Living with the Ultimate Ears Ue-10 PRO

[Welly Wu]

I've lived with the Ultimate Ears Ue-10 PRO for a bit of time now. I want to say that they are the best 'phones I have had the privilege of owning. A lot of people have sent me private or e-mail messages asking whether it is still worth it especially in light of other full sized cans I owned. Compared to the Sennheiser HD600 with the Cardas Headphone Replacement Cable and the Grado RS-1, I have to say that the answer is most definitely a resounding YES! The sound is just so pure and revealing without being a chump or a slouch or overly aggressive. It's dead neutral and perfectly balanced top to bottom.

It may make no sense to you to build a reference system around a pair of fairly expensive earphones but if you decide to do so, then I urge you to consider the Ue-10 PRO. I sometimes wonder what it would be like to own another pair of full sized cans but I don't fret over it anymore. No matter which headphone jack I plug mine into, it still sounds perfect to my ears. I'm thinking that it will take some moderately expensive upgrades to my reference system to extract the full potential of these top of the line earphones but I'm willing to do it. In fact, I am doing it soon! I almost have all of the money for my ModWright LLC and BPT mods -- another week and I'm clear. Then, more very hard work to generate a larger buffer to plan for unexpected expenditures or emergencies.

I keep thinking that the only way I can find another pair of headphones or earphones that would topple the Ue-10 PRO is 1. Ultimate Ears makes the Ue-20,000 PRO or 2. I get the Grado Professional Series-1 cans. Even then, I think I have become so accustomed to using earphones that trying on a pair of full sized open air cans will be too jarring for me. Oh well...

I made a leap of faith investment in a company led by an outstanding president and businesswoman in Mindy Harvey and her Ue-10 PRO product. I made the right investment and nothing will ever change my very strong convictions otherwise. If you too can afford the Ue-10 PRO, then I urge you to go ahead an order yours. I hardly doubt you will regret the purchase once you live with it for a bit of time too.

 

[John Reeves]

Hi Welly,

Nice to hear from you. It seems we are all getting tied up in the UE vs Sensa debate and forget just how good these 'phones are by concentrating on what are relatively minor differences compared to the fantastic sound quality they offer.

Regards

John

 

[Welly Wu]

There's another thing I want to address: weight loss & fit 'n finish. One of my top goals for 2004 to accomplish is to weigh 155 - 160 pounds permanently. To date, I've lost 21.5 pounds. I am 5' 11" tall and I used to weigh 220 pounds. Now, I just weighed myself and I am 198 pounds. The point is that some wondered whether drastic weight loss would require scheduling another appointment with the audiologist to get ear impressions re-taken and re-sent to Ultimate Ears for them to re-manufacture a new pair of earphones. Thus far, I have not noticed any loss of the critical seal or any looseness in the fit. It feels the same -- a perfect fit. When I finally reach my first goal of weighing 155 - 160 pounds, I'll update this thread to let people know whether major weight loss does require another appointment with an audiologist or re-sending my Ue-10 PRO to Ultimate Ears. However, I doubt it. I doubt I will need to do it because the shape of my ears did not change at all after my current weight loss so far. I could be wrong but I don't think so. We shall see...

 

[John Reeves]

Hi Welly,

I found when I put on weight my bassball caps needed the band expanding. However, my audiologist suggested ear canal size differs over time, i.e changes as you get older, rather than due to weight loss.

John

 

[Gummy]

Does one have to pay full price to get another impression and IEM done?

 

[CuriousVoiger]

Hi John,
how much did your audiologist charge you for the impression?

 

[penbat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CuriousVoiger Hi John, how much did your audiologist charge you for the impression?

I'm another Brit. I got a good deal and only paid £20 but i have also had quotes for £50.

 

[CuriousVoiger]

penbat,
could you recommend a legitimate audiologist in or around greater london area? I'm a bit bothered at having this thing done, I hope is 100% safe

-CV

 

[penbat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CuriousVoiger penbat, could you recommend a legitimate audiologist in or around greater london area? I'm a bit bothered at having this thing done, I hope is 100% safe -CV

Not really. Try entering "Hearing Aid" and "London" in www.yell.com and phone around to ask for the price etc of having ear impressions done. Get someone who does impressions frequently. Get instructions on getting good impressions from www.ultimateears.com even if you go for a Sensa - you want open jaw impressions.

www.handheldaudio.co.uk are distributors for UE and Sens. They are in North east London you could try them for the impresions but they are very expensive to order the IEMS through them.

 

[penbat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by penbat Not really. Try entering "Hearing Aid" and "London" in www.yell.com and phone around to ask for the price etc of having ear impressions done. Get someone who does impressions frequently. Get instructions on getting good impressions from www.ultimateears.com even if you go for a Sensa - you want open jaw impressions. www.handheldaudio.co.uk are distributors for UE and Sens. They are in North east London you could try them for the impresions but they are very expensive to order the IEMS through them.

I got mine from Amplivox Ltd in Bournemouth and they did a pretty good job. I notice in www.yell.com that there are some branches of Amplivox Ltd in London so they should be a good bet.

 

[KenW]

I've always worried that I wouldn't like the sound and if not, being a custom, you can't sell them. They belong to you forever! That, my friend, is a serious leap of faith that so far, I've not had the courage to pursue. Since we both have 600s with Cardas, how would you classify the similarities/differences between the two?

I didn't think I'd be able to handle canal phones like the Etys but that's gone surprisingly well. As I mentioned in another thread, I'm still looking for a successor to the 600's and have been open to just about any can but hadn't really considered the customs because of that fear of not liking them and being stuck with 'em. Just can't get over that hump. I admire your determination and no looking back attitude.

 

[CuriousVoiger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by penbat I got mine from Amplivox Ltd in Bournemouth and they did a pretty good job. I notice in www.yell.com that there are some branches of Amplivox Ltd in London so they should be a good bet.

Cheers!