At the time this review was written, the Ubsound Fighter earphone was on sale for $69.90 USD on the Ubsound shopping website. Here is a links to their product at the time of the review:
http://www.ubsoundshop.com/en/
http://www.ubsound.com/fighter-earphones.htm
Note: In working with Ubsound, I found the customer service to be top notch. If you have any questions, or need customer service, here is a link to their official website:
www.ubsound.com
Introduction
While hanging out on Head-Fi, I stumbled across a Ubsound advertisement on the side of the page. A couple things jumped out at me while browsing their site. Not only did their page seem to market their phones rather well, the “Fighter” earphones had a very cool look and had very little coverage on Head-Fi. I was curious to cover this earphone, and contacted them to see if they had any interest in getting some Head-Fi exposure. I’m happy to say that today I’ll be covering their earphone titled “Fighter”.
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to demo the Ubsound Fighter earphone in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I am in no way affiliated with their company or brand.
My Background
Please allow me to share a little bit about myself so you can better understand my observations. I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, amplifiers and earphones that intrigues me, ESPECIALLY if they can be had for low prices. I’m a fan of products that give the buyer their money’s worth and more. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, hoping that I can discover models that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones ranging from from dirt cheap, to hundreds of dollars. I’m on a mission to find gear with a great price to performance ratio, and reporting these findings back to the Head-Fi community and those looking for their next piece of audio gear.
I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they have good ergonomics, and their sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have and use.
With this hobby we often times pay a lot of for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned is that price DOES NOT necessarily indicate good build and sound quality. While everyone’s tastes are different, I hope to share a depiction of what to expect in the items I own and review.
~Review~
The Package
The Ubsound fighter comes in your choice of four different colors (red, blue, white, black) and are packed in a very slim black box large enough to hold the earphones and accessories only. The pair I received are white, and at first glimpse my wife said “those would look really good with my Iphone” and justifiably so. They are very slick looking IEMs. The front of the box displays their logo and motto, along with a picture and title for their earphones. The back of the box has a description of their product and it’s specs.
Specifications:
~Driver: 8mm dymanic
~Sensitivity: 92dB
~Frequency Response: 20-20.000Hz
~Maximum Distortion: <0,5%
The product came with the following accessories:
~3X silicone tips
~Velvet-like drawstring pouch
~Product Sticker
~Owner’s manual (in several European languages, and in English)
Housings
The Ubsound Fighter features a pretty sturdy housing build with what appears to be a painted metal enclosure with some plastics used as well. Strain reliefs seem adequate for daily use. They are light and have a wide hozzle that is closed with a metal mesh filter to prevent dirt and particles from getting at the 8mm driver. I really liked the three sets of wide bore tips. They worked well and created a good seal on my hard to fit ears. Tip rolling is also possible with tips that fit a wide hozzle.
Cable, Y-split & Strain Reliefs, Cable Jack
I am usually not a fan of flat cables, but Ubsound set itself apart from the others by offering one that is sturdy, doesn’t tangle and has very little memory, along with great ergonomics. For a flat cable, it is one of my favorites. The cable features a single button remote and microphone for use with both Android and IOS. The Y-split is pretty far down on the cable so you will have no problem using it over or under your ears, even if you have a head the size of a walrus. There is no cable cinch. The 3.5 cable jack is straight and has a nice rubbery strain relief that leads to the cable. All in all I’m very pleased with the build of the Ubsound Fighter.
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics
When I first opened the package I was concerned with how these would fit with their lightweight housings that were a bit on the large side, and the somewhat heavier flat cable. To my surprise they fit really well both under and over the ear. As with most earphones wearing them under the ear yields noticeable and notable microphonics, and over the ear significantly reduces this.
Functionality
The single button Mic/Remote works for both major smartphone platforms (Android and IOS) and seems sturdy. I didn’t notice any flaws or glitches when using it. When using the Fighter earphone for phone calls, people on the other end reported my voice’s clarity coming in at a three on a scale from one to five.
Sound Review Materials
I primarily did my demo with my usual listening gears. For portable use I sampled the product with my LG-G3 smartphone with the latest firmware, and also my Sony Walkman F806 and Cayin C5 amplifier. Other DAPs and portable stacks were also used. For desktop use, I used my Toshiba Satellite laptop with a HifimeDIY Sabre DAC/AMP and Bravo Audio Ocean tube amplifier, or Fiio E18 DAC/AMP. I also used my Toshiba Chromebook and Fiio E17K DAC/AMP. I played MP3 and FLAC files. Google Music was downloaded in its highest quality (320 KBPS), and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I make sure that anything I demo I have had enough time with to feel confident in my impressions and opinions.
