.   Aluminum construction is certainly a positive.  In sharp contrast to my totally plastic ear-buds of days past, the construction of these ear headphones felt solid, not flimsy.   Attention to materials makes a difference.

                Like other higher end ear-buds, the chords that connect are linguini shaped.  This configuration eliminates the annoying problem of twisted wires.  That aggravation is effectively gone.

                Included with this particular package are a cable clip and shoestring carrying pouch.  

                Although designed with Apple products in mind, the In-Line controls are compatible with iPod 3rd generation and newer, iPhone 3Gs, 4, 4s, 5, and iPads only.  With that said, the mic and headphones work with Android smartphones, just the inline controls are not available.  This, for me, is not a deal breaker.

Summation

                Good design, solid construction and a nice set of accessories are a given with ear-buds in this category.   What is expected, anticipated and desired is the one essential ingredient that matters most, great sound.  When it comes to that fundamental quality, the vPulse is a graceful performer.  As an upgrade, this is certainly a substantial one.  Even if you are happy with average earphones, there is a huge difference in quality that earphones like this can provide. If you really want to enjoy music, not simply hear it, then the vPluse is a must have.   At $ 99.00 this is a real value, and it represents the best of the breed.

For Sales Information

               

               

               

Velodyne’s vFree Bluetooth Wireless Headphones

Is this the right headphone for you?

Important Links for more information

The Velodyne Web Site

Link to my video of the vFree

 Examiner.com for another take on the vFree

Kurt's Komputer Korner

Velodyne  Sales Information

The vFree

                Great sound from any device in the arena of headphones depends heavily on their quality.  It doesn’t matter how great the specs are on your smartphone, or whatever device you using, pedestrian headphones are severely limited.  Hearing the nuances of sound, the crisp details, demands a device with the undisputed power to give that to the listener.  When music matters, you quickly discover not all headphones are made the same.

                Here is where Velodyne’s vFree Blue Tooth Wireless Headphones come into play.  Choices are abundant in headphones.  From high end to low end, there are numerous options.  Brands, visibility and reputation play a role in the subject of headphones.  They are one way of distinguishing one model from the next.


                The first noticeable stand out feature of the vFree are its looks.  Resembling something that would come from a post-modernist school of design, the aesthetics of the unit are clean and minimal.  There are no elaborate shapes or over logos to be found here.  These headphones seem to almost be proud of their status. The require no other visual information than their appearance to inform you of what they are.

Another side of the vFree

                Responsibility for this insistence on the careful configuration of visual elements rests with the President of the company, Marta Thoma Hall.  Her background and training in the visual arts served her well during the creation of these headphones.  The teardrop shaped vFree stand out from the crowd. It does so in a decidedly laid back manner.  Eschewing ornate detail for flowing lines, the impression that they leave you with are calm, sleek and unpretentious.

                The buttons that control most commonly used functions, namely turning on the device, are placed on the right side of the headphone.  They are not raised, but depressed when in use.  On the side, hidden away from view are two small volume buttons one for up, and one for down.  Learning to manipulate these controls may take some time to master.

In the folded state for easy storage

                Potential personalization of the vFree come in the available “skins.”  Priced at $ 39.99, these add ons provide additional detail to the austere surface of the headphones.  They will certainly have appeal to some users.  However, even in their basic form, they still look refined.

                Finger prints are always an issue. They can be distracting to say the least.  I can confirm that on the silver ones I was reviewing, finger prints are not a issue.  To note, there are three color choices, silver, white and basic black.

                A virtue of the plastic construction of the vFree is light weight.  A heavy ungainly headphone is not going to see much action. When you are wearing these devices, it is a fair assumption that you are not going to remove them after a few minutes of use.  For long term listening, there are no problems here.

                Great looks and comfort are desirable, if not essential, in making a product appealing.  With that said, nothing ruins a product faster than weak performance.  You can own the smartest looking headphone on the planet, but it is virtually useless if it can’t deliver on the promise of being far above just average it its class.

The facing view

                At a price point of $ 299.00, there is an implied promise of high performance.  In this category nothing less will suffice. 

 

                On the vitally important feature of sound, there is no denying that the vFree can keep what it proposes to the listener, a great experience.   

