Ultimate Ears Epicboom: The Perfect Party Speaker
In the world of portable speakers, Ultimate Ears used to be a dominant brand known for its exceptional sound quality. And now, after a long-awaited release, the Ultimate Ears Epicboom is here to deliver just that. This speaker stands out with its bold and unique design, resembling a collection of mug-sized Wonderbooms merged into one impressive beast. One notable feature of the Epicboom is the Outdoor Boost button, previously introduced in the 2019 Wonderboom 2, which takes center stage on the top plate.
When it comes to sound quality, the Epicboom doesn’t disappoint. In fact, it ranks among the best Bluetooth speakers on the market, living up to the high standards set by its predecessor, the Wonderboom 2. Although the Wonderboom 3 didn’t receive the same acclaim, it’s important to note that the Epicboom offers significant updates and outshines other competitors in the market.
In terms of size, the Epicboom falls between the larger Hyperboom and the smaller Megaboom 3. It may have an ill-placed wrist strap, which seems odd considering its weight of nearly 2kg, but it can still be easily carried by its sides. Whether indoors or outdoors, the Epicboom produces powerful and vibrant sound.
Through the Ultimate Ears Boom app, users have control over various features such as powering the speaker on or off using a smartphone, adjusting the EQ, deploying Outdoor Boost, altering the volume, and even connecting up to 150 other PartyUp-enabled Booms. It’s worth noting that PartyUp compatibility is not available for the newest Wonderboom 3 and other UE speaker models such as Blast and Megablast. However, for those who still own older models like the original Boom from 2013, this compatibility remains a great feature.
While the Epicboom excels in sound quality, there are a few areas where it falls short. Firstly, the battery life of 17 hours is acceptable but not excellent. Additionally, its price of $349 / £340 / AU$499 may be a bit steep for some consumers. It’s important to consider the competition, including the slightly more expensive but larger Hyperboom, the similarly-styled Wonderboom 3 at a lower price point, and the Sonos Era 100 which offers both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi multi-room capabilities.
Despite these factors, the Epicboom stands out as one of the best party speakers in terms of sound quality. Its strong connectivity through Bluetooth, with a range of up to 55m (180ft), makes it a reliable companion for any smartphone user. However, the limited wireless connectivity options may cause some users to question its relevance in 2023.
Overall, the Ultimate Ears Epicboom combines impressive sound quality, a fun and unique design, and a range of features that make it a standout option. Its release in September 2023, priced at $349 / £340 / AU$499, offers consumers a high-end portable speaker worth considering.
