Sony ULT WEAR WHULT900N/B
HiFiMan Ananda
What Buyers Say
Sony ULT WEAR WHULT900N/B
The Sony ULT WEAR headphones deliver impressive noise cancellation and powerful bass via the ULT button, with many users praising the long battery life and comfortable fit. Sound quality improves significantly after using the companion app to customize the EQ, though some find the default sound muddy and the ULT bass boost overwhelming. A few long-term users report scratchy audio after two years, and the headphones are noted as bulky for some.
Pros
- Excellent noise cancellation
- Powerful bass with ULT button
- Long battery life (up to 30 hours)
- Comfortable for extended wear
- Customizable EQ via app
Cons
- Default sound is muddy without EQ
- ULT bass boost can be overwhelming
- Bulky design for some users
- Scratchy audio reported after 2 years
- Not ideal for gym use (fall off)
HiFiMan Ananda
The HiFiMAN Ananda is widely praised for its exceptional sound quality, offering a huge soundstage, excellent detail retrieval, and a warm yet fast planar signature. Users highlight its value at current sale prices, especially compared to pricier models, and note it is relatively easy to drive for a planar. However, some find it less relaxing than the Sennheiser HD6xx for casual listening, and the build quality, while improved, still has minor criticisms regarding the cable and plastic design. Overall, it is considered a top-tier headphone for critical listening and gaming.
Pros
- Exceptional sound quality and detail
- Huge and immersive soundstage
- Excellent value at sale prices
- Relatively easy to drive for a planar
- Warm yet fast planar sound signature
Cons
- Less relaxing than Sennheiser HD6xx
- Stock cable feels flimsy and delicate
- Plastic design feels cheap for the price
- Lacks deep sub-bass without EQ
- Bright treble can be fatiguing for some
Scores
Specifications
| Sony ULT WEAR WHULT900N/B | HiFiMan Ananda | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed | open |
| Foldable | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.26 kg★ | 0.40 kg |
| Ear Cushion | thermo-foaming | — |
| Headband | — | metal |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | planar magnetic |
| Driver Size | 40 mm★ | — |
| Freq Min | 5 Hz★ | 8 Hz |
| Freq Max | 20 kHz | 55 kHz★ |
| Impedance | 314 Ω | 27 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB★ | 103 dB |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓★ | — |
| Codecs | AAC, LDAC, SBC | HIFIMAN Ananda Over-Ear Full-Size Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones with Stealth Magnet, Comfortable Earpads, Detachable Cable for Home and Studio |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓★ | ✗ |
| ANC Type | adaptive | — |
| Transparency | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Bluetooth | 5.2★ | — |
| Profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP | — |
| Multipoint | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm | 3.5mm |
| Detachable Cable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cable Length | 1.2000000476837158 m | 1.5 m |
| Range | 9.800000190734863 m★ | — |
| Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 30 hrs★ | — |
| Charge Time | 3.5 hrs★ | — |
| Fast Charging | 3-minute charge provides 90 minutes of extra playtime | — |
| Charging | USB-C★ | — |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Mic Count | 4★ | — |
| NC Mic | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Boom Mic | ✗ | ✗ |
| Detachable Mic | ✗ | ✗ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa | — |
| Touch Controls | ✓★ | ✗ |
| App | Sony Headphones Connect | — |
| Gaming Mode | ✗ | ✗ |
Pros & Cons
Sony ULT WEAR WHULT900N/B
- Strong connectivity (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong anc (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong sound (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong social proof (89th percentile)89th %ile
HiFiMan Ananda
- Strong build (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong user sentiment (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong social proof (71st percentile)
- Below average comfort (10th percentile)10th %ile
- Below average mic (18th percentile)18th %ile
- Below average anc (33rd percentile)
Pricing
Sony ULT WEAR WHULT900N/B offers 2.3x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 95 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 19 of 38 specs.
