UltraFit 3000

by Zerbster, November 14, 2011

Strengths:

Really great fit, great sound quality, nice design. Love the flat cable as it's doesn't get tangled.

Weaknesses:

Can't really think of any, maybe a larger bag to store them in?

Review:

I just received my ULTRAFIT 3000 sport headphones and as luck would have it I got them at lunch time which is when I go to the gym. So, I unpacked everything and ran right to the gym. Everything was pretty self explanatory. I picked out the soft foam ear tips and replaced the rubber ones that came pre installed as the soft foam ones fit my ear canals better. I then slipped them onto my ears and pushed on the backing so they would conform to my ears and ran out to the elliptical machine. I plugged them into my iPhone and started my workout, much to my surprise these are the only sport headphones I have used that stayed in place and were really comfortable! I have tried about eight different kinds and not been really happy with them. I was beginning to think that I would just have to settle with what worked the best but none of them stayed totally in place or were really comfortable. So I'm feeling pretty lucky that I finally had headphones that fit but then realized that these things sounded really good to boot! The sound quality is EXCELLENT! Good high's and really nice bass. I have finally found the perfect workout headphones. If you like goo sound quality, comfort and affordability then this is the product for you!

by Andre D, December 22, 2011

Strengths:

Awesome clean clear sound with solid tight bass. Best headphones heard at this price point including rivals that cost much more.

Weaknesses:

Wish extension cable had option to delete remote/mic.

Review:

I've had this pair of the UltraFit 3000's for 2+ months now and pair those with a Zune HD for strictly travel to and from work and any other errands where I'm walking around. Before the 3000's, I was using a well known brand that prides itself on the slogan: 'Better sound through research'. When I first inserted the 3000's into my ears with the stock tips, I immediately found a very different sound from what I was used to. It was a more inviting sound that I knew would keep me tinkering to find out exactly what these really offered. After taking about three full weeks sorting through all the various ear tips that are included, I finally settled on the small foam tips. My ears are very strange and it took me far longer to find a comfortable combination that I found pleasing. Never the less, I found the slightly larger tips over the stocks was acceptable as well but would probably be best suited if I was using these in the gym or running. Once seated and sealed in your ears, the sound is simply awesome. I've never heard such clarity and dynamics from a small in-ear bud style headphone. The bass was very tight but clean. Gone is the muddiness I was used to with the other brand and in was great dynamics, a strong kick in the head and a smile as I realize how much lower my volume is due to how much sound is filtered. The 3000's do such a great job at suppressing noise that I can sit at the back of public transit bus with my volume less than half and comfortably listen to my music at a safe level and not be disturbed by other people talking or engine noises. The sound quality is top notch. I've fallen very much in love with the sound from these. It takes a good minute to properly seat these in my ears but the experience is wonderful. Packaging was very well done. Accessories included will cater whatever placement option you so desire and device you use. Various extension cables and clips assist in ensuring these stay where they were intended to be, in your ears. I can't comment on the built in remote and mic for phone calls as I don't use this feature but the addition is just a bonus. If I could rid the remote/mic for just the inline piece, I think these would be perfect. Certainly not any deal breaker, however I do find that the feel of the remote is not to my liking. I'm unsure if it's just the design or proposed execution but the button to increase volume feels flat and is hard to tell if you actually feel a click. I've used these in cold winter temps of -25 celcius and the wires don't get stiff and stay loose. These are simply awesome as I stated before.

by John V., November 12, 2011

Strengths:

Fit and sound quality.

Weaknesses:

Remote control

Review:

I've only had the headphones for about a month. I purchased them to wear with my Ipod for an upcoming marathon. I wore them a few times prior to the race. I was impressed with the fit and the sound quality. One feature that was the deciding factor in my purchase of these headphones was the remote control. Unfortunately the volume control feature quit working the day before my marathon. I was still able to pause and toggle between the songs during my race. However, the remote contol quit completely during the race. I was forced to carry my Ipod to control the volume and change songs which defeated the purpose of the purchase of headphones with a remote control. I called customer service, and they said they would send a replacement, but I've yet to receive it.

by Jessy Grewal, November 17, 2011

Strengths:

Very comfortable and the sound quality is unbelievable.

Weaknesses:

I'm a bit worried with wear & tear of the remote control and at some point it will stop working. So far though it works fine but i believe it is not waterproof!

