Ultimate Ears [UE] is the world's most famous moving iron headset brand. It was acquired by Logitech in 2008. Although the old mobile phone headset has not fallen, Logitech's strategy of pushing the UE brand to the mainstream and fashion audio market makes the real Enthusiasts and professional users seem to be somewhat worried. The UE's mobile phone custom headset business for professional users has not stagnated. In the civilian market, with the gradual delisting of the old UE models, it is difficult to see the UE traditional high-end moving iron headphones brand from the products. The image until the second half of 2012, UE 900 released, this price of 399 US dollars four-unit moving iron headphones, became the most important model in the non-customized headset after the acquisition of UE by Logitech in 2008.
Logitech Logitech UE 900 In-Ear Moving Iron Headset [Four Units]
Multi-unit moving iron headphones and customized version of multi-unit moving iron headphones have always been the long-term of UE company, especially its customized business has always been loved by professional music people, which is also an important manifestation of UE brand professionalism. With 2008 Logitech In the acquisition of UE, we did not know more about UE through Logitech's channel, but we quickly enjoyed a large discount on the price of the product. Because of the great price reduction of the UE TF10 headset in the Christmas of the year, let this three unit The moving iron headphones have become the most well-known moving iron headphones of UE.
Although in 2012, Logitech updated the TF15 headphones with the TF10's appearance as a sample, its overall positioning is still consistent with the previous TF10. Under the UE brand, there has been no long-term non-customized high-end moving iron earphone products. Although we are moving iron There aren't many earphone evaluations, but there is no doubt that the moving iron speaker unit technology has made great progress since 2008. Even on the UE 700, we can feel it. This kind of progress is apparently reflected in The miniaturization of the appearance of the earphones is also evident in the improvement of sound quality [relative to the products of the TF10 era]. Can these technologies bring better actual performance to multi-unit moving iron headphones? Technically, we have no reason. Not optimistic, but maybe not lucky, I have encountered several disappointing products before.
Due to our evaluation conditions and the relatively high price of a mobile iron headset, we have not evaluated many such headphones. The evaluation of the earphones such as the UE900 is also very exciting. Thanks to Incarnation, the enthusiast and digital users. testing sample.
UE 900 headset is the flagship product of the new generation UE civilian multi-unit moving iron earphones. It uses the design of four moving iron units per channel which is more common now. From the perspective of the translucent outer casing and its explosive structure, it It seems to consist of two sets of parallel moving iron units. The volume of one group is relatively small, responsible for high frequency and intermediate frequency, while the other group is much larger and responsible for low frequency. Each group has two openings, which constitutes four. The structure of the unit. The compact two-unit moving iron earphones we have seen so far are similarly designed, but the size of the mid-high-pitched unit built into the UE 900 is still larger than that of the UE 700 or X10.
The shape of the UE 900 is nothing special, but thanks to the advancement of the technology of the moving iron unit 5-6 years ago, the overall size is not as bloated as the original, compared to the previous UE TF10, the wearing comfort. And the rationality has also improved, why should it be reasonable? Because the structure of TF10 is really strange. UE 900 uses the more popular in-ear headphones to fit the outer ear as much as possible to achieve better airtightness and noise reduction. This is not as rigorous as a custom headset, but from my personal experience, it is much more comfortable than a custom headset. On the headphone casing, the UE 900 uses a translucent blue plastic material, which is with us. The transparent shell of a UE 7 Pro customized version [Wang Xuyi's classmates] is similar in material, but the UE 900 is darker in color, and the translucent design allows you to see the internal unit faintly, adding a bit of mystery and Technology sense.
The UE 900 earphones use a thinner braided headphone cord. Since this type of earphones recommends that you use the upward-wound lead-out wire, a small piece of plastic sleeve is used on the wire around the ear. It can play the role of flexible "shaping" of the wire. In addition to the lighter weight, the wire is much more close to the ordinary rubber than the ordinary rubber [not so obvious elastic characteristics], This also draws on some of the advantages of professional custom headphones. From the practical use, when this type of wire is out of the street, as long as the clothespins on the line are clamped, the noise control caused by walking or running is relatively Better, the stethoscope effect is more of a footstep, and the wind noise under the annoying relative motion is relatively small. Of course, in-ear headphones can not avoid all kinds of noise with the stethoscope in the street application. The effect is amplified, but it can bring about a very good effect of isolating the external noise.
