Ultimate Ears - Megaboom Portable Bluetooth Speaker Review

Our Verdict

Megaboom in name, non megaboomy in nature, this Bluetooth speaker is a talented performer

For

• Solid, waterproof build
• Good looks
• Fires out a punchy, exciting sound
• Adept battery life

Against

• Difficult to charge and mind at the same time
• Treble sounds a little unrefined

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Megaboom in proper noun, not megaboomy in nature, this Bluetooth speaker is a talented performer

Pros

• +

  Solid, waterproof build

• +

  Expert looks

• +

  Fires out a punchy, exciting sound

• +

  Good bombardment life

Cons

• -

  Difficult to charge and listen at the same time

• -

  Treble sounds a little unrefined

The Ultimate Ears Megaboom is ane of the first flush of wireless speakers in what has become an impressive Bluetooth-powered range.

Its brethren include the Wonderboom, Nail, Blast, Megablast, and the list of Ultimate Ears wireless speakers rolls on. Suffice to say, nosotros've been enjoying UE's piece of work over the recent years.

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Build and design

To look at, you'd call up this was simply a larger version of the much-loved Boom. And y'all'd exist pretty much right. It shares the same cylindrical design and styling, including the natty 'plasma-coated' finish, which UE claims is stain and water resistant.

The speaker is topped and tailed in a rubberised, matte textile, which also runs down the center of the unit, incorporating a couple of book controls as it goes. On top of the speaker are power and pairing buttons (you lot tin also pair using NFC on compatible smartphones). On the bottom, you've got a 3.5mm auxiliary input and a micro-USB socket for charging.

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One affair to signal out here is that it's tricky listening to the speaker while it's charging. You really need to prevarication it on its side or position it upside down, neither of which does the sound any favours. On the plus side, one time charged, you should exist able to savor around 20 hours of uninterrupted playback, unless you lot need to take a telephone call using the built-in mic.

The speaker is designed to stand up upright, so using the volume controls means gripping the speaker and giving them a business firm printing. Press and hold both buttons and the speaker chirps upwardly, telling you lot the percentage of battery life left.

Of form, y'all're more likely to modify the book via your smartphone, which also shows a battery-life indicator.

Features and settings

You'll need to download UE's app for iOS or Android, which opens up all the speaker's extra features such every bit the alarm clock function and "Double Up". Double Up does what it says on the tin, and allows yous to hook upwardly two Megabooms together (or one Mega and ane normal Smash) to listen in stereo.

The app too gives yous access to the UE's sound settings. There are four presets in total: 'The Standard', 'Bass Jump', 'Cramped Spaces' and 'Voices'. We'd steer clear of the last three. They play effectually with the sound rest, but in our opinion don't ameliorate sound quality – indeed, in most instances, they make it sound worse.

We'd stick with The Standard or, if y'all desire to turn the bass downwards a notch, tap the Custom mode and drop the EQ levels to zip.

Performance

Start with some classic hip-hop - Grandmaster Flash'due south White Lines does the play a trick on - and the UE'southward punchy, energetic delivery comes straight to the fore. The track's bassline sounds weighty and taut (but never megaboomy, happily) and the speaker never skips a beat.

The Megaboom's ability to disperse sound actually stands out likewise, and you're able to savour a decent spread from diverse positions. Even with this peachy expanse of audio, the UE still manages to keep its composure and focus.

There'south solidity and precision through the bass, the midrange and treble. It'southward an enthusiastic listen, bristling with life. Music is well counterbalanced, fifty-fifty if the very high-end isn't the ultimate in refinement. Playing a spot of classical music proves the Megaboom has a more subtle, delicate side too.

Sooth your senses with a few excerpts from Swan Lake and the UE's happy to slow the pace, and let its excellent dynamics take over. Strings and woodwind instruments rise and autumn as the tune flows along.

Verdict

The Megaboom is a great addition to UE's family of wireless speakers. Information technology'south ane of the more than polished performer in the range.

Bombardment life and build quality are excellent, and whether you utilize it indoors or outside, you're in for a musical treat.

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Source: https://www.whathifi.com/ultimate-ears/megaboom/review

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