Review:

By far the best headphones out in today's market! I've tried them all (Sennheiser Adidas PMX 680i, Monster Beats Sports, Bose? AE2i) and they don't even come close. Anyone active that needs new headphones I highly recommend Ultrafit Sports 3000. Thank You Polk Audio!

by Nick A, December 1, 2011

Strengths:

- Sound isolating; - Rugged, sweat-proof; - The user has the choice to use the headphones with or without the remote control integrated into the cable.

Weaknesses:

- For people who don't want to use the remote on the cable, the remaining length of cable is a little on the short side. The short version is long enough to attach to an upper-arm device, but not one on the waist.

Review:

I've used several different types of earphones over my years of exercising. None really fit or felt perfect. The closest thing I had to perfect were a pair of Shure E2C, which I think were more geared to professional musicians than athletes. They sounded pretty good, but were brittle. Man do the UltraFit 3000s break the barrier! They are extremely comfortable and rugged. They are also sweat-proof. The biggest problem, if you can call it that, is that you cannot hear ANYTHING around you when installed correctly in your ear. They are some of the best sound-isolating earphones I've ever tried! It may be great for the gym/treadmill, but add moving vehicles to the mix and ourdoor runners may have a little problem on their hands... just keep the volume low so you can be aware of your surroundings. I highly recommend these earphones for the gym-goer. I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

by Mikael Hulten, October 9, 2012

Strengths:

Superb crisp, clear and well balanced sound. Comfort fit and they always stay in place.

Weaknesses:

Althoug they work good as a headset I would like the mic to be a bit more sensetive or placed closer to the jaw/mouth.

Review:

Been using them for two weeks now during different kinds of activities and they always stay in place. The sound coming out of theese headphones is simply awesome. When I found the right ear buds the rich and deep bass really came to another level, almost like having a subwofer in my head. Sound just as good at low volyme as on very high. Yes, it takes a couple of minutes to find the perfect fit, ear buds and getting used to mount them. But after that you are in for a treat. Simply amazed by the sound.

by Mark, December 4, 2012

Strengths:

They look amazing. Very good noise-cancellation for the size & resonably priced.

Weaknesses:

Poor quality product. Two pairs have failed on me in five months.

Review:

I asked for and received the UltraFit 3000 as a gift about five months ago. I own a pair of Bose earbuds as my primary set of headphones, and I was curious to see if the Polk provided better noise-cancellation, which is my only gripe about the Bose earbuds. Within a week the right channel on my first pair of UltraFit3000's went almost completely dead while on a hike. I put in a call to Polk Audio, and they immediately sent me a replacement pair with no problems. I have used my second pair on average a few times per week ever since. Now after less than five months of use, my SECOND PAIR is suddenly sounding like crap - distant, very hollow & tinny sound, absolutely ZERO low-end, very poor sound quality overall, and on this pair the left channel is almost completely dead. I tried disconnecting the extension cord, trying it on my laptop, etc, to no avail. Owning these earbuds have been a waste of my time. I will call and complain to Polk again, but I don't really care if they send me another pair because these headphones never really impressed me anyway. When they DID work, they were alright. The fit takes getting used to, but the noise cancelling is great for their size. The sound quality was pretty good, although they are certainly a lower sound quality than the Bose earbuds, which I cannot recommend highly enough. Bose earbuds are practically the same price as the UltraFit 3000, and are a much a better product in my opinion.

by Jim H, October 12, 2011

Strengths:

Best headphone I have used for comfort and performance especially for workouts or jogs.

Weaknesses:

They are not quite as small as other ear buds when you wrap them up to put in your pocket.

Review:

Handsome packaging and it has the right name. I have exercised with these and I can tell you they stay firmly in place. My reference is another very popular in ear high performance brand which I compared the Polk to during my listening. Initially I thought the other brand were outperforming the 3000s sonically. And in fact they were until I did some extensive experimenting with the ear tips. I was listening to my old demo standby Famous Blue Raincoat by Jennifer Warnes. The bass on that album is solid and engaging but it wasn?t using the stock mounted tips. I ultimately had to try quite a few tips finally settling on the smaller foam tips which struck the best balance between comfort fit and performance. At that point the 3000s were to my ears competitive on the bass and smoother throughout the rest of the frequency range compared to the brand. But regardless of performance the comfort of the 3000s was so far superior to the others that that alone makes it a much much better product. Jamming those neoprene ear pieces in my ears tight enough to retain a bond on the other brand is just not anywhere near as comfortable as the Polk design.

by Iz, September 11, 2012

Strengths:

Great fit. Good bass. Good build quality.

