Ultimate Ears LIVE Impressions Thread

[SteveKiwi]

I bought the UE live's (universal) from Massdrop and have been listening to them for the last two weeks.

I have been quite puzzled by some of the comments in this thread where the sound quality and coherence has been brought into question.

If you take for example the quote from Crinacle's list.
"Soft, muddy, low resolution and lacks any sort of definition"

Now personally my experience is completely the opposite aside from that it is indisputable that they are warm.

I find that the resolution is actually quite amazing every instrument can be individually located in the sound stage leading to the cliche of "I can hear things in music that I have never heard before".

The soundstage presentation itself if quite fascinating, for certain tracks it is quite small and intimate giving the impression that you are actually on stage with the band, other tracks display a very wide soundstage that's the true out of head experience width, height and depth.

Of all my iem's I have not heard any that behave in this way, they seem to have the ability to replay the recordings soundstage as the producer/engineer intended it to be.

Personally I think that these are an incredibly engaging and enjoyable iem, prior to owning these I used to switch between several of my currently owned iem's constantly.

Since owning the Live's I really don't need to switch to find the best iem for different genre's and I can happily live with just one set.

 

[joshuachew]

I bought the UE live's (universal) from Massdrop and have been listening to them for the last two weeks.

I have been quite puzzled by some of the comments in this thread where the sound quality and coherence has been brought into question.

If you take for example the quote from Crinacle's list.
"Soft, muddy, low resolution and lacks any sort of definition"

Now personally my experience is completely the opposite aside from that it is indisputable that they are warm.

I find that the resolution is actually quite amazing every instrument can be individually located in the sound stage leading to the cliche of "I can hear things in music that I have never heard before".

The soundstage presentation itself if quite fascinating, for certain tracks it is quite small and intimate giving the impression that you are actually on stage with the band, other tracks display a very wide soundstage that's the true out of head experience width, height and depth.

Of all my iem's I have not heard any that behave in this way, they seem to have the ability to replay the recordings soundstage as the producer/engineer intended it to be.

Personally I think that these are an incredibly engaging and enjoyable iem, prior to owning these I used to switch between several of my currently owned iem's constantly.

Since owning the Live's I really don't need to switch to find the best iem for different genre's and I can happily live with just one set.

If you're going to take Crinacles take on the UE Live as an idea of how the UE Live sounds, you're going to end up in Arkham. I have no idea what he listened to but I do not hear the same things at all. Twister and Headfonias impressions are much closer to what I am hearing.

 

[kohjul]

Im hearing muddy too for some reason, is not as clean as other 3 way iem

 

[Ultrainferno]

If you're going to take Crinacles take on the UE Live as an idea of how the UE Live sounds, you're going to end up in Arkham. I have no idea what he listened to but I do not hear the same things at all. Twister and Headfonias impressions are much closer to what I am hearing.

I'm just as surprised as the rest. Also in my article's comments some are saying they are dark, veiled and absolutely crap. Very weird

 

[toranku]

Given that I've heard multiple demo units of the Live that sounded anywhere from terrible to decent, I'm willing to wager that UE doesn't seem quite consistent with the universal/demos.

 

[Currawong]

With these impressions, especially the "muddy" comments, it would help if an example of a music track was given, along with the equipment being used.

Part of the problem with the UE Live is that, IMO, it's a bit too strong at 4khz and weaker at, say, 8khz than is maybe ideal. However I understand that it was designed for stage musicians, so the tonal balance ensures that vocals and instruments are clear and that the sound isn't fatiguingly bright, as well as less likely to destroy one's hearing if the volume is turned up high.

 

[Wyville]

With these impressions, especially the "muddy" comments, it would help if an example of a music track was given, along with the equipment being used.

Part of the problem with the UE Live is that, IMO, it's a bit too strong at 4khz and weaker at, say, 8khz than is maybe ideal. However I understand that it was designed for stage musicians, so the tonal balance ensures that vocals and instruments are clear and that the sound isn't fatiguingly bright, as well as less likely to destroy one's hearing if the volume is turned up high.

I think perhaps this is something that is not always given enough attention, the purpose of the IEMs I mean. Stage monitors are tools specifically developed for a purpose and I think that a reviewer should take that into account, rather than rate them by an independent standard. It is a bit like riding a mountain bike on the road and then complaining it is sluggish, when out on the tracks it might well be a very responsive and agile bike. Understanding the manufacturers intention for certain IEMs can help explain their characteristics.

 

[Deezel177]

Given that I've heard multiple demo units of the Live that sounded anywhere from terrible to decent, I'm willing to wager that UE doesn't seem quite consistent with the universal/demos.

I haven't tried more than one demo, but I can somewhat agree with this from a custom-versus-universal perspective. The custom version has the headroom and air that I felt the demo lacked, and the low-end isn't quite as intrusive either. Yes, I'm still not the biggest fan of how they picked their peaks in the treble. The universal I tried with SymbioES's Mandarin tips is still perhaps my subjective favourite configuration of the LIVE simply because of the treble tone. I think the custom still beats it from a technical standpoint. But, I do find the custom far more listenable, enjoyable and coherent than the universal that I first heard. And, that's not to mention the benefits I've discovered when using the LIVE for performing.

