Ultimate Ears UE Fits review: our full review – Headphones and earphones


Well known to the general public for its Bluetooth speakers, in particular the UE Wonderboom 3, Ultimate Ears also offers a range of professional headphones, intended for the stage, under the Ultimate Ears Professional brand. Some of these in-ear headphones offer tips molded according to the shape of the user’s ear, in order to better isolate it from ambient noise, but also to ensure an ideal coupling for the transmission of sound. Ultimate Ears’ pro line includes seven models of wired headphones, with two to eight onboard drivers (including balanced armature drivers).

Consumer version and true wireless, the UE Fits inherit a priori the know-how of the pro branch, although they only use a single classic transducer and are not truly in-ear. The tips do not penetrate the ear canal. Another notable difference with the competition at this price level (229 euros), the UE Fits ignore an active noise reduction system (ANC).

Ultimate Ears EU FitsTechnical sheet

5 /10

This test was performed with earphones loaned by UE.

Ultimate Ears EU FitsDesign

The Ultimate Ears Fits wireless headphones are distinguished by their tapered T-shaped shells, covered with large translucent silicone tips, the shape of which is automatically adjusted on first use. Each earphone has a touch control zone, located on the elongated part of the shell. The EU logo is backlit by an LED, which lights up and flashes when you take the headphones out of their case and store them there. Each earphone incorporates a microphone to make calls or invoke the voice assistant of a smartphone.

EU Fits Test
The silicone tips are automatically heated when adopting the shape of the ear // Source: Tristan Jacquel for Frandroid

Light, the UE Fits are easy to handle and easily take place in the ear, to which they attach very well, even better after the molding operation (we will come back to this). In terms of comfort, it’s decent, even if, after an hour of listening, I felt a little discomfort in my right ear, despite the personalized molding.

The charging case is made of glossy plastic, with a fairly thin lid. Nothing on the outside lets you know the status of the case, the only charging LED being housed inside. There is also a Bluetooth pairing button. In the absence of Qi wireless charging, you must use the USB-C port on the case to recharge it.

Custom molding by thermoforming

The little extra, if not the main asset of the UE Fits headphones, lies in their ability to automatically mold their silicone tips according to the shape of the ear, to better passively isolate the listener and ensure optimal support. The UE Fits are also delivered in an airtight envelope which protects them from light so as not to alter the silicone of the tips.

Once the UE Fits app is installed, one can open the envelope and follow the on-screen instructions. The process involves the headphones being suitably charged, as the heating system built into the headphones is put to work. In case of insufficient charge, the app automatically prompts to put the earbuds back into the charging case for at least five minutes. To mold the headphones, they must be inserted into the ears and squeezed until they obstruct the ear canal as much as possible. Once the right position has been found, all you have to do is press a button on the app and the molding begins. The (light) heating lasts less than a minute during which a violet light is emitted. The tips then cool and harden.

While casting seems to work, its benefits are not obvious. Another annoying aspect, it is not possible to perform a second molding with the tips already formed. A potential problem in case of resale, donation or simply mishandling, especially as the availability and price of replacement tips are unknown.

In my case, the molding was inconclusive and the comfort provided by the UE Fits did not live up to the expectations raised. We are still very far from the comfort provided by Bose Sport Earbuds or Apple AirPods Pro 2, which are also much more acoustically efficient.

Ultimate Ears EU FitsUse and application

Not everything works perfectly with the UE Fits headphones. The touch zones, which respond to a single or double tap to control volume, pause, next/previous track and voice assistant, sometimes have a delay when switching on. The confirmation beep does not always come very quickly, to the point that one is tempted to press a second time and therefore send another command.

EU Fits Test
The touch zone of the UE Fits headphones extends over the entire height of the shell // Source: Tristan Jacquel for Frandroid

Out of the box, it is not uncommon to see only one earphone working – you then have to put them away and take them out again – or to have to manually reconnect the earphones to your smartphone or computer. A slight hiss is also to be deplored, however only audible when no sound is played.

An app that deserves an update

The UE Fits app allows you to control the operation of the touch zones and modify the sound signature of the headphones. There are thus several equalization profiles.

Unfortunately, under iOS 16.1, these profiles work poorly and the sound distorts when you activate one – which is not the case under Android. No problem, however, with the custom EQ, which works normally. The user then has five keys, which he can move both in frequency and in volume. It is also allowed to create new profiles and save them.

