Sony ULT Wear in a short test: Headphones without major weaknesses

Sony has a wide range of audio devices. With the ULT series, the manufacturer is now offering a new series to allow more users to enjoy music. We have tested it for you.
And finally ... When it comes to audio, Sony is at the forefront. The manufacturer attracts a wide range of customers thanks to its high quality and visually appealing products. Sony charges around 200 euros (RRP) for its ULT Wear. However, I think the price is appropriate for the performance you get. For example, you also get a travel case that is very high quality and an AUX cable for a proprofessional use. The headphones are also otherwise impressive with their sound – there is only one drawback with the “360 Audio”, more on that below.
Jump to section
Unboxing
The first look at the packaging makes you happy about the ULT Wear even before you unpack it. The design is impressive. I used the black version, which has a neutral appearance, for testing.
An AUX cable and a USB-C charging cable are also included. As an extra bonus, the packaging includes a high-quality dark hard case for transport.
- Picture: TechnikNews
- Picture: TechnikNews
- Picture: TechnikNews
My use case in everyday life
As is common practice today, headphones have Bluetooth built in for connecting to end devices. This is still the preferred standard for audio playback, ahead of the AUX connection. I spent my everyday life streaming on my iPhone, both for music and for YouTube videos.
The built-in ULT button on the Sony ULT Wear offers a total of three levels of bass intensity. This can be enjoyed regardless of the content consumed. I was able to hear bass-heavy voices more intensely on three levels. The ULT effect was particularly noticeable in genres such as hip hop or electronic music. I did not test other genres, however.
I also made video and audio calls via Microsoft Teams and got great sound thanks to the over-ear look. The sound of the ULT Wear was also intensified by the sealing of the ear cushions.
Battery life ideal for travel
Sony states that the ANC headphones last around 40 hours. Despite changing modes - ANC on or off - I only had to charge my headphones twice during intensive use. Charging was also as quick as usual, with no notable differences to other headphones.
The only drawback
The Sony ULT Wear also offers so-called “360 Audio” to generate three-dimensional sound using sensors. The only drawback here is that Sony forces the user to take out a subscription via the Sony Headphones app. That's a real shame, as manufacturers like Apple also offer it for free with Spatial Audio.
Drawback... That's not right. Because all Sony devices are linked to Google. Whether it's the TV/soundbar with Chromecast and Google TV or the in- and on-ears for voice control and Find my. This means that all devices linked to Google can be automatically registered with Sony via Google. And if you don't use Google and you buy headphones for around €150 and they break after 3 months and you haven't registered them with Sony, you have no guarantee, like Samsung, Lenovo, etc. So... there's no drawback and you don't have to be registered to use the apps. That's not true.