UE Boom: Difference between revisions

Browse history interactively ← Previous edit Next edit →Content deleted Content addedVisual WikitextInline

Revision as of 13:51, 7 April 2014 editDmatteng (talk \| contribs)Extended confirmed users1,003 edits Moved dimension section to infobox← Previous edit		Revision as of 17:17, 7 April 2014 edit undoSamwalton9 (talk \| contribs)Edit filter managers, Autopatrolled, Administrators24,206 editsm Fixed infobox - shifted line.Next edit →
Line 18:		Line 18:
	] 6.5cm (2.6”)		] 6.5cm (2.6”)
	\| weight = 538g (19oz) - speaker only		\| weight = 538g (19oz) - speaker only
	''}}		}}
	'''UE Boom''' is a 360˚ ] ] rugged ].<ref name="WIRE"></ref> The speaker is designed to play music that is streamed over ''']'''. The speaker has 3.5 mm audio input as well. It is made by ''']''', subsidiary of ''']'''.<ref name="PCMAG"></ref>		'''UE Boom''' is a 360˚ ] ] rugged ].<ref name="WIRE"></ref> The speaker is designed to play music that is streamed over ''']'''. The speaker has 3.5 mm audio input as well. It is made by ''']''', subsidiary of ''']'''.<ref name="PCMAG"></ref>
	'''UE Boom''' was praised for its ], ], ], ] capability, and its suitability for ] use. The speaker is being promoted as suitable for ] gatherings as it reproduces sound equally in all directions.<ref></ref><ref name="CNET"></ref>		'''UE Boom''' was praised for its ], ], ], ] capability, and its suitability for ] use. The speaker is being promoted as suitable for ] gatherings as it reproduces sound equally in all directions.<ref></ref><ref name="CNET"></ref>

Revision as of 17:17, 7 April 2014

UE Boom
File:UE-boom.jpgUE Boom Blue-White
Manufacturer	Logitech (Ultimate Ears)
Slogan	Rage, riot, party and play the music you love, out loud.
Related	UE Mini Boom
Dimensions	Height 18 cm (7.1”) Diameter 6.5cm (2.6”)
Weight	538g (19oz) - speaker only

UE Boom is a 360˚ portable wireless rugged speaker. The speaker is designed to play music that is streamed over Bluetooth. The speaker has 3.5 mm audio input as well. It is made by Ultimate Ears, subsidiary of Logitech. UE Boom was praised for its industrial design, loudness, battery life, speakerphone capability, and its suitability for outdoor use. The speaker is being promoted as suitable for social gatherings as it reproduces sound equally in all directions.

Design

The speaker is circular and shaped like a large beer can or an energy drink. It has a special acoustic skin with plasma coating that makes it both water and stain resistant. UE Boom is partly covered with sturdy rubber. The speaker comes in multiple color combinations. According to PC Magazine: "It is small enough to tuck into a bag and just wide enough to stand up securely." It has a D-ring on its end (if you have an S-hook or some string, you can hang it like a lantern). According to Engadget: "The UE Boom's cylindrical shape is a different take on portable speakers, one that iLounge appreciated, saying it "has one of the nicest overall designs in its class."

Features overview

360˚ Sound.
Dual wind-resistant microphones for speakerphone function.
Water and stain resistant.
Voice expression of remained battery percentage in several languages that is activated by pressing volume up and volume down buttons simultaneously.
Audible interface that emits different trumping sounds on variety of speaker actions.
Possibility to update firmware of the speaker via USB. The UE website provides a utility for Windows and Mac OS X that facilitates the upgrade process.
Free apps for Apple iOS® and Android™.
"Stereo or double" feature that provides possibility to wirelessly connect two UE Boom speakers together. In the stereo mode one speaker will act as a left speaker and one act as a right speaker to provide real stereo separation; while in the double mode the two speakers will provide mirrored double performance creating a louder sound that covers bigger area.
Alarm that wakes up with a preselected music.
Equalizer settings.