With these impressions, especially the "muddy" comments, it would help if an example of a music track was given, along with the equipment being used.

Part of the problem with the UE Live is that, IMO, it's a bit too strong at 4khz and weaker at, say, 8khz than is maybe ideal. However I understand that it was designed for stage musicians, so the tonal balance ensures that vocals and instruments are clear and that the sound isn't fatiguingly bright, as well as less likely to destroy one's hearing if the volume is turned up high.

To my ears and to my tastes, I actually found the reverse to be my main gripe, tonally-speaking. The 4-5kHz dip made for diffuse transients, but they became grainy and tizzy with the 8kHz peak. This was particularly apparent with vocals on Charlie Puth's Attention, hi-hats on Larnell Lewis' Change Your Mind, and just the general timbre of those instruments as well. I never felt it was muddy, but how full/saturated the image was did make individual nuances more difficult to digest at the same time. Now, that issue has been alleviated with the custom, but that's definitely where I stood when I wrote my initial impressions on them.

I think perhaps this is something that is not always given enough attention, the purpose of the IEMs I mean. Stage monitors are tools specifically developed for a purpose and I think that a reviewer should take that into account, rather than rate them by an independent standard. It is a bit like riding a mountain bike on the road and then complaining it is sluggish, when out on the tracks it might well be a very responsive and agile bike. Understanding the manufacturers intention for certain IEMs can help explain their characteristics.

This is exactly how I'll approach the full review coming soon.

 

[kohjul]

I dont know if the bass tuning that making this muddy but I played with my spotify eq and find it less muddy when turning down the 150hz. I use iphone and s8+ for it. Is this because of the design of the IEM itself of having a single bore? Or the tuning side of the crossover?

Personally, i feel or my ear, it that the bass is not “clean”/also the cause for the muddy issue.

Contrary to others, if i remember enough, feel the universal do sounds better, but still have that muddines.

*the Live supposedly to be the combination of the UE7 detail and the bass of UE11.



Maybe other could also chime in on this issue or provide some retrofit fix for this issue.

 

[joshuachew]

I'm just as surprised as the rest. Also in my article's comments some are saying they are dark, veiled and absolutely crap. Very weird

With these impressions, especially the "muddy" comments, it would help if an example of a music track was given, along with the equipment being used.

Part of the problem with the UE Live is that, IMO, it's a bit too strong at 4khz and weaker at, say, 8khz than is maybe ideal. However I understand that it was designed for stage musicians, so the tonal balance ensures that vocals and instruments are clear and that the sound isn't fatiguingly bright, as well as less likely to destroy one's hearing if the volume is turned up high.

I am running it off the WM-1Z > DHC Symbiote Elite Silver/Linum Super Bax Balanced 4.4 > DHC Ultra short adapter > Hugo 2 > UE Live
The silver cable helps alot and makes the UE Live sound quite a lot more different and better. But that does not mean that the stock (Linum Super Bax) cable is unlistenable to.
Single ended to the Hugo and Balanced through the 1Z, I do not feel that it is muddy.
I actually find the sound enjoyable and one of the only IEMs that I can listen to hours on end without feeling the need to take a break for awhile.
While I am working I sometimes listen to them for three hours straight.

Yes, it may not be the most technically sound or euphoric IEM there but there is just something about it that makes me use it as my daily driver and when I need to be plugged in for long hours.
For something with a total 'wow' and euphoric sound, I would give that to the VE8
And yes, I have 2 units. And before anyone cries 'shill', I am in no way affiliated or compensated by UE and I have always been their paying customer.

 

[shez.]

I have been using UE earphones for more than a decade now. That period of time, my experience was mostly positive. Right now I have UE900, UE900s, UE RR, UE 18+ 2Gen, UE Live.
It amazes me how UE manages to balance the sound. First impressions of UE customs never wowed me, but rather hypnotized, more I listen to, more I like it.

Listening to an instrumental sound, UE Live gives true pleasure, coherency, musicality. I shake my head every time when I listen to Rock, Metal, Industrial, even Drum’n’Bass sounds like UE 18+ in steroids, everything is better, mids, highs, soundstage, instrument separation, vocal. Except for bass could be slow and less detail in faster music like Breakcore, Deathcore where is critical listening could be crucial. Due to the stage is mainly focused on instrument performance, classic and jazz music usually sounds less impressive. Bass quantity is perfect for Modern Hip-Hop, R’n’B, Rock, Alternative, Industrial, Nu Electro, some electronics, except for Downtempo, IDM, Chillstep, Trance, Breakbeat could be too much, in case, if you do not like a lot of basses. While, I hear sometimes forwardness in 8Khz, yet it doesn’t bother me like on AAW W500. I have not any problems with highs, highs are neutral, smooth and well extended (when it needed). Bass texture, speed is not impressive for analytical listening, although, rather made for musicality, warms sound and adds body for live instruments.

