TechAudioUltimate Ears Epicboom review: epic enough for the asking price?Looking for a portable yet powerful speaker? Ultimate Ears Epicboom has plenty to exciteWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)T3 VerdictThe Ultimate Ears Epicboom is a practical option for those who want both at-home and outdoors use – the waterproofing sees to that. The speaker outputs 360-degree sound, has decent battery life, and there’s EQ adjustability via the app. However, while the trio of speakers on board is loud, the sound isn’t as overall eloquent as some of its similar-size and similar-priced rivals.Reasons to buy+Robust build and IP67 dust- and water-resistant+Solid battery life and easy recharging via USB-C+Significant sound experience with app-adjustable EQReasons to avoid-Sound can’t quite rival very best on the market-A little pricey considering the competitionWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
TechAudioUltimate Ears Epicboom review: epic enough for the asking price?Looking for a portable yet powerful speaker? Ultimate Ears Epicboom has plenty to exciteWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)T3 VerdictThe Ultimate Ears Epicboom is a practical option for those who want both at-home and outdoors use – the waterproofing sees to that. The speaker outputs 360-degree sound, has decent battery life, and there’s EQ adjustability via the app. However, while the trio of speakers on board is loud, the sound isn’t as overall eloquent as some of its similar-size and similar-priced rivals.Reasons to buy+Robust build and IP67 dust- and water-resistant+Solid battery life and easy recharging via USB-C+Significant sound experience with app-adjustable EQReasons to avoid-Sound can’t quite rival very best on the market-A little pricey considering the competitionWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Looking for a portable yet powerful speaker? Ultimate Ears Epicboom has plenty to excite
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)T3 VerdictThe Ultimate Ears Epicboom is a practical option for those who want both at-home and outdoors use – the waterproofing sees to that. The speaker outputs 360-degree sound, has decent battery life, and there’s EQ adjustability via the app. However, while the trio of speakers on board is loud, the sound isn’t as overall eloquent as some of its similar-size and similar-priced rivals.Reasons to buy+Robust build and IP67 dust- and water-resistant+Solid battery life and easy recharging via USB-C+Significant sound experience with app-adjustable EQReasons to avoid-Sound can’t quite rival very best on the market-A little pricey considering the competition
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
T3 VerdictThe Ultimate Ears Epicboom is a practical option for those who want both at-home and outdoors use – the waterproofing sees to that. The speaker outputs 360-degree sound, has decent battery life, and there’s EQ adjustability via the app. However, while the trio of speakers on board is loud, the sound isn’t as overall eloquent as some of its similar-size and similar-priced rivals.Reasons to buy+Robust build and IP67 dust- and water-resistant+Solid battery life and easy recharging via USB-C+Significant sound experience with app-adjustable EQReasons to avoid-Sound can’t quite rival very best on the market-A little pricey considering the competition
T3 VerdictThe Ultimate Ears Epicboom is a practical option for those who want both at-home and outdoors use – the waterproofing sees to that. The speaker outputs 360-degree sound, has decent battery life, and there’s EQ adjustability via the app. However, while the trio of speakers on board is loud, the sound isn’t as overall eloquent as some of its similar-size and similar-priced rivals.
T3 Verdict
The Ultimate Ears Epicboom is a practical option for those who want both at-home and outdoors use – the waterproofing sees to that. The speaker outputs 360-degree sound, has decent battery life, and there’s EQ adjustability via the app. However, while the trio of speakers on board is loud, the sound isn’t as overall eloquent as some of its similar-size and similar-priced rivals.
