Customer Reviews: Read 194 more reviews...
 Entry level price with top end sound!!! August 24, 2006
127 out of 131 found this review helpful
I am a hi-fi fan and enjoy listening to classical music through my Senn HD-600 headphones and Grado HP-1000 headphones and, in the day time, through my JBL 4311 studio monitor speakers which is backed up by my McIntosh stereo system. I own about a dozen other headphones which are considered by many to be among the best. I even own Ultimate Ears UE-10 custom in ear monitors (IEM's).
I recently heard the super.fi 3 Studio at a local hi-fi meet. Coming from rather high end sources I wasn't expecting much from the super.fi 3 Studio since the source was only an iPod with lossless files. I doubted the super.fi 3 Studio could even come close to the Shure E3c. I couldn't be any further from the truth. Not only did the super.fi 3 Studio blow away the more expensive Shure E3c, it blew away many other in ear monitors which I heard that day. What is even more impressive is that the price is extremely affordable.
If that isn't enough, this little IEM can handle sound like few others can. It sounds great with almost everything you can throw at it, classical, hip-hop, rock, pop, electronica, etc. The only area where I find this little IEM lacking is clarity and detail but that is only because I am used to the UE-10. However, keep in mind that the UE-10 is a $1,000.00 IEM.
Given the price and considering the high quality sound output this thing has, it is a must have for anyone looking for a hi-fi alternative to their horrible sounding iBuds. Now add in the fantastic customer service that the folks over at Ultimate Ears are known for and you simply can't lose with this purchase. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
If you are looking for more information, feel free to check out www.headfi.org.
Ultimate Ears - The Ultimate Music Experience! February 21, 2006
65 out of 65 found this review helpful
My music just got better - thanks to the pair of Ultimate Ears earphones that I got as one of the Christmas gifts this year from my wife. These were not the first earbuds that I've tried with my portable mp3 player. Prior to getting Ultimate's, I've also owned/tried a pair of Shure's E2C, and Sony Fontopia 81LP. So, my review will not only be a review of Ultimate Ears super.fi 3 earphones, but more of a comparison between them and the other two brands. This way I think a lot more people will benefit from my review and hopefully will make an educated purchasing decision. So, here it goes...
PROS:
Sound Quality - Outstanding!!! Crisp and clear! It does take a bit of an adjustment to get the right fit, but once you do, you can hear details that you've never heard before when listening to the same music using different headphones. So, how does it compare to Shure's and Sony's? Much, much better. I thought Shure's were lacking a bit on bass. Sony's sound quality was surprisingly good. Not quite as good as Ultimate's, but still good. The reason I didn't like Sony's is because they were literally hurting my ears, but we'll get back to that later.
Noise Isolation - "What?!" Yes, that's what I kept saying when I was wearing these headphones, and people were asking me something. It's blocking virtually all the noise around you. Perfect for when you want some piece and quiet. Driving in the car, studying at the library, whatever it is that you are doing, it's perfect for every occasion. Now, the Shure's and the Sony's - Shure's are probably just as good as Ultimate's. Sony's, however, are not even close. With Sony's on, I could hear surrounding noise just as well as without them.
Extras - It comes with 3 different sizes of ear tips. Experiment with each and see which one fits the best, and you are ready to go. For those of us with extremely sensitive ears, these earphones also come with foam tips, which provide an even a better fit, noise isolation, and sound. In addition, there is a very cool looking leather carrying case, and a small antistatic cleaning brush. What does Shure and Sony have to offer? Pretty much the same thing, but Ultimate's product quality is much better. Shure's are pretty comfortable as well. Sony's, on the other hand, hurt like hell. The stupid over the ear hook is also very uncomfortable and takes a long time to get used to.
CONS:
Cord Length - This is one thing that I wish could be different. It is just a few inches shorter than I want it to be. When I'm in the car, or at home, I don't have any complaints. But when I'm at work, I usually plug those in directly to my desktop PC. And, unfortunately, it's not long enough! I have to be very close to it, which is fine when I'm actually typing something, but if I'm just sitting in my chair, relaxing, the cord length is barely making it.
Price - They are certainly not the cheapest pair of earphones on the market. $100 is a lot of money for a lot of people, and if you want to save yourself a few bucks, I'd suggest you look some place else. Shure's, however, are in the same price range, so you're not going to win anything here. Sony's are a lot less expensive, although I can't really recommend them because of practically zero noise isolation, and, of course, for the fact that they were giving me a headache.
Summary:
Besides a few minor things, I think these headphones make a great choice. Once again, yes, they are expensive. But if you are serious about your music, and want to experience the Ultimate sound, they are very well worth the price. Recommended!
 Style not good with glasses. March 15, 2006
52 out of 56 found this review helpful
I like the product. It is everything I expected. I research the reviews extensively. I was quite surprised at the noise generated by the over-the ear style as they rub on my glasses. I didn't see a note on this in any of the reviews and thought someone ought to bring up this point. If you wear glasses you will hear noise unless you are absolutely motionless.
Something to consider...
 Great sound, if you can bear to wear them December 30, 2005
32 out of 42 found this review helpful
When I got these adjusted right, the sound quality was incredible. The sound is double what you get for the equally fractioned price of Sennheiser HD497 headphones, which themselves are an incredible deal.
Unfortunately, I can't stand to wear them. They are in-canal earphones, which means the padded tip has to go inside the part of your ear where your mother and doctor always told you not to stick anything. I tried the smallest of the various sizes of pads that were included, and there is no way I would want to wear them for any length of time. I then tried the other sizes and types and the result was the same. Not matter which pads I used, I couldn't get the good sound without not wanting to wear them. And if they don't fit in tight enough, the sound quality is lost.
If anyone is able to wear these comfortably, I don't doubt these earphones will get a 5-star review. But I sure can't. Unless 100 other people write a review and say I am nuts, don't buy these anywhere that you can't return them after trying them.
Learn to read the manual and have realistic expectations. December 13, 2006
21 out of 21 found this review helpful
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.
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