The Ultimate Ