Wireless speakers Ultimate Ears over the past couple of years have become the editorial favorites. And for good reason: they are always pleased with the loud sound of excellent quality, stylish design, durable, waterproof construction, long battery life and interesting functionality. We already had time to visit Megaboom, Boom and Boom 2, and today we will talk about the new model UE Megaboom 3. In fact, it is not quite new (it came out towards the end of last year), but in our market it is just preparing for release. And it was announced at IFA 2019 in Berlin with Boom 3 smaller. Skip the model with the index 2 in the name of the company apparently decided not to confuse users and combine the line under one index. The updated model received a number of changes in comparison with the UE Megaboom: something was added, something was decided to be removed. Toward the end of this text, we will compare them in detail, but for now let’s take a closer look at Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3.
What is it?
Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 – portable dust-, shock- and waterproof acoustics, equipped with two speakers and two passive radiators, which provide a 360 ° sound. It connects via Bluetooth, is powered by the built-in battery for 20 hours of operation (as the manufacturer claims) and has proprietary software.
What is interesting portable speakers Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3?
Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 Review: Unkillable Portable Speakers with Great Sound-2
The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 is a large, weighty speaker that uses two 2-inch speakers and two passive radiators measuring 55×86 mm for low frequencies. Like its predecessors, the sound spreads over 360 °, the range of reproducible frequencies – from 60 Hz – 20 kHz, and the maximum sound level – 90 dBa. The case is protected from dust, dirt and water according to the IP67 standard, is not afraid of falls from a height of up to 1.5 m and can withstand immersion in water to a depth of one meter for up to 30 minutes. Moreover, the column learned to swim and drown it can now only consciously. Battery capacity is not specified, but they promise 20 hours of battery life. To manage there is a new multi-function button Magic Button and a proprietary application with a bunch of functions. Of the most interesting – Block Party: you and 2 more friends can simultaneously connect to UE Megaboom 3 and put the music in turn. And PartyUp, which allows you to connect up to 150 speakers Megaboom 3, Megaboom, Boom 3, Boom 2 and Boom into a single audio system. Bluetooth is used for the connection, now the maximum radius of action is 45 m.
What is in the box?
Like its predecessor, Megaboom 3 is packed in a large box with a soft cardboard cover. There is a lot of printing on it: the image of the column itself, technical characteristics and features. The inner box is also “colorful”, with interesting drawn art.
What with connectivity, functionality and proprietary software?
There are some changes in the functional and communication part. The connection is still using a Bluetooth module (version not specified) with support for A2DP profiles, the ability to connect up to 8 devices, and support for Bluetooth Smart (Bluetooth LE), which is necessary for the remote to turn on the speaker. The range is 45 m. Of course, this is in ideal conditions with direct visibility. In general, UE Megaboom did not have any problems with communication. Megaboom 3 does not have them either. The weather is not conducive to nature excursions, so there were only indoor tests. 10-15 m with “barriers” for acoustics did not become a problem. And now the fly in the ointment: the company has removed the NFC from the predecessor and the microphone for the speakerphone. The reasons may be different: the desire to reduce the cost or lack of demand. Or both that, and another.
Brand application is universal for all current models of UE, simply and concisely called BOOM. It allows you to remotely turn on and off the acoustics and adjust the volume on the main screen. When enabled, a list appears if there are other UE models. In the upper part, the battery charge is displayed, to the right – the transition to the settings. In the application, you can check and update the UE Megaboom firmware, see brief instructions for use, set up the equalizer and alarm clock.
There are separate tabs for the Block Party and PartyUp with simple, clear and clear instructions on how to use it all. If you have two speakers, you can use them not only in “double”, but in full stereo mode with the ability to adjust the balance. Made it very convenient and simple. The corresponding tab in the center shows the column that the application is currently managing, and the bottom shows the available UE speakers in range. Just drag and drop to the center of the screen. It will automatically turn on and the speakers will start working together. Reverse movement of the second column is automatically turned off.
How cool does it sound?
Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 Review: Unkillable Portable Acoustics with Great Sound-62
Apparently, the acoustic configuration remained the same or close to the UE Megaboom: two 2-inch emitters and two passive radiators 55×86 mm inch, and the range of reproducible frequencies – from 60 Hz to 20 kHz (the predecessor indicated 65 Hz). The UE Megaboom 3 distributes sound through 360 ° and has a very large volume margin. Without any exaggeration, the speaker is very loud. In an average one-room apartment, raising the sound level by more than 50% is not worth it. In general, for this parameter with UE Megaboom, if there is a difference, then it is minimal. The sound quality is also very cool, as always. But, subjectively, the new UE Megaboom 3 seemed to me even more “massive” and rich in sound. Best of all, of course, the speaker produces low and high frequencies. The averages are a bit blurry and a bit worse detailed, as they are in a pile of modern headphones with an eye for electronics, pop music or hip hop. But not critical and instrumental music also sounds great, plus there is the equalizer and the sound can be corrected.
How much does the battery hold?
According to the battery and battery life, it seems that they decided not to change anything. UE Megaboom 3 works very long on a single charge. According to personal observations, even longer than 20 hours. Approximately the same result was demonstrated by the predecessor. UE Megaboom 3 is one of the longest-playing speakers on the market. Full charge takes about 2.5 hours.
What are the differences between UE Megaboom 3 and UE Megaboom?
Models have a number of differences from each other, and quite weighty. Let’s try to figure out what was done better, and what was cut in the new UE Megaboom 3. Of the nice innovations:
- in addition to dust, dirt and water resistance, the column learned to swim, which significantly reduces the risk of drowning it;
- Magic Button is more convenient and clear to use than Tap Control;
- MicroUSB connector is now on the side, in a more convenient location, as well – – the option of a charging wireless dock has appeared;
- subjectively, it sounds a little better than the UE Megaboom.
Of the minuses:
- the speaker has lost the microphone and, accordingly, the speakerphone function;
- No NFC and 3.5mm AUX input;
- The price at the start of the UE Megaboom was $ 300, while the UE Megaboom 3 was priced at $ 200. Of course, the predecessor can be found already cheaper. But below the starting price allows us to hope that with time, it will become even more interesting.
The bottom line
Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 – a kind of evolutionary development of a smart UE Megaboom, so that the main advantages remained in place. UE Megaboom 3 sounds great and very loud, is IP67 protected, can swim and is not afraid of falling from a not too great height, while it looks very cool. The battery life of UE Megaboom 3 is impressive, and a very handy Magic Button control button has been added to the previously interesting functions of Block Party and PartyUp. Unfortunately, the speaker has lost the microphone for hands-free calling, 3.5mm AUX input and the NFC-module. And if the latter is not critical at all, then the first two points were quite useful. It remains to wait for the local price tag, UE Megaboom 3 should soon go on sale. And if it really will be lower than the UE Megaboom was at the start, then such sacrifices are fully justified and excusable. Competitors will be the same as before and not so many of them. First of all – JBL Charge of the current generation and the model Harman / Kardon, B & O. Cheaper Chinese options are significantly lagging behind in both sound and functionality.
5 reasons to buy Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3:
- Excellent sound quality and a large stock volume;
dust-, mud- and water-resistant and water-floating housing; - stylish design and workmanship;
- convenient application and management;
- long battery life.
2 reasons not to buy Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3:
- Are you sure that you need a speakerphone microphone, 3.5mm AUX input;
- For you, low price is more important than quality and you are ready to buy something simple “Chinese”.