The UE 900 earphone adopts the design of the changeable line. The design interface of the headphone change line is greatly improved compared with the traditional 2pin type connection. As shown in the figure, it is a small interface with a circular cross section, and the outer ring lock is inserted after insertion. The dead buckle fixes the line, so you don't have to worry about slipping off when you use it. The clever internal design allows the outer ring of the interface to rotate flexibly. After the earphone is connected, the interface part can be flexibly rotated 360 degrees, which is comfortable for wearing. The convenience of wearing is very helpful. The UE 900 is provided with two earphone cables, one black and one blue. They are not designed separately for tuning, but there are microphones and lines on a blue line. Control, headset and remote control support "Made for iPod" certification, that is, on the iPhone, iPad, iPod products can achieve the function of the line control. On Android, can only say sorry, but because of the use of the changeable line Design, UE seems to be providing a microphone with a microphone designed specifically for Android.
As a high-end earphone, the UE 900 provides a plastic, relatively delicate storage box in addition to a wide range of earphones in a large size and texture. It is very thick and has a texture when the cover is opened. This box is compared with the TF10 metal case. It seems to be slightly shrunk. There is a useful adapter cable in the earphone accessory, that is, the earphone and the microphone separate socket, which we introduced in the previous K song article, do not underestimate it, it can be divided into two standard 3.5mm plug Holes, one for connecting stereo headphones, and the other for microphones. Of course, this patch cord is for 3.5mm connectors that combine microphones and headphones. Of course, this is the interface on current mobile phones, and notebooks. More and more such standards are used on computers.
From the official technical parameters, the UE 900 has an impedance of 30 ohms and a sensitivity of 101.2 dB. This seems to be an easy-to-drive indicator for a small earbud, but for the moving iron unit, the characteristics and dynamics are Very different. For example, many moving iron headphones may not be easy to drive, but they can bring very good transient performance. And for most dynamic headphones, this is obviously a contradiction, such a description and The result seems to be somewhat unimaginable.
Due to the test time limit, we only have 2 weeks of headset downtime. It doesn't rule out that the longer-term "warm-up" can make the UE 900 perform better, but with the users' previous usage time, the use of nearly 500 hours is believed to be It is convincing enough. This test mainly uses iPod Classic, BBK vivo Xplay, iPhone, and Colorful C4 Pro as reference for portable audio source. Because we found some subjective listening characteristics of UE 900 during the test, we decided to join the music state Monitor 03. US, Serenade HP amp and other equipment as a reference. Although this is a small earplug, but for the enthusiasts its price is not low, with a better sound source has a better performance, is to use this set of test sources The purpose of the test is to use the contrast headphones mainly Vsonic GR07 MKII, innovative Aurvana In-ear2 and UE TF10 headphones as auxiliary.
Why is there such a comparison? Experienced readers should be very clear? Although In-ear2 and TF10 are moving iron headphones, their performance is very different from UE 900. GR07 MKII is the highest rated high-end headphones in our evaluation. Although its price is in the early 1000 yuan, it is obviously better than the well-known Sennheiser IE8. Let's take a look at how the UE 900 performs.
First impression: The first time you listen to the UE 900, you will find that this is a moving iron earphone that is more like the moving iron than In-ear2. The whole sound is soft, and the performance of the vocals is more soft and thick. The dynamics of the whole sound are not outstanding, and there is no solid performance of GR07 MKII or even some lower-end dynamic headphones. The only thing that can be reminded from the sound is that it is "moving iron", thanks to the impression from the music. Deep and somewhat accustomed to the high frequency. Overall, the UE 900 is not difficult to drive, our main evaluation below is based on vivo Xplay and iPod Classic, the performance of other audio sources will be specifically explained.