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake
“Madness” by Muse
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk
“Some nights” by Fun
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela
“Bassically” by Tei Shi
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie
“One” by Ed Sheeran
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to asses and break down the gear’s response.
Sound Signature
I would consider the Ubsound Fighter to be a consumer friendly signature that works well with genres of music like Hip Hop, Pop, Dubstep and EDM. The tuning has considerable peaks and valleys that I will discuss when breaking it down into frequencies.
Bass
Bass tones seemed to top off at around 150Hz, and rolled off down to as low as 20Hz. The Fighter is a mid-bass forward IEM that brings plenty of punch, and emphasises lower midrange sounds. The Fighter does suffer from a considerable amount of mid-bass bleed, and when the bass hits hard, it will at times distort midrange frequencies depending on what you are listening to and the volume used.
Midrange
The earphone has a recessed midrange that seems distant in comparison to bass registers. I would consider the midrange to be somewhat enclosed and lacked clarity needed to be an elite sounding earphone. They didn’t have a sense of being open or airy. While this works well with electronic and synthesized music, it can struggle with rock, alternative, and most band genres. The upper mids seem to be somewhat sucked out of the tuning. Although it is audible, the upper mids are probably the farthest back in the mix.
Treble
Treble is pleasant and non fatiguing. Its presence does come up a bit from the considerably lower presence of the upper midrange. Treble is not overly extended and cymbals have a nice attack and decay. Of all sound traits the Fighter has, the treble response was my personal favorite. It was enough treble to not feel lacking, and not so much that it could be fatiguing. It had enough presence and clarity to really enjoy it with most genres.
Soundstage and Imaging
The sucked out midrange and lack of overall clarity really hinders the Fighter’s ability to give a solid sense of imaging. Bass tuning does give a slightly better than average soundstage depth.
Comparisons
Xiaomi Piston 2.0 ($25 USD on many sites)
Both models feature a similar tuning, with the Piston having slightly more extended treble response, and a little better separation and detail in it’s midrange, and a little more sub bass extension. Both models have the same amount of mid-bass bleed. In terms of sound they are very similar, with the Piston seeming slightly more refined and giving it a slight edge.
As far as build, the piston offers more in terms of accessories, and comes with an awesome storage case. However, the build quality of the Ubsound Fighter is better in my opinion. Holding both of them in my hand, it seems as though the Fighter would be able to stand the test of time and use.
Steelseries Flux ($45-$55 USD on many sites)
The Flux IEM is world class in terms of tuning, and checks the mark in many aspects of sound for many audiophiles and headphone enthusiasts. Given the fact that the Flux fidelity is competitive against models in a much higher price bracket, the edge of course goes to the Flux in term of all around sound quality. The one part that I feel the Fighter IEM competes is when playing modern genres like Hip Hop, Pop, EDM, and Dubstep. Its almost as though the Fighter was designed for these genres. As compared to the steelseries Flux, the Ubsound offering was more relaxed sounding and easier to listen to these genres for extended periods and at louder volumes.
As far as build and accessories is concerned, both models have basically the same accessories. Build quality on the Fighter is superior, with a much sturdier cable, better strain reliefs, and more solid housings.
Conclusion
The Fighter is a fun sounding IEM that seems well built and very stylish. The four color options are great, and allow the customer to pick a color that matches their lifestyle. Although the tuning isn’t geared for the audiophile community, many who listen to today’s most popular music genres will enjoy the Fighter in terms of both build and sound.
Thanks for reading and happy listening!
http://www.ubsoundshop.com/en/
http://www.ubsound.com/fighter-earphones.htm
Note: In working with Ubsound, I found the customer service to be top notch. If you have any questions, or need customer service, here is a link to their official website:
www.ubsound.com
Introduction
While hanging out on Head-Fi, I stumbled across a Ubsound advertisement on the side of the page. A couple things jumped out at me while browsing their site. Not only did their page seem to market their phones rather well, the “Fighter” earphones had a very cool look and had very little coverage on Head-Fi. I was curious to cover this earphone, and contacted them to see if they had any interest in getting some Head-Fi exposure. I’m happy to say that today I’ll be covering their earphone titled “Fighter”.
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to demo the Ubsound Fighter earphone in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I am in no way affiliated with their company or brand.