Reception

UE Boom was released to favorable reviews. Most of the reviewers have welcomed UE Boom's functionality, durability, loudness, and at the same time it has been commented that the bass and sub-bass could be better handled.

CNET review summary

CNET gave it 4 stars out of 5, and commented:

The good: The UE Boom is a compact, durable wireless Bluetooth speaker that plays very loud for its size and is water- and stain-resistant. It offers up to 15 hours of battery life, has speakerphone capabilities, and is well-suited to outdoor use. Also, if you buy a second speaker, you can create a completely wireless pair of true stereo speakers using the UE Boom app for iOS and Android devices.

The bad: Somewhat pricey; while the sound quality is very good for a speaker this size, the bass could be fuller.

The bottom line: The UE Boom is a versatile and durable wireless Bluetooth speaker that plays loud and is great for on-the-go use.

PC Magazine review summary

PC Magazine gave it 4 points out of 5 with editor's rating: Excellent, and commented:

Pros: Solid sound-scape. Powerful, clear mid-range and treble. Supports two speakers for true stereo.

Cons: Slightly weak bass.

Bottom Line: The UE Boom is a surprisingly powerful Bluetooth speaker the size of a beer can, but you need two if you want to take advantage of its coolest feature.

Critique

The UE Boom has been criticized for:

It was initially shipped without rubberized caps for the USB and audio input ports. Currently the rubberized caps are included, and the company ships them free to customers who didn't get them.
Deficiency in bass and sub-bass:

According to CNET: "If it has a deficiency, it just doesn't deliver a ton of bass, though few if any of these small speakers put out great low end. You'll also get some distortion with bass-heavy material, particularly at louder volumes."

According to PC Magazine: "it doesn't exactly impress on the low end and doesn't beat the more expensive Bose SoundLink II.., despite coming close." And: "While bass is handled well along with the midrange, the UE Boom can't take much sub-bass."

Non-replaceable rechargeable battery:

UE Boom is being manufactured with a non-replaceable battery. Therefore once the battery will be weakened, or stopped working the functionality of the speaker will be affected.

Lack of a speaker-out. It was mentioned that addition of 3.5 mm speaker-out would be highly welcomed.

Reviews analysis

There was a clear consensus that:

UE Boom is the loudest of all portable speakers of similar size.
UE Boom sound quality is second to Bose SoundLink II.
UE Boom is the best speaker for outdoor and the best speaker overall if design, sound quality, ruggedness and functionality are all taken in account.

Awards

UE Boom won gold for excellence in audio category in 2014 iF product design award that is organized by International Forum Design. The event attracts more than 2,000 product entries, which are judged by renowned experts, with the best of them receiving an iF seal of outstanding design quality and the best of the best are awarded with an iF gold award, known as the "Design Oscar".

Limited editions

Ultimate Ears has introduced a UE Boom with Blablobs design by Kenny Scharf.

Technical specs

Wireless capabilities

The speaker can be paired to up to 8 Bluetooth devices. Two devices can be connected at the same time.
One device can be connected to one or two UE Boom speakers.
Mobile range of play is up to 15m (50 ft).
NFC (passive) supported.

Audio

Maximum sound level: 88 dBA.
Frequency range: 90Hz - 20kHz.
Drivers: Two 1.5", 4 Ohm Drivers; Two 2" Passive radiators.

Power

Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery for up to 15 hours of battery life (when playing at reasonably low volumes.)
According to Trusted Reviews: At mid-to-high volumes it lasted for 8-10 hours.
Charge time: 3.4 hours.

Compatibility

For Audio Playback: Smartphones, tablets and other devices that support Bluetooth® wireless audio profile or 3.5 mm audio output.
For Phone Calls: Phones that support Bluetooth® Hands-Free Profile (HFP1.5).
IPX4 RATED: Ingress Protection Rating – Liquid – Level 4: Water resistant acoustic skin.

References

External links

Official website

Categories: