Supplied
Ultimate Ears’ Epicboom is waterproof for up to 30 minutes.
REVIEW: If you really want to hear the potential of this speaker, just let it run out of juice.
An automated voice will belt “Critical battery, please charge,” at full blast, no matter the listening level. This user, who had the volume set at one click for background ambience, almost jumped right out of his skin at the command. I obeyed and plugged it in.
The Epicboom is the latest release from Ultimate Ears, a go-to brand for portable Bluetooth speakers since it entered the market in 2013. Its flagship product, the UE Boom, is heralded for its crisp, loud, bass-heavy sound and suitability for outdoor use. Ten years later, the company is still hitting the mark.
Out of the box, the Epicboom is a sizeable oval beast, which, if you have the arm strength, can be easily transported by a fabric carry strap that snaps back into place after use. The bulk (241mm high) and weight (1.9kg) means this is a portable speaker for weekend escapades by car rather than long-haul adventures where baggage space is limited. The smooth mesh finish gives it a nice silhouette.
To connect, it is as easy as powering up, pairing and playing your song of choice. The speaker allows for up to 17 hours of playback and can be quick-charged in two hours via a USB-C outlet tucked away under a weatherproof flap in the rubber base.
The curved design of the Epicboom and its 4.6-inch woofer make the wraparound sound big, crisp and boomy, even if you don’t get close to the maximum level of 94 decibels. Indoors, I barely has to touch the volume controls for a comfortable listening experience.
Supplied
The Epicboom weighs just under 2kgs.
But outside is where the speaker really shines. Located on the top of the device, the “Outdoor Boost” button engages an internal microphone to adjust and balance the sound to your surroundings. Pressing this little tree icon will also give you an extra 1dBC of volume – loud and clear enough to drown out breaking waves or the neighbour’s leaf blower. The Epicboom certainly lives up to its name.
It has a Bluetooth range of 55 metres, is dustproof and has been tested to survive drops up to one metre. And if you accidentally lose it in a swimming pool, the device is floatable and can remain submerged for up to 30 minutes. I decided against testing this feature.
The “Magic” button can be used to pause or skip tracks and it can be programmed to access playlists on streaming services. Through the accompanying app, users can customise the sound to their personal preferences or choose between preset EQs.
While it is entirely loud enough on its own, another novel feature is the ability to link speakers in the Ultimate Ears range to create one massive wireless sound system.
At the recommended retail price of NZ$559.90 it is one of the more expensive options on the market but you’re getting more bite for your buck. Epicboom is available in white and red or black and lime green. See: ultimateears.com
The writer was supplied with a device for the review.
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November 12, 2023 at 04:00AM
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Gadget review: This sizeable wireless speaker is waterproof, drop-proof and has no shortage of volume - Stuff
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