Ultimate Ears 7 Pro Custom In-Ear Monitors Review

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ultimate ears pro7 1

Decades ago, I use to be a pretty good musician with a decent enough ear. Although, I was never a true audiophile by any stretch of the imagination. By the time I purchased my first iPod I was relatively satisfied with the stock earbuds that Apple included with their revolutionary device. But my time here at the Gadgeteer has enabled me to try/review a multitude of very good earphones and monitors. This perk of the job has evolved my appreciation of the nuances of what, at least for me, makes a great listening experience (think evolving from crappy college beer and pizza to fine red wine with a steak fillet). So, when Ultimate Ears agreed to creating me a set of their 7 Pro monitors I was, to say the least, tech-giddy at the news ;).

Last year I reviewed JHAudio’s JH|5 Pros entry level monitors. I gave them a glowing review and still use them today. Their custom fit and sound quality are exceptional when compared to the standard $100-200 earbuds. But I know there are better monitors out there and want to see if greater musical nirvana can be reached. When Ultimate Ears agreed to let me review their 7 Pro monitors I immediately scheduled an appointment for molds that would ultimately enable UE to construct my monitors.

ultimate ears pro7 goo

My experience at the audiologist was nearly identical to the first….pink goo squirted deep into my ear canal, sitting still for 10 minutes while the goo hardened, me rambling on about reviewing the monitors and tech-toys in general. From that point, it took UE about two weeks to create and ship my 7 Pros. Considering they are made especially for me and the fine, micro technology they cram into such a small space, the time-lag seems more than reasonable.

My Ultimate Ears 7 Pro custom monitors came very well packaged, in a padded, metal box within a padded cardboard box within a padded shipping box. Ultimate Ears ships the 7 Pro’s in their large metal carrying case (Dimensions: L 4.50″ x W 6.25″ x H 1.50″) monogrammed with my name. The carrying case is very well made and protective of the custom made monitors. Ultimate Ears also includes a cleaning tool to keep earwax from working its way into the delicate technology within.

ultimate ears pro7 cases

While being very protective, the large case Ultimate Ears included with the 7 Pros is pretty huge. I prefer carrying them around in my, much more portable, small metal case that Ultimate Ears included with my TripleFi 10’s. The monitors fit inside UE’s small metal case very well.

Specifications

Input Sensitivity: 124dB @ 1 mw
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 16,000 Hz
Impedance: 17.5 ohms
Internal Speaker Configuration: 3 proprietary precision balanced armatures
Noise Isolation: -26 dB
Input Connector: 1/8″ (3.5 mm) gold plated
Warranty: 1 Year

ultimate ears pro7 diagram1

  1. Single precision balanced armature for the high frequencies
  2. Dual precision balanced armatures for the low and mid-range frequencies
  3. Audio filters to help shape the sound signature

It is amazing how small they can make technology these days. How much tech-manufactures can squeeze into such tiny spaces.

ultimate ears pro7 sidebyside2

The overall listening experience is awesome…..sorry to gush, but I call them like I see them. Where the JHAudio JH|5 Pro’s have two micro-speakers/drivers, the UE Pro 7’s have three, a high, medium, and low (similar to the TripleFi 10’s but in a custom made housing). And I have to say, there is a difference in the clarity. The Pro 7’s differentiated the middle and low sounds better than the JH|5’s. Whether I am listening to music or a movie, the 7 Pros produce stellar sound that truly permeates. They produce a very nice, well balanced sound that I enjoy over earbuds/monitors that produce too much base.

ultimate ears pro7 frontback

The Ultimate Ears 7 Pros fit perfectly; I hardly know they are there. But one of the main reasons for getting a set of custom monitors is the individualized fit. Admittedly, this is in some part a function of the molds the audiologist created for UE. But UE has to take those molds and precision manufacture your monitors; I am sure that is not a slam-dunk process. That said, the 7Pro’s fit is ideal. I used/wore them on a non-stop from Seattle to Boston and had zero ear fatigue or pain that the typical noise isolation earbuds can cause during extended use.

ultimate ears pro7 plug

The input connector is an 1/8″ (3.5 mm) gold plated plug. From the look and feel of it, this is the highest quality plug of any music listening accessory I have ever tried/reviewed. The cable is braided and is surprisingly tangle resistant.

ultimate ears pro7 compared1

The 7 Pros are the largest of the high-end earbuds/monitors I have reviewed (from left: Etymotic Research hf5’s, Etymotic Research er4’s, UE 7 Pros, JHAudio JH|5’s, and UE TripleFi 10’s).

ultimate ears pro7 inear

These monitors are so perfectly fitted for my ears, I literally have to ‘screw’ them into my head (aka rotate them into and out of my ears). It takes a bit of getting use to but once you get the hang of it, putting them in is quick and easy.

