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Ultimate Ears MetroFi 220vi Noise Isolating Earphones with mic

Reviewed by

Jasmine France

on 05/06/2009

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CNET editors' rating: 3.0 stars Good
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Price range:

$83.98 - $106.99

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Amazon.com Marketplace	$83.98
Next Warehouse	$104.84
Amazon.com	$92.76

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Add to my list Product summary

The good: The reasonably priced Ultimate Ears MetroFi 220 earphones offer good sound quality and excellent bass (if you can get a good fit). A protective carrying case is included. One version includes an in-line mic and call answer button for use with music phones.

The bad: The MetroFi 220 earphones won't be comfortable for all users; the earpieces have a bit of a cheap, plastic feel; and the cable is thin and tangle-prone.

The bottom line: The Ultimate Ears MetroFi 220 earphones are a good middle-of-the-road option thanks to their thumpy bass and solid overall sound quality, but be wary of fit and comfort issues.

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CNET editors' review

CNET editors' rating: 3.0 stars Good
Detailed editors' rating

Reviewed by:
Jasmine France
Reviewed on: 05/06/2009

Ultimate Ears has been a familiar name to musicians and other audio professionals for a decade, but the company has gained quite a following with its consumer line as well. Earphones in its various lines range in affordability and scale nicely, from those geared toward casual but discerning listeners to sets for audiophiles. At the bottom end, you have the MetroFi line, which has recently enjoyed a refresh in the form of the 220 and 170 earphones, the former being the subject of this review.

The MetroFi 220 Noise Isolating Earphones are a step up from the bottom of the line in the Ultimate Ears family and come in two versions: a standard MP3 player model for $79.99 and the iPhone-friendly 220vi, which includes an in-line mic and sells for $20 more. Either set is a good buy for picky listeners who have a moderate amount of cash to spend on replacement headphones for their MP3 players, but buyers should be aware of potential fit and durability issues.

The earpieces of the MetroFi earphones are the first cause for concern, though they do have a hint of style with their opaque, blood red enclosures (which looks cool when the light shines through). Although the 'buds are quite small on the whole, we found the squat, completely round design did not let us get a secure or comfortable fit. The earphones tended to push out of our ears frequently, and when they did stay in place, the plastic 'buds put a slightly uncomfortable pressure on the inner cartilage of the ear. Of course, everyone's ears are different, so you may not have fit issues. Ultimate Ears provides three sizes of silicone fittings to help in that area.