Ultimate Ears SuperFi 3 Studio Noise Isolating Earphones (Black)
by Ultimate Ears
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List Price: Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Ultimate Ears SuperFi 3 Studio Noise Isolating Earphones (Black)
Customer Review: Great sound
Summary: 4 Stars
My previous headphones were not of the in-ear type, and I was a bit reluctant to make the step. I prefer the over the ear larger headphones. But it is a bit silly to sit with large headphones behind my desk.
But a solution was needed. Too much office noise: people on the phone, the coffee machine etc.
I surfed the internet and found that these ones were supposed to give good sound for the money, so I ordered them.
They give indeed good sound. I can imagine it is quite possible to buy even better ones, more clarity, more balance between the lows and highs, but these ones are more than OK. Far more detail than many low end ones. Never tried higher end.
When I used the lower end, I was aware that something was missing. I do not have that feeling now.
A reset of my ipod volume was needed. I now use the lowest possible volume level when at work, in the train somewhat higher.
At first I was (pleasantly) surprised how well they block outside sounds. In holland the bike is a often used form of transportation, and hearing the noises around you can be important. Do not wear these (or any other in-ear buds I assume) when participating in traffic.
The fit for me is good, although I can imagine that fitting them in "special" ears can be troublesome.
Packaging is nice. I could have done without the small box, or with the optional winder. One without the other does not make much sense.
Customer Review: Perfection is not for everyone
Summary: 5 Stars
Listening to these earphones is like listening to music underwater. It's a different listening experience. You can still hear some of the ambient noise, but it is greatly reduced. If you want to listen to these while out in public, you'll have to be extra aware of your other senses in order to tell if someone is trying to approach you or if a car is about to pass in front of you while crossing the street.
Not everyone will appreciate the quality of these earphones. Not everyone has a trained ear like an audio engineer or an audiophile. These are meant to give you "Studio Monitor" quality sound reproduction. Studio Monitors are meant to give you a true reproduction of the sound -high fidelity- which is very flat. Many music producers and engineers listen to studio monitors while working in the studio.
I had forgotten how so many speaker systems have the bass levels turned up very high. I had also forgotten how the quality of a speaker system seems to be judged not by the fidelity of the sound but by how much bass it can deliver.
These earphones will deliver plenty of bass when the music has it, but won't embelish it.
If you want earphones which give you a very honest delivery of the sound, while blocking out most ambient room noise like air conditioning units, chatter or traffic noise, then these are for you.
If you want earphones with lots of loud, subwoofery bass, then these may not be for you.
Customer Review: Learn to read the manual and have realistic expectations.
Summary: 5 Stars
Previous reviewers complaining about the "stiff wire" and poor fit over the ears need to learn how to read a manual and exercise common sense. The wire contains a "memory wire" (think Gumby) that is moldable and stays in place. You bend it into the proper shape and it stays put, perfectly over the ear.
I, myself wear glasses, and have issues with wires hanging over the ear that get caught in my glasses, and rub against it, making microphonic noises. The Super.fi 3 has a "memory wire" (along with all Ultimate Ears products, Metro.fi being the exception) that stays where it should be, and is one of the most comfortable earphones I've ever used.
Also, as for the complaints of sound quality, have some realistic expectations. This is a sub $100 product. They fill their price point very well. Having a full sound, and not tinny, harsh sound many other ear buds have. They have a decent balance of sound. While not the most clear and detailed, you would have to spend hundreds of more dollars to get better sound. And I have spent far more on IEM's and Headphone than the Super.fi 3. The Super.fi 3 fits it's niche very nicely.
As for problems with UE customer service, was your Super.fi 3 under warranty? I have had my UE products sent in and they either fixed it, but usually they outright replaced it with a very quick turn around. If you have problems, give them a call. They will take care of you.
Customer Review: Good noise isolators, clear flat sound, nice design
Summary: 4 Stars
My favorite headphone design, the original AIWA Swoops never caught on, so I've been going through a new set of phones every six months or so to find the best fit for me. I'm a music producer and spend a lot of travel time under the headphones listening to new artists and reviewing works in progress. I take public transportation and have been frustrated with the bleed through of people chatter, bus rumble and street noise. I've tried all the over and in-ear designs, but nothing works that well. Headphones with big cans are perfect for the studio, but too clunky on the go. The Super.fi 3 got a very nice review in the San Francisco Chronicle, so I did some research and Amazon had them for a good price.
The bendable chords took several days to form the right shape around my ears. However, once I figured out the right configuration, the phones fit snug and hold well. The sound is flat and clear across the spectrum, but listeners who want head pounding bass may be disappointed. The cord is thick and durable. The left and right labels on the earpieces are small and hard to read, and considering the unorthodox design of the headphones, the L and R letters should be large and clear on each phone. As external noise isolators, the Super.fi 3 works very well. I'm happy to report my bus commutes have been more focused on clear music listening rather than passenger's cell phone conversations.
Customer Review: Wonderful Sound Experiance
Summary: 4 Stars
I just bought these phones a couple days ago. I already own Shure E2c's and honestly i don't see much of a difference between the two. I use the foam sleeves so comfort is not an issue. I haven't tried really any of the flex sleeves for the UE's besides the dual flange and i like those but at times they feel like they slip a bit so i like the foam better.
I am not sure if the UE's have a "burn in" period like the Shure's do. But listening to them right out of the package i have to say they sound very good. I bought these so I can keep my shure's at home instead of winding them up all the time and possibly damaging the wires. with the UE's the wire is replaceable so i find that really really wonderful!!!I'd hate to have to buy a whole new pair once the warrenty is over if something happens to the wires like on normal phones where the wires are not replaceable. the Phones themselves are under warrenty for 2 years which is wonderful!! i love those 2 year warrentys.
Another plus over the shure's are no need for wax guards, that added to more money i am shelling out even though my ears are very clean and i honestly don't get any gunk on the wax guards at all.
I just wish i could find sponge sleeves cheaper than on the website. (but one good thing is i tried the Shure's foam sleeves on the UE's and it's a little tight but they will work on the UE phones)