Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 Review: Unkillable Portable Acoustics with Great Sound

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>The editors thank Asbis-Ukraine for kindly provided Bluetooth speakers for the review.

Ultimate Ears Wireless Speakers for the pasta 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 UE Megaboom 3 model. In fact, it is not entirely new (it came out towards the end of last year), but in our market it is just getting ready for release. And it was announced at IFA 2019 in Berlin, along 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: they added something, decided to remove something. Toward the end of this text, we will compare them in detail, but for now let's get acquainted closer with Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3

What is it?

Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 - Portable dustproof,shock and waterproof acoustics, equipped with two speakers and two passive radiators that 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?

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Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 - big, weightya column that uses two 2-inch loudspeakers and two passive radiators measuring 55x86 mm for low frequencies. Like its predecessors, the sound propagates through 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 withstands 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 on music one by one. 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 ina large box with a soft cardboard cover. On it - a lot of printing: the image of the column itself, specifications and features. The inner box is also “colorful”, with interesting drawn art:

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Under the cover of the box - UE Megaboom 3 on the stand,and all the accessories are located under it. Included: UE Megaboom 3, power supply with two interchangeable plugs for different sockets, white-noodles MicroUSB-USB cable and brief instructions:

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What does Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 look like?

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The overall style has remained recognizable, but the design andsome constructive moments have changed. This is still a large cylinder, but now a little more strict form. The main materials remained the same: the upper and lower ends and the strip along the body that connects them are made of rubberized material. The rest of the surface is made of nylon-like fabric. But weaving has become smaller compared to the previous generation. According to the manufacturer, such a fabric is used in the manufacture of motorcycle jackets and fire uniforms.

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Front - already familiar with the past two modelslarge buttons increase and decrease the volume, which for some reason, some are associated with religious symbols. Buttons and all rubberized inserts of color similar to the rest of the body. The blue version came to us for review, there are still red, black and purple:

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At the top there are now three buttons instead of two. Two small ones - power and switching to Bluetooth connection mode, both with indicator LEDs. The longitudinal LED of the power button is red when the battery has almost run out. A new element has become a large round button with LED trim. This is the so-called “magic” button (Magic Button), with which you can switch tracks, pause or include your own playlists from online music services (more on this later). Previously, instead of a button used Tap Control. To pause / play, you had to take the gadget in your hand and touch it with the palm to its top. Double-tap to switch to the next track. The solution with the button is more obvious and convenient. Tap Control did not always work correctly.

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On the bottom there is a round metalrecess. This is a connector for proprietary wireless charging dock. It is not included in the kit, they want $ 40 for it, but I am not sure that it will be sold here. Although the thing is convenient:

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At the top of the column there is a fabric loop, for which the UE Megaboom 3 can be hung, for example, on a backpack or a branch in the forest:

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There is only one connector, still microUSB,although I would like to have Type-C. It is closed with a fixed plug in the lower part of the body on the side. Next - a small LED indicator. The predecessor, he was on the bottom end under a removable cap. The location has become more convenient and logical. But, unfortunately, the 3.5 mm AUX input disappeared:

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We decided not to play football, but the basic tests of Megaboom 3 passed. The column fell onto the floor several times from 2 meters and survived it safely. She is not afraid of water and really swims:

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Dimensions and weight are commensurate with the first generation Megaboom. The weight has increased quite a bit: 925 g versus 877 g. In the hands this difference is not felt.

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There are not many changes in design. And in this case, it is rather a plus. The predecessor looked great, but why change something good. Minor design changes have benefited Megaboom 3.

What about connectivity, functionality and proprietary software?

On the functional and communication part there issome changes. 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 required for remote activation of 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 the one and the other.

Corporate application is universal for allThe current UE models are 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. The upper part displays the battery charge, to the right - the transition to the settings. In the application, you can check and update the UE Megaboom firmware, view brief instructions for use, set up the equalizer and alarm clock.

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There are separate tabs for Block Party and PartyUpwith 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 controlling, 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 automatically turns off:

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Another new feature - linking accountsmusic services. Subsequently, you can turn on and switch your playlists directly from Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 without the need for additional manipulations on your smartphone. In practice, only Deezer and Apple Music are supported (in some regions, we didn’t have one), so for the time being, the function is not very interesting for our market. Perhaps this will change and the company will add support for Google Music and / or Spotify, then the benefits will be more real.

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How cool does it sound?

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Apparently, the acoustic configuration remainedThe previous, or close, UE Megaboom: two 2-inch emitters and two passive radiators 55x86 mm inch, and the range of reproducible frequencies - from 60 Hz to 20 kHz (the predecessor indicated 65 Hz). The UE Megaboom 3 delivers 360 ° sound 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, in 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?

By battery and battery life,it looks like 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 easier to use than Tap Control;
MicroUSB connector is now on the side, in a more convenient place, and also the option of a charging wireless dock has appeared;
subjectively, it sounds slightly better than 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, the UE Megaboom3 is estimated 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.

In the dry residue

Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 - originalthe evolutionary development of the 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 interesting features of Block Party and PartyUp. Unfortunately, the speaker has lost a microphone for hands-free calling, a 3.5 mm AUX input and an 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. 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 volume reserve;
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 you need a hands-free microphone, 3.5mm AUX input;
For you, low price is more important than quality and you are ready to buy something simple “Chinese”.

Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3

Speakers
two 2 "drivers and two passive low-frequency radiators 2x4 ″

Frequency range
60-20000 Hz

Maximum sound level
90 dBA

Moisture protection
IP67

Interfaces
Bluetooth with A2DP support, microUSB

Battery
Up to 20 hours

Dimensions, weight
225x87 mm, 925 g

For those that want to know more:

Overview of Ultimate Ears Megaboom: 360 degrees of powerful sound in a secure case
Overview of moisture-proof wireless speakers Logitech UE Boom
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