Sony’s ULT Wear enters the crowded mid-range headphone market with a bass-heavy focus. Priced at Rs 24,990, they target daily commuters and casual listeners seeking powerful sound and comfort. Boasting long battery life, the ULT Wear aims to be an all-day companion. But can it deliver immersive audio and effective noise cancellation to justify its price? Let’s find out.
Sony ULT Wear
Rs 24,999
What Is Good?
- Nice, powerful sound for bassheads
- Wide support for codecs
- Good battery life
- Effective ANC
- Comfortable
What Is Bad?
- No IP rating
- Doesn’t fold flat
- Uninspiring design
Sony ULT Wear Review: Design and build
Sony has a reputation for having some nerdy nomenclature, but this time around they are quite civilised. But if you dig around long enough, you’ll find the ULT Wear’s rather catchy alias, WH-ULT900N. Yep, these are the direct successors of the WH-XB910, and as a result the two headphones share the same design DNA. The only difference is the ULT button and the colour scheme. The ULT Wear is available in three colours; Off White, Black and Forest Gray (let’s not kid ourselves and call it Green). I received the last of the lot, and it’s the most generic, dull-looking colour I have ever seen on a pair of cans. I’d recommend most people to get black, unless you’re a clean freak. 
Despite its all-plastic build, the ULT Wear exudes a premium feel and is remarkably comfortable for extended wear. I have used these at home, in the office, while commuting, hitting the gym and even in-flight. These headphones rarely cause discomfort, and the headband’s soft padding is a standout feature in this price range.
| Feature | Details |
| Material | Plastic |
| Weight | Unconfirmed (measured approx. 300g) |
| Folding Mechanism | No |
| Ear Cups | Soft over-ear |
| Headband Padding | Soft padded |
Unfortunately, the ULT Wear’s portability is a letdown. It doesn’t fold flat, and the plastic build is susceptible to scratches. This is the same issue we faced with their flagship, the XM5s. While the included case protects the headphones, it’s bulky and takes up considerable space in your bag. I’m also not too thrilled about the lack of any kind of IP rating. To me, bass belongs in the gym, and the lack of even bare-basic splash resistance rating causes concerns.
Sony ULT Wear Review: Controls and I/O
You can navigate through music using the touch controls. Swipe forward to skip tracks, backward to rewind, and up or down to adjust volume. Other than this, you have three more input buttons – an ULT button, a power switch and an ANC toggle. You can customise the ULT button to have three levels of bass presence, but by default you have: off, medium and last is the skull-crushing, mind-numbing bass. 
Apart from these, you’ll find a 3.5mm input and a Type-C port, but the latter is only for charging and not wired audio.
Sony ULT Wear Review: Hardware and sound
You know it, we know it – if you’re reading this review, you’re probably leaning towards the appeal of bass-forward headphones. The ULT Wear doesn’t want to be a pair of headphones that signify excellence in neutral tonality, no-no. Sony has the XM5 for that. You can’t expect a Ferrari to have the highway manners of a Rolls-Royce, and that analogy fits here as well. 
So, I’ll be reviewing the ULT Wear for what it is – a means of delivering pounding bass directly into your bloodstream. And there’s clearly a demographic which loves exactly that – the gym-goers, the protein shake abusers and metal heads.
Powering the ULT Wear is a pair of 40mm drivers, which is what you’d typically find in this price. The list of supported codecs too is respectable. AAC, SBC and LDAC is what you get fresh from the box. I also received a software update which has enabled support for LC3 (Low Complexity Communication Codec) and LE (Bluetooth Low Energy).
Wear’s standout feature is its bass response, which is undeniably powerful and impactful. The ULT button provides additional control over bass levels, allowing users to tailor the sound to their preference. However, some users may find the bass to be excessive, even at the lowest setting. It’s important to note that the ULT button is customisable, and is linked to Sony’s ClearBass levels.
Beyond the bass, the ULT Wear delivers a decent overall sound profile. If you’re listening to pop music, you may get to enjoy clear vocals and good instrument separation without engaging ULT mode. 
I’m kind of disappointed in the spatial audio chops of these headphones. Firstly, the ULT wear only supports exactly three apps – nugs.net, Amazon Music Unlimited and Sony’s proprietary 360 Reality Audio. None of these are popular in India. I have heard good things about the 360 Reality Audio, but I wish there was at least one mainstream app that it supported. Second, the content isn’t all that far-reaching or interesting.
As for ANC, it effectively reduces low-frequency noise like plane engines or public transport hum. While it might not be as exceptional as Sony’s flagship models, it does a commendable job of creating a quieter listening environment. Just like the XM5s, you can temporarily engage transparency mode by cupping the right can, which can come in hand.
You’ll be surprised to know that a similar pair of headphones already exists – the Skullcandy Crushers ANC. I still happen to have the first generation Crushers, and I absolutely adore the fact that Sony has tried to revive the legacy of such a goofy yet interesting product.
The Sony Music Center app lets you control the ULT Wear. Users can adjust settings like sound modes, equaliser, and firmware updates through the app. It offers one of the most comprehensive tuning options for the price range.
Sony ULT Wear Review: Battery life
You can easily get through five to six days of heavy listening (5-6 hours per day) without ANC enabled. With ANC, your usage will come down by a day. This endurance makes it an excellent choice for long commutes or travel. I barely had to charge them once during a 10-day trip to Europe. It also charges up quick, taking barely 5 minutes for a day’s worth of use and about an hour for a full charge.
Sony ULT Wear: Verdict
The Sony ULT Wear is a great option for the youngsters and for those who grew up during the Skullcandy Crusher era. Those looking for tonal neutrality may want to look elsewhere. That’s not to say that the ULT Wear can’t be tweaked – you can make it your own by messing its equaliser because the sound without any of its ULT modes is quite palatable. You also get a wide variety of codecs, something that its competitors don’t offer. Further, its comfortable fit and decent battery life make it a viable option for everyday use. However, the lack of an IP-rating, a full plastic build and a plain-jane design are its drawbacks.
