Ultimate Buds (Headphones): Any Reviews?

Coast2Coast · 08-07-2007, 04:02 PM

I'd like to purchase a pair of headphones with high quality sound. My budget is $175, but I would like the same functionality of the original stock Apple Headphones (answer calls, pause, advance to next track). Has anyone tried the Ultimate Buds yet? I’ve looked for reviews on iLounge and other places but can’t find any. Or can you make a suggestion; BlueTooth or wired? Thanks in advance.

http://www.ultimatebuds.com/ (these have all of the Apple stock functionality)

Coast2Coast

ps49556n · 08-07-2007, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by Coast2Coast

I'd like to purchase a pair of headphones with high quality sound. My budget is $175, but I would like the same functionality of the original stock Apple Headphones (answer calls, pause, advance to next track). Has anyone tried the Ultimate Buds yet? I’ve looked for reviews on iLounge and other places but can’t find any. Or can you make a suggestion; BlueTooth or wired? Thanks in advance.

Coast2Coast

iPhone does not support Stereo Bluetooth and I haven't seen any iPhone specific high quality headphones that have a mic, the click button, etc...

If you cando without these features and want sound quality pic up an audio jack extender and a set of high quality headphones.

Coast2Coast · 08-07-2007, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by ps49556n

iPhone does not support Stereo Bluetooth and I haven't seen any iPhone specific high quality headphones that have a mic, the click button, etc...

If you cando without these features and want sound quality pic up an audio jack extender and a set of high quality headphones.

Check this out: http://www.ultimatebuds.com/ (these have all of the Apple stock functionality)

dschur · 08-07-2007, 10:16 PM

I ordered and received, along with a handwritten thank you note thanking me for being one of the first customers.

The fit and finish is perfect. There is no way you can tell that they were disassembled for the customization. They sound perfect, fit comfortably and have great functionality with the stock clicker.

In short, they are the perfect solution for me, they combine everthing I wanted and I am returning a set of V-moda's vibe duo's I had purchased.

I now see that ultimatebuds is allowing you to wither send in your stock iPhone buds or a set of exiting er-6i's which will greatly reduce the cost if you have them.

In short, this can't be beat in my book - check out www.ultimatebuds.com !

climr · 08-08-2007, 01:43 PM

Thanks for the review!

I'm sending a pair into iLounge tomorrow so hopefully they will have a review posted soon.

We've really been working with other ear buds - trying to give you guys more options, yet still keep things reliable and looking 100% stock. To be honsest, we've had limted success, but we do have one more trick up our sleeve. I won't give details yet, but it involves custom injection moulding which may make it cost prohibitive considering the low quantities we're dealing with. I have a meeting to discuss this tomorrow, so we'll see.

Personally I still love the sound, fit and isolation of the Etymotics.

Brad
www.ultimatebuds.com

Avelek · 08-08-2007, 02:21 PM

Are these secure in your ears? My problem with the apple ones is that they fall out very easily. I was thinking of getting some with the over the ear hook, but if these are secure, they seem nice.

climr · 08-08-2007, 02:28 PM

They are very secure. In fact you have to tug on them to get them out!

Brad

dschur · 08-08-2007, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by climr

They are very secure. In fact you have to tug on them to get them out!

Brad

Using the triple flanges almost too secure - you might get a little extra "gift" if your ears aren't clean when you pull them out ;-)

The included foam tips are very good also, a little more comfortable for those getting started. I also orded a set of the Shure soft flex sleeves to try those.

I have to admit when I first tried the ety's I thought they were "tinney" due to reduced bass. When I switched back to the V-Moda's they then sounded like a muddy AM radio in comparison. The Ety's are very crisp and clean - the clarity is amazing and once I've used them for a few days it's a much better bass and I enjoy it quite a bit more.

Velodog2 · 08-08-2007, 03:58 PM

Are you able to find an EQ setting among the many that Apple thoughtfully provided (and imaginatively named...) that balances the bass with the treble successfully?

As an aside, am i the only one who wishes they had just given us an 10 band equalizer instead of all those silly preset options?

dschur · 08-08-2007, 07:02 PM

I've been trying a few of the EQs. Bass Booster added distortion on some tracks. Loudness was OK, but I think I'm settling into Treble Reducer in thw end. I also turned of sound check and I think that improved the sound as well.