Page 2 - A Closer Look - Hardware and Software
Before the SOUNDPEATS UU2 earphones, I had not tried ear-clip style earphones. That being said, we have reviewed the Clip1 and PearlClip Pro from SOUNDPEATS in the past. The UU2 earphones are composed of two identifiable parts, bridged by a flexible half-loop. The case is a pleasing matte black with a “Hear the difference” tagline inscribed onto a silver inset on the left side. The only other branding on the case is “SOUNDPEATS” across the front of the lid.
Moving on to the earphones, they are almost entirely a glossy black, with a SOUNDPEATS-branded grayish-blue plate on the external part of the clip. The design of the UU2 earphones makes it fairly apparent which end goes into the ear and which side clips behind, something I appreciated as a newcomer to this type of product. Each earphone measures approximately 2.9cm in length, 2.1cm in width, and 2.7cm in height. Each individual earphone weighs about 5g, which is fairly light.
The UU2 earphones use a physical button on the side of the exterior clip portion. These buttons are slightly raised from the body of the earphone, making them easy to find during use. By default, a single tap on the left and right side will decrease and increase the volume, respectively. A double tap on either side is for play and pause. A triple tap will summon your device's voice assistant. A 1.5-second long press will move between tracks with left for previous track and right for next track. These commands are all programmable in the SOUNDPEATS app, even down to the left and right buttons doing separate actions when given the same tap sequence. In testing these functions, I found them to all work as advertised with my Android phone and tablet. The buttons are easy to use and have an audible and tactile click, which I personally enjoy. I have not encountered any issues with false inputs or not registering inputs.
The SOUNDPEATS UU2 uses Bluetooth 6.0 to connect to devices. SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs are all supported. SBC, or Subband Coding, is the default Bluetooth audio codec, delivering decent audio quality while keeping the required processing power lower. The maximum bitrate of this codec is 328 kbps. AAC, or Advanced Audio Coding, is the preferred codec of Apple devices, maxing out at 250 kbps. Even with this slightly lower maximum bitrate, this codec is widely considered to deliver a better sound quality than SBC. LDAC is a proprietary audio codec developed by Sony, and it is included as part of the Android Open Source Project. It can communicate as high as 990 kbps, but it can also reduce its bitrate down to 660 kbps or 330 kbps as needed, depending on wireless channel conditions. LDAC is one of two codecs that make the UU2 earphones Hi-Res Audio Wireless certified. Most Android devices will use LDAC without issue, but Apple devices do not support it. The only other codec that is absent here is the aptX codec and its variants from Qualcomm.
Taking a closer look at the UU2 earphones, you can better see how they direct audio into your ear. The larger casing sits outside the ear on the back. The smaller spherical portion wraps around to the inside of the ear and should be adjusted to direct the set of holes towards the ear canal. Connecting the two modules is what SOUNDPEATS has dubbed the U-Bridge. Over the course of my time with the UU2 earphones, I found that this ear-clip arrangement was very secure. The earphones maintained a balance between a firm hold and long-term wearing comfort. I have attempted to shake them off, and found that while they may shift slightly out of optimal listening position with vigorous movement, they have not fallen off for me yet. I found the UU2 to be comfortable enough for extended periods of use, even to use as a sleep aid with white noise playing. Due to the way they are positioned over the ear, I found there was no conflict with wearing glasses. This style of earphone allows for a good exchange of sound with your surroundings, providing a level of situational awareness that is hard to match with traditional in-ear earbuds. One potential downside of this design is sound leakage. SOUNDPEATS offers a privacy mode on the app, which aims to reduce the high-frequency output, as this is the most prone to leakage. In practice, after testing with members of my family, I found that this setting does noticeably reduce the leakage but it is not perfect. In a very quiet setting such as a library, people sitting next to you may still be able to hear some level of output, depending on your volume level.
