Customer Reviews

Altec Lansing UHP336 Snugfit In-ear Earphone

5 star:		(74)
4 star:		(42)
3 star:		(19)
2 star:		(40)
1 star:		(37)

 

 

Length:: 9:59 Mins

Things you should know about these in-ear monitors.

Firstly let me say that these are rebranded Ultimate Ears Super.F1 3 Studio earphones. Altec Lansing took the technology from Ultimate Ears and put their name on them. The first thing you need to know about in-ear earphones is you need to build a proper seal between your ear canal and the earphones. If that is not done properly they will not sound good at all.

I've had these for almost a year now and was initially quite frustrated with them with the uncomfortable eartips that kept falling out at the slightest movement of the head. A few months back I saw on the internet that you can use the Shure triple flange eartips with small modification on these. That helped with the falling out part but was again not the most comfortable option.

Then on the Ultimate Ears website I found these foam eartips from Comply Foam. I decided to give these a shot before dumping these in the trash. Once I put on the Comply Foam eartips, these earphones went through a complete transformation. The fit was perfect and very comfortable. They don't fall out anymore and the sound isolation is incredible. And because the seal is proper, the bass is also much better (If you prefer higher bass, you could also use the equalizers on your mp3 player). Now I actually enjoy these earphones and yes, you can hear stuff that you never heard before on songs you thought you knew like the back of your hand.

The price that amazon or [...] are selling them for now is a steal and I would definitely suggest getting these and the comply foam eartips.

The objective for this purchase was to upgrade my cheap Koss KEB24 in-ear headphones, that I bought to replace the original Ipod classic' ones. That was a major upgrade then. Koss have rich bass, good vocals, but no highs.

My research was targeted originally to a $100 budget. I purchased Bose Tri Port and Creative Labs Zen, but, to be honest, the sound was awful. Bose lacks everything (very poor sound, I prefer the original earbuds that come with the Ipod) and Creative has no highs. I return them both to the store, frustrated.

Then, I decided to expand my budget a little more, now around $130-150 (at this time, Altec's at Amazon cost 40% less than the price I paid a few months ago at other store). I bought the 336's and my surprise was that the highs, instruments and vocal sounded incredibly natural. The bass was a little soft, but, because the superb sound at highs and mids, I decided to keep them. Then I did the experiment (this is recommended for other types of headphones and speakers, bigger ones) to have them connected for four days at a high power headphone output from my receiver at high volume, with a loop of Shakira's song "Hips don't lie" (you know this song is rich in percussions, bass, vocal), and I did not touch or hear the headphones during these days. Then I connected them to my Ipod, and my big surprise was that the bass, now is as natural as I want it to be. Big sound change.

Now I have everything, very comfortable headphones with excellent sound. The price that is now published at Amazon is a real bargain, I really will not hesitate to purchase them, because compared to others that cost as 200% more, this will, by far, sound better.

I don't usually write reviews online here, but seeing as there's only 33 reviews for these headphones, figured I might be able to help. It seems pretty obvious that these are indeed a rebrand of the Ultimate Ears SuperFi 3, so go ahead and check those out as well, but the AltecLansings are $50 cheaper at the moment. At $35 they are a steal... I'm actually considering buying a back up pair because I can't believe the pricing of them. I've been wanting to upgrade from my generic sony in ears for a while; I've had 5 pairs over the past 5-6 years and I'll probably always have a pair as backup. I've been really happy with them, ever since the first pair my Dad brought back for me from Japan, I remember they baffled me at first... I have to shove these things in my ear!? But once I got used to it, the sound isolation was priceless. I was keen to upgrade though after many years, thought it would be worth being a musician who loves music and will could find practical use for IEM's. I thought I'd never be able to spend $85 on the cheapest etymotic IEM's, but about a month ago I started researching headphones again, and ran into these and got quite interested... who wouldn't be? $130MSRP headphones for $35? Skeptical, I did my research, and then I did more research, and then more after that, eventually I had to give them a try.

Firstly, as with all in ears, you have to get the right fit: I thought the double flange ear pieces would be the ones for me, because I use similar style ear-plugs for playing drums but I couldn't get a good fit with any of the rubber pieces. So I ended up going with the moldable foam tips, not the easiest to get in all the time, but the seal and fit with the around-the-ear moldable cable is perfect; sounds great and I'm confident that the fit wont budge during pretty much any activity; from skateboarding to practicing drums they'll stay put.

Now most importantly, sound quality: I've never used any $500 IEM's but as far as comparison with every consumer pair of headphones I've ever used, these UHP336's are peerless in the price range under $85. I'd say they're worth it even at full price. Once you've got your fit, you'll probably notice the base isn't as overbearing as many consumer in ears, which disappoints some, but these are meant to be studio quality, and that's what they are. After a little bit of time getting used to them, the more I listen, the more I notice new things about how good they are. And if you want to laugh, pop in your old sony in-ears or iPod headphones after listening to these for a bit.

