Final UX3000 review: Affordable ANC bliss

- Once we consider the Ultimate model, we instantly consider its high-end audiophile gear. With the UX3000, although, we're seeing one thing utterly completely different.

Whereas the corporate's extravagant (and painfully costly) Sonorous collection of headphones are the sort of cans which have their very own devoted listening room and wires that should be dealt with with satin gloves, the UX3000 are ones you'd fortunately rock in your morning commute.

These are ANC Bluetooth headphones at a really reasonably priced worth level.

The query is, will the audiophile magic synonymous with Ultimate trickle right down to the common-or-garden UX3000, or are they only one other set of Bluetooth headphones doomed to get misplaced in a sea of similarly-priced choices? 

We have been testing them so as to discover out.

Our fast take

We had been actually impressed with the efficiency of the UX3000. They sound like they need to value double - if not triple - their asking worth.

Lively noise cancellation is great, too - particularly with this being Ultimate's first entry into the area.

In terms of options, there's not a lot to jot down dwelling about, and the construct high quality is not going to shock you, both. We just like the distinctive Shibo end, however we will equally think about it placing individuals off.

What's on provide right here is generally in regards to the audio efficiency, and, in that division, the UX3000 delivers in spades. You would possibly even discover them to be companion for gaming, due to the aptX Low Latency assist and the spatial accuracy of the soundstage.

The one factor stopping us from utilizing these headphones all day is the dearth of an ambient mode, as, generally, we actually want to listen to when somebody is on the door. In any other case, we would hardly ever need to take them off.

Final UX3000 review: Affordable ANC bliss

Ultimate UX3000

4.5 stars - Pocket-lint really useful
For
  • Very good audio high quality
  • Fingerprint-resistant end
  • Glorious noise cancelling
  • AptX Low Latency for gaming
In opposition to
  • No ambient mode
  • Uncommon button configuration
  • The end will not be to everybody's style

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Design and construct

  • Black Shibo textured end
  • 35 hours of playback per cost
  • Included: Drawstring carry pouch, USB-C cable, 3.5mm cable

The UX3000 headphones function a singular textured end that reminds us of a high-end digital camera physique, albeit with out the chilly feeling on the hand, because it's produced from plastic. Ultimate calls it Shibo, a Japanese phrase that pertains to wrinkling on the floor of paper or leather-based.

Virtually talking, it signifies that the headphones are very proof against fingerprints and smears, which is a giant plus level in our e book. We occur to suppose it appears to be like fairly good, too, and it provides a singular contact to an in any other case understated pair of all-black headphones.

On the identical observe, although, we will additionally think about others being much less eager on the styling. As ever, it is all about private choice.

Final UX3000 review photo 3

The headphones are light-weight, at about 260 grams, and have beautiful gentle earcups wrapped in a leatherette material. The headscarf has some gentle padding and is pretty adjustable, however favours the bigger sizes. So, you probably have a very small head, it's possible you'll run into points.

The UX3000 match comfortably throughout our testing, feeling very safe and sealed however with out extreme clamping drive. Once we first put them on, we had been instantly struck by the passive noise cancellation. Even with out the ANC activated, you will battle to listen to the doorbell with these on. The earcups are on the smaller facet and did comfortably match round our ears, however this may occasionally range for these with bigger ears, we expect.

Charging is finished by way of a USB Sort-C port on the left earcup, in the meantime. There isn't any fancy fast-charging tech to talk of, however flat-to-full will set you again an inexpensive two and a half hours. Juiced up, they're going to offer you 35 hours of music playback with ANC turned off, or 25 hours with it turned on.

These aren't staggering numbers, however it's nonetheless greater than sufficient to see you thru just a few days.

Final UX3000 review photo 2

Apparently, the ANC is activated individually from the remainder of the headphones, so you possibly can maintain the headphones turned off however the ANC turned on by long-pressing the ANC button on the left earcup. This can be a nice function in the event you simply want some peace and quiet on a flight, for instance, however you do have to recollect to show it off while you're accomplished - in any other case, they're going to sit there draining the battery all day.

Music management is all dealt with with bodily buttons, somewhat than contact controls, which we are likely to choose - particularly on cheaper headphones.

The structure is easy: there is a energy button, quantity up and down and the aforementioned ANC button. It is a small niggle, however the ANC button is stage with the quantity down on the precise earcup, and it seems like it might make extra sense to be in step with the ability button. You have a tendency to show each on and off on the similar time, and we discovered ourselves hitting the unsuitable button occasionally.

Final UX3000 review photo 12

Within the field, in the meantime, you will discover a 3.5mm cable for wired listening, a USB-C cable for charging and a gentle drawstring pouch for transport. The pouch is on the fundamental facet, however it'll get the job accomplished for preserving the headphones protected from scratches.

Sound high quality

  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX Low Latency Codec Assist
  • Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
  • Hybrid Lively Noise Cancelling

As you could have gathered, the UX3000 are a reasonably fundamental set of headphones in the case of options - there are not any occasion methods, apps or flashy styling.

As a substitute, Ultimate has targeted on the only most necessary factor: how they sound. 

Final UX3000 review photo 5

We're happy to report that the UX3000 sound incredible, particularly when you think about what the asking worth is.

There isn't any overbearing EQ that you're going to discover from equally priced Bluetooth headphones, and, as a substitute, the UX3000 really feel exact and well-tuned.

It should be mentioned, we discovered that sound preferable when the ANC was turned on, with a noticeable distinction with it turned off. That is not at all times the case with premium-sounding headphones.

With ANC turned on, the low finish is extra pronounced and the decrease mids get a lift, too, creating a hotter and extra partaking sound. They do nonetheless sound good with ANC turned off, however it's simply not as full of life.

Final UX3000 review photo 9

The imaging is spectacular and feels correct, with good separation and a way of depth to the sound. And whereas it could actually't compete with open-back headphones, it is a wider soundstage than you will discover on most Bluetooth headphones.

The bass is punchy with out being boisterous, and it extends very deep when it ought to however would not exaggerate on tracks the place it is not current. Bass fiends could not get what they're on the lookout for right here, however, in the event you crave accuracy, the low finish has greater than sufficient rumble and extends easily into the mid-range with out muddying issues.

The most important affect is created by the excessive finish, which manages to sound sharp and correct with out being too vivid and piercing. The vocals, too, have a way more impactful presence than on comparable headphones, however we observed that they'll sound just a little compressed every now and then.

Final UX3000 review photo 8

Final however not least, the ANC efficiency is actually wonderful. It might not fairly match the likes of the Bose Noise Cancelling 700 or Sony WH-1000XM4, however it's one of many higher ANC techniques that we have tried on this worth vary, and that is no small feat contemplating its Ultimate's first enterprise into the area.

Sadly, there is no 'ambient' or 'keep conscious' mode on these headphones, and, with such passive seal, it makes it exhausting to maintain observe of what is going on on round you when listening casually. That is one thing we would like to see added if Ultimate decides to launch a follow-up.

To recap

The Ultimate UX3000 headphones provide sound high quality that is largely unmatched at this worth level. There's little or no in the best way of options, and the styling is unlikely to knock your socks off, however you will battle to do higher with out doubling your finances if excellent noise cancellation and audio constancy are on the high of your want record.

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