High-frequency performance: The high frequency of UE 900 shows very good resolving power. Because it is difficult to feel such high frequency in similar earphones and even dynamic high-end earphones, the first time listening to UE 900 will be somewhat unaccustomed. If everyone Familiar with the digital multi-moving iron headphones evaluation, we have never been sure that the high-frequency resolving power of the moving iron headphones is excellent, especially compared with the high-end dynamic earplugs. We always think that the high-end dynamic earplugs have better resolution. Including ER4, TF10 , UE 700, In-ear2 evaluation and so on.
But today for this UE 900, we are very satisfied with its high frequency performance, which is better than the VSonic GR07 MKII in terms of overall quality. It shows a good high frequency upward extension, the overall stretch Style, elegant and soft sound form. It does not have the traditional moving iron deliberately high, or too cautious, seeking signs of sound density. In the high-frequency transient, it is the advantage determined by the physical structure of the moving iron unit, UE 900 instant The state is also very good. What is rare is that compared with the moving iron of In-ear2 level, its resolution is obviously improved, the sound becomes softer and more stretched, the transient response is sensitive, the speed is fast, and the details are very rich. Only in the high-frequency part of the processing of some high-frequency percussion overtone performance occasionally has a "moving iron" sharp taste. It is very poisonous, the sound level is rich under the high dynamics of the high frequency, extremely stable Transient performance, in this respect, the gap between the GR07 MKII level and the UE 900 is still very large.
Compared with the traditional impression of the moving iron, the high frequency of the UE 900 does not have the characteristics of being able to easily achieve a very good density and a hard-sounding style. Many friends have heard that the UE 900 thinks that the earphone has no "moving iron flavor". We believe that this is the correct trend and high-quality high-frequency characteristics. This performance shows that the performance of the moving iron unit in the high-frequency part is improving, and the progress is obvious. Back to the topic of contrast with high-end dynamic earplugs, UE The high frequency of 900 is still slightly stiff in the very high part [this part of the details of the high-end dynamic performance is not good enough, it is likely to bring significant burrs under large dynamics], but in the mid-high frequency part is adjusted compared to GR07 MKII Also softer... This is consistent with the overall style of the UE 900. The UE 900 is still performing well in the mid-high frequency and high-frequency connection. The warmer, softer style combines very good resolution and transient performance, as well as The level of clarity of the sound level under the big dynamics, saying "small kill" high-end dynamic circle, is not an exaggeration. Looking back at GR07 MKII, but I feel that this sound is slightly sound and partial. Some can not say GR07 MKII is not performing well, it can only be said that the technology is in the mountains.
IF performance: UE 900's softer style is even more "soft" than some neutral warmer earplugs. For example, it is more "softer" than E10, and it is much looser than the GR07 series. However, we found that at the beginning of the UE 900's IF, the headphones and the high frequency seem to show a "difference" in the sound style. For example, concertos in some classical music, vocals with high musical instrument accompaniment, etc. due to sound bias Soft, the IF dynamic is a weakness, which seems to appear on many new moving iron headphones, such as the Sony XBA40 [problem]. Of course, the UE 900 performance is not unacceptable, but under the premise of ensuring a soft and warm style The IF dynamics are slightly insufficient. It is especially noticeable on portable players. It will only change if the sound card headphones output.
The overall resolution of the UE 900's IF is still significantly better than that of In-ear2 and TF10, but the transient performance has declined. We have always said that the UE 900 sound is soft and soft to what extent? If you have tested several headphones for us Very strange, if you think that the moving iron should have the "iron flavor" or the tough style, then you must be more willing to believe that E10 or GR07 MKII is moving iron... This is really no exaggeration.
