Whether in the studio or on stage, many acoustic professionals use headphones with custom-molded tips to the shape of their ears. In the heat of the moment, sound transmission is much better and isolation from ambient noise is better ensured. Already having this type of product in its pro range, the American Ultimate Ears decided to take advantage of its experience in this area to offer this specificity, this time, to the general public.
In addition to being commendable, the really useful innovations in the world of audio are rather rare, this initiative has the ambition to solve a triple problem at once. That of passive insulation, that of support and obviously that of the quality of comfort. Will the American manufacturer manage to kill three birds with one stone? To make sure, we tested these headphones in various life situations for more than three months.
Price and availability
UE Fits headphones have been available in purple, gray or black since the end of 2022. Their launch price is €229, which is a rather high-end positioning.
Headphones that adapt to the shape of your ear
Behind this formula, falsely convoluted, hides the procedure to follow to enjoy a pair of headphones personalized to your ears.
First of all, let’s do a quick first round of ownership. On first unpacking, the Fits immediately made a good impression on us with their T-shaped frames overhung by imposing, but graceful, translucent silicone tips. The base of each earbud is covered in a matte plastic that houses a touch control area. Classic in its shape, the case opts for a shiny coating which catches, as usual with this material, far too many fingerprints. The overall build quality is good and well done.
© Lemon squeezer
Before putting them on for the first time, we embark on the famous molding operation. First, be sure to charge your headphones well and download the dedicated UE Fits app. Then, insert the headphones into your earbuds, making sure to install them properly in your ear canals. Take your time, experiment with several positions and make sure you find the most comfortable arrangement possible. This step is the most important and determines your listening experience.
The hardest part is done, then UE’s patented Lightform system does the rest. After validating the launch of the operation on the app, the molding will begin. It is almost painless, a very slight heating of the ear, and above all very short, less than a minute. What the hell happened in that short time?
© Lemon squeezer
In each tip, there is a photopolymer gel, as well as an ultraviolet light lighting system. When this gel is exposed to this light, it will gradually shape itself according to the boundaries around it. Namely, the entrance to our ear canals and the hollow of our auricle. After that, the bits cool and harden into their new shape in a matter of seconds. This is called thermoforming.
Unfailing comfort and support
© Lemon squeezer
Will the headphones keep their shape over time? Doesn’t wearing them too long during a day feel unpleasant? Are they suitable for all forms of listening or activity? In order to empirically answer these questions, we wanted to test them over a long period. More than two months. And we were not disappointed.
Whether on a bike, on a paved road, on a scooter, during a light jog or for a cleaning session, they have never once fallen from our ears. The support is absolutely perfect. A fairly rare fact, even for high-end headphones. Regulars of intra-auricular will not contradict us. How many times do you have to pick up an earphone that accidentally fell on the pavement or slipped under the sofa after a sudden nod?
In terms of comfort, whether from the first to the last day of testing, the feeling is simply exhilarating. The tips fit naturally and perfectly in the hollow of the ears. We even feared a slight period of adaptation which ultimately did not take place. If molding operations are carefully followed, your ears will get used to the UE Fits in no time.
© Lemon squeezer
During intensive use, no discomfort came to alter our listening experience. If you’re the type who spends several hours with your earphones a day – whether in the office, on the streets, then at home – you can wear them without fear. No unpleasant feeling of isolation, no headache, no heating of the inside of the ears. Whatever the activity, the comfort is similar.
We were able to chain music several times without difficulty in public transport, videoconferences in the office, video streaming or video games in the evening. Finally, the molding does not seem to have moved one iota during our long weeks of testing. If you take care of your UE Fits, they seem well on their way to keeping their shape indefinitely.
Good sound, good autonomy, where is the trap?
It’s good to have ultra-comfortable headphones, it’s even better if they play our playlists brilliantly. In terms of codec, the Fits do the minimum since they support SBC, AAC and aptX. Too bad, especially since the multipoint connection is also absent.
When listening, the headphones give pride of place to low frequencies thanks to dynamic transducers approximately 10 mm in diameter. Without ever becoming intrusive, they envelop the spectrum of mediums to better transcend voices. The seat is delicate and never overzealous on the midrange spectrum, which allows us to appreciate all types of voices at their fair value. On jazz or buzz, it’s particularly pleasant.
© Lemon squeezer
For their part, the highs offer a certain brilliance, but sometimes lack accuracy. We clearly feel a lack of depth in this sound stage, which sometimes forces us to increase the sound more than necessary. With a little practice, all you have to do is play on the equalizer in the dedicated app to avoid creating dynamic gaps yourself. An application, which by the way, is ergonomic and rather complete.
In terms of autonomy, we expected them at the turn. It must be said that headphones charged at this price without active noise reduction must go the distance. With over 7.5 hours of measured battery life, the Fits are clearly above average. Thanks to the full charging case, the manufacturer even estimates that the total autonomy can reach 20 hours. In three months of use, we have never run out unexpectedly.
Acoustic uniqueness comes at a price…
This excellence in the matter has however some small inconveniences. The molding can only be done once, so you have to follow the protocol scrupulously or you risk having a product that is poorly suited to your ears. If such an event occurs, it will then be necessary to turn to the After-Sales Service of Ultimate Ears to see if it would be possible to receive a new pair of tips.
In addition, it will be difficult to resell your headphones or to lend them. Indeed, when we were having friends try the UE Fits, they seemed to not be as enthusiastic about the comfort and fit as we were. It’s normal, the UE Fits advocate acoustic uniqueness. Indeed, no one in the world has the same ear shape, and even a person’s two ears are not alike. Lending these headphones is however not a very common thing either, we grant you that. Be warned anyway.
© Lemon squeezer
Finally, as mentioned above, be aware that the Fits do not offer active noise reduction. For Ultimate Ears, the molding is supposed to allow for the best possible passive isolation. As it stands, the builder is partially right. Headphones can isolate many noises, but not all.
In an environment with “natural” noises, like in a park, or at home, it is possible to create your own little bubble of isolation. On the other hand, as soon as the sound environment goes up a notch (public transport, busy street, shops, etc.) it is difficult not to hear the surrounding hubbub. Or, you have to increase the volume. People who want high-performance headphones in terms of noise isolation will inevitably be frustrated here.
Auditory personalization, UE’s old fad
As early as 2016, the American manufacturer tried to offer the general public a similar experience thanks to its UE Custom ephemera. Before being molded by the brand’s technicians, customers had to go to Fnac Montparnasse to have the dimensions of the inside of their ears taken. In July 2022, UE is launching its Drops model in the United States. This time, customers received a kit at home to take these measurements themselves and then send them to the manufacturer. What adventures!
Based on these experiences, UE has simplified its logistics as much as possible with the Fits. And this is to be welcomed. To benefit from a unique and personalized pair of headphones, everything is done this time in one minute flat and without the need for prior acoustician training.
Our opinion on the Ultimate Ears Fits headphones
If in itself the idea is not exclusive, UE brilliantly democratizes an old music lover’s fantasy. A mouthpiece molded to each of our esgourdes. What is even more appreciable is that beyond optimal comfort and support, the Fits have other advantages. An elegant design, a pleasant sound reproduction and a good autonomy.
Of course, the perfect product does not exist. We regret, for example, a poor list of codecs, approximate touch gestures and average passive isolation. Some will add the absence of active noise reduction.
Ultimately what we like best about Fits is their underlying bias. They almost act as tutors for our ears. If you wear shoes that are too big or too small, your feet will inevitably hurt at some point. If we use glasses that are poorly adjusted to our sight, it will give us migraines. So why shouldn’t we take care of our ears in the same way?
