Being a great audio engineer is about consistency. It's a lot like being a great chef: you're judged not only on your technical ability, but the ability to reproduce technical perfection with whatever ingredients provided on an ongoing basis. Consistency is key -- whether you're a performer, recording engineer, or live sound engineer.
With the growing need for recording systems to be portable for working musicians and professionals alike, in-ear monitoring has become a highly important topic. The Ultimate Ears In-Ear Reference Monitors provide a near-perfect portable monitoring experience for well-trained ears.
With the growing need for recording systems to be portable for working musicians and professionals alike, in-ear monitoring has become a highly important topic. The Ultimate Ears In-Ear Reference Monitors provide a near-perfect portable monitoring experience for well-trained ears.
Capitol Studios Collaboration
The design of the UE Reference Monitors was inspired by meetings with Capitol Studios engineers in Los Angeles. Capitol Studios is one of the most premier recording studios in the world, having produced legendary, cutting edge recording quality for many years. The goal of the reference monitors was to produce sound quality worthy of the Capitol Studios trademark, offering remarkable monitoring consistency in a small, portable package. After several months of testing (including a panel of audio engineers and noted audiophiles who submitted feedback based on their experiences using the product), the product was given the Capitol Studios blessing, and it's quickly started to obtain a legion of followers.
The UE Reference Monitors are a three-way, three-driver design, which seems quite contrary to many of the high driver count monitors that are considered top-of-the-line currently. Despite losing some efficiency, the reference monitors offer a very clear canvas for sound to be projected. There's clarity, warmth, and plenty of fast-moving mid-range, all neatly confined to their perfect and distinct ranges of the sound spectrum. This was exactly the desire of Capitol Studios' engineers when requesting their perfect monitor: something consistent, accurate, and engaging without adding unnecessary character to the mix.
In my work as a live sound engineer, I spend a lot of time traveling -- and a lot of time mixing recordings while traveling. In testing the UE Reference Monitors, I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the super-accurate sound signature is.
The UE Reference Monitors are a three-way, three-driver design, which seems quite contrary to many of the high driver count monitors that are considered top-of-the-line currently. Despite losing some efficiency, the reference monitors offer a very clear canvas for sound to be projected. There's clarity, warmth, and plenty of fast-moving mid-range, all neatly confined to their perfect and distinct ranges of the sound spectrum. This was exactly the desire of Capitol Studios' engineers when requesting their perfect monitor: something consistent, accurate, and engaging without adding unnecessary character to the mix.
In my work as a live sound engineer, I spend a lot of time traveling -- and a lot of time mixing recordings while traveling. In testing the UE Reference Monitors, I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the super-accurate sound signature is.
Sound Quality
The UE Reference Monitors are quite different than many of the other top-tier professional in-ear monitors on the market. They're not designed with any accentuated (or scooped) frequency ranges, offering an exceptionally flat sound signature. Listening critically with this type of sound signature can be quite disconcerting if you're used to earphones with more intrusive low ends. In fact, if you're a huge fan of lots of thumping bass, these won't deliver the impact you're looking for.
That being said, these monitors are anything but clinical. While flat-sounding monitors can sometimes sound too one-dimensional, these reference monitors replicate the feeling of sitting in the middle of a great monitoring room. You're not picking up too much visceral vibration, but the low end is equally represented and very accurate in it's placement in the stereo field. Mids are very lush and engaging, while being somewhat restrained -- giving almost the illusion of sitting in a very well-treated mixing room. The high end isn't too crispy, but extends with lifelike accuracy when appropriate.
I tested the reference monitors in many different situations: mixing in Logic on a long-haul international flight, used as front-of-house cue phones, monitoring in the studio during a mixing session, and as a personal listening device. Each time, I was really pleased with their consistent performance, and how the end result translated to other playback systems. Recordings mixed on these monitors translated well on a variety of systems, and using them to mix live sound was fantastic, as well.
That being said, these monitors are anything but clinical. While flat-sounding monitors can sometimes sound too one-dimensional, these reference monitors replicate the feeling of sitting in the middle of a great monitoring room. You're not picking up too much visceral vibration, but the low end is equally represented and very accurate in it's placement in the stereo field. Mids are very lush and engaging, while being somewhat restrained -- giving almost the illusion of sitting in a very well-treated mixing room. The high end isn't too crispy, but extends with lifelike accuracy when appropriate.