My only setback which isn't really a setback would be that I can now hear the difference between my crappy 128kbps Mp3's, my 256kbps AAC's, and 320kbps Mp3's... I'm finding myself looking for CD's to re-import at higher quality and wishing I never bought music off iTunes before they went to 256kbps iTunes+. be prepared to be brought into a new world of sound quality, though I warn you(if you don't mind my cheesy metaphor), some peoples minds aren't ready to be set free from the Matrix, and would be better off staying in the world of bass booming Sony in ears(which don't get me wrong, I love).

-Jordan

*EDIT July 2, 2009: Looks like the price has gone back up, I'd still recommend them even at full price... go Ultimate Ears if you like the name better. Another update, I got a chance to use these as IEM's playing Drums live with a band and difference is priceless; the clarity, isolation, and fit is absolutely perfect.

These really do make my music sound new again. I got tired of the uncontrolled, over the top bass produced by my CX300's, so I splashed out for these when I saw them on sale last week. I'm sure glad I did. Subtle details that the CX300's were masking are now peaking through. I'm getting a new appreciation for my music... like a breath of fresh air.

Don't get me wrong, these aren't anemic or anything. They put out some bass. The bass is just more natural and doesn't drown out everything else. To my ears, these are a full, rich sounding pair of phones with a nice balance between the bass, mid-range, and treble.

These come with several different tips. You'll have to try them all out to establish the best seal and most comfortable fit for your ears. I'm rocking the medium sized, single flange tips right now. I think I'll be sticking with this set-up.

The cord seems durable enough on these IEM's. I don't think it will wear out prematurely. It is nice to know that it is replaceable in case a mishap occurs though. I'm getting some microphonics, but definitely less than what I was experiencing with my CX300's.

Overall, I'd say these are a good buy. Definitely a worthy upgrade if you've been using the stock buds that came with your DAP.

These are an outstanding bargain at $40! I own other Ultimate Ears headphones and really like the way they sound, this pair did not disappoint. I broke them in as per M. J. Leonard's video review suggestion and found they have a very accurate sound. If you're looking for a colored boosted sound, look elsewhere, but if you want accurate sound, you've found the best deal out there for your money. As others have suggested, check out the reviews of the Ultimate Ears "SuperFi 3 Studio" headphones on Amazon. The only difference is the brand name printed on the headphones and the soft carry case. The cord on these headphones is almost bulletproof. Say goodbye to cords that give out after a few months of use. Plus if this one ever does break, you can get another one with ease from Ultimate Ears.

The only (minor) issues I've found is:
1: I'd prefer a right angled headphone jack plug. Nonetheless, the straight plug is of very high quality and does not appear likely to give out.
2. Cord is short for plugging into a PC under the desk, but is perfect length for a portable mp3 player in a pocket.
3. Headphones stick out of your ears. This makes them easy to put in and take out with a good seal. I just can't lay back in bed with my head on a pillow without discomfort.

These issues don't merit a star deduction in my opinion.
The value for your dollar is absolutely outstanding for these headphones.

First off, it's never fair to compare a relatively inexpensive set of ear buds to those that cost 3-5x the price, so if you expect these to perform like Shure SCL4s you will be disappointed. You have to compare these to similarly priced options. In my opinion, these are good to excellent ear buds in the $25-$50 price bracket into which they fit.

Producing very solid bass if worn properly (sealing the ear canal so the sound travels unencumbered by outside noise), they also have fairly sweet mid-tones without getting pitchy. They have a 'warm' sound that will appeal to most casual music fans, but may turn you off if you're hugely into classical or technical jazz. Overall I think the sound quality is admirable, and these keep up with my Cowon D2(Black) nicely in a variety of environments like the gym, commuting, or just chilling.

Are they studio grade? Absolutely not. But if you're in a non neutral sound environment (like virtually all of us are most of the time) you'll get performance that is 80-90% as good as much more expensive ear buds. To me, not being afraid of damaging a very pricey pair of headphones is well worth the drop off in quality.

Some technical details:

1. I am not a big fan of the 3.5mm jack design. I prefer jacks that are a right angle so that the headphones come unplugged less easily. I also prefer the right angle configuration because it puts less wear and tear on the wiring and consequently extends its lifespan.

2. The wiring is pretty thick and not very supple. These may not suite you if you like very thin, super flexible wire.

3. The ear piece covers are rubber not foam. If you like foam better, they are easily found online for a couple dollars. I really like the size of the these, but your mileage will certainly vary depending on your ear canal size.

4. The wiring is replaceable! This was pretty unexpected considering the cost of the buds. There is a two-prong connection to the buds themselves that can be separated by applying steady pressure with a thumb nail or knife blade. This could really come in handy if you damage the wiring but buds are still working find. Not sure how easy it would be to find replacement wires though.

All in all, these are a bargain for the price. Not top of the line, but certainly not slouches either, these Altec Lansing UHP336s are well worth buying.

First off let me say that these sound great!!
The problem is that they are extremely awkward to use. I have yet to get them to fit in the ear AND around the ear. They suffer from, what I would call, a design flaw. I finally straightened the kink that is built in and use them straight in. It worked for me but I was a little worried because it is a molded arc. If you like great sound AND a challenge then get them. Otherwise, save yourself the hassle.