The SOUNDPEATS UU2 earphones use a 12mm dual-magnet dynamic driver with a titanium-coated diaphragm. SOUNDPEATS claims that the UU2 delivers full bass and more balanced sound, while still maintaining open-ear awareness. We will explore the overall sound profile later on in this review. The company has not provided us with any further details regarding the drivers or any further audio specifications. Instead, SOUNDPEATS advertises their DynamicEQ algorithm. SOUNDPEATS recommends keeping this setting enabled at all times. DynamicEQ is off by default, but when enabled, it automatically optimizes output for the media you are playing. This setting is also LDAC compatible.
The UU2 earphones are rated for IPX5 water resistance, which means that they will be resistant to a low-pressure water stream from any angle. This means that they should be safe from sweat or rain, but submersion in water should still be avoided. There are two holes on each earphone that each contain a microphone for audio input.
Each earphone has two pogo pins for easy charging within the carrying case. There is no marking to distinguish the left and right earphones. This is a purposeful omission, as SOUNDPEATS has equipped the UU2 with automatic left and right detection for added convenience. The earphones are symmetrical, so this feature is a nice addition to avoid needing to worry about mix-ups.
The SOUNDPEATS UU2 case is used both for carrying and charging. It measures 65mm in length, 52mm in height, and 29mm in thickness. I found that this case fit into my pockets without adding any noticeable bulk. It also weighs about 48g with both earphones inside, or about 38g alone. The top shell opens and closes smoothly and holds its position easily. When the lid is closed, it makes a satisfying snapping sound. On the front, there is a small LED to indicate battery status or pairing activity. When the case is opened, this light will light up green for a 50% to 100% charge, yellow for 20% to 49%, and red for <20%. When plugged in, the light will slowly pulse with the same color and percentage rules as above, until it glows solid green at 100% charge. The back has a USB Type-C port for charging.
Upon opening the case, the earphones will automatically enter their pairing mode. Once connected, they will remember the last device that they connected to. The UU2 earphones support dual connection for pairing two devices. To force a pairing to a device, place both earphones inside and hold the side button on the case for 2 seconds until the LED flashes white. To fully reset the UU2, simply hold the same button for 10 seconds.
There are three separate batteries within the UU2. Each earphone has its own 50mAh battery, while the case has a larger 500mAh battery. SOUNDPEATS claims a battery life of up to 10 hours of playback per charge, with a potential for 42 hours if the case is used to recharge. The SOUNDPEATS UU2 supports fast charging, with 10 minutes providing a charge for 2 hours of playback. A full charge of the case takes just under 2 hours.
The UU2 uses the SOUNDPEATS app, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, depending on your platform. This app has been covered in previous reviews, but I will go over it again. After pairing with a device, the main page of the app will display basic information such as battery charge and device name, alongside an image of your audio device. Additional features and settings are also available. The first of these features is spatial audio. This is a virtual surround setting, and I personally did not enjoy this option. Gesture controls allow you to customize what action to assign to the hold, single, double, and triple tap controls. The equalizer page gives the option to select from several EQ presets, a custom EQ, or test your ears for a personalized EQ profile. Dual device control allows for the connection of up to two devices, although this will disable LDAC. The Prompt Sound Guide allows you to select your preferred language and volume for voiceover commands. Other notable toggles here are the Dynamic EQ and Privacy Mode, both of which were discussed earlier, and the Drainage Function, which can be used to expel water from the earphones. While I have not personally tested this feature, it is based on an established water removal method of using low-frequency tones to break the surface tension of water droplets, expelling them from the speaker.
One last thing to note about the app is that it requires an account to be used, which does not appear to be necessary. The only reason I can think of for this system is the community-driven EQ Space, which has a degree of social activity. While this account requirement is not a dealbreaker for me, I can see it being an annoyance, especially for people who care about their data and privacy.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. A Closer Look - Hardware and Software
3. Subjective Audio Analysis
4. Conclusion
