Those who enjoy music in the elements don’t want to have to worry about pesky little things like mud, snow, and sand messing with their wireless mobile speakers. Ultimate Ears continues to make life easier for adventurous music lovers with the launch of its latest Bluetooth speaker, the UE Boom 2. A follow-up to 2013’s UE Boom, the new “anywhere-you-go-proof” device is louder, more durable, and has a longer wireless range and innovative new controls.
Like its siblings, the Megaboom and the Roll, the Boom 2 features a rugged design that can weather water, mud, and even some serious daily abuse. The water bottle-sized speaker is not only waterproof, it’s designed to withstand falls from up to five feet high, making it perfect to bring along on all of your adventures, whether that be rafting down a river or cycling down a trail. And at $200, the new speaker also hits the sweet spot in UE’s new all-terrain lineup, set nicely between the $100 Roll, and the $300 Mega Boom, all of which can stand up to the elements in almost any setting.
Thanks to a 15-hour battery runtime, the Boom 2 provides long-lasting entertainment. Like its predecessor, the new device also touts 360-degree sound, but the Boom 2 is 25 percent louder. If that’s still not enough volume for you, you can pair it with any other Ultimate Ears speaker to double the sound.
Another way the Boom 2 dials things up is with its longer wireless range. The Bluetooth range is now twice as long as the first Boom, allowing the speaker to receive signal up to 100 feet away from your source device. The speaker can also be turned on remotely through your phone — something unique to UE’s specialized app (available for iOS and Android) — and both your phone or a new tap control can be used to change the song. The app also makes the speaker capable of serving as your alarm, waking you up with your favorite music.
The new UE BOOM 2, which comes in six new colors, is expected to become available in the U.S. and parts of Europe and Asia later this month at $200.
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