UE 900 vocals are very full and thick, but the mid-high frequency and mid-frequency convergence parts are slightly collapsed, all vocals are not solid enough, and there is a slight boring trend, which is better than its very good high frequency. I feel a little regretful. The performance of the whole intermediate frequency can be said to be relatively stretched. The sound is relatively loose compared to the "release", but the "receipt" is not clean enough. This is inconsistent with the tradition of moving iron transients. We believe that in portable audio sources, In the Xplay-level player, its IF dynamics are weaker, although it is not fatal, but the overall feeling is not clean enough [mainly in the middle and low frequency slightly more, the recording itself is relatively loose]. The sense of "atmosphere" is biased, the sound of the low-frequency is divergent, and the details of the intermediate frequency are affected. Of course, under the extreme dynamics of extreme metamorphosis, the moving iron can also exhibit small distortion and a good transient. But in most cases Underneath, its sound performance is lazy.
Compared with In-Ear2 and GR07 MKII, the medium frequency of UE 900 is full enough, but it is not solid enough. The medium and high frequency dynamics are slightly weaker. The overall details are rich, but the transient is normal. The mid-low frequency has a greater impact on the sound. The sound performance is heavy, slightly nasal. In the small and medium volume, it can be understood as a kind of obviously soft style, but when it needs some strength and passion, it seems a little lazy, it is difficult to convey this vitality and explosiveness. It is worth mentioning that in the middle and high frequency part, the details of the UE 900 are also worthy of recognition. The vocal high-pitched area details, explosive power, and tooth-to-sound control are much better than the GR07 MKII-class headphones. The GR07 MKII is a more Neutral sound, the whole sound is cleaner, the sound is solid, the image is clear, the mid-high frequency is slightly worse than the UE 900, but the sound does not have the stretch of the UE 900. But in the medium frequency dynamics, such as the large symphony , GR07 MKII will have a more detailed and stable level performance, but the sense of low and medium frequency is slightly less [this part needs to match the sound card, GR07 MKII has better performance].
Low-frequency performance: UE 900 low-frequency performance is relatively loose, from the performance of the low-frequency performance seems to be somewhat over-opened, some loose feelings, such as the low-pitched timpani drums, the kind of knocking cohesive performance is very weak. If this The performance is placed on the moving earplugs, the next sound will be terrible. And interestingly, the UE 900 can start to sound relatively loose, and it is very good to collect. So give you a kind, not too big Strength, no passion, but in the weak low-frequency components can find the sound of transient details. This style can not only benefit from the combination of low-frequency and medium-frequency, but also has no advantage for the sound details.
Furthermore, the style of UE 900 may also be a picky problem for some American music or modern electronic music. For example, moving iron headphones are very suitable for performing some percussion, and electric bass with little distortion, electronic drums, Its transient is good, the response is fast and clean. Some low-frequency or unplugged music will be more dry, but it will feel good with the soft UE 900. After all, it has better transients and obvious It is different from the clean and fast features of the transient details of the dynamic headphones. However, if the delay and distortion of the bass itself are added, the UE 900 may have a buzzing trend. In some popular music, the same Will encounter the problem of picky eaters.
The performance of different sources: UE 900 medium frequency and low frequency are somewhat lazy, which is a little pity, so we are also willing to try to connect it to a device like 03 US, or Serenade HP amp to see if there is any improvement. Prove that this is really effective, but it is not completely satisfactory. The UE 900's mid-range and low-frequency are on 03 US, Serenade HP or Fantasia D/A, the sound will become more realistic, and the mid-low frequency will converge, but from The resolution and level of the low-frequency downward sound is still unsatisfactory. In this respect, the GR07 MKII is better. In the big dynamic, even better is more obvious. The stronger driving force will make the UE 900 higher. The frequency density is better, which in turn makes the advantages of the high-frequency stretching, Atom and excellent high-frequency extension that it talked about earlier reduced. It must be said that on the 03 US, the high frequency of the UE 900 seems to have A little bit of "moving iron" taste... So, it is not recommended to use such a strong driving force to drive UE 900.