My Ultimate Ears SuperFi5 Pro Studio pair blinked out a speaker after two-and-a-half loyal years; unable to afford their replacement, I downsized to this "Upgrader" series. Less than $40 compared to what were then $240 UE5s, so how do these compare?

I've heard recently with "cans" a friend's tube-amp iPod set-up, and with the UHP336 pair, while they may fall sort of the UE's fabled dual-speaker In-Ear Monitor separation, as the lower-level one-speaker equivalent of the UE3's, they sound nearly as great. The stats differ barely except in impedence: 21 for UE SuperFi 5 vs. 13 for UHP336.

I tested them on my standard trial: two Beatles songs that have breaths that lurk semi-audibly in "Taxman" and "Paperback Writer." I did this before and after a 24-hour period leaving the pair plugged into an online hip-hip station, at high volume, as recommended in Mr. Leonard's video here. The difference may not be dramatic, as the bass on these tends towards the reference, uncolored, non-equalized settings I have on my iPod, but there seemed a subtle vocal warmth after burn-in.

They performed well, similar to studio monitor headphones in the steady vocal clarity and ambient separation. Not playing bass-heavy hip-hop but my preferred rock and folk, through such tiny, therefore portable, devices, the pair satisfied me. I admit as I now lack hearing differences between lossy and 128 on my iPod, so be forewarned your results may differ.

I often listen on a train-bus commute, the reason for purchasing a small-sized in-ear pair anyway-- but I blank out in hearing at about 13-20 range so I may not need the resolution that musicians or better blessed, or younger, listeners may demand. Therefore, I need to save my ears; with the lower volume provided by in-ear phones, there is a protective element that adds to their aesthetic delight. They may lack elegance when in use, but you're far better off than earbuds needing a player to cranked all the way up to be heard over traffic.

The straight rather than right-angle plug of the UE5 pair may disappoint, as this does put more pressure on the wiring. Yet, it also is easier to carry in a pocket. Cordwise, the slight gain of length not directed off at an angle may make more sense as a compromise. As with the UE's an additional reason for purchase was their detachable cable; UE replaced my SuperFi 5's cord readily, but it needs care in use. Watch the Y-junction and ends. The addition of the carrying case, alternative ear pieces, and cleaning tool's also a customer plus.

I do hope they are more easily cleaned than the Super 5's which perhaps due to the lack of a distancing, protective, double flange built up rapidly with gook deep down at the base of the speakers that was impossible to extricate with the cleaning tool. (The UHP pair lacks a tiny division in the plastic hole opening into the speaker chamber, perhaps as the cheaper pair obviously has one speaker rather than the woofer-tweeter SuperFi pair.) My ears aren't that dirty! The difficulty may be that while any such in-ear pair is in use in the ears, they go so deep out of necessity that the suction works too well. I hope the new double flange may offset the danger of dirtying the interior, literally beyond reach.

This is one problem that I predict may be endemic to in-ear phones; other than the obvious advice to keep them clean regularly, I'd be eager to find out extraction tips that preserve delicate IEM interior speakers. The vacuum created for a snug fit, I wonder, when in the ear may draw out into the speakers one's mucus deeply and irrevocably while they're inside your ears-- is this correct? No audiophile's favorite topic, but I'd figured I'd ask experts.

The other problem with the UE5's (reviewed by me on Amazon when I got them) was their plastic ear tips. They'd fall out easily, often separating off your ear as you pulled the speaker out, and got easily lost. The addition on the standard pair of a second flange works well to stabilize them in the ear. Also, if you need more outside ambiance to filter in, you can tip them farther out of the ear canal and still hear most of the sound fine-- this could not be done on my earlier pair without them falling out totally. Enjoy these and comment if you wish...

I have been a long time daily user of in-ear earphones (I use them on my commute to work). I have tried a few different brands, but over the last several years I remained faithful to my old Shure earphones Shure E2c Sound Isolating Earphones. I like the fit of these shure earphones and I thought the sound was pretty good. One thing I have found really important in in-ear earphones is getting a good fit. I tried a pair of Etymotic Research Etymotic Research ER6i Isolator In-Ear Earphones (Black), but had a very hard time getting a good fit and even then found the bass to be lacking.

Well, after receiving these Altec Lansing earphones, I am officially retiring my Shure earphones. I think these Altec Lansing earphones sound awesome! I immediately took off the eartips that came with these and put on the single flange rubber tips (medium size). They sounded great to me right from my first listen. Very balanced and musical and I found there to be a very good amount of bass. I compared them with my old Shure earphones and these made my old earphones sound like I was listening to my music through a tin can. Wow, I had no idea what I was missing. If folks are not hearing the bass in these earphones, they most likely don't have a good fit. One of things I liked about these earphones is that they come with LOTS of different eartips. Also, the quality build seems very solid.

Update: After having these for several months, I am still happy with the sound. I am less thrilled, however, with the fact that you need to wrap the wire behind your ear every time you put them on. I find this more awkward to fit into the ear and often times I need to adjust it several times before the wire is wrapped correctly behind my ear (and not pulling the earphone out of my ear). Though I still think these are a good value, I would lower to a 4 star rating.