Unique Melody U-Free Review

Today we’re looking at the new $349 USD U-Free True Wireless IEMs from Unique Melody.

Disclaimer: UM sent us the U-Free TWS for this review, free of charge. As always, I am here to write about my honest experience with the product.

Unique Melody

Unique Melody is a distinguished audio company known for its high-end audio devices, which combine innovative technologies, new processes, and unique materials. Founded in Guangdong in 2007, the company initially started as a manufacturer of CIEMs, gradually gaining worldwide recognition in the field. 

Over the years, their diverse range of in-ear monitors, known for their hybrid and tribrid designs, have garnered acclaim from audiophiles and fans around the world. We have reviewed and awarded a lot of Unique Melody IEMs and CIEMs here on Headfonia, and you can check out those reviews here: Headfonia Unique Melody Reviews

Unique Melody U-Free HiFi TWS Bluetooth IEM

Today we’re looking at UM’s latest and second TWS earphone, the U-Free. At the heart of the U-Free is UM’s patented PBVTU (Piezoelectric Bone Vibration Transmission Unit) technology, combined with a 10mm propriety dynamic driver featuring a carbon nano diaphragm. The silver palladium bone conduction unit is one of UM’s latest techs, and the mentioned 10mm dynamic driver is specifically designed for this TWS. The U-Free shares its bone conduction driver with the MEST MK2. The earphones can get plenty loud thanks to their 30mW double-balanced amplification. Here are the full specs and highlights:

• Configuration: 10mm Carbon Nano Dynamic Driver + Silver Palladium Bone Conduction
• Qualcomm QCC5144 Bluetooth 5.2 Chipset
• AptX Adaptive (24bit/96kHz) + SBC & AAC Codec Support
• Battery: 7H per charge, +14h Charging Case (21H Total)
• Certification: IPX5 Sweat Resistance
• Dual Multi-Direction cVc Microphones per side
• UM Smart Sound App on GPlay & Appstore
• Ear Detection, 4 modes (HiFi, ANC, Ambient & Hearing)

Packaging & Accessories

The Unique Melody U-Free arrives in a compact package with a black-and-white theme. The box’s design is both simple and functional. On the front side of the top cover is a picture of the IEMs, while the back side features the specifications written in small font in both Chinese and English. Upon removing the black cover, you are presented with a white cardboard flip-open box.

Inside the box, you’re first greeted by the charging case. Nestled within the case are the TWS IEMs. The accessories, neatly packed under the charging case, include six pairs of ear tips and a short USB-A to USB-C charging cable. Within the accessory compartment are two sets of UM-designed ear tips made from medical-grade silicone. One set features a holed design, with six cut-out holes on the tips to help relieve ear pressure build-up. Both sets are designed for comfort, offering an effective grip due to their grippy silicone material. However, it’s worth noting that they tend to attract wax. Additionally, a user manual and a warranty card are provided within the packaging, guiding users through the features and usage of the U-Free.

Design, Build Quality & Fit

Unique Melody U-Free IEMs feature a matte black finish that’s soft to the touch. The touch-sensitive faceplates are decorated with a gold-colored metallic swirl resembling the yin-yang symbol. The shells are modest in size and constructed from two parts. The nozzle of the U-Free is wide and short, which affects the compatibility with aftermarket ear tips. The nozzles are fitted with a metallic mesh, adding a layer of protection against dust and wax. The earphones are IPX5-rated against sweat and water.

The charging case features the same matt black finish as the earphones, with gold accents, including the Unique Melody brand name inscribed in gold letters on the top lid. While the body is mainly made of plastic, which is good for weight and bad for durability, there is a noticeable wobble in the hinge. Inside the case is a 240mAh battery that can recharge the earphones up to two times. In contrast to the matte exterior, the inside of the case has a glossy black finish, which adds to its aesthetic appeal. Although the case is compact and not cumbersome to carry, it feels larger than you might expect for housing a relatively small battery. At the bottom of the case is a USB-C port for charging and a single LED that serves as a battery and charging indicator.

Overall, the build quality is decent. However, the matte black finish tends to attract fingerprints and is not very easy to clean, especially if you want to carry them in your jeans pockets. In terms of fit, the IEMs are quite comfortable, but I am not too happy with the stock ear tips. They’re great in terms of comfort and fit, but I have the feeling I have to clean them after every use, which is less than ideal. I tried Oriveti ear tips and achieved a deeper seal than the stock tips, improving the low-frequency extension by a good margin without compromising comfort. Additionally, the IEMs offer good passive isolation for a TWS.

Controls & App Support

Unique Melody U-Free wireless earphones are equipped with an easy-to-use navigation system via touch panels on the faceplates. Each earphone responds to a series of taps and holds to activate various functions. A single tap on the left earbud controls modes, while the same action on the right earphone controls playback. A double tap on the left side lets you accept or end calls, and if no call is active, it toggles the game mode, which reduces the latency by a small margin. A two-second hold on the right will reject calls or activate the voice assistant. If you long-press both sides while they’re in the charging case, the earphones restore their factory defaults. You may look here for more controls. You can also change double and triple-tap actions and customize them to some extent within the UM Smart Sound app. The ear detection feature automatically pauses or plays audio when the earphones are removed or worn. You can also press and hold for five seconds to turn off the earphones, which is a handy feature that brands, surprisingly, do not widely implement. 

The charging case features a single LED that serves as an informative indicator for various charging statuses. When the case is fully charged, the LED emits a constant white light, and a flashing white light indicates that the case is currently charging. For low battery alerts, the LED will flash green every 4 seconds. As there are no LEDs on the earphones, they give voice prompts if their battery is low. You can check the battery level of the earphones via the UM Smart Sound app, which is available on both GPlay and Appstore.

Let’s talk a bit about the UM Smart Sound app. The U-Free comes with UM Smart Sound app integration. The app can be used to update the U-Free’s firmware using the local file directory. The firmware files are at the bottom of this webpage. For testing; I used the earphones with the most recent firmware, version V2.3.8_64M_ClassAB. The UM Smart Sound application offers a variety of customizable options, including mode switching, touch control remapping, and an intriguing 5-band EQ, among several other settings. Here are screenshots from the main menu, EQ menu, and a peek inside the settings.

Modes

The Unique Melody U-Free earphones feature multiple operation modes designed for ease of switching and precise control, beneficial for various listening environments.

HiFi Mode maximizes both the audio sampling rate and the amplification, ensuring users experience the highest sound quality available from the TWS earbuds, ideal for audiophiles seeking an immersive listening session.

Dynamic ANC Mode employs intelligent noise control by isolating and reducing ambient noise based on intensity. This mode is adept at suppressing consistent low-frequency sounds, such as the hum of PC fans, which are approximately 28 dB.

Ambient Sound Mode allows external sounds to filter through, enabling users to remain aware of their surroundings. It is useful in scenarios such as walking through traffic or when situational awareness is needed.

Hearing Mode enhances ambient sounds in social settings. This mode is particularly handy in environments with moderate ambient noise, allowing for clearer communication with people nearby.

While the ANC mode is okay for suppressing low-frequency noises like the rumble of PC fans, its performance with mid to high-frequency sounds is not as effective. It manages to dull lower frequencies reasonably well but doesn’t significantly reduce noises in the mid to high spectrum.

The review continues on Page Two, after the click HERE or by using the jump below.

Page 1: UM, U-Free, Packaging & Accessories, Design, Build & Fit, Controls & App Support, Modes

Page 2: Connection Stability, Battery Life, Call Quality, Sound & Performance, Comparison, Last Words