On the portable audio source, the UE 900 is not as easy to drive as a high-sensitivity dynamic earplug, but its overall sound detail, dynamics, mid-low frequency, and high-frequency levels have reached a good state. It can be said that there is one The portable audio source that exceeds the iPhone level has a good performance with the UE 900, and the Xplay has better control, and the warmer sound is more suitable. Compared with the hardware adaptability, the UE 900 may be more tuneful, for example It is very sensitive to the inferior high frequency of lossy compressed audio files.
to sum up:
UE 900 is priced at $399, and its performance in mainland China is nearly 3,000 yuan. Its performance is not disappointing. For Logitech, the emergence of UE 900 is also very important, because in the recent 1- In 2 years, everyone once thought that Logitech is destroying "UE". UE 900 can tell you that this is not the case. From UE 900, we also heard the new moving iron unit and better moving iron unit bring excellent performance. Sound performance. But the change of the overall style is obviously unpredictable for TF10 fans. Even if we prefer In-ear2 and UE 700, we don’t think the sound of UE 900 will be so soft. ,exquisite.
In the TF10 era, the moving iron is not known for its delicate sound. Although everyone misreads some of the high-frequency exaggerated high-resolution headphones for high resolution, the advantage of moving iron is still excellent in its transient control and loud. Thick and dynamic, thick and stable sound. Compared with the dynamic coil at the same time, the dynamic small earplugs can not achieve such dynamic and sound density, strength, and very good transient control under super-sound pressure. However, the dynamics of that period, the resolution is really not good enough.
In-ear2 and UE 700, on the surface, benefit from the advancement of moving iron unit technology, representative products that miniaturize headphones [a lot of similar products]. But from the sound style, it has changed, we don’t know The change is affected by the smaller volume of the moving iron unit, but the resolution is improved, the whole sound is more stretched and natural, and the sound level is richer. We listen to the UE 700, In-ear2, and this generation of headphones. There is no doubt that although everyone is technically arguing whether the moving iron is suitable for music appreciation earplugs at the same time, the goal of technological improvement is clear, the moving iron unit responds quickly and the control is good, but the details are not rich enough at this stage. There is no small progress. Of course, during this period, Westone, Shure and other brands have also launched higher-end moving iron earplugs, we have not heard, sorry.
UE 900's high-frequency overall quality is better than GR07 MKII. As a moving iron unit, the sound is softer and stretched. The transient advantage is fully exerted. The sound level is clean under great dynamics. The slightest difference is that the density is slightly worse. It is good enough to match its overall sound style] and a slightly exaggerated "moving iron flavor" at very high frequencies. The medium frequency and low frequency of the UE 900 show a thicker, softer and softer style than the moving coil. It is the most surprising. From the point of view of some moving iron earplugs that we have heard, there is indeed a problem of "moving down and collecting, but not getting out." The lack of dynamics, the sound is not true, but There is no lack of faint detail performance. At medium and small volume, light music and other feelings are very soft, but in the big dynamic, the sound is obviously too lazy. Maybe you can think that this is a soft style, but we hope that such intermediate frequency and low frequency can More compact, will greatly improve the sense of hearing. Of course, the performance of the UE 900 is significantly improved compared to In-ear2, UE 700 and other headphones, compared to the previous generation of flagship product of the UE, TF10 Is very, very large, basically does not have
Can UE 900 represent the highest level of current moving iron earplugs, at least in terms of price, it seems not because there is more expensive... But from the knowledge we have, the UE 900 sound is at least in the moving iron headphones. A small improvement. Although its sound style is not perfect, the low-frequency and high-frequency styles seem to be suspected of disharmony, but from the sense of hearing, many aspects of the UE 900 have not only improved, but such performance has been In the earplugs, there is performance in line with its price. As for many people complaining that the UE 900 has no moving iron flavor? We feel that there is no "iron flake" is not a wrong direction, the style of the moving iron headphones has indeed changed. At the same time, the quality is also constantly improving. UE 900 is a good representative of the latest moving iron technology. It competes with high-end moving-ear in-ear earphones with similar positioning. This is definitely the moving iron earphone in the "Iron Flavor" period. Since the technology of moving iron unit is not closed and the source is relatively simple, we believe that with the similar use of similar technology units of UE 900, we can hear more and more no iron, but the overall performance is even more Characteristic
Digital Display Repeater Co., Ltd. , http://www.nsselectronic.com