The efficiency of UE Live is awesome. I listen to music with Sony NW-WM1A on 30-45 volume max (low gain, 120 max), in comparison, UE 18+ listenable volume is 50-65 (low gain, 120 max), UE RR 50-60 (low gain, 120 max). Sometimes I use UE Live with iPhone Xr, at 25-35% volume max and they sound incredibly good.

 

[joshuachew]

Sony WM-1Z > DHC Symbiote SP Silver with UE IPX > Ultimate Ears UE Live

 

[Gu Sensei]

For the past five more months or so I have been hunting pretty intensively for a new pair of IEMs I could use for my commute and new shared office space. I have spent uncountable hours at several of Japan’s premier earphones shops and tried (multiple times) all of the top models they stock. I came home with several of them with the expectation that the search was over. The Solaris and Z1Rs were sold back, and while the Hyla TE5Bs and qdc VXs were close, I still kept looking. I am not quite sure how I missed trying the UE Live until just last month, but boy, they immediately grabbed my attention and after a decent session, I was confident enough to make the commitment for the customs.

I have had them for a week now and absolutely love them. Because they were totally off my radar, I had not read any reviews or this thread when I put my order in. It was a surprise to see such a polarized take on them. As I listen now, I am certainly aware of the boosted mid bass and the unusual tuning but none of it really bothers me at all.

So far, I have been using the ES100 for portable duty and the ADI-2 at my desk.

Harsh or painfully peaky treble is usually the biggest deal breaker for me and there is none of that here. Anemic bass causes me to look elsewhere as well and that certainly is not an issue. It is not tight, fast BA bass, but I have found I prefer dynamic drivers for the lower end. I would prefer a little less mid bass, but I don't find it distracting. The mids are wonderfully clear and highly detailed. I would not mind them being a little more forward, but again, I am satisfied with how they are. At some point, I might try a little EQ work just to see what happens, but I really do not feel a strong need to do so.

I find the imaging and soundstage presentation to be excellent as well; though they are IEMs and not exactly performing miracles in this department. I love the liquidy smoothness of the presentation. This is probably my aspect of this earphone. I love my 80s synth new wave and it sounds perfect with these. Apple Music has been keeping an updated playlist of tracks from Big Little Lies- tons of groovy 70’s soul and other mellow vocal-centered tracks. I keep coming back to this playlist because it is positively delicious with the UE Live.

The cable is okay. I really dislike memory wire and am happy that is something I do not have to deal with. It is quite light and the new connectors seem sturdy for sure. The wire itself tangles up a bit too easily and slider could be a little smoother to operate. The shells seem large but don't stick out in any unusual way, are light, and fit well.

I have no trouble understanding why many people are turned off by the tuning, while it is not perfectly to my liking, it is not too far off from my ideal and the rest of what is on offer suits my tastes so much better than anything else I have tried. The search was exhausting but I am simply ecstatic with the result. I crack a big smile every time I put them in and the music first starts.

 

[The jedi Baritone]

Hello to all of you, I am new here but as I read so much of your posts and impressions about UE Live I said I should give you mine too .

First I wanna excuse myself because I am not really an audiophile especially because I don’t know how the bits translate to music and also I don’t know the terms one uses to explain sound in general and on plus my English is far away from really good.

But I am a musician, actually an opera-singer singing on some of the greatest stages in the world and studied classical piano and trombone, so in short I sing most of the time with orchestras all over the world.

I am surprised so many of you don’t like the UE live but is understandable giving everyone has different taste in music and sound in general.

I actually bought the UE live by chance, as every time I am in Zürich Switzerland I go to listen to headphones,DACs,Daps etc ( all the beautiful sound magicians) to a great store which is called K55 . They have a large offer of all what we love . I actually went in the store with the idea to buy the Andromeda’s and I listened about 4 hours Andromeda,Solaris, Atlas,FH7, UE 11,UE 18,Legend x,VE Elysium.

Well after 4 hours of listening none of the other headphones produced a more accurate, natural sound of an orchestra as UE live, but not only these ones , not even HD800S or Utopia.
I went for andromeda, which impressed me with its soundstage as did Elysium or Legend x, Solaris etc, they all have a wider soundstage. Solaris are also a class higher then Andromeda’s, but campfire were not as comfortable as UE live, or the rest.i find ( I know for audiophile community a clear and analytical sound is preferred) Solaris-Andromeda’s as clear and Dynamic they sound to be unnatural in classical orchestra music.. the trumpet sound is much too metallic, shiny and the chord instruments either. I could understand in metal music or rock they sound more interesting as an electric guitar would have even more harmonics in sound and would be more spectacular but for me none of the others are natural enough sounding, also for vocal jazz..

As you can see I am quite impressed by them and I use them almost 80 percent of the time even that I have hd800s , focal elear, hd700, lcdi4 ( another very natural sounding headphone for me with a touch of bass power ), lcd-x,shure 846 etc.
Muddy?, I don’t know,for me absolutely gorgeous..

Yours Jedi Baritone .

 

[soullinker20]

has anyone auditioned side by side the universal/demo vs custom of UE live?