Weaknesses:

lacking trebble! disspointing frequency coverage (mid to higher frequency) Lack of complete sound. Not for audiophile.

Review:

I listen to music a lot. Im meticulous by nature and pay attention to detail, being an IT professional. I appreciate quality sound. I live in South Africa and after a lenghty search, i found from reviews that these are the pair I want to invest in, being brand loyal because I put the Polk Audio DXi 525 splits in my car and the sound was satisfactory. I am very dissapointed with the sound of my Ultrafit 3000 earphones. So much so I don't even want to use them. I got a pair of out the box earphones with a new phone i bought. Those out the box plugs sound much better.There is much more trebble and a far more complete sound and range. I pluged my other pair of earphones into the extension cable that comes with the Ultrafit 3000 and the trebble was present, elminating a hardware fault. There are compliments to be had for the Ultrafit 3000: They isolate the sound and cancel outside noise very well. The bass is very good. There are many plugs to choose from and it makes the fit even better. The hardware is a bit bulky, but can be overlooked. The fit of the hooks around the ear is great. In the claimed class however, i think the competion boils down to the sound quality and range. It fails in this department, even though I wish it wasn't so. The Ultrafit 3000 is not for an audiophile. Polk Audio: Please relook the range of these earphpones. I like the brand very much and would love to remain loyal to it. Thanks.

by Jason, October 6, 2012

Strengths:

Comes with multiple ear pieces, secure over the ear fit, rich bass for an in-ear set, flat cable, removable cable extension.

Weaknesses:

It's moisture proof but that doesn't mean they can be washed under water. Also, to hear the rich bass and keep sweat out, you'll need to try different ear pieces- possibly different piece for each ear, but they give you a lot of options so it shouldn't be a problem.

Review:

There are not many quality bass sport headphones on the market, and they all seem to have the same problems with sound or control button. The problem may be just the sweat itself building up in the sound hole. I'm not an expert but whenever sweat builds up or gets in, there's a loss of bass and clarity. However after using the ear plug style ear pieces that the 3000 came with, I haven't had any sound issues at all. They also stay secure in your ear if set up properly and the flat style cable is a nice feature that reduces tangles. Overall these are my first sport focused ear phones and they don't disappoint.

by Cantwell Clark, December 13, 2012

Strengths:

The headphones are rugged and have very good sound quality. When I am not exercising, the ambient noise blocking and sound are both excellent. The iPhone control is handy and effective.

Weaknesses:

The single weakness is a deal breaker for me. After a month of trying, I cannot get the headphones to stay in place while exercising. It is annoying enough to make them unusable for my primary purpose.

Review:

I bought the 3000s just over a month ago mostly for use while exercising. The advertised features and ear wrap similar to my prior headphones sounded like these would be a good replacement. Unfortunately, because of the weakness described below, I have to give a two star rating rather than the four to five I would have otherwise.

"[UltraFit 3000 headphones] were an upgrade over the iBuds that came with the iPhone and nano, and they made my run/jog/slog a lot more bearable. I also wore them while jumping rope for several spirited half-hour sessions, and the higher impact activity had no ill effects."

Steve Castle, Electronic House

[ Open Review ]

Wired.com, December 2011

—Kyle Stack

"Polk’s new UltraFit line is led by the $100 UltraFit 3000 in-ear-canal model I tried. Sonically, they’re a huge step up from the $10 buds you get at your local electronics superstore, but they’re also engineered to stay wrapped around your ears no matter how many ounces of sweat you work up."

Kyle Stack, Wired

[ Open Review ]

"If you're looking for an on-ear headphone pair for the gym, this is the one to get—and luckily, it's a steal."

Tim Gideon, PCMag.com

[ Open Review ]

Gizmodo

—Brent Rose

"[A pair of exercise earbuds] need to be durable and sweat-proof, they need to stay in place when jostled, and they need to sound great. Of all the pairs we've taken out running, the Polk Audio Ultrafit 3000 might be the best buds yet."

[ Open Review ]