Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 5 Pro - The Best Thing For Your Ears

[Mike Temporale]

At the end of the Mobius event Microsoft handed out a pair of <a href="http://www.ultimateears.com/superfi/superfi-5-Pro-white.htm">Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 5 Pros</a> to everyone in attendance. At first glance I thought they were nothing more than another set of earphones, except these are in a cool looking box with a catchy name - <b>Ultimate Ears, Super.Fi 5 Pro</b>. 8) So, I tossed them in my suitcase and ran for the airport to catch my flight home and I didn't really think about them again. That is, until the other day when I was waiting for some code to compile and was going through some of the swag sitting around on my desk. I picked up the Super.Fi 5 Pros (see, isn't that just fun to say? :) ) and plugged them into my laptop to listen to some tunes while I waited. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Tempoale-UltimateEars-Earphones.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/><br /> <!> <br />You know you're in for a treat when there's a warning on the back of the box that says not to use the product until you've read the enclosed user guide nd they aren't joking. The sound reproduction out of these is amazing. You really need to start with the volume on your device turned all the way down and slowly increase it until you find a comfortable listening level. I've used headsets, earphones, and speakers with my laptop in the past and they typically require that the system volume be set around 85%-95% depending on the music and the speakers. With Super.Fi 5 Pros I had to set the volume at about 45% and the music was loud and clear! And let me expand on that part about clear because I don't think I can put into words just how crystal clear the music was. I jump around my music collection for the next hour playing various tracks and they all sounded amazing. Let me put it this way, if you thought you've heard music before, you're wrong. These are some serious ear candy. :) <br /><br />I'm not sure what stores carry these earphones, but you can get them from Amazon in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&amp;location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FUltimate-Ears-Pro-Earphones-White%2Fdp%2FB0009Q4PH4%2Fsr%3D8-3%2Fqid%3D1160490750%3Fie%3DUTF8&amp;tag=smartphonetho-20&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325">white</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&amp;location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FUltimate-Ears-Pro-Earphones-Black%2Fdp%2FB0009Q4PHO%2Fsr%3D8-1%2Fqid%3D1160490750%3Fie%3DUTF8&amp;tag=smartphonetho-20&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325">black</a> for about $170 US. [Affiliate] I know, that's not cheap but you'll understand where the money went when you plug them in and give them a go. ;)<br /><br />I've included a couple pictures of the box, earphones and case. However, you'll need to understand that looking at these are one thing. The real fun is in listening to them. :D<br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Tempoale-UltimateEars-EarphonesCase.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/><br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Tempoale-UltimateEars-back.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Tempoale-UltimateEars-front.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Tempoale-UltimateEars-inside.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/><br /><br /><i>Mike Temporale is the Managing Editor of Smartphone Thoughts. During the daylight Mike masquerades as an IT Consultant focusing on Business Intelligence and .NET solutions for Enterprise and large business. He spends his evenings with his lovely wife where they read Dr. Seuss books over and over again to their two hyperactive children.</i>

[Mark Kenepp]

Thanks Mike,

I have been looking for the perfect pair of head/earphones for what seems like forever. Glad to see your opinion of these. I don't remember when or where, but I did read about these exact earphones a while back. Your little review just pushed me over the edge and I decided to order a pair :D

I am finding that music just doesn't seem to sound as good as I remember it sounding. If the problem is the earphones, then hopefully these will make it right, though I have a suspicion that the problem is either in the bit rate I encode my MP3s or, frighteningly, I am getting old :worried:

[jfreiman]

Now only if companies would come out with headphones like these for Smartphones!

[Mike Temporale]

or, frighteningly, I am getting old :worried:

Gulp, I sure hope it's not that!

Be sure to post back and let us know your thoughts on these too. 8)

[Mike Temporale]

Now only if companies would come out with headphones like these for Smartphones!

Well, I wouldn't like the increase in price for the phone. But they should be loading something better than the $0.99 earphones they have now.

I was disappointed that these didn't come with a 2.5 adapter. I have my own so it's not a big deal. but if you expect to use these with your smartphone out of the box, then you will in trouble.

[subzerohf]

I recently got myself a pair of Shure e2c. They are sort of the entry-level for Shure, but the sound still blows me away. Now I can never go back to the crappy OEM earbuds that come with any phone/mp3/pda. BTW, not all 2.5mm to 3.5mm adaptors work. I got mine at eBay for $6 (http://search.ebay.ca/search/search.dll?from=R40&amp;satitle=2.5mm+to+3.5mm+Headphone+Adaptor+PDA+Treo+650+O2+Xphone). It works perfectly on my SMT5600.

[jfreiman]

I'd love to buy the Shure headphones and almost did, but when I found out that the 3125, and the/some Samsung Smartphone models had proprietry connectors I opted out.

