Ultimate Ears (UE) today announced its latest powerful portable Bluetooth speaker, the first in quite a while, and the new Epicboom perfectly fills the gap between older cylinder models and the massive Hyperboom. The Epicboom is as rugged as always, water-resistant, and a bit chunky compared to the rest in its lineup.
Available starting today for $350, the Epicboom delivers 360-degree sound in a package any UE fan is familiar with. And while it's a bit large, about twice the width of the popular Megaboom 3 from a few years ago, it's still small enough to be considered portable. Something we couldn't say for the Hyperboom from 2021. In this size and form factor, it'll likely compete with the new Sonos Move 2.
The slightly larger design allows for serious upgrades in terms of sound and technology. For one, the Epicboom finally supports USB-C for charging, and it returns NFC to UE's lineup, making it easier than ever to pair devices for audio playback. Like the entire Boom family, the Epicboom pumps out 360-degree sound but in a larger internal design for improved acoustics.
Thanks to two 1.5-inch active mid-high transducers, passive radiators front and rear, and a large 4.6-inch woofer paired with adaptive EQ tuning, you'll hear every note or drum beat. While older models don't have UE's adaptive mode, the Epicboom joins the Hyperboom with such a feature. Using the built-in microphones, adaptive EQ will monitor nearby sounds, speaker output, and more, then combine it all to deliver the best audio experience.
However, the extra sound and big woofers hit battery life. Ultimate Ears says the new Epicboom is good for around 17 hours on a single charge. And while that's still pretty great, it is less than many in its lineup. That said, battery life will vary depending on your volume levels, and it's still more than enough for a day at the lake.
Speaking of the lake, thanks to an IP67 rating, it's water and dust-resistant, and it'll even float if you drop it in the water. So, enjoy music anywhere without worry. There's also a built-in handle on the rear, which is a nice addition. Like every speaker the company makes, you can pair two together for stereo sound, letting both speakers play back the same audio source. Put one at each side of the pool, and you're all set. And yes, this includes mixing and matching different boom models.
Ultimate Ears thinks it's one of the most Epic speakers yet, hence the name. It's certainly bigger and has better specs than the Megaboom 3, but at a far higher price point. Get the all-new Ultimate Ears Epicboom today for $349, or find it at participating retailers like Best Buy from September 22nd.
Source: Ultimate Ears