- Product
- Wonderboom 2
- Price
- $79,99
After covering the announcement of UEās Wonderboom 2, I finally got my hands on one. And you know what? Itās an exciting-sounding, portable Bluetooth speaker thatās perfect for summer (and pretty much everything).
First off, UE?
UE, or Ultimate Ears (sigh), are an American audio company owned by Logitech.Ā Iāve been a huge fan of its equipment for some time, especially the UE Boom range.
And if I was going to sum up their hardware? Itād be as āreasonably-priced, well-designed, and exciting-sounding.ā
Soā¦ the Wonderboom 2?
As the name suggests, the Wonderboom 2 is the second device in the Wonderboom range. Basically, itās a small, spherical Bluetooth speaker that hovers around the $100 mark. While not quite entry-level, is aimed at people who donāt want to break the bank when getting a portable speaker that actually sounds good.
Got it. So what features does the Wonderboom 2 have?
A fair number. The company claims:
- 13-hours of battery life (Iāve found this to be pretty accurate ā I wouldāve actually guessed longer than this from my usage)
- A Bluetooth range of 30 meters (its connection is strong enough to cross multiple rooms in my house)
- A IP67 rating, meaning itās waterproof, sandproof, and dustproof (Iāve showeredĀ a lot with the Wonderboom 2 and it still sounds as good as ever. Iāve not tested it in sand, unfortunately)
All of that is pretty standard, but the Wonderboom 2 has a number of other features that are more, well, captivating.
Pray tell, what are these ācaptivatingā features?
Well, the first is the option to ādouble upā Wonderboom 2 speakers so they play music together. This ability has been in UE gear for some time, but the last Wonderboom model could only do this in mono. Now? Wonderboom 2s can do it all in stereo, baby.
Unfortunately I didnāt actually get to test this feature, as I only had a single speaker. But Iāve done it with the UE Boom range in the past, and it worked perfectly ā so I donāt see why itād be different here.
The other exciting update is a button on the base of the Wonderboom 2 called āOutdoor Boost.ā Unsurprisingly, when you press this button, the Bluetooth speakerās sound changes so it can be heard better outdoors. Specifically, when activated, the Wonderboom 2 drops the bass, and increases the mids and trebles.
In a way ā and donāt stop reading here ā the Outdoor Boost function reminds me of phone speakers. Iām sure most of us have experienced being on public transport and hearing someone blast music from their mobile that carries across the whole vehicle. The outdoor mode on the Wonderboom 2 reminds me of this ā a high register that can cut through ambient noise. But, unlike phone speakers, it actually sounds decent.
On the topic of soundā¦
First things first, the Wonderboom 2 isnāt an audiophile piece of hardware ā not that its size, price point, or design suggests that. This isnāt a speaker designed for solitary listening in quiet environments, instead itās meant to be a hardy, go-with-you-everywhere sort of device. And in that respect, it excels.
One of my big points when covering audio equipment is straightforward: does it make me excited about listening to music? The Wonderboom 2 does this with aplomb.
Whether itās the the messy post-punk beats and guitar stabs of Fontaines D.Cās āLiberty Belleā coming through with clarity and depth, or the R&B-tinged folk twangs Faye Websterās āKingstonā sounding rich and luxurious, the Wonderboom 2 makes meĀ wantĀ to play music on it.
Thereās a lovely balance to this speakerās sound, a crispness and a throaty, bassy thrill that doesnāt disperse at higher volumes. For under $100, itās exceptional.
Whoās this for?
Anyone looking for a great portable speaker. Itās that simple. Whether you want something to follow you around the house, or to take to the beach, the Wonderboom 2 is for you.
There are a range of colors, so you can go for something understated or vibrant. Itās tough, so it can be chucked about in your bag. And it sounds great. Once again, UE has pulled it out of the bag. For the price, I couldnāt imagine what else Iād want from a portable Bluetooth speaker.
What if we want something a bit cheaper?
Well, then Iād recommend theĀ Tribit MaxSound, which you can pick up for around $50. Still, Iād suggest putting that extra bit of cash in to get UEās Wonderboom 2. I understand that wonāt be achievable for everyone though and the MaxSound is also a fantastic bit of kit.
Conclude this for me, guy!
Basically, if youāve been on the hunt for your Summer music companion, I canāt recommend the Wonderboom 2 highly enough. Itās well-designed, hardily-made, and sounds great. For the price, you really canāt go wrong.
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