Ultimate Ears Intros UE MEGABOOM: A Bigger, Better, Bolder Portable Speaker

Ultimate Ears, the company behind the insanely successful UE BOOM portable Bluetooth speaker it introduced a little over a year ago, has finally released its third next-generation portable speaker with a design so familiar you'll probably have deju vu. The UE MEGABOOM is Ultimate Ears' thumpier sounding and longer-lasting portable speaker that just so happens to look identical to its now somewhat smaller brother – the UE BOOM. Not that we're complaining. We actually think the UE BOOM's ultra-durable design is one of the best around. And although the UE MEGABOOM features the same durable waterproof cylindrical design covered in rubber and a stain-resistant acoustic nylon mesh skin, as well as the same amazing immersive 360-degree audio output, it does have a few significant improvements over the UE BOOM model like longer wireless Bluetooth range of up to 100ft (compared to 50ft), extended 20-hour battery life (compared to 15-hours), and for the first time the UE MEGABOOM will be able to receive wireless over-the-air firmware updates.

But most importantly, the UE MEGABOOM also features enhanced audio performance thanks to its larger dual 2-inch active drivers and dual 2-inch by 4-inch passive bass radiators promising "deep, heart-pounding bass". This compared to the dual 1.5-inch drivers and dual 2-inch passive bass radiators of the UE BOOM. Our only gripe when we reviewed Ultimate Ears' UE BOOM was that it lacked deep bass and we're very curious to hear how the UE MEGABOOM will fare with its enhanced drivers.

UE MEGABOOM is designed to blast the same freakishly amazing sound to every corner of the party. It's only a party when everyone is having a great time. With dual passive radiators, performance drivers and advanced digital signal processing UE MEGABOOM drives loud, rich, clear and balanced sound that will sound awesome with any playlist.

With a larger internal rechargeable battery and bigger drivers, the UE MEGABOOM isn't mega-big but it is slightly heavier at just under two pounds, an inch taller (8.3-inches) and less than an inch thicker (3.3-inches in diameter) than the UE BOOM. So it still keeps a fairly portable water bottle-like form factor despite that fact. Like the MINI BOOM and UE BOOM speakers, the UE MEGABOOM can be paired to a second UE MEGABOOM OR UE BOOM speaker using Ultimate Ears' Double Up feature via the free iOS/Android app for simultaneous audio streaming to both speakers. It's also NFC-enabled for effortless Bluetooth tap-to-pair.

Priced at $300, $100 more than its smaller doppelganger, the UE MEGABOOM is available right now in four colors: Lava Red, Charcoal Black, Electric Blue and Plum.