Is the Ultimate Ears Epicboom Worth Every Penny?
UE Epicboom review a high price tag for a mediocre speaker
UE Epicboom review epic price, ordinary speaker
Picture this: it’s the year 2023, and you’re in the market for a new wireless speaker. You’re willing to shell out $350 for a premium device that not only plays music but also offers a plethora of features like voice assistants and multi-room audio synchronization. But hold on a second, because the new Ultimate Ears Epicboom speaker throws all of those expectations out the window. Instead, it focuses on what it does best: delivering ruggedized, waterproof goodness with powerful 360-degree sound and a whopping 17 hours of battery life. Oh, did I mention it also has a USB-C port, a first for any UE speaker? Yes, you read that right, we’ve reached the future!
The Epicboom shares the same size and shape as a Sonos Move 2 but weighs in at a feather-light 4.36 pounds compared to Sonos’ 6.6 pounds. They both boast dual tweeters and a single woofer, yet Ultimate Ears takes the cake when it comes to wider sound dispersion, creating that signature 360-degree audio effect we’ve come to love from the Boom, Megaboom, and supersized Hyperboom. Clad in the familiar fabric mesh and featuring a sturdy rubber base for added drop protection, this speaker is ready to take on whatever adventures you throw its way. And don’t worry, it comes with a handy magnet-held carrying strap on the back, so it won’t flop around like a fish out of water.
But let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. What makes the Epicboom stand out in a crowded market of wireless speakers? Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered. Check out the table below to see the pros and cons of this portable powerhouse:
| Epicboom Pros | Epicboom Cons |
|---|---|
| Durable, waterproof build | Very few extra features |
| USB-C port! | Too pricey for what it is |
| Better sound than Boom and Megaboom | Fabric mesh can get dirty on the white speaker |
If you’re ready to take the plunge and invest in the Ultimate Ears Epicboom, you can find it for $350 at Amazon, Best Buy, or B&H Photo. Now, let’s explore the speaker’s design and functionality.
On the front side of the Epicboom, you’ll find UE’s unmistakable giant volume buttons, along with controls for power, Bluetooth pairing, and play/pause conveniently located on the top. But wait, there’s more! There’s also an “outdoor mode” button that boosts the speaker’s loudness for those wide-open spaces like camping trips or tailgating. And here comes the magic: hold down the play button, and voila! UE’s “magic button” feature activates, allowing you to play a preset playlist from your favorite music service. Talk about convenience!
Now, let’s turn this speaker around. At the back, you’ll discover a USB-C port covered by a protective flap tight enough to keep any water from entering when you decide to toss the Epicboom into a pool (yes, it floats!). But hold on, note that the USB-C port is solely for charging and doesn’t support line-in audio. We couldn’t have it all, could we? And while we’re on the topic, this $350 speaker doesn’t include any Wi-Fi connectivity for high-fidelity music streaming. Nevertheless, fear not, Android users, as it supports quick tap-to-pair via NFC. Phew!
Now, let’s talk sound. When testing a speaker, there’s always that one song that seems perfectly mixed for its hardware. While the Epicboom occasionally outshines the pricier Sonos Move 2 in delivering stellar output, these moments are few and far between. The Sonos speaker generally sounds more detailed, distinct, and better balanced than the Epicboom, which can occasionally veer into boomy and ill-defined territory when playing certain tracks. Give Taylor Swift’s “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” a spin, and you might notice that some of the vocals feel a bit phoned in. The mix is undoubtedly better than the original, but the Epicboom fails to showcase it like an over-$300 speaker should. And if you’re one to crank up the volume and embrace your inner basshead, be warned that the Epicboom might disappoint, as it can exhibit some compression and bass crackling at maximum volume.
Ultimate Ears claims that the Epicboom features adaptive EQ, which adjusts the sound profile based on your environment. While I didn’t notice any significant differences when moving the speaker between rooms, I was pleasantly surprised by its performance as a bathroom speaker. It effortlessly cut through the shower noise and maintained surprising clarity despite the echoey acoustics. But let’s face it, $350 for a bathroom speaker might be a stretch for most people. Thankfully, UE’s mobile app allows you to fine-tune the EQ to your liking. It also enables stereo-pairing of two Epicbooms or connection with other UE speakers for a party mode extravaganza.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the Epicboom’s lack of extra features. Here’s what you won’t get for your $350:
- AirPlay 2
- Amazon Alexa
- Chromecast
- Deeper multi-room audio support
- Google Assistant
- Line-in (via 3.5mm or USB-C)
- Speakerphone functionality
- Spotify Connect
The mere absence of these features in a speaker at this price range is quite perplexing. Don’t get me wrong; the Epicboom is dependable and sounds pretty nice, surpassing the Boom 3 and Megaboom by a mile. However, until the price aligns with the offered features, it’s hard to classify it as an epic choice.
So, should you agree to continue with the Ultimate Ears Epicboom? Before you hurry to make up your mind, let’s tackle another agreement you might encounter. Like any Bluetooth speaker, you can use the Epicboom without accepting any software agreements. However, if you want to take full advantage of its features, including custom EQ, you’ll be asked to share analytics data when using Ultimate Ears’ mobile app. Accepting means you agree to Logitech’s privacy policy. Thankfully, you have the option to cancel and continue without agreeing. So, there you have it: only one optional agreement to ponder.
In conclusion, the Ultimate Ears Epicboom is undoubtedly a solid speaker, but its premium price tag begs the question of whether it truly lives up to its name. With several missing features that have become standard in the industry, it leaves much to be desired. Unless you’re a die-hard UE fan who can’t resist a long-overdue USB-C port, you might find better value for your money with other Bluetooth speaker options. The Epicboom is a dependable workhorse that does its job well, but until the price reflects its feature set, it might not be as epic as its name suggests.
By the way, what’s your take on the Ultimate Ears Epicboom? Are you willing to go the extra mile and invest in this ruggedized speaker, or do you think its features don’t quite justify the price? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