Reasons to buy+Robust build and IP67 dust- and water-resistant+Solid battery life and easy recharging via USB-C+Significant sound experience with app-adjustable EQReasons to avoid-Sound can’t quite rival very best on the market-A little pricey considering the competition
Reasons to buy+Robust build and IP67 dust- and water-resistant+Solid battery life and easy recharging via USB-C+Significant sound experience with app-adjustable EQ
Robust build and IP67 dust- and water-resistant
Solid battery life and easy recharging via USB-C
Significant sound experience with app-adjustable EQ
Reasons to avoid-Sound can’t quite rival very best on the market-A little pricey considering the competition
Sound can’t quite rival very best on the market
A little pricey considering the competition
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
When it comes tothe best portable Bluetooth speakersthere’s certainly no lack of supply. The demand has changed somewhat, though, with more manufacturers producing larger portables that are as capable at home as they are outdoors, while ticking a whole lot of features boxes too.
The Ultimate Ears Epicboom is one such product: a mid-size speaker that, in some respects, is looking to rival theSonos Move 2and similar-sized portables. I’ve been using it as an easy-to-cart-about-the-house audio output for some weeks to get a taste of just how the Epicboom sounds.
However, Ultimate Ears has gone supersize before now with its more party-speaker-likeHyperboom, and while the Epicboom will be more practical for most people on account of its smaller scale, it’s actually not that much cheaper. So is it ‘epic’ enough to warrant its asking price? Here’s what I make of the latest Ultimate Ears speaker…
Epicboom: Price & Availability
Today’s best Ultimate Ears Epicboom deals6 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆$299.99$223.09View$299.99ViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Ultimate Ears Epicboom deals6 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆$299.99$223.09View$299.99ViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Ultimate Ears Epicboom deals
6 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
6 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
☆☆☆☆☆
$299.99$223.09View$299.99View
$299.99$223.09View
$299.99$223.09View
$299.99$223.09View
$299.99$223.09
$223.09
$299.99View
$299.99View
$299.99View
$299.99
$299.99
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
The Ultimate Ears Epicboom can be yours for £330/$350/AU$500 – which is cheaper than the aforementionedSonosMove 2, but very similar in price to thefirst-gen Sonos Move(at current pricing).
The Epicboom is on sale now in either Charcoal Black or Cotton White (the latter is as photographed for this review) – and you’ll see the best current prices in the shopping widget embedded above.
Epicboom review: Features & What’s New?
So what exactly is new? Well,everything, really. That’s because the Epicboom is a whole new entry for Ultimate Ears, sitting below the Hyperboom (largest), but above theWonderboom 3, Boom 3, andWonderboom 3(smallest).
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
The Epicboom is a rounded shape, like a partially compressed cylinder, designed to produce 360-degree sound output so that, irrelevant of where it’s placed, you’ll get a full spectrum of sound. That’s delivered through a duo of mid-high speakers and one 120mm woofer to cater for bass.
Connectivity is achieved via Bluetooth (using the A2DP codec) and that’s your lot as connectivity goes. No Wi-Fi here. Pairing is easy, though, with NFC also available for super-fast phone connectivity.
The speaker is designed for use indoors or out, withIP67 protectionmeaning dust- and water-proofing. You could dunk this speaker underwater fully and it’ll be of no bother (officially 1m down for 30mins).
Epicboom review: Performance
Once nestled on a desk and connected to source, the Epicboom is ready to deliver its audio subject with aplomb. Needless to say, the speaker is loud and its 360-degree output is reasonably effective. There’s even an ‘Outdoor’ mode to project sound that bit further (which you definitely don’t want on when listening at home).
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
I can easily tell where the speaker placements are in the Epicboom, as its 360-degree output is never fully uniform. That does depend on the speaker’s position – but face it too ‘side-on’ and you’ll have a wholly different listening experience where the mid-high drivers take prominence. Front-on and it’s actually a little muted; I find at a slight angle, say 30-degrees, is the sweet spot.
When it comes to sound quality it’s generally good news: the Epicboom is loud and capable, able to push sound with dimensionality and ample separation. That said, for a speaker at this price point, it lacks some eloquence compared to the very best. You’ll find more bass delivery and overall clarity from the Sonos Move 2, for example.
Battery life is strong, however, with easily two days of listening from this speaker before it redlines and needs to be plugged in. A concealed USB-C port at the rear takes care of this, so you can top up for future listening. There are no other inputs to worry about.
