In headphones, Sony has established a reputation for combining innovation, stylishness and advanced technology in sound. Their new product in the premium wireless headphone category is the Sony ULT Wear, which is a formidable competitor to those who desire thrilling sound and modern convenience.
Although the active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphone market has long been dominated by Sony’s WH-1000XM series, the ULT Wear adopts a different strategy in that it aims to provide a bold, energetic sound experience that appeals to bass-centric listeners without leaving clarity.
But are they a couple of fancy headphones like any other, or can they really introduce something new to the table? We will go into the nitty-gritty of it all, including design and comfort, sound, battery life, features, and so on, to present a clear picture of what these headphones are like in everyday life.
At the end, you will understand whether Sony ULT Wear is worth the investment you make or not and whether you would be better suited to a different model.
First Impressions: Design, Comfort, and Build Quality
The first detail you perceive about the Sony ULT Wear is a smooth yet daring design. Sony has succeeded in making these headphones look modern and, at the same time, make them convenient to use in daily life. The earcups are bulky yet not too massive, and the matte finish makes them feel sophisticated.
They come in various color selections; therefore, ULT Wear can strike the balance between professional and a bit of personality, making them also appropriate to wear during a commute, in the gym or even to the office.
When it comes to comfort, Sony has clearly done its homework. The ear cushions are made of soft memory foam wrapped in plush leatherette, creating a snug seal without exerting too much pressure.
Even during long listening sessions, the headphones remain surprisingly light on the head. The adjustable headband offers flexibility, ensuring it can fit different head sizes with ease.
Build quality is equally impressive. While the frame is made from high-grade plastic to keep the headphones lightweight, the materials feel solid and durable.
The hinges are sturdy and allow smooth folding, making the ULT Wear easy to pack into a travel case. Overall, Sony has achieved a fine balance between style, portability, and durability—giving the ULT Wear a premium feel right out of the box.
Sound Signature and Audio Experience: How the ULT Stands Out
Sony designed the ULT Wear with a very specific listener in mind—those who want their music to feel alive and full of energy. At the heart of this experience is Sony’s new “ULT button,” a feature that enhances bass response when activated.
The result is a deep, thundering low end that makes electronic, hip-hop, and pop tracks punch with extra intensity. Unlike some bass-heavy headphones that sacrifice clarity for boom, the ULT Wear keeps things relatively balanced. Vocals remain crisp, and instruments still shine even when the bass boost is on.
The mids are soft and warm, and thus are good to use during long listening periods. Although they do not place vocals in front as much as the Sony WH-1000XM5, they have sufficient detail in podcasts, audiobooks, and acoustic music.
The peaks are crisp yet a bit tamed so that harshness is avoided at higher levels. This tuning makes the ULT Wear a safe bet for individuals who desire energetic sound without exhaustion.
Another nice surprise is the soundstage. Although spaciousness is inherently limited with closed-back headphones, the ULT Wear offers a greater feeling of depth than you would anticipate in the category. This is of great benefit to gaming and movie watching, where directional sound effect feels immersive.
To sound experts, high-resolution audio support through LDAC is an added value. Combine them with an appropriate device, and you will feel more textures in your favorite songs.
By this, the ULT Wear is more focused on excitement and fun, and this makes them a great option for listeners who favor energy and impact over flat studio precision.
Noise Cancelling and Transparency: Real-World Performance
One of Sony’s strongest reputations in the headphone world is its class-leading noise cancellation. While the ULT Wear isn’t marketed as the ultimate ANC headphone in Sony’s lineup, its performance is still impressive.
Using dual noise-sensing microphones and Sony’s advanced processor, the headphones effectively reduce low-frequency noises like engine hums, air conditioning, or the constant buzz of public transport. For frequent travelers and commuters, this makes a noticeable difference in comfort.
High-frequency sounds, such as chatter in a café or keyboard clicks in an office, are managed reasonably well, though not quite as effectively as Sony’s WH-1000XM5. Still, in day-to-day scenarios, the ULT Wear blocks out enough distractions to help you focus on your music, work, or calls.
The transparency mode is also referred to as ambient sound, which is equally important. The headphones also allow outside sounds to enter the headphones with a tap, and you do not have to take off the headphones to know what is happening around you.
This comes in particularly when there is a big crowd in the street, there is a message being announced in the airport, or you need to have a quick chat. The application of Sony is natural, and the external sound is crystal clear.
Adaptive sound control is another little yet considerate detail. It is an automated feature that changes ANC and ambient settings, depending on your activity, sitting, walking, or commuting. It also makes it convenient for users who do not wish to continue to toggle on and off modes.
On the whole, the ULT Wear is not the strongest ANC in the Sony line, but the isolation versus transparency balance is satisfactory. To the majority of individuals, it will provide a sufficient amount of quiet to work and play.
Connectivity, Controls, and Everyday Convenience
Sony understands that sound is not everything, but headphones must feel smooth to use daily. The ULT Wear satisfies most of these requirements with a stable Bluetooth 5.2 connection with SBC, AAC and LDAC codecs.
The pairing process is fast, and a multipoint connection implies that you can remain connected to two devices at the same time. This especially comes in handy when you are making calls at work with a laptop and at the same time listening to music on a phone.
The earcups’ touch controls are user-friendly and receptive. A simple swipe adjusts volume or skips tracks, while taps manage calls and playback. They react favourably even in the outdoor environment, but they will interpret gestures inaccurately in case your hands are wet or cold.