My Background
Please allow me to share a little bit about myself so you can better understand my observations. I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, amplifiers and earphones that intrigues me, ESPECIALLY if they can be had for low prices. I’m a fan of products that give the buyer their money’s worth and more. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, hoping that I can discover models that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones ranging from from dirt cheap, to hundreds of dollars. I’m on a mission to find gear with a great price to performance ratio, and reporting these findings back to the Head-Fi community and those looking for their next piece of audio gear.
I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they have good ergonomics, and their sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have and use.
With this hobby we often times pay a lot of for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned is that price DOES NOT necessarily indicate good build and sound quality. While everyone’s tastes are different, I hope to share a depiction of what to expect in the items I own and review.
~Review~
The Package
The Ubsound fighter comes in your choice of four different colors (red, blue, white, black) and are packed in a very slim black box large enough to hold the earphones and accessories only. The pair I received are white, and at first glimpse my wife said “those would look really good with my Iphone” and justifiably so. They are very slick looking IEMs. The front of the box displays their logo and motto, along with a picture and title for their earphones. The back of the box has a description of their product and it’s specs.
Specifications:
~Driver: 8mm dymanic
~Sensitivity: 92dB
~Frequency Response: 20-20.000Hz
~Maximum Distortion: <0,5%
The product came with the following accessories:
~3X silicone tips
~Velvet-like drawstring pouch
~Product Sticker
~Owner’s manual (in several European languages, and in English)
Housings
The Ubsound Fighter features a pretty sturdy housing build with what appears to be a painted metal enclosure with some plastics used as well. Strain reliefs seem adequate for daily use. They are light and have a wide hozzle that is closed with a metal mesh filter to prevent dirt and particles from getting at the 8mm driver. I really liked the three sets of wide bore tips. They worked well and created a good seal on my hard to fit ears. Tip rolling is also possible with tips that fit a wide hozzle.
Cable, Y-split & Strain Reliefs, Cable Jack
I am usually not a fan of flat cables, but Ubsound set itself apart from the others by offering one that is sturdy, doesn’t tangle and has very little memory, along with great ergonomics. For a flat cable, it is one of my favorites. The cable features a single button remote and microphone for use with both Android and IOS. The Y-split is pretty far down on the cable so you will have no problem using it over or under your ears, even if you have a head the size of a walrus. There is no cable cinch. The 3.5 cable jack is straight and has a nice rubbery strain relief that leads to the cable. All in all I’m very pleased with the build of the Ubsound Fighter.
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics
When I first opened the package I was concerned with how these would fit with their lightweight housings that were a bit on the large side, and the somewhat heavier flat cable. To my surprise they fit really well both under and over the ear. As with most earphones wearing them under the ear yields noticeable and notable microphonics, and over the ear significantly reduces this.
Functionality
The single button Mic/Remote works for both major smartphone platforms (Android and IOS) and seems sturdy. I didn’t notice any flaws or glitches when using it. When using the Fighter earphone for phone calls, people on the other end reported my voice’s clarity coming in at a three on a scale from one to five.
Sound Review Materials
I primarily did my demo with my usual listening gears. For portable use I sampled the product with my LG-G3 smartphone with the latest firmware, and also my Sony Walkman F806 and Cayin C5 amplifier. Other DAPs and portable stacks were also used. For desktop use, I used my Toshiba Satellite laptop with a HifimeDIY Sabre DAC/AMP and Bravo Audio Ocean tube amplifier, or Fiio E18 DAC/AMP. I also used my Toshiba Chromebook and Fiio E17K DAC/AMP. I played MP3 and FLAC files. Google Music was downloaded in its highest quality (320 KBPS), and I also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I make sure that anything I demo I have had enough time with to feel confident in my impressions and opinions.
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake
“Madness” by Muse
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk
“Some nights” by Fun
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela
“Bassically” by Tei Shi
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie
“One” by Ed Sheeran
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to asses and break down the gear’s response.
Sound Signature
I would consider the Ubsound Fighter to be a consumer friendly signature that works well with genres of music like Hip Hop, Pop, Dubstep and EDM. The tuning has considerable peaks and valleys that I will discuss when breaking it down into frequencies.
Bass
Bass tones seemed to top off at around 150Hz, and rolled off down to as low as 20Hz. The Fighter is a mid-bass forward IEM that brings plenty of punch, and emphasises lower midrange sounds. The Fighter does suffer from a considerable amount of mid-bass bleed, and when the bass hits hard, it will at times distort midrange frequencies depending on what you are listening to and the volume used.