SBC, AAC and aptX Bluetooth codecs

Throughout this test, the Bluetooth connection was stable up to 10 meters and through thin walls. Three Bluetooth audio codecs are supported, the universal SBC, the AAC used by Apple for its devices and the aptX, widely used in Android. On the other hand, no multipoint connection, nor Google Fast Pair protocol to facilitate the connection.

Ultimate Ears EU FitsPassive noise reduction

In the absence of an active noise reduction system, Ultimate Ears is betting on passive isolation to protect the listener from surrounding noise. Unfortunately, that doesn’t work. In fact, most headphones without custom molding isolate just as much as the UE Fits. Worse, models with memory foam earphones – like the Sony WF-1000XM4 – do better.

EU Fits Test
The EU logo lights up when the headphones are taken out or stored in their case // Source: Tristan Jacquel for Frandroid

To tell the truth, this is not surprising, since these headphones are not in-ear and are simply positioned at the entrance of the ear canal, which they cannot therefore effectively seal.

Ultimate Ears EU FitsAudio

UE has selected dynamic transducers of 10 mm in diameter, capable of producing, according to the manufacturer, a very high sound volume (up to 110 dB), which is much more than is necessary and above all much more than the legislation does. authorized. In fact, the headphones are not set to reach such a volume. And then, we generally listen at a volume between 70 and 80 dB and occasionally a little beyond. In short, these transducers are sturdy and, given their diameter, we can expect a real foundation in the bass, and overall a robust sound.

EU Fits Test
The 10 mm transducer and its small output grid // Source: Tristan Jacquel for Frandroid

To assess the audio qualities of the UE Fits headphones, I listened to them with an iPhone 12 mini (AAC) and a Huawei P30 Pro (aptX) from Apple Music. It seems that the manufacturer paid particular attention to the aptX connection, because it was on Android that I obtained the best listening results (softness and wider spatialization).

The UE Fits have a nice bump in the midrange and upper midrange, which brings a somewhat artificial light to everything you listen to. These headphones deliver a very clear sound with the default equalization profile, where the bass is not very perceptible and the treble frankly eclipsed by the midrange. To watch a series, it’s pleasant, because the voices come out easily and are very textured. For the music on the other hand, this signature is arid and aggressive at high volume, all the more so if the title listened to is rich in percussion and brass. Luckily, the equalizer makes it possible to better balance the headphones, for example by adding presence in the bass and extreme treble, or by drastically widening the midrange. We then benefit more from the capacities of the transducers, which are indeed powerful in the low end of the spectrum.

However, we feel that the UE Fits are overflowing with energy in the midrange and that there is always a little harshness at high volume. In the long term, this causes auditory fatigue.

Soundstage and dynamic behavior

Good point, the stereo is well marked and the sound stage very wide. On the other hand, it lacks depth in the frontal axis. The dynamics are packed at low volume and you have to push the volume frankly for the UE Fits to express themselves. Large dynamic differences are then obtained. However, the finest details of the sound recordings go by the wayside: the macro-dynamic capacities of these headphones are very average. In short, all this lacks finesse.

EU Fits Test
The UE Fits are light and well secured // Source: Tristan Jacquel for Frandroid

Hypnotize by The Notorious BIG, for example, a title that can be listened to quite loudly, is delivered with a lot of energy but too much acidity. The percussions, very metallic crush everything, especially the bass guitar. Only the voice of the artist and the choirs float, but with a painful projection.

Ultimate Ears EU FitsMicrophone

Good point, the UE Fits headphones allow you to make voice calls. However, the quality of the microphones leaves something to be desired and all the noises surrounding the user are picked up and transmitted to the interlocutor. No filtering is put in place and it is unpleasant for those to whom we speak. Small consolation, you can hear your interlocutor well (at least in a peaceful environment).

Ultimate Ears EU FitsAutonomy

Ultimate Ears announces a battery life of 8 hours for the UE Fits headphones and 20 hours for their case. I measured just over 7 hours at about 50% volume on my iPhone with a motley playlist. The contract is therefore rather complete from this point of view.

Ultimate Ears EU FitsPrice and release date

The UE Fits headphones are available in purple, gray or black colors at the price of 229 € including VAT.

Where to buy

Ultimate Ears EU Fits at the best price?



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