Ultimate Ears BOOM 2 Speaker Review

While the sounds of nature are relaxing and peaceful, sometimes we all crave the sweet sounds of our favorite tunes while on an adventure. I made it my mission to find a speaker that can bring the party, but also comfort me when it’s a little too quiet. After some serious research, I landed on the Ultimate Ears (UE) Boom 2 and was not disappointed.

If you’re a water sport enthusiast like myself, waterproof technology is everything. My previous speaker companion that accompanied me on kayak fishing trips lacked the indispensable waterproof feature the UE Boom 2 possesses. I found myself mildly panicking whenever I felt a raindrop – I’d have to wrap the vulnerable speaker in a plastic bag, say goodbye to my music, and place it safely into a backpack. On the contrary, the UE Boom 2 can be fully submerged in water for up to 30 minutes, so a little rain won’t put you in a plight.

The waterproof feature would be nothing without optimal clarity and volume, and fortunately, Ultimate Ears delivers on that basis as well. I am not an owner of the Ultimate Ears Boom 2’s predecessor, the Boom, but word on the street is there have been significant enhancements regarding sound quality since that model was released. Although the UE Boom 2 is compact, it does not sacrifice sound quality. The 360-degree sound delivers top-notch volume, and if you are looking for something that can get even louder, you might want to try the Megaboom. Not only does the UE Boom 2’s small size and lightweight construction make it easy to transport, it also conveniently fits into any standard-size cup holder!

The Ultimate Ears Boom 2 can be fully submerged in water for up to 30 minutes. (Emily Cahalan photo)

The speaker’s durability is also worth noting. I’ve dropped it countless times, and like a cat with nine lives, it is impressively resilient. You can drop it from 5 feet high, over and over again, and the structure and quality will remain remarkably unaffected. Although this speaker is suitable for most environments, it’s apparent it was designed with the rugged outdoorsman in mind. You could drop it on the ground, roll it in mud, then hose it down, and it would still work like new.

As with any Bluetooth speaker, make sure you have music downloaded to your device if travelling to a remote area. Hook your smartphone or tablet up to the Bluetooth or with an aux cord. No need to worry about battery life, because this bad boy can play for 15 hours straight.

Additional features:

• Tap the top of the speaker to play, pause or skip songs
• Sync it up with a friend’s Boom 2 with the Boom 2 app to double the volume
• System requirements: Smartphones, tablets and other devices that support Bluetooth and Bluetooth Smart wireless audio profile (A2DP) or 3.5 mm audio input
• Two-year limited hardware warranty
• Five color options, not including the limited edition “Second Street” collection

Overall, if you’re looking for a speaker for to use on your kayak fishing trip or at a campsite party with friends, I’d recommend the Ultimate Ears Boom 2. This device retails at $129.99+tax.

For more information on the Ultimate Ears Boom 2 and other available speaker products, visit UltimateEars.com.

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