Midrange
The earphone has a recessed midrange that seems distant in comparison to bass registers. I would consider the midrange to be somewhat enclosed and lacked clarity needed to be an elite sounding earphone. They didn’t have a sense of being open or airy. While this works well with electronic and synthesized music, it can struggle with rock, alternative, and most band genres. The upper mids seem to be somewhat sucked out of the tuning. Although it is audible, the upper mids are probably the farthest back in the mix.
Treble
Treble is pleasant and non fatiguing. Its presence does come up a bit from the considerably lower presence of the upper midrange. Treble is not overly extended and cymbals have a nice attack and decay. Of all sound traits the Fighter has, the treble response was my personal favorite. It was enough treble to not feel lacking, and not so much that it could be fatiguing. It had enough presence and clarity to really enjoy it with most genres.
Soundstage and Imaging
The sucked out midrange and lack of overall clarity really hinders the Fighter’s ability to give a solid sense of imaging. Bass tuning does give a slightly better than average soundstage depth.
Comparisons
Xiaomi Piston 2.0 ($25 USD on many sites)
Both models feature a similar tuning, with the Piston having slightly more extended treble response, and a little better separation and detail in it’s midrange, and a little more sub bass extension. Both models have the same amount of mid-bass bleed. In terms of sound they are very similar, with the Piston seeming slightly more refined and giving it a slight edge.
As far as build, the piston offers more in terms of accessories, and comes with an awesome storage case. However, the build quality of the Ubsound Fighter is better in my opinion. Holding both of them in my hand, it seems as though the Fighter would be able to stand the test of time and use.
Steelseries Flux ($45-$55 USD on many sites)
The Flux IEM is world class in terms of tuning, and checks the mark in many aspects of sound for many audiophiles and headphone enthusiasts. Given the fact that the Flux fidelity is competitive against models in a much higher price bracket, the edge of course goes to the Flux in term of all around sound quality. The one part that I feel the Fighter IEM competes is when playing modern genres like Hip Hop, Pop, EDM, and Dubstep. Its almost as though the Fighter was designed for these genres. As compared to the steelseries Flux, the Ubsound offering was more relaxed sounding and easier to listen to these genres for extended periods and at louder volumes.
As far as build and accessories is concerned, both models have basically the same accessories. Build quality on the Fighter is superior, with a much sturdier cable, better strain reliefs, and more solid housings.
Conclusion
The Fighter is a fun sounding IEM that seems well built and very stylish. The four color options are great, and allow the customer to pick a color that matches their lifestyle. Although the tuning isn’t geared for the audiophile community, many who listen to today’s most popular music genres will enjoy the Fighter in terms of both build and sound.
Thanks for reading and happy listening!
I'm a real lover of portable audio products and own around 30 IEMs, 15 Headphones, 5 DAPs and 3 amplified DACs, a great collection being only a cosumer I think.
I bought the IEMs Ubsound Fighter Aluminum few months ago and I really appreciated them for several reasons... and not just beacuse I am Italian so proud of an Italian brand obviously, but especially for their great acoustic signature which is slightly v-shaped as I love and for their elegant and robust building quality as well.
I almost agree with your great review and I would add about their signature as follows after the first 50/60 hours of running period.
The IEMs Fighter have a slightly v-shaped signature in my opinion, with textured, deep and powerfull Bass frequency which doesn't cover other frequencies; warm and quite detailed Midrange considering they are a little behind; clean and clear Trebble rich of details.
As per my experience, in my collection, the Fighter are situated in a great postion: I'd place them even above the Ostry kc06a & the Vsonic Gr07 for instance, and very close to the IEMs Dunu dn-1000 which costs more than the double. So considering that the Fighter cost only 69$, in my opinion they are an amazing goal. Basically I would give them 4,5 stars on 5 compared to their price to be honest. But you've more experience and I'm not a reviewer so I really appreciated your precious opinion
PS 1: I noted that on the packaging English description is written about a maximum distorsion <0,5% instead of >5%, the same on the English user guide inside the box. Is it a mistake or your own tests?
PS 2: wow! I've seen your review is already posted on their official ubsound dot com website in the press area! congrats then mate [http://www.ubsound.com/press-releases.htm]
PS 3: I love Head-Fi and I'm a deep follower of this audio webmag.
Go well and waiting for your next amazing review. Thx.