You’d think choosing a pair of wireless over-ear headphones would be easier by now, right? But no—we’ve reached a point where three solid contenders can all feel “good enough,” until you really start using them. That’s what happened when we lined up the Sony ULT Wear, Soundcore Space One Pro, and the older Soundcore Space Q45. All promise ANC, comfort, good sound, smart features… but how they deliver is where it gets interesting.
We didn’t just compare numbers on spec sheets—we lived with these headphones. We folded them into backpacks, made calls in noisy parks, adjusted EQs on the fly, and let the bass blast (or not). And as much as Sony brings heritage and Soundcore brings ambition, only one of these headphones nails the balance of daily usability, sound tuning, and noise handling.
Let’s break this down properly.
Portability, comfort, and the everyday “feel”
Here’s the first thing we noticed—the Soundcore Space One Pro folds more efficiently than the others, with a swivel that actually makes it easier to throw into a crowded bag or wear around your neck. Both the ULT Wear and the Q45 fold inward too, but they feel a bit bulkier when packed down.
And when you’re wearing them for hours? That’s where the clamping pressure becomes real. The Space One Pro has a looser, more forgiving fit, which makes it ideal for long sessions. The ULT Wear clamps a bit harder—not a dealbreaker, but definitely noticeable if your head’s sensitive to that kind of thing.
The Q45 is fine—comfortable, but less premium. The materials don’t feel as soft or plush, and over time you do start noticing those subtle differences. It just lacks the refined polish that the other two now bring.
Sound control that actually feels personal
Now we’re talking custom sound—and this is where Soundcore starts flexing. The Space One Pro takes sound personalization to another level with HearID and a super flexible graphic EQ in the app. You can literally sculpt the sound band by band, or let the system test your ears and tune it automatically.
It also supports Dolby Audio, expanding the sense of space no matter what you’re listening to. Even if you don’t stream Dolby-compatible content, it gives that slight cinematic touch to regular music playback.
Sony? Well, the ULT Wear gives you some EQ options, but it’s more limited—and spatial audio is locked behind certain apps and devices. Plus, if you’re outside the Apple ecosystem, you’ll miss out on the fun.
The Q45 offers similar EQ flexibility as the Pro, but doesn’t have Dolby or the newer adaptive tuning. So yeah, it’s there, but it’s not quite as detailed.
Bass: who hits harder, and who stays in control?
No contest here—Sony’s ULT Wear is the bass king. That ULT button is like a turbo switch for the low-end. If you listen to hip hop, reggaeton, EDM, or anything that lives in sub-bass territory, you’re going to love the sheer power it delivers.
But here’s the thing: sometimes that bass can drown everything else. Vocals take a back seat, and for more delicate genres—think acoustic, jazz, or classical—the sound becomes muddy.
The Space One Pro does bass, but with restraint. Even at max boost, it’s more about balance than brute force. You still get impact, but it doesn’t overwhelm the mids. It’s a cleaner low-end that feels better suited to long sessions or mixed-genre playlists.
The Q45? Its bass is good—not weak, but not especially dynamic either. It’s fine if you’re not picky, but it doesn’t have the presence or the clarity of the other two.
Noise cancellation: who really quiets the chaos?
This one’s closer than expected. The Sony ULT Wear holds its own with solid ANC, particularly against low-frequency hums like trains or engines. It’s a reliable performer, especially for commuting.
But then you put on the Space One Pro and… yep, it’s quieter. It handles a broader range of frequencies better, especially those midrange sounds like voices, chatter, or noisy cafés. The adjustable ANC levels in the app let you dial it to your needs, which makes a big difference when you’re switching environments.
The Q45 still does ANC well—but it’s starting to show its age. It doesn’t block as much, and it can’t adapt as precisely. You notice the difference especially in challenging environments.
Transparency mode: surprises and small wins
Here’s a twist—the Q45 actually has one of the clearest transparency modes of the bunch. External sounds, especially voices, come through more naturally than on the other two.
The Space One Pro is good, just a touch more processed-sounding. You can hear people fine, but your own voice feels slightly occluded. Not a big issue, but something you’ll notice if you use transparency a lot.
Sony’s transparency mode is effective but not especially crisp. It works in a pinch but doesn’t feel as open or lifelike. You’ll still end up pulling off a cup for longer conversations.
Mic performance: when calls meet chaos
Okay, here’s where the Pro earns its name. The Space One Pro outperforms the other two in noisy conditions. It suppresses background sounds more aggressively without killing your voice clarity. Whether it was wind, traffic, or café clatter, the Pro handled it best.
The Q45 is still very usable—better than average—but not as sharp or isolated. You’ll be understood, but the background won’t vanish.
The ULT Wear, while decent in quiet rooms, struggles when things get loud. Its mic setup seems less aggressive in suppressing noise, so your voice ends up a bit muddy or gets buried.
App experience: simplicity vs control
Soundcore’s app is a playground. The interface is clean, fast, and full of features—custom EQ, ANC tuning, HearID, device management, firmware updates, and even tips and tutorials. You feel like you’re driving the experience.
Sony’s app is cleaner but more limited. It focuses on ANC modes, a few EQ tweaks, and spatial audio—but doesn’t give the same sense of granular control.
Multipoint pairing works across all three, but Soundcore makes managing devices a bit easier. Switching between your phone and laptop feels smoother and more visible in the interface.
Sound signature: warmth, clarity, or energy?
The Space One Pro goes for a warm, full-bodied tuning with clean vocal delivery and a tight low end. Instruments are well-separated, and the soundstage feels immersive without being artificial. It’s not overly bright, but some might find the treble a touch muted.
The ULT Wear is tuned for energy. Big bass, recessed mids, and highs that sometimes get edged out by the low-end. Great for beat-driven music, but less accurate overall.
The Q45 is more neutral—less exciting, but also less fatiguing. It works across genres, but it doesn’t sparkle or punch in any particular area.
Controls: touch vs button loyalty
We’ll admit this is personal preference territory.
The Space One Pro and Q45 both use physical buttons, which means fewer accidental touches and better reliability—especially when it’s cold or you’re wearing gloves.
Sony goes for touch controls on the ULT Wear, which feel modern but can get finicky. A stray brush triggers something, and sweaty fingers can throw off accuracy.
For some, touch gestures feel slick. For others, it’s just frustrating. If you want precision and don’t mind physical clicks, the Pro has the better approach.
So… who actually wins?
We weren’t expecting it, but here’s the truth: the Soundcore Space One Pro just makes more sense as a full package.
It delivers smart ANC, highly personalized sound, great comfort, reliable controls, and a refined user experience—all without overcomplicating things. The Dolby Audio, the adaptive app, the better mics… it all adds up. It feels like Soundcore finally nailed their top-tier formula.
Sony’s ULT Wear is fun, bold, and hard-hitting—but it’s specialized. If you live for bass, go for it. But if you want control, balance, and detail, it comes up short.
The Q45 is still a solid pick for budget-conscious users, but compared to the Pro, it’s just a little behind in every area.
If you want the headphone that does it all—and does it well—the Space One Pro wins. Quietly. Confidently. No flash, just results.