-- Just too expensive for something which will only be good for maybe a year (life of phone before next upgrade).

[dgage]

I bought the Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 5 Pros based on all of the great reviews. I was really thinking of getting the Etyomic ER-4Ps but too many said the bass was a little thin. My previous earbuds were the inexpensive but decent Sony MDR-EX51LP.

Overall I think the 5 Pros are good with strong bass and treble but a little thin in the middle. I never did feel they were that comfortable and couldn't get a great seal after trying each of the sleeves except the foam. I still have them and need to put them on Ebay as I went out and purchased a different set.

I bought the Shure E500PTL and I like them very much but they are very expensive. Good thing I plan to keep them a long time. I found them to be smoother than the 5 Pros with solid bass, midrange, and treble although the high end rolls off a bit. They are very comfortable and fit well although I started using the foam sleeves. Even before using the foam sleeves, I felt the Shure was more comfortable than the 5 Pros. I don't believe the Shure E500PTL earbuds are really worth more than twice the cost but they do sound better (my opinion) and I am happy with them. Again, the only partial negative of the E500 is the slight rolloff at very high frequencies. Oh, and the cost.

David

[ctmagnus]

While I generally advocate the use of high-end head/earphones, I dislike models like these. I find that if I stick anything in my ears for a prolonged period, they start getting all goopy and gross, and if I do that enough times I develop an ear infection. As such, I'll gladly recommend the type of head/earphones that do not insert into the ear canal. I enjoy my $30 Sennheiser MX500s for this reason.

[dgage]

I haven't had any problems with the in-ear earbuds but I can understand some will not like it. The primary reason I went with them is for transportability and their ability to block noise, mainly airplane noise. As a consultant I travel alot and reached a breaking point one day after listening to too many crying kids around me. The noise-canceling headphones are too big for me to carry and don't actually stop conversation level noise so would do little against crying kids. Noise-canceling works best with low frequencies droning sounds. The best thing I can say is that I was using a lawn mower one afternoon and was easily able to listen to my iPod on half (normal listening) using the Shure E500 earbuds. Overall, I am very happy with the Shure E500PTL as many are with the Super Fi 5 Pros.

David

[egarayblas]

Sounds like Supafly! :)

The latest Sony Ericsson Walkman phones include earphones similar to these in their packages. They should include it on Smartphones too.

[Jason Dunn]

The latest Sony Ericsson Walkman phones include earphones similar to these in their packages...

They might be in-ear headphones, but I seriously doubt they're dual-driver $200 headphones. ;-)

[Mark Kenepp]

or, frighteningly, I am getting old :worried:

Gulp, I sure hope it's not that!

Be sure to post back and let us know your thoughts on these too. 8)

They arrived yesterday and I am listening to them now!

I must say that the sound is impressive. I guess that I am not that old :wink:

I have not yet figured out the whole comfort thing yet. I will still need to experiment with the different ear pieces. I am a little weary about using the foam ear pieces since I seem to get a lot of gunk in my ears (hence my need for a handheld with a stylus :lol: ). I figure if I do use them, I will need to replace them a lot.

I am a little disappointed with the stiffness of the wires. I don't recall ever having wires this stiff on any of my ear/headphones. The Y-junction adjustment slider does help controlling the wires so it is not as big of an issue as I thought.

Overall, I am happy with the purchase.

[Mike Temporale]

I must say that the sound is impressive. I guess that I am not that old :wink:

Great news!

I have not yet figured out the whole comfort thing yet. I will still need to experiment with the different ear pieces. I am a little weary about using the foam ear pieces since I seem to get a lot of gunk in my ears (hence my need for a handheld with a stylus :lol: ). I figure if I do use them, I will need to replace them a lot.

I played around with the different ends until I found one that fits. I didn't end up having to go the foam route. :D

I am a little disappointed with the stiffness of the wires. I don't recall ever having wires this stiff on any of my ear/headphones. The Y-junction adjustment slider does help controlling the wires so it is not as big of an issue as I thought.

I never really thought about the cords, but you are right, they are a little thick. However, I imagine that they are related to the great sound quality, so it's a price I'm willing to pay I guess.

[Jason Dunn]

I am a little disappointed with the stiffness of the wires. I don't recall ever having wires this stiff on any of my ear/headphones.

Yeah, that was something I was a bit surprised at as well...not a huge issue, but a bit disappointing nonetheless...

[Mark Kenepp]

I must say that the sound is impressive. I guess that I am not that old :wink:

Great news!

Great news that they sound impressive or great news that I am not that old?

After listening to them for a day, I found them pretty loud. It becomes an issue when plugged into my Fujitsu n560. The lowest volume setting is way too loud and the next step down is silent. Luckily Mort Player has a pre-amp, which I have to turn Waaaay down.

[Mike Temporale]

Great news that they sound impressive or great news that I am not that old?

Both. ;)