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Review: Ultimate Ears Boom 2- The waterproof speaker with warm sound

Review: Ultimate Ears Boom 2 are waterproof speakers with a warm sound. Boom 2 is even better than previous model and an excellent choice.
4.3/5 - (10 votes)

Logitech introduced its new model in the Boom series as Ultimate Ears Boom 2. The second version of the Ultimate Ears speaker offers more than 22 hours of battery life, resists immersion and delivers quality sound.

Ultimate Ears UE Boom 2: The promise

Utimate Ears launches the second version of its portable Bluetooth Boom speaker . On the program: a waterproof case (IPX7 certification), better endurance, 25% more powerful sound and a playback control function by tapping on the top of the case. Enough to play the leading roles?

Product information

Product Dimensions 2.75 x 2.75 x 7.08 inches
Item Weight 1.2 pounds
ASIN B07J31M7PW
Item model number 984-001502
Batteries 1 Lithium Metal batteries required. (included)
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer No
Date First Available November 15, 2018
Manufacturer Logitech

Ultimate Ears UE Boom 2: Reality

You don’t change a winning design! The Boom 2 uses the same cylindrical design and the same dimensions as the Boom . However, we noticed a few changes: a slightly heavier weight (548g versus 534g), a thinner grille and a thicker bezel to ensure the enclosure is waterproof. This concept of cover is not new and still poses the same problem, it must be removed to access the mini USB and audio jack connectors placed under the case. If you forget to put it back on, the speaker is no longer waterproof! In addition, the wired connection forces the Boom 2 to be placed horizontally, which is hardly practical.

So we put the cache and gave the Boom 2 a bath without noticing the slightest problem. And although this was ultimately of no interest, note that the speaker continued to broadcast sound, underwater.

Very balanced sound that is pleasant to the ears

The sound of the Boom was already good, but that of the Boom 2 is even better. It turns out to be rounder, warmer with a good transition between bass, mids and treble. No need to go through the equalizer, the speaker offers good reproduction for all types of music and whatever the position of the listener thanks to a 360-degree diffusion. To take advantage of stereo, however, you have to stand close enough to the speaker and turn it towards you. The Boom 2 effectively delivers more sound power: 106.3 dB against 102.4 dB according to our measurements. Enough to easily add sound to a bedroom, or even a living room, and break the ears of neighbors outside. Note that the Boom 2 has a microphone that allows it to be used as a hands-free kit once paired with a smartphone. The

Finally, Ultimate Ears has really improved the autonomy of its speaker, which doubles and goes according to our measurements from 11 h 22 min to 22 h 44 min, an excellent score.

To control playback, tap on the speaker!

The Boom 2 has an on / off button on the top and another to activate Bluetooth. The speaker has the NFC function and can connect to two devices simultaneously. It is then sufficient to interrupt the audio playback of one to start that of the other. It also has a playback control function by tapping on the top of the case: once to pause and twice to skip to the next track. However, this function did not convince us. You must hold the speaker in one hand and type with the other, as the process does not work when it is simply placed on a surface.

A sober, but effective application

If the Boom 2 can be used as is with a smartphone or tablet, the manufacturer has nevertheless developed an application, available free for iOS and Android. The UE Boom application has a rather spartan interface but offers several interesting functions. It has its own equalizer with several preset modes and can wake you up to music thanks to its programmable alarm.

It also allows you to turn off the speaker and know its charge level. And if you have two speakers (Boom, Boom 2, Megaboom or Roll) the application associates them.

It is then possible to broadcast the same music and therefore double the sound power, but also to create a real stereo system by defining in the app one speaker for the left and the other for the right, provided that both are of the same model. The process is very simple to implement, just follow the tutorial in the app.

Technical Sheet of Ultimate Ears UE Boom 2

Ultimate Ears Boom 2 – Conclusion

Ultimate Ears has succeeded in making an already very good speaker even better. The Boom 2 is an excellent choice for a walk, especially to the sea or to the swimming pool. We just blame it for the position of its connectors and its restrictive cache system.

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