Back in July of 2014, a speaker came out that changed the style I thought of Bluetooth speakers: the Ultimate Ears Boom. At the fourth dimension — and for many months after — this speaker was the benchmark by which all others were judged. And then came the MEGABOOM, a damn-near double sized Nail. Again, benchmark-quality stuff. The Ringlet is the smallest entry from Ultimate Ears, only that didn't stop it from as well beingness incredible. Needless to say, Ultimate Ears has been putting out some of my favorite speakers over the concluding two years.Then JBL came along and changed the game over again. I recently reviewed the Xtreme and Flip 3, both of which blew my heed in a way that I haven't experienced since the original Nail. This raised the bar even higher for the BOOM 2 — non only does it take to improve on its predecessor, but it also has to compete with the Flip 3, which costs half every bit much, and Charge 2+, which is all the same $70 cheaper than the BOOM 2 (and an incredible speaker).Unfortunately, every king gets dethroned eventually.

Appearance and Features

wm_IMG_6917

To put it simply, the BOOM 2 looks basically identical to the original Blast. There are a few differences here and there — mostly things that are also found on the MEGABOOM — but nothing really out of the ordinary or that stands out.

Really, the Nail 2 is just a small MEGABOOM. And the MEGABOOM is just a large BOOM.

It's got the same cylindrical pattern that makes the BOOM speakers what they are, allowing for 360 degrees of sound. The ability and Bluetooth buttons are all the same on the top, and the oversized volume controls are all the same on the "front" of the speaker. The bottom houses the microUSB charging port, auxiliary-in, and clip/tripod mount. The biggest difference here compared to the original BOOM is that there'due south a rubber comprehend on the USB and aux ports — a waterproofing feature that we first saw on the MEGABOOM. So, really, the BOOM ii is only a small MEGABOOM. And the MEGABOOM is merely a big BOOM. Everything comes full circumvolve.

UE didn't keep everything the same, yet; it as well had a few tricks upwardly its sleeve for the Nail 2. My biggest complaint about the BOOM speakers has historically been the lack of rail controls. While I get that non anybody cares about this, I always adopt the option of being able to control the music from my phone and the speaker — information technology just makes sense to me. Instead of cluttering the Blast 2's simplistic blueprint with more buttons, nevertheless, UE went another direction to add together this feature to the speaker: gestures. Really, it'south pretty damn sweet.

These gestures are stupid-unproblematic to utilize, too: pick up the speaker (yeah, information technology has to be in your hand before this will work) and tap the pinnacle to pause the music. Tap information technology again to play. Tap it twice to skip to the next track. Information technology's brilliantly simplistic, and I love it. Oh, the newest update pushed out by UE — the one that brought Block Party mode — also brings these intuitive gesture controls to MEGABOOM. If y'all have a MB and haven't updated it yet, you probably should.

Equally far as boosted features are concerned, it's difficult to ignore the UE BOOM app. Out of all the Bluetooth speakers I've tested (which is a lot), UE easily has the best app support. The BOOM app is a huge role of the value in this speaker, because information technology's not merely how the speaker receives updates, but also brings a slew of boosted functionality. About notable here is the equalizer, which modifies the speaker's internal EQ to the listener's liking — there are a few preset options or everything can be manually dialed in. No other speaker that I've used allows this sort of customization.

This is also where some of the more than "avant-garde" features of the Nail are found, like the option to utilise information technology as an alarm clock. Thanks to Bluetooth Smart, the telephone that's paired upwards with the Blast will be able to plough information technology on over Bluetooth and automatically kickoff playing whatsoever music is pre-prepare to be used equally the alarm. Information technology's pretty sugariness. The main downside here is that it's non very configurable — you tin only fix the alert to ring the adjacent mean solar day or every day, nothing in between. It would exist nice to be able to set multiple alarms for multiple days, but I estimate that'southward what the alarm clock on your phone is already for, eh?

Lastly, at that place'due south Double Up way. This allows two uniform speakers — anything from the Blast line (including the ROLL) will piece of work together — to be paired together for stereo sound. While I don't quite wait anyone to buy two UE speakers just for this feature, it's pretty neat if y'all happen to have two speakers or have a friend who also has a UE speaker.

Audio Quality

wm_IMG_6923

As I've already said, Ultimate Ears has ever been one of my favorite speaker companies. I feel similar it near single-handedly changed the entire Bluetooth speaker market for the amend with the original Blast. Every company after had to try to match what no one else before it was able to practise. That's the very definition of a game-changer to me. Then here we are, some two and a half years later with that speaker's successor.

This speaker is more than defined by its features than sound quality.

And then, does the Smash 2 sound meliorate than the original BOOM? Yes. By a large margin? Yes. It does sound quite practiced in its own right — very articulate and clear, with decent low end. Just all in all, I feel like this speaker is more defined by its features than audio quality, which is a bit interesting. The BOOM two has features other speakers are lacking — more often than not in the app — but for the first fourth dimension always, it'south second place in the sound department. Much like the JBL Xtreme took the crown for best big speaker in the $300 range (over the MEGABOOM), the JBL Charge ii+ and Flip three are easily the speakers to beat when information technology comes to sound…especially for the price. And to be completely blunt, the Boom ii merely doesn't do it.

Don't become me wrong — it sounds proficient. Really skillful. It has fantabulous residuum, pristine highs, and is incredibly clear. For all intents and purposes, this is a nifty-sounding speaker. Merely then we have to look at the toll yous pay for that sound ($200) and compare it to the competition. The Charge 2+ is $130; the Flip 3 is $99. And they both sound ameliorate than the BOOM two. So, for half the price (or a chip more than), you lot tin get a waterproof speaker that sounds better. While none of the JBL offerings take the app back up or characteristic set up of the Nail two, they both sound better. Plainly and elementary.

The competition would definitely be a lot tighter if UE released the BOOM 2 at even $150.

Determination

wm_IMG_6912

JBL'due south recent entries into the market are simply incommunicable to ignore.

Ultimate Ears makes bully speakers, and the Nail 2 is no different. It's a great speaker — it's just no longer the all-time option. JBL'south recent entries into the marketplace are simply impossible to ignore, especially for the price. Of grade, the BOOM ii is a solid second pick, and probably the all-time one if for some reason yous just tin't stand the idea of buying JBL. The app support is fantastic, and UE has proven on multiple occasions that it's committed to bringing new features to its speakers, which is something that I can't say for any other company that I've reviewed.

Then, if sound quality takes a second seat to features, time to come updates, and a companion app, the BOOM two is probably your all-time bet. But if you want a speaker for the core of what it's designed for, so you absolutely tin't go wrong with the new JBL stuff.

JBL be like...

Buy: Amazon

For those curious, I ever use the same playlist when testing speakers. If yous're interested in checking it out, you can find it on Google Play music. I generally also take one or two albums I tin't stop listening to with each new speaker. For the Boom 2, I actually simply concluded upwardly jamming Sick Nino Radio on Pandora.