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The Ultimate Ears 7 Pros are more detailed and finely made than the JHAudio’s JH5s, but at twice the price. The 7 Pro’s penetrate much deeper than the JH|5’s; they feel like they are just millimeters from my eardrum.

ultimate ears pro7 initials

Ultimate Ears not only monograms the metal case but the 7 Pros themselves. They are labeled with the model number, my initials, and serial number. Plus UE color code their monitors; red goes in the right, blue goes in the left.

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Ultimate Ears can create their monitors in a multitude of colors and can add graphics to the exterior as well. I think this optional personalization is really cool (if given the choice, I would make the monitors black with a gray Superman shield).

ultimate ears pro7 withiphone

Like most monitors, the Ultimate Ears 7 Pros are not inexpensive. At $850 plus the audiologist visit (aka nearing a grand), some would say they are outrageously expensive. But I would argue that in this case you are definitely getting what you pay for. If you REALLY want to enjoy your music, want to isolate yourself from your surroundings or comfort is an issue during extended periods of use; (AND you can afford it) the 7 Pro custom in-ear monitors are well worth the money.

 

Product Information

Price:$850 (plus the cost of the audiologist creating the molds)
Manufacturer:Ultimate Ears
Pros:
  • - Incredible sound experience
  • - Perfect fit
  • - Great sound isolation
  • - Tangle-free cord
  • - Very customizable
Cons:
  • - Expensive

11 thoughts on “Ultimate Ears 7 Pro Custom In-Ear Monitors Review”




  1. Gadgeteer Comment Policy - Please read before commenting
  2. I’ve heard from several people that use them that:
    1. They sound great
    2. They begin to hurt after about an hour.

  3. Only a 1 year warranty?? Shure gives 2 years, no questions asked. IEMs tend towards being fragile and for this much money, I’d like Ultimate Ears to stand behind them a little more. (I’ve baby my IEMs but I’ve had to use both Shure and Sennheiser’s warranties to replace models.)

  4. For anyone looking for custom-fit in-ear phones without the $$, I recommend checking out Etymotic. The HF2 cost $139, are tiny, and sound fantastic. For $100 more you can get custom-made silicone earpieces for them — and that includes the fitting fee at a local audiologist. I can wear them all day, which I never could with the standard inserts. Also, many of the Etymotic models include a microphone / remote on the cord, a bonus for many people over the high-end JH / Ultimate Ears ones which don’t.

    http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/04/07/etymotic-research-hf5-high-fidelity-earphones/

  5. But the ue-7 was designed by Jerry Harvey himself you better off going with jh 10×3 or jh 7 pro from Jerry Harvey own line of earbud instead paying extra for dated technology pleased 850 dollar can buy some better than ue-7 like jh 10×3 pro and save 50 dollar and have a superior sounding custom minus ultimate ear soft comfort. ue-7 is the same as jh7 pro but jh7 is cheaper and frequency is much better and driver are faster and more responsive and better soundstage and imagining

  6. @ Ken S: They might begin to hurt after an hour because of the piece expanding due to body temperature- you can ice them or go back to the audiologist for a better fit if they’re uncomfortable. The sound is impeccable, however- I have yet to hear something comparable for the price range. I have a pair of custom-made from a private German company, but they install 14 sound drivers in the heads, which I, personally, think cannot be beat.

  7. Can anyone compare the UE 7 to the UE TF10? I currently have the TF10 and I’m thinking of upgrading to customs

  8. Thank you for this review. I am ordering the UE7’s. I went to the audiologist today for the ear impressions and she mentioned the JHA’s (which I had never heard of b4) and I found their website (which is cheesy looking compared to UE’s) looked up their models and what would be comparable to UE7’s the JH7’s. The price of the UE7’s is $850 and the JH7’s is $699. I need my music to sound crisp and from your review I am making the right choice. Scraping together the extra $150 will be worth it because for me it’s all about the MUSIC!!!!!!!!!

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