Tech Review: UltimateEars MetroFi 220

So yeah, I got these new earphones the other day, to replace my somewhat worn and aged UltimateEars MetroFi100

They're so sexy so clean, the baddest 'phones for me, I'm wondering why I only see them in my dreams.

And yes, it seems like I like this brand a lot, but i’ve had numerous earphones, so I know what it’s like to have dodgy earphones.

I guess I’ll compare them to SkullCandy (can’t remember which model, but they’re for around half the price of the MF-220’s and the same price as the MF-100’s); the standard iPod earphones; the MF-100’s; Sony MDR-EX85LP. Specifications are at the bottom of the post

SkullCandy's

MetroFi 100's

So, first off, I’d like to say, the packaging of the UltimateEars earphones are wonderful. They’re a blissful thing to look at, in all it’s glory and shine. This goes for both of the MetroFi’s. iPod earphones, as we know, are default, and I must say, for stock ear buds, they look pretty damn good. SkullCandy’s are similar to the UltimateEars, and the Sony’s are a little more … extravagant.

Now, onto the sound quality. Overall, the 220’s are pretty good, though, the difference between them and the 100’s are pretty negligible. However, if you really listen in to it and pay attention, you’ll notice that the lows and the mids are much more defined than the latter. Compared the to SkullCandy, I’d say the SkullCandy is more suited to the bass heavy enthusiasts, since that pretty much drowns out everything else in those. The MetroFi’s are generally more suited towards the mainstream music audience, as well as those who appreciate being able to differentiate between numerous instruments. Compared to the iPod earphones, pretty much everything is better in terms of sound quality, mainly due to every other compared product being in-ear earphones, pretty much isolating the music from ambient sounds in the environment. However, I do not really think they outperform the Sony’s all that much, though, the price for the Sony’s was somewhat $40 higher than the MF220’s. Even so, the M220’s sound much better than the others if you’re looking for earphones that have definitive mids and lows.

Now, into the looks of the earphones. Of all the earphones that are being reviewed by me, I think the stock iPod earphones and the 220’s look the best. The others look a little cheap, as in the case of the SkullCandy’s and the MF-110’s, and the Sony’s look a tad weird, with their offset insert for your ear.

To the overall feeling of the earphones inside your ear. iPod earphones, first and foremost, feel loose in my ears. It could be due to my ear canals, but I just don’t think they have any staying power unless  you have the ear buds the slip over them. The others all stay in rather well. The Sony’s I had a slight problem with, as they were too big, but the problem itself went away over time as I became accustomed to it. Both the MetroFi’s and the Skullcandy’s felt a treat inside my ears, as they fitted quite snugly and tightly, with a somewhat less chance of falling out. Because of this, the seal they create with my ear blocks out quite a lot of the ambient sounds as they should.

Price wise, I’d say the MF220’s and the MF100’s would be very good choices, as they last quite long, and can withstand quite a beating. Skullcandy’s Ink’d earphones, not so much. They broke due to my usage for about 2 months, which isn’t quite good since the MF-100’s lasted a lot longer for the same price. Sony’s, of all of them, had lasted me two whole years, which was quite expected, considering they were worth ~$130.

Now, in terms of accessories, the MetroFi’s are quite lacking, as are the Skullcandies, only coming with different sized ear buds. The Sony’s fared better, having an extension cable as well. If you’re looking for more accessories, do look elsewhere.

Overall, I recommend the MetroFi 220’s to anyone. Although they do carry a somewhat hefty price tag, they are worth what you pay for them. At the moment, they are on sale at Dick Smith’s for $68, which is down $30 from the original price of $98. Even so, at $98, I still think they are quite reasonable.

Sound quality: 4/5

Build Quality: 5/5

Aesthetics: 5/5

Accessories: 2/5

OVERALL: 4.5/5

Regards,

-K-

MetroFi 220

Technical Specifications

• Earphone type: In-ear
• Speaker type: Single, high performance, UE-designed, dynamic speaker
• Input sensitivity: 103 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz
• Impedance: 18 ohms at 1 kHz
• Cable length: 46 inches (116.8 cm)
• Weight: 0.44 ounces (12.4 grams)
• Input connector: 1/8 inch (3.5 mm) gold plated
• Frequency response: 20 Hz — 20 kHz
• Noise isolation: 16 dB

MetroFi 100

• Ultimate Ears: Rugged design, no-tangle cord.
• 16db noise isolation. S/M/L silicone ear-cushions.
• 1 Year Limited Warranty
• PI DATE: NOVEMBER 2008
• PRODUCT: Ultimate Ears METRO.Fi 100
• EARPHONE TYPE: In-Ear
• SPEAKER TYPE: 10mm Mylar
• INPUT SENSITIVITY: 103 dB SPL/mW, 1 kHz
• IMPEDANCE: 17 Ohms nominal
• CABLE LENGTH: 46″
• INPUT CONN: 1/8″ (3.5 mm) stereo plug
• FREQ RESPONSE: 40 Hz – 17 kHz
• NOISE ISOLATION: 16dB
• WEIGHT: 25.5 (with cable assembly)

SkullCandy Ink’d

Product specs

General

• Type:
  Earbud
• Cable type:
  Y-cable
• Channels:
  Stereo

Additional specs

Audio quality

• Frequency response:
  20 Hz (min)
  20 KHz (max)
• Impedance:
  16 ohms

Speakers

• Driver size:
  0.43 inches
• Magnet type:
  Neodymium

Other features

Gold-plated connector:

Yes

Connections

• Connections:
  3.5mm stereo
• Cable length:
  4.25 feet

Sony MDR-EX85LP

Product Specifications

Power

• Power Handling Capacity : 100mW (IEC)

Weights and Measurements

• Cord Length (Approx.) : 1.2m
• Weight (Approx.) : 6g (without cord)

General

• Design : Earbud
• Diaphragm : PET
• Magnet : Neodymium
• Plug : L shaped stereo mini plug (Gold)

Hardware

• Cord : OFC Litz cord neckchain
• Headphone Type : Closed, dynamic

Audio

• Driver Unit : 13.5mm diameter, (CCAW adopted) dome type
• Frequency Response : 5-24,000Hz
• Impedance : 16 ohms at 1kHz
• Sensitivity (db) : 105dB/mW