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Known for its Boom speakers, Ultimate Ears also designs headphones, including the UE Drops. Models true-wireless which have the particularity of being molded according to the shape of each person’s ears.
If, in Europe, Ultimate Ears is known for its portable Bluetooth speakers, the brand is much less so for its headphones. Across the Atlantic, the American manufacturer designs headphones for the general public (UE Fit) and the professional world (UE CSX and UE Pro). A range that now welcomes the UE Drops, a model with a functionality hitherto unseen on a pair of headphones true-wireless General public. Like what is done on the pro market for IEM intras (in-ear monitors), Ultimate Ears offers to mold the shape of the UE Drops to the morphology of each ear. The earphones would thus be unique and perfectly adapted to the anatomy of each person, enough to offer top-notch wearing comfort.
Concretely, how does this happen? At time of order, Ultimate Ears sends a kit to the customer to take 3D impressions of their ear flaps. A mobile app guides him step by step. Once the kit is returned to Ultimate Ears, allow three to four weeks before receiving these custom-made intras.
In terms of functionality, we benefit from Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity with support for the SBC codec only and compatibility with the multipoint function. UE Drops do not benefit from active noise reduction as the custom molding would provide optimal passive isolation. A function for listening to surrounding sounds is still in the game. Regarding autonomy, the manufacturer announces 8 hours per charge, as well as 14 additional hours thanks to the charging box. Finally, although the headphones do not have any waterproof certification, Ultimate Ears promises resistance to dust and splashes of water.
Launching at a price of $449, the UE Drops are reserved, for the moment, for the American public. Impossible to know if they will one day be available in Europe. So far, the brand has never marketed its headphones (UE Fit, UE CSX, UE Pro, etc.) on European soil.