Off Duty, Technology - Navy Times

Ultimate Ears: Big sound, small package

It’s all about the sound.

As a teenager in the 1970s driving my first car, it didn’t matter how beat up the car was — as long as it had a good sound system, the ride was good.

Today, it’s still all about the sound, but now the search is how to get the best quality out of my video iPod.

I’ve never used the in-ear headphones that come with most digital media players, at least not for more than a few minutes.

They just don’t cut it when it comes to an active lifestyle — at least not mine. And the earmuff-style headphones are too bulky to wear anywhere besides a chair.

But there’s a new kid in town, and although the product costs a bit more — actually, quite a bit more — it’s worth a serious look.

When the Ultimate Ears super.fi 5 Pro headphones arrived, I wasn’t sure what to think as I opened the box. With a suggested retail price of $250, you get your hopes up about what’s inside.

That’s especially true given the Ultimate Ears story. The company began as a manufacturer of high-end earpiece monitors for professional musicians before branching out into the commercial market. In fact, the company’s founder, Jerry Harvey, got the idea for the company while working as a sound engineer for the rock band Van Halen in 1995.

The first thing I noticed about the super.fi 5 Pro was the thickness of the wires, a heavier and less pliable gauge than any I’d used before.

Next was the size of the buds — they were so large that I wasn’t sure they’d stay in my ears.

One thing I did like was the silver-colored hard case, well suited for knocking around in a backpack.

Still, I thought this “extra” could stand one improvement — hinges. The removable lid could easily pop off, scattering the contents throughout your backpack.

Once I started using them, these headphones grew on me. My initial concerns about the fit weren’t an issue, because Ultimate Ears headphones come with various neoprene tips to help them fit inside your ear canal.

When using other in-ear headphones, I could never keep the right-side ear bud in place while running. Not so with Ultimate Ears.

Getting them seated properly takes some practice; reading the instruction booklet is essential. Another aspect that will take some getting used to is where the wires end up once you’ve inserted the ear buds — they loop over the top of your ear, rather than hanging straight down. It’s unusual, but it helps in keeping the cords out of your way.

Oh, and the sound — it’s excellent.

Even on airplanes or aboard ships, they successfully kept outside noise out and all the music in. That’s something to keep in mind if you wear these while working out — they probably aren’t the best choice for road running or cycling.

If the $250 price tag for the super.fi 5 Pro is too rich for your blood, consider the super.fi 3 Studio, which retails for about $100. The super.fi 3 Studio has the same features as its more expensive counterpart — the price difference is reflected in the sound quality. But make no mistake, the $100 you’re spending buys you top-notch sound.

Check out the full line of headphones at www.ultimateears.com.

Rob Colenso Jr. contributed to this report.