UE Epicboom assessment: an epic value for an extraordinary speaker

Does a $350 wi-fi speaker must do extra than simply… play music? That’s unquestionably the system’s primary purpose for being, however we’re within the closing weeks of 2023, and at this premium value, customers have come to anticipate options like voice assistants, multi-room audio synchronization, and a large internet of bonuses like AirPlay, Spotify Join integration, and extra. The brand new Final Ears Epicboom speaker doesn’t supply any of that, regardless of costing $349.99. What it offers as an alternative is a ruggedized (and waterproof) construct, highly effective 360-degree sound, and as much as 17 hours of battery life. And hey, the factor’s acquired a USB-C port, which one way or the other marks a primary for any UE speaker thus far. I stated it was 2023, proper? Simply checking. 

UE’s Epicboom could be very related in dimension and form to a Sonos Transfer 2, although it’s noticeably lighter at 4.36 kilos versus Sonos’ 6.6 kilos. Each audio system comprise twin tweeters and a single woofer, although Final Ears focuses on wider sound dispersion to create its signature 360-degree audio impact that prospects have come to anticipate from the Increase, Megaboom, and supersized Hyperboom. The speaker is coated in the identical cloth mesh as different UE merchandise, with a sturdy rubber base that affords some drop safety. There’s a carrying strap on the again that’s held in place with a magnet so it doesn’t flop round. 

The GoodDurable, waterproof buildUSB-C port!Higher sound than Increase and MegaboomThe BadVery few additional featuresToo dear for what it isFabric mesh can get soiled on the white speakerHow we price and assessment merchandise

On the Epicboom’s entrance facet are UE’s telltale large quantity buttons, with different controls for energy, Bluetooth pairing, and play / pause situated on the highest. There’s additionally an “outside mode” button that cranks the speaker’s loudness in case you’re utilizing it whereas tenting, tailgating, or in different wide-open areas. If you maintain down the play button, it prompts UE’s “magic button” function, which may play a preset playlist out of your chosen music service. Round again is a USB-C port lined by a protecting flap that’s tight sufficient to stop any water from getting by in case you toss the Epicboom in a pool; it does float, in spite of everything. The USB-C port is strictly for charging and doesn’t assist line-in audio, nor does this $350 speaker embrace any type of Wi-Fi connectivity for higher-fidelity music streaming. It helps fast tap-to-pair by way of NFC for you Android telephone homeowners at the very least.

Controls aside from the large quantity buttons are situated up high.

When testing a speaker, I all the time inevitably land on a track that sounds prefer it was completely blended for that {hardware}’s tuning and drivers. And there have been a handful of circumstances the place I most well-liked the Epicboom’s output in comparison with the costlier Sonos Transfer 2, however they have been few and much between. On the entire, Sonos’ speaker sounds extra detailed, distinct, and higher balanced than the Epicboom, which veered into boomy and ill-defined territory when listening to sure tracks on 1989 (Taylor’s Model). A number of the vocals on that reworked album really feel a bit phoned in (like on “Model”), however the combine is unquestionably superior to the unique — and the Epicboom fails to showcase that like an over-$300 speaker ought to. For those who’re a basshead to the extent that you just need to rattle your condo, the Epicboom will probably disappoint when pushed to its most quantity, the place there’s noticeable compression and a few bass crackling. 

Sure, that’s (lastly) a USB-C port on an Final Ears speaker.

The rubberized base helps with drop safety.

Final Ears says that the speaker options adaptive EQ, which means it adjusts the sound profile primarily based in your surroundings. I didn’t actually discover any pronounced variations when shifting the Epicboom between rooms massive and small, although it did fare surprisingly nicely as a toilet speaker. It had no hassle reducing by bathe noise and got here by with stunning readability regardless of the echoey acoustics. However $350 for a loo speaker is prone to be a stretch for lots of people. You’ll be able to modify the EQ to your individual liking with UE’s cell app, which may also be used to stereo-pair two Epicbooms or hyperlink it with a military of different UE audio system in occasion mode. 

The Epicboom isn’t far off in dimension from a Sonos Transfer 2.

There’s nothing inherently flawed with the UE Epicboom, save for its value. Throughout the firm’s lineup, it slots into a wise place between the cylindrical Megaboom and big Epicboom occasion speaker. However there’s merely not a lot to this factor, and the omissions are costly. Right here’s what it doesn’t offer you:

AirPlay 2Amazon AlexaChromecastDeeper multi-room audio supportGoogle AssistantLine-in (by way of 3.5mm or USB-C)Speakerphone functionalitySpotify Join

The adaptive EQ dealt with lavatory acoustics fairly nicely.

With an IP67 score, the Epicboom can stand up to rain and dunks underwater.

If I went out and paid $350 for an Epicboom, I’d shortly really feel shortchanged by such a condensed function listing. It doesn’t need to pack in all of these issues, nevertheless it may definitely profit from a few of them. As is, the worth simply doesn’t make sense for what you’re getting. Maybe if the audio high quality blew my thoughts, I may have a look at it in a different way. However whereas this speaker frequently sounds good, it’s not next-level good. It handily outperforms the Increase 3 and Megaboom, certain, and if for some purpose, you’re bizarrely loyal to UE merchandise, perhaps that — and the lengthy overdue USB-C port — shall be sufficient. However the Bluetooth speaker market retains evolving, and different producers gives you decidedly extra on your cash. The Epicboom delivers on the traditional UE strengths like a “lifeproof” exterior. It’s reliable and sounds fairly good. However till a considerable value lower comes alongside, the worth of this product is something however epic.

AGREE TO CONTINUE: Final Ears Epicboom

Each good system now requires you to conform to a collection of phrases and circumstances earlier than you should utilize it — contracts that nobody truly reads. It’s not possible for us to learn and analyze each single one in all these agreements. However we began counting precisely what number of instances you must hit “agree” to make use of units after we assessment them since these are agreements most individuals don’t learn and positively can’t negotiate.

Like every Bluetooth speaker, you should utilize the Final Ears Epicboom with out accepting any software program agreements. Nonetheless, in case you do need to use Final Ears’ cell app (which is required to make the most of some options like customized EQ), you’ll be met with one non-obligatory settlement asking in case you’d prefer to share analytics knowledge. Hitting settle for means you conform to Logitech’s privateness coverage. You’ll be able to hit cancel to proceed with out agreeing.

Last tally: one non-obligatory settlement.

Images by Chris Welch / The Verge