This review page is supported in part by the sponsors whose ad banners are displayed below

The goal NuForce pursued instead is to recreate the sensation of listening to real loudspeakers. That this includes less information than what conventional headphones deliver is—considering overall listening satisfaction—proof how effective S-Logic technology is. However, the relative lack of detail can also be frustrating and it is important to note that were one looking for the high resolution of traditional headphones, there are definitely better choices among globally marketed portable kit mostly in the ear bud segment.


Nonetheless, the UF-30 appeared quite unforgiving on highly compressed recordings or bad amplifiers. Recording quality was revealed without artifice and in this regard, the UF-30 are closer to audiophile than portable audio. This headphone does not particularly need to be associated with ambitious amplification devices and the Trends, iPod and curiously also my BlackBerry smartphone all did a proper job (less so the anemic output stage of my Sony portable).


Over all headphone sockets, the sound quality was satisfying, depending mainly on the quality of recordings. One important feature to be highlighted is poor isolation. The UF-30 are definitely not a set to be used outdoors in an urban environment. 


These headphones have limited use in open-air situations and despite the NuForce model ad campaign, are more suitable for quieter places indoors. Forget the subway or walk along the Seine or city sounds will be almost as dominant as the tracks playing on your portable device. Even at home it seems difficult to use these headphones without disturbing other people present in the same room. They are definitely best used in solitude and quiet surroundings.


Turning to the sonic signature, bass extension is quite good, the treble is accurate without harshness and the mids seem slightly recessed yet the overall impression of the UF-30 voicing remains one of neutrality. The soundstage is deep and immersive compared to the average performance of other competitors in this sector.


What alternatives to the UF-30 exist? I tried a lot of portable headphones in this price range. Undoubtedly the UF-30 was the most relaxing and fatigue-free and one of the best for those looking for a deep and large soundstage at a moderate price.


Looking at competitors, my first consideration is that you should forget all the Dungville flashy headphones sets as described by Corey Greenberg 15 years ago in Stereophile’s Grado SR60 review. Those are fashion accessories which do not represent serious value for money on sound criteria.


My second consideration is linked to the number of products available on the market. Dungville seems to be a city larger than Las Vegas. The invasion of portable audio kit by Skullcandy and Ifrogz could remind one of Tim Burton’s movie Mars Attacks. Another commonality with the most famous gambling city is that all around those poor-sound-quality items, you find plenty of desert. Until you pass the $200 boundary, you definitely remain in the Mojave Desert. That’s quite crazy but it seems difficult to find credible bridge products between basic portables and expensive audiophile products.



Fortunately there is the occasional oasis and the NuForce UF-30 is one of them. I really appreciated the Koss KSC75 25th Anniversary model. It is better for outdoor listening but very ugly compared to the NuForce even if more discrete. The Sennheiser PX200 is an interesting choice for those who need good sound isolation. The latest iGrado is positioned below the NuForce and affords perhaps better isolation but won’t win any beauty pageants in downtown Paris. But it is cheaper and as a serious alternative you should consider the Grado SR60 which after all these years remains a strong performer in the $70-80 range. For just 20 dollars more, the Grado SR80 outperforms the NuForce to these ears but like all Grados, it has a very unpleasant design and is less versatile with portable audio gear than the UF-30.


Conclusion: I encountered some difficulties in coming to a complete and fair assessment of the NuForce UF-30. Perhaps I have been dazzled too long by the Californian sun before getting lost in Dungville?


At the end of the day, there was more clarity in my mind and I could better understand just what kind of product NuForce recently launched. The UF-30 seems to be one of the very rare compromises in the portable audio market that combines stylish design, is foldable, comfortable, audiophile, fatigue-free and affordable, Even if Ultrasone is the true pioneer, the NuForce effort has to be saluted.


Of course it is not a truly versatile product and should be considered only for indoor listening. It’s also not the most striking sounding headphone on the market. But the fact that you can listen to music on your computer or iPod for hours without encountering audiophile frustrations or brain fog is a real boon at this price.

Quality of packing: Perfect.
Reusability of packing: Can be reused at least once.
Condition of component received: For some unknown reason, the first set received had troubles with the right drive unit after 50 hours of burn-in. A thin but unpleasant vibration was easily perceptible in the low frequencies. I sent back that first pair to Milpitas for an inspection and waited for a replacement. According to the NuForce staff, the early production run might have a 2% defective rate. The second pair worked perfectly over the time I spent with it. NuForce will substitute every faulty set of the first batch with new one.
Website comments: Friendly and complete.
Warranty: One year.
Human interactions: One of the best. Jason Lim is very mindful of consumer feedback.
Pricing: Good value for money.



NuForce comments: "We think that in many situations where total isolation is undesirable (such as office, home, park with family etc), THE UF-30 allows people to listen to high-quality music for extended period of time while still being able to pay attention to the environment around them."
NuForce website