Epicboom review: Design & Usability
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
The Epicboom features a little carry handle that magnetically clips onto its body so it looks neat and tidy even if you’re not holding the speaker or hanging it up from somewhere. I’ve tended to sit the speaker on a flat surface, though, and leave the carry handle in its place.
Up top there are a variety of buttons: on/off, Bluetooth pair, Outdoor mode, and play/pause. The giant plus and minus symbols on the front of the speaker are also buttons to, you guessed it, increase or decrease the volume – although you can also do that directly from source, which will often be easier.
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
There’s also an Ultimate Ears app, which is handy to see the remaining battery level in percentage format, plus make adjustments to the sound profile. The equaliser can adjust between Bass Boost (use with caution), Game/Cinema, Deep Relaxation (rolls off the top-end), Podcast/Vocal (rolls off the bottom end). Or select Signature and adjust the five bands yourself.
The Epicboom’s overall design is robust and tactile, the material mesh finish looks and feels quality, and the gentle coloured flecks in the base are sign of the use of recycled materials (there’s a minimum of 59% post-consumer recycled plastic in the product).
UE Epicboom review: Verdict
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
The Ultimate Ears Epicboom is among the company’s best Bluetooth speakers, no doubt, at a size that will make it practical for those who want both at-home and outdoors use – the waterproofing sees to the second point.
The Epicboom outputs 360-degree sound, has decent battery life, and EQ adjustability via the app. Its Bluetooth connectivity is straightforward and strong, but there’s no high-res audio compatibility here and, while the trio of speakers on board is loud, the sound isn’t quite as refined as some of its similar-size and similar-priced rivals.
Also consider
When it comes to more like-for-like comparisons, the most obvious Ultimate Ears competitor is Sonos: the Move and Move 2 products are portable alternatives that are somewhere between a little and a little bit more expensive. The sound profile is more eloquent to my ears, though, so money well spent.
Today’s best Ultimate Ears Epicboom, Sonos Move, Sonos Move 2 and Bang Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) dealsUltimate Ears Epicboom$299.99$223.09ViewSee all pricesSonos Move$399$314.98ViewSee all pricesSonos Move 2$597ViewSee all pricesBang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd gen)$179.98ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Ultimate Ears Epicboom, Sonos Move, Sonos Move 2 and Bang Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) dealsUltimate Ears Epicboom$299.99$223.09ViewSee all pricesSonos Move$399$314.98ViewSee all pricesSonos Move 2$597ViewSee all pricesBang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd gen)$179.98ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Ultimate Ears Epicboom, Sonos Move, Sonos Move 2 and Bang Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) dealsUltimate Ears Epicboom$299.99$223.09ViewSee all pricesSonos Move$399$314.98ViewSee all pricesSonos Move 2$597ViewSee all pricesBang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd gen)$179.98ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Ultimate Ears Epicboom, Sonos Move, Sonos Move 2 and Bang Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) deals
Ultimate Ears Epicboom$299.99$223.09ViewSee all pricesSonos Move$399$314.98ViewSee all pricesSonos Move 2$597ViewSee all pricesBang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd gen)$179.98ViewSee all prices
Ultimate Ears Epicboom$299.99$223.09ViewSee all prices
Ultimate Ears Epicboom$299.99$223.09ViewSee all prices
Ultimate Ears Epicboom
Ultimate Ears Epicboom
$299.99$223.09View
$299.99$223.09
$223.09
See all prices
Sonos Move$399$314.98ViewSee all prices
Sonos Move$399$314.98ViewSee all prices
Sonos Move
Sonos Move
$399$314.98View
$399$314.98
$314.98
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Sonos Move 2$597ViewSee all prices
Sonos Move 2$597ViewSee all prices
Sonos Move 2
Sonos Move 2
$597View
$597
$597
See all prices
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd gen)$179.98ViewSee all prices
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd gen)$179.98ViewSee all prices
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd gen)
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd gen)
$179.98View
$179.98
$179.98
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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