Ultimate Ears Fits Initial Impressions
So, it all started when I was looking at mechanical keyboards. I have been using the excellent (non-mechanical) Logitech wired illuminated keyboard for years. Somehow when I was looking at Logitech related websites (Logitech G) I clicked on Ultimate Ears, which is owned by Logitech International. Ultimate Ears is known for Bluetooth speakers. Their new product, Ultimate Ears Fits is a true wireless IEM with the nearly unique (in it’s price range) ability to custom fit to your ears.
Unboxing photos appear here: What's in the box! - #3805 by pennstac
I ordered the UE Fits from the Logitech website, using the 10% off coupon. That reduced the price from $250 to $225. Shipping was free, and took just a few days.
After the unboxing comes the setup experience. The packaging is in a light tight inner packet. This is because the UE Fits are light sensitive until they are set up. The user needs to download the UE Fits app from the Play or Apple sites. Then the UE Fits are placed in the case, the app is invoked and the fun begins. You are instructed to pair ONE of the fits — only one will appear to be paired and this is normal. As you watch the blinking lights, the app instructs you when to begin inserting the still-larval stage IEMs into your ears. You should take a minute or two to do this.
I found that the rubber covered gel larval fits were not a deep insertion. You may fool around a bit getting them well placed, because the gel/liquid inside is well, gel/liquid, and wants to flow around. Finally, you’ll get them placed pretty well and go on to the next step - IN FRONT OF A MIRROR, in a SLIGHTLY DARKENED ROOM for maximum fun. Clicking NEXT will initiate the custom fit setup. You will be prompted to use your hands to hold them gently in your ears during this stage.
LASER LIGHT SHOW begins as bright violet comes glowing from your ears. A new SUPER POWER! After a few seconds of this, the IE Fits begin to warm up, and you think that this is what it might have been like in high school if your GF had a drier tongue. About a minute later it’s all done. The gel isn’t gel anymore, but has hardened into a mold of your ears.
The instructions say that they guarantee the fit for 30 days, so if you have somehow done it wrong, apparently you can go back and get a replacement.
The forté of this IEM is supposed to be comfort. Even though it is not deeply inserted, it seems to be more secure than most IEMs I use. I’m able to shake my head with not the slightest worry about them falling out. The comfort is definitely superior, although the soft silicone rubber is a bit unsettling at first. I could wear these for hours.
Isolation is also good, although not at the level of a triple flange Etymolic inserted so deeply that it’s anchored in your Temporal lobes.
Examining the newly-emerged from pupal status Fits, I can see that there has been some deformation of the opening to the ear canal. There are also some unique fitting contours along the now molded tip. I suspect that it is not productive to try and give a detailed description of the sound, as the customization is likely to affect sound.
Fortunately, the IE Fits APP comes to the rescue. Much like the Audeze app for the Cipher cable, the Logitech app permits sound customization. It comes with a number of pre-sets, including Spoken Word for when you use the app with the phone. There is also a 5 band parametric equalizer and the ability to save and name custom settings. I found the equalizer to be a bit simplified with no ± db markings, and at first my finger wasn’t moving the preset spots well, but eventually it did work out. The app has a brilliant “back” function so you can easily step through your tries.
I found that for my ears, dialing in a setting I call “Slight W” worked well, giving a bit of bass shelf, toning down mid-high treble, and raising extreme treble just a tad. We’ll see if break-in changes my prefs.
Overall, I found the sound to be relatively neutral. Perhaps a bit lacking in bass slam - not surprising at this price point given the other features. Using the spoken word setting made mid-mids just fine for phone use, and the few people I tested calls on thought the mic was nice and clear.
As this is a true wireless, I did get the feeling that volume was limited due to battery, and that turning it up beyond what I normally consider loud caused it to seem to be straining. CODECS are limited, and AAC seems to be it’s best.
That said, I listened to Santana, Africa Speaks and some Haydn chamber music to test for initial impressions. I give the sound a B. It’s not goofy, but it’s not spectacular. Of course, my ears have been spoiled for IEMs by using the Audeze LCDi3, but I think that I would seriously consider this for commuting on public transport where there is noise, for use when you might take phone calls, and for exercise and outdoor activity. The isolation is good and the sound is adequate. But the comfort is sublime.