UE Megaboom Review

The UE Boom 2 (Check on Amazon.com) is a best-buy. First of all, it is a good-looking device. It also impressed us with its performance, waterproofing and unique set of features, and support of the free app.

Read more: UE Boom 2 Review

So the only way to make it better is by giving us more. And that’s exactly what the EU Megaboom (Check on Amazon.com) does.

This latest iteration of Ultimate Ears aims to better its predecessor in every way, with a larger size and more powerful sound, an updated app, a more recent and better Bluetooth standard and IPX7 waterproof certifications that allow for full immersion of up to 1 meter (3.28ft) for up to 30 minutes.

A good sequel must be better than the original; has the Megaboom managed to overcome the competition in its price range? Let’s find out in the review.

Package

• Ultimate Ears Megaboom
• Charging block
• USB/Micro USB cable
• Manual

Design and build quality

At first glance, you might think this is simply a bigger Boom 2. In fact, it shares the same cylindrical design and the same style.

On top of the speaker, we find the usual buttons. At the bottom, there is a 3.5mm auxiliary input port and a micro-USB port for charging.

The speaker is designed to stand, so to use the volume control buttons on the front you have to grab it. Therefore, it is easier (and recommended) to change the volume via your smartphone, where you can also check the remaining battery.

Other speakers, such as the JBL Charge 3 (Check on Amazon.com), have a similar design, but it seems that the Megaboom is the most robust in the category.

Read more: JBL Charge 3 Review

Connectivity and microphone

Pairing the UE Megaboom is quite simple. After powering it on, press and hold the Bluetooth button to enter pairing mode. Then pair both from the device’s Bluetooth menu (smartphone, tablet, etc…) or use the NFC for instant pairing.

And then there is the Megaboom app specially designed by UE. As with the Boom 2, the app allows you to connect more than 150 Megabooms together, “for even more fun parties”.

Don’t forget the built-in microphone: answering calls is a breeze, with a single push of the Bluetooth pairing button to start the conversation and another one to terminate a call. The voice quality captured by the microphone of the Megaboom leaves nothing to be desired.

How it sounds

Just like the design, the Megaboom “copies” the achievements of the UE Boom () and Boom 2, in terms of sound performance, and then multiplies them.

This speaker is just as easy to use, but it also offers measurable increases in sound and battery performance, which help it stand above its smaller siblings and also surpass the competitors.

The Megaboom boasts a powerful sound, full of sharpness and intoxicating bass. Every musical genre we listened to sounds vibrant and expansive.

The 360 degrees sound effect also works great. Walking around the Bluetooth speaker, it is much more difficult than before to notice a “dead zone” – but there is one.

Users who insist that the value of a speaker is commensurate with the extra features will be satisfied with the Megaboom. As already mentioned, its features are nested in the free app. It is not a necessary component for the speaker, but it makes it so much better.

For example, the built-in equalizer can be optimized to your taste. If that’s not impressive enough, you can set custom alarm clocks. There’s no better thing than waking up to your favorite music.

Autonomy

One of the main Pros of the Boom 2 is battery life. The EU Megaboom improves it. Ultimate Ears advertises 20 hours of playback: and our tests have confirmed this number, we even reached 22 hours of playback.

It’s a lot of autonomy, and this speaker also charges quickly. Using the included wall charger, the charging time – from 0 to 100% – is just over 2.5 hours.

Verdict

As we have hoped, the EU Megaboom not only maintains what was already good in the Boom 2 but improves it. The Megaboom is not able to compete with speakers that cost $300 and above, but it is currently our favorite choice in this price range (Check on Amazon.com).