                After literally hours of listening with the device, no matter what style of kind of music I presented it with, the vFree had no problem negotiating extremely broad ranges of music.   Be it Hip Hop, Jazz, Experimental, Pop, Adult Contemporary, Punk and whatever hybrid categories in between, there were no problems handling a variety of music.  That kind of broad appeal is necessary.  To know that your headphones can successfully whatever you are in the mood to hear is reassuring.

                On the subject of bass, it logically follows that a company well known for its extremely high end subwoofers are going to have this base covered.  As expected, they do.

                Rather than simply providing volume and power, the powerful lower tones are not blasted indiscriminately.  Bold sound without nuance translates into an appreciable loss of detail.  Recklessly applied, the bass can trample the upper register creating a decidedly muddy sound. 

  

                One telltale indicator of sound quality is the capability of the device in question to render music as the artist, or producer, intended.  The vFree does just that.  At one point in listening, I could literally hear the atmospheric space of the walls in the studio. It is very difficult in words to accurately describe that experience.  One literally has to listen to the music to really understand the full impact of these headphones. 

                Wireless Bluetooth sound is usually considered less than ideal.  Thanks to advances in technology, the vFree produced excellent sound with this connection.  Syncing was a breeze and the range on this device is actually longer that specified, a welcome surprise.

                Using the headphone with phone calls was without issues.  The built in mic worked well, and the people on the other end of the conversation could hear me with ease.  

                While posted on the web site that these headphones work with an assortment of Apple products, there were no problems with my Android phone.  Versatility in this department is certainly a good thing.

                High end headphones are expected to function at high levels with comparable devices.  Should you own a smartphone minus state of the art specs, can you also expect superlative sound?  In my informal tests with a very old mp3 player and a much lower spec mobile phone, the answer was yes.  These older mobile systems were given a new lease on life.  Rich sound was emanating from the vFree proving without doubt that headphone quality can turn anything connected to it into something special.

                At the proverbial end of the day, the big question is value.  Does the vFree merit its price tag?  Are you indeed getting a fair balance between cost and performance?   This is always the question for any device.  It is particularly true of peripherals. 

                To understand virtues of the vFree, a comparison with other headphones has to be made.  For a number of users, the earbuds that accompany their smartphone are good enough.  But, the quality is often absent due to value.  Increasingly it is become common, even among expensive handsets, to exclude earbuds.  They clearly assuming that this is going to be an extra, and why throw in a cheap set of earbuds than comprise the sound.

Able to connect via Bluetooth, they can also be connected via wire.

                If you are a multipurpose mobile phone user, they are excellent replacements for the dedicated mp3 player in the same way that low end point and shoot cameras have been eclipsed by the smartphone.  To get the very most out of your mobile phone, a higher end earbud or headphone is a necessity. It is not an option.

                There are several factors to consider with a headphone.  Appearance, comfort and ease of use are certainly part of the whole equation.  At the very top of the list entes sound.  The vFree is no stranger to quality.

                The overall impression the vFree leaves is positive.  Music was rich, detailed and accurate.  These headphones do merit entry into the elite class of headphones that can provide the kind of sound one hopes for, but may not get.

                You really cannot go wrong with the vFree. It does what it was created to do with flair.  

Features:
• Outstanding wireless sound quality utilizing apt-X® coding
• Bluetooth® v2.1 connectivity with >30 foot range
• Optional vFree® skins let you add stylish designs to match your mood & fashion
• Intuitive controls
• High-quality microphone for phone & online video games
• Energy efficient design with exceptional battery life
• Collapsible design for easy storage
• Available in 3 stylish colors: Gloss Black, Gloss White & Gloss Silver

Accessories:
• 4 foot, 3.5 mm (3/8") audio bypass cable
• Micro USB charging cable
• Carrying pouch

Specifications:
Driver size: 34 mm
Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Sensitivity: 98 dB/1 kHz/1 mW
Impedance: 32Ω
Frequency range: 2.4Ghz – 2.4835GHz
Transmission range: Up to 10 m (33’)
Power: Lithium-ion polymer battery, 3.7V/430mAh (rechargeable)
Operating temperature: 0 C – 40 C
Supports Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR, A2DP v1.2, AVRCP v1.0, HSP v1.2, HFP v1.6
Supports codecs SBC, AAC, apt-X

Battery Specifications:
100 hours standby
10 hours talk and music
1.5 hours recharge time