I tested the reference monitors in many different situations: mixing in Logic on a long-haul international flight, used as front-of-house cue phones, monitoring in the studio during a mixing session, and as a personal listening device. Each time, I was really pleased with their consistent performance, and how the end result translated to other playback systems. Recordings mixed on these monitors translated well on a variety of systems, and using them to mix live sound was fantastic, as well.
New Cable Design
Part of what I really love is the cable design of the UE Reference Monitors. While most monitors favor an over-the-ear approach for the cable by way of a small two-pin connector, the UE Reference Monitors have a very smart cable design which, with a quick change, can go from over- to under-the-ear style cabling. This new design is much less likely to fail, and much more convenient with the new under-the-ear approach.
The UE Reference Monitors also come with a fantastic new carrying case, designed by Ultimate Ears to be an upgrade on their previous design. The new case is sturdy and attractive, with a new cable management system integrated into the case.
The UE-10 is known for accuracy, and these new monitors easily carry on this legacy. When compared to the UE-10, the reference monitors offer the same engaging, accurate sound signature. However, the reference monitors offer a much more engaging sound signature. There's a slightly more textured low end, and the low end extension and headroom are also much improved.
Compared to the UE-18, the UE-18 offers a much more textured and "in-your-face" sound signature. Highs seem slightly more rolled off on the 18, with a thicker, more present low end and low mids. Generally, the UE Reference Monitors sound similar to the UE-18 in upper mid-range clarity, but have a much more restrained low end as well an equally accurate soundstaging.
The UE Reference Monitors also come with a fantastic new carrying case, designed by Ultimate Ears to be an upgrade on their previous design. The new case is sturdy and attractive, with a new cable management system integrated into the case.
Comparison to UE-10, 18
When comparing the UE In-Ear Reference Monitors, there's a few products I find to be really strong head-on competitors. First, UE's other offerings: the UE-18 and UE-10.The UE-10 is known for accuracy, and these new monitors easily carry on this legacy. When compared to the UE-10, the reference monitors offer the same engaging, accurate sound signature. However, the reference monitors offer a much more engaging sound signature. There's a slightly more textured low end, and the low end extension and headroom are also much improved.
Compared to the UE-18, the UE-18 offers a much more textured and "in-your-face" sound signature. Highs seem slightly more rolled off on the 18, with a thicker, more present low end and low mids. Generally, the UE Reference Monitors sound similar to the UE-18 in upper mid-range clarity, but have a much more restrained low end as well an equally accurate soundstaging.
Comparison to JH16 Pro
One of the other solid competitors for the new UE Reference Monitors are flagship monitors from Jerry Harvey Audio, the JH16 Pro. These monitors are an incredible design -- a three-way, eight-driver earpiece with double dual lows with single dual mids and highs. The JH16 is one heck of a monitor -- and has one of the most stunningly realistic and powerful low ends of any monitor I've heard (and a full review of this monitor is coming very soon). It's also got a very accurate mid-range, with a great high end with only a very small amount of crispiness on the very upper registers when pushed hard. The JH16, being an eight driver earpiece, is incredibly efficient, so obviously clarity and accuracy are vastly improved. Both monitors offer high-end performance, but I find the sound signatures of the JH16 and UE Reference Monitors quite different. The JH16 Pro offer a louder, more aggressive sound signature, while the UE monitors are much flatter with a less pronounced low response.
Priced at $999 plus the cost of impressions, the Reference Monitors are a great option for someone looking for the top end of accurate monitoring. They're a powerful tool -- and designed with top professionals in mind.
Conclusion
Honestly, choosing one brand over another depends on your ears, and your budget. A flat, predictable, and accurate sound signature makes a huge difference when mixing audio, and while the multi-driver design of many competitors certainly give their in-ears more efficiency, the UE Reference Monitors trade that headroom for a stunningly flat and accurate canvas for mixing.Priced at $999 plus the cost of impressions, the Reference Monitors are a great option for someone looking for the top end of accurate monitoring. They're a powerful tool -- and designed with top professionals in mind.
