Product Description

The Metro.fi 200v has all the great features of the Metro.fi 200 but also features integrated voice functionality and is specifically designed for use with the iPhone (and other mobile music phones with the same headset jack). A miniature high performance microphone allows for hands free phone calls. An in-line multi-function button answers and ends calls and controls music/video on your iPhone. The Metro.fi 200v is small, lightweight, durable and delivers a balanced, full dynamic sound. The Metro.fi 200v's comfortable in-ear design provides noise isolation that reduces ambient interference and enhances quality of sound. Accessories include three single flange silicone ear tip sizes: small, medium and large, and one set of dual flange silicone ear tips along with a pocket ready hard carrying case. Product specifications are single, high performance, dynamic speaker, 104 dB SPL/mW at 1kHz input sensitivity, 16 Ohms nominal impedance, 46 inch cable length, 1/8 inch (3.5mm) gold plated stereo plug, 20 Hz-13,000 Hz frequency response, and 16 dB of noise isolation with omni-directional microphone with -40dBV/Pa at 1 kHz sensitivity.

Product Details

• Color: Black
• Brand: Ultimate Ears
• Model: IP-P2VSB0001-02
• Dimensions: .24 pounds

Features

• In-ear noise isolating earphones with full spectrum sound from a single high performance dynamic speaker
• Miniature high performance microphone for hands free phone calls and push button for answering and ending calls
• Ergonomic and stylish design
• Three sizes of single flange silicone ear tips and one set of dual flange silicone ear tips included for a near custom fit
• Zippo style pocket ready hard travel case

Customer Reviews

More than expected
I have owned the Shure e2c, e3c, and the e4c headphones. The e2c headphones sucked. I have loved my e3c's which I've had the longest, close to 3 or 4 years. I've only had the e4c headphones for a day having ordered them at the same time as the headphones being reviewed. These Ultimate Ears MetroFi 200v headphones for only $30.00 sound as clear as the e3c & e4c headphones yet actually sound more supported on the bottom end. There's more bass in the Metro's by a fair margin, they also have a decent high end as well. The Shure seem to have them beat in the mid range however, but it's not a hugely noticeable difference to me. So far I have been extremely impressed with these headphones. They are as good as the higher end Shure headphones yet cost 1/10th as much, creating a clear precise sound. The e2c's I owned for three days lacked the quality all of the other Shure's possess and are totally not worth owning.

I purchased the foam ear sleeves with these headphones and found them to be an essential part of owning these headphones. They fit better for me than any of the silicone sleeves that came with the Metros. The sleeves allow me to listen to music without having to turn it all the way up when driving on the highway and do as good a job as the e3c foam headphones I owned. I have used the e3c foam phones on an airplane and had NO problems hearing the music, and these are just as good if not better than those were at blocking out external noises. My only minor complaint is they fit slightly bigger in my ears than the e3c's, largely due to the speaker being what goes into your ear rather than the flimsy tube used by Shure for their headphones, which is ultimately what broke on my e3c's). The larger size could be a problem for people with small ears or really sensitive ears. My sensitive ears start to feel the pressure after having them in my ears for a long time, but can be minimized by not moving them around a lot, ie taking them out and putting them in again.

The case that comes with the headphones is nice and compact and seems like it will hold up for a little while, but doesn't seem like it will go the long haul since it's hinge is thin plastic and seems like it will wear out before too long.

(UPDATE: Yeah, I was right, the case stinks. Broke the closure tab which holds the case closed (not the hinged section) trying to open it to put my headphones away not even a week after owning them. I'm now using my Shure e3c case to stow them. Still like the headphones though. I wasn't even hard on the case, it just stunk hard core.)

I wish the cord was maybe another four inches in length, since when my shirt isn't tucked in it pulls slightly on the cord with my ipod clipped onto my pocket with the clip facing out and the ipod itself in my pocket. The other thing is the plug is not bent like the Shure headphones are so wrapping the cord around the ipod (a 6gb mini) is probably not a good idea.

Costing only $30, adding $14.99 for the foam sleeves (Comply T-400 Foam Tips - 3 Pair Pack) still makes these headphones cheaper and a better deal than any of the $300.00 to $400.00 Shure e3c and e4c headphones. Go for it, there's really nothing to lose with these.

(Update: well, I listen to a lot of audio books and the midrange is where it counts for those. These headphones have great highs and lows, but lack mids for the most part. I have been using my e4c's predominantly since they have good mids and highs while missing the lows. I still use these around the house, but the short cord also causes me problems as I'm 6'6" and have a long torso (ie long way down to my pockets). Now that they've raised the price I'm not sure if I'd go with them or not, but they are still pretty good in ear buds.)

Great for I-phone 3g and MP3s
I paid $30 for them to use w/ my Iphone 3g and boy, they sound great, you need to lower the volume on your MP3 since these are very loud. I was using the cx300 sennheiser and while they are good, you can't compare to these, I can hear sounds and instruments from the music that I never heard before, they have very strong bass, you need to make sure to place these all the way in your ear to get the right sound, people that complain about not getting good bass is because they are not placing hem correctly in their ear canal. The cable is a bit heavier and thicker than many other earphones. As a phone headset w/ my I-phone, it works very well. Very good deal at $30.

Ghetto price, upper class sound.
At a price point of $80 - $90 these were on the "questionably worth it" list. At $30 they are the best earphones I have ever used. If you were to double that price, they would still be #1. The sound cancelling ear-tips actually fit my ears, (unlike other "better" earphones that fall out) and while watching movies on my LG Dare phone they almost sound 5.1ish. I've read people complain about the lack of bass, and that is just flat out false. If there is a lack of bass, you need to adjust the settings on your device.