BUYING GUIDE: Ultimate V6 or SG Mini?

Ready to treat yourself to a pair of Sounds Good earbuds but unsure which model to choose? Let us guide you and explore in detail the unique advantages of the Ultimate V6 and SG Mini for the ideal experience.

TL;DR

The SG Mini earbuds are more comfortable and better suited for small ears. They offer a more secure fit and are generally a better choice for calls than the Ultimate V6.

The Ultimate V6, on the other hand, support wireless charging and offer a 7-hour battery life (compared to 5 hours on the SG Mini). They also deliver slightly better sound quality and do a better job at blocking ambient noise.

Choosing between the Ultimate V6 and the SG Mini 

Size

• While the Ultimate V6 fit most ears comfortably, if you have smaller ear canals and often struggle to find earbuds that stay in place, the SG Mini are likely your best (and maybe only) option.

• Prefer lightweight, discreet earbuds? Go for the SG Mini.

• Got larger hands or prefer something more substantial? The Ultimate V6 might suit you better.

Fit

• For most users, the Ultimate V6 hold up really well. You can twist them slightly into your ears for a tight seal. However, those with very small or very large ears might find them less secure.

• The SG Mini, on the other hand, fits almost everyone thanks to their small silicone hooks. You could do cartwheels or yoga poses upside-down, they’ll stay in place. In short: the SG Mini win on secure fit.

Sound quality

• Let's start by mentioning that ear tips play a major role in sound perception. If you find that there's a lack of bass, it's usually because the ear tips are too small and don't seal your ears well enough. The SG Mini were designed with sport and comfort in mind, allowing a little ambient sound to pass through, which can slightly reduce bass depth for some users. If you have standard-sized ears, we suggest trying the Ultimate V6 ear tips on the SG Mini to compare. For small ears, the difference is usually minimal.

• Overall, the Ultimate V6 delivers richer, more dynamic sound with deeper bass. The difference isn’t huge for most listeners, but audiophiles will likely notice it.  

Ambient noise isolation

• The V6 blocks out ambient noise so well that adding active noise cancelling (ANC) would almost be unnecessary. Their snug earplug-style fit creates an impressive passive seal. The SG Mini let in a bit of ambient sound so you stay aware of your surroundings. You can improve isolation by using the V6 ear tips, though the difference won’t be as striking as with the V6, but still noticeable!

Comfort

• Some users, especially those with small ears, may find the Ultimate V6 uncomfortable (like most in-ear earbuds). For regular-sized ears, the Ultimate V6 are quite comfortable. But hands down, the SG Mini are the champion of comfort. Many of our customers who usually can’t tolerate in-ear earbuds say the SG Mini are the only ones they can wear. If comfort is is your top priority, the SG Mini are undoubtedly the best choice.

Call quality

• The Ultimate V6 deliver clear voice transmission but tend to pick up background noise, which can be distracting for the person on the other end. They perform better in quiet environments. The SG Mini, however, filter out ambient noise better and generally a more reliable option for calls. If you plan to make frequent calls in various settings, the SG Mini are the safer bet. 

Sleep

• If you’re looking for earbuds to wear while sleeping, especially with your ear on the pillow, the SG Mini design is ideal for this purpose. If you want to block out more ambient noise at night, you can use the Ultimate V6 ear tips which are also compatible with the SG Mini. That said, how much difference they make will depend on your ear shape—smaller ears may notice less difference, while others might find it quite significant.

Battery life

• The SG Mini offer up to 5 hours of music playback and 4 hours of call time, while the Ultimate V6 delivers 7 hours of music and 5 hours of calls. Both models come with a charging case that provides 3 full recharges.

Wireless charging

• Only the Ultimate V6 supports wireless (Qi) charging.

Codecs

• The Ultimate V6 support aptX Adaptive, in addition to AAC and SBC. The SG Mini supports AAC and SBC only. Note: To benefit from aptX Adaptive, your device must also support this codec.

Water resistance

• The Ultimate V6 are rated IPX5, , meaning it can handle sustained low-pressure water jets (not recommended for showers). The SG Mini are IPX4, resistant to splashes from any direction. Fun fact: some Ultimate V6 earbuds have survived trips through the washing machine—but even if they still work, internal damage could show up later. So… maybe don’t test that. 

 

So which earbuds are right for you? The Ultimate V6 or the SG Mini?