Physical button consumers will appreciate that Sony has a conveniently located optional ULT button that operates bass boost, a feature that other competitors do not have.
Everyday convenience extends beyond just controls. The headphones fold flat and inward, making them easy to slip into the included carrying case. Quick Attention mode—a feature where placing your hand over the earcup lowers the volume and lets in outside sound—is another practical addition that makes interacting with the world smoother.
Call quality is reliable thanks to beamforming microphones and noise suppression. Voices sound clear and natural, though in windy environments, they may struggle slightly. Still, for office calls, Zoom meetings, or casual chats, the ULT Wear performs solidly.
Overall, Sony strikes a nice balance between smart features and ease of use, making these headphones highly practical for both casual and power users.
Battery Life and Charging: Can It Keep Up With Your Day?
Battery life can make or break wireless headphones, and Sony has built the ULT Wear to deliver. On a full charge, they provide up to 30 hours of playback with noise cancellation enabled, and around 50 hours without ANC. This places them among the strongest performers in their class.
For commuters, travelers, and binge-listeners, that kind of endurance means you won’t be reaching for the charger daily.
Fast charging is another highlight. Just a 10-minute top-up provides around five hours of playback, which is incredibly handy if you’re rushing out the door. The headphones charge via USB-C, which is now the universal standard, so you won’t need to carry an extra cable if your other devices already use the same port.
In real-world use, battery life lives up to Sony’s claims. Even with heavy ANC usage, most users can easily stretch several days of listening before needing to recharge. This reliability makes the ULT Wear especially appealing to frequent flyers or people who often forget to charge their devices.
One limitation worth mentioning is that the headphones don’t support wireless charging, a feature some users may expect at this price range. However, given the excellent battery endurance and fast charging speed, this is a minor drawback rather than a dealbreaker.
In summary, the Sony ULT Wear provides confidence-inspiring stamina that ensures your music, calls, and podcasts are always ready to go.
App Features and Customization: Making the Headphones Truly Yours
The ULT Wear’s hardware is impressive, but the experience becomes even better when paired with the Sony Headphones Connect app. This companion app is packed with features that let you fine-tune the headphones to your liking.
One of the highlights is the customizable equalizer. Whether you want booming bass, sparkling highs, or a balanced profile, you can create sound signatures that match your mood. For those who like simplicity, there are several preset EQ modes tuned for genres like jazz, pop, and classical.
The app also allows you to control ANC levels with precision. Instead of simply toggling between “on” and “off,” you can adjust how much outside noise comes through.
Combined with adaptive sound control, the headphones can automatically switch profiles depending on your location and activity—quiet settings for the office, strong ANC for travel, and ambient mode for walking.
Firmware updates are handled directly through the app, ensuring your headphones always stay up-to-date with Sony’s latest improvements. You’ll also find other thoughtful touches, such as battery percentage display, 360 Reality Audio setup, and the ability to assign functions to certain buttons.
For fitness enthusiasts, the app includes head movement detection for controlling playback, though this feature is more of a novelty than a necessity. Still, it shows Sony’s willingness to experiment with new ways of interacting with headphones.
Overall, the app makes a significant difference, turning the ULT Wear from a great pair of headphones into a truly personal audio tool. Few competitors offer this level of customization and polish in their companion software.
Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the Sony ULT Wear?
After spending time with the Sony ULT Wear, it’s clear that these headphones carve out their own space in Sony’s lineup. They are not designed to replace the flagship WH-1000XM5, nor are they meant for purists who crave ultra-neutral sound.
Instead, the ULT Wear is all about fun, powerful listening—especially for people who love bass that doesn’t overwhelm the rest of the music.
If you’re someone who listens to hip-hop, EDM, pop, or even cinematic soundtracks, these headphones deliver an engaging, room-filling experience.
The ANC is strong enough for daily commuting or working in noisy environments, while the excellent battery life makes them perfect for frequent travelers. Add to that a polished companion app and intuitive controls, and you get a package that feels complete.
Of course, they’re not flawless. Audiophiles who demand clinical accuracy may find the tuning too colored, and those looking for the very best ANC should still consider the WH-1000XM5. But for the majority of listeners who want a premium headphone that feels modern, comfortable, and unapologetically fun, the Sony ULT Wear is an excellent choice.
FAQs
1. Is Sony ULT Wear worth buying?
Yes, the Sony ULT Wear is worth buying if you’re looking for headphones with powerful bass, long battery life, and solid noise cancellation. They’re great for casual listeners, commuters, and anyone who values energetic sound.
2. Is Bose QuietComfort Ultra better than ULT Wear?
Bose QuietComfort Ultra offers slightly better noise cancellation and a more neutral sound signature, while the Sony ULT Wear focuses on punchy bass and longer battery life. Your choice depends on whether you prefer balanced audio (Bose) or bass-heavy fun (Sony).
3. Does Sony ULT Wear have noise cancellation?
Yes, the Sony ULT Wear comes with active noise cancellation. While it’s not as powerful as the WH-1000XM5, it still blocks out most background noise, making it excellent for travel, commuting, and office use.
4. Can I wear a Sony ULT Wear in the rain?
The Sony ULT Wear is not waterproof or water-resistant, so wearing them in the rain isn’t recommended. Light splashes may not cause immediate damage, but consistent exposure to water could harm the headphones.