“The new bassy headphones on the block, the Sony ULT WEAR, have really big shoes to fill. Are they everything they need to be?”
Publisher score: 8.2/10
$199.99 · Integrated Processor V1, QN1 (tuned for ULT) · 2y 6m old
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Editor's Verdict
Sony's ULT Wear arrives with a clear mission: inject some serious low-end punch into the noise-canceling headphone market at a palatable $199.99. And to their credit, they deliver on that promise, offering a decidedly bass-forward experience that some critics rightly point out can feel "bassier than seems reasonable." This isn't your parent's subtle Sony. The "ULT Power Sound" modes are undeniably effective, pushing out a significant rumble that will appeal to those who crave that visceral thump. Beyond the bass, the ANC is a significant step up from previous Sony efforts, competently silencing the outside world, and the overall design and feature set are solid for the price. However, this focus comes at a cost, as Sony "breaks from its winning wireless formula" in a way that may not resonate with everyone.
For the discerning buyer, the question isn't *if* the ULT Wear can deliver bass, but *who* it's for. If you're a die-hard bass enthusiast who wants a pair of headphones that can shake the foundations of your listening experience, these are a compelling option. The effective ANC and decent battery life are welcome bonuses. But if you typically prefer a more balanced, nuanced sound profile, or if Sony's history of refined audio has set your expectations, you might find the ULT Wear's aggressive tuning a bit much. As Expert Reviews aptly puts it, only "die-hard bass lovers" will truly enjoy the ULT Power Sound mode, and that's the most honest assessment you'll get from this desk.
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Review evidence
“The new bassy headphones on the block, the Sony ULT WEAR, have really big shoes to fill. Are they everything they need to be?”
Publisher score: 8.2/10
“Sony breaks from its winning wireless formula… with mixed results”
Publisher score: 3/5
Review evidence
“ULT Wear offer an impressive set of features and effective ANC but only die-hard bass lovers are likely to enjoy the ULT Power Sound mode”
Publisher score: 4/5
“Sony's ULT Wear headphones are a better implementation of bass boost than previous models along with considerable updates to ANC, features and overall design.”
Publisher score: 78/100
High review score for the money. 70/100 at $248. Uses the lowest in-stock retailer price we can see.
Worth checking
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Further reading
Sony ULT WEAR Review
The Sony ULT WEAR are mid-range over-ears equipped with active noise cancelling (ANC). They're positioned between the more affordable Sony WH-CH720N Wireless and...
Review article
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