The UE Epicboom is a powerful new portable speaker for $350

 It offers powerful sound, USB-C charging and 17 hours of battery life.

The UE Epicboom is a powerful new portable speaker for $350

Ultimate Ears (UE) has unveiled its latest robust portable Bluetooth speaker, marking a return to form after a brief hiatus. The newly introduced Epicboom effectively bridges the gap between the older cylindrical UE models and the colossal Hyperboom. Continuing UE's tradition of ruggedness and water-resistance, the Epicboom stands out with its chunkier design compared to its lineup peers.

Priced at $350 and available for purchase starting today, the Epicboom brings UE enthusiasts the familiar 360-degree sound experience in a slightly larger package. While it's noticeably more substantial, about twice the width of the popular Megaboom 3 from a few years ago, it still maintains its portability, a feature missing in the 2021 Hyperboom. In this size and form factor, it's poised to compete with the recently released Sonos Move 2.

The expanded design accommodates significant improvements in sound and technology. Most notably, the Epicboom introduces USB-C charging support and reintroduces NFC connectivity to UE's lineup, simplifying device pairing for audio playback. Like the entire Boom family, the Epicboom boasts 360-degree sound projection, but its larger internal architecture enhances acoustics.

Equipped with two 1.5-inch active mid-high transducers, front and rear passive radiators, and a sizable 4.6-inch woofer coupled with adaptive EQ tuning, the Epicboom ensures every musical nuance and drumbeat is faithfully reproduced. Distinguishing it from older models, the Epicboom shares UE's adaptive mode feature with the Hyperboom. This innovative functionality uses built-in microphones to monitor ambient sounds, speaker output, and more, delivering an optimized audio experience.

However, the increased sound capabilities and larger woofers do affect battery life. Ultimate Ears specifies that the Epicboom provides approximately 17 hours of usage on a single charge, which is still commendable but falls short compared to some of its stablemates. However, the actual battery life may vary based on volume levels, making it more than sufficient for a day at the lake.

Speaking of lakeside adventures, the Epicboom boasts an IP67 rating, making it impervious to water and dust, and it even floats if accidentally immersed in water. You can enjoy your music worry-free anywhere. Additionally, a built-in handle on the rear adds convenience. Like all UE speakers, you can pair two Epicboom units for stereo sound, enabling synchronized playback of the same audio source. Set them up on either side of the pool, and you're ready to go. This also includes the flexibility to mix and match different Boom models.

Ultimate Ears proudly dubs the Epicboom as one of its most impressive speakers to date, aptly justifying its name. While it outshines the Megaboom 3 in terms of size and specifications, it does come with a higher price tag. The all-new Ultimate Ears Epicboom is available now for $349 or can be found at participating retailers, such as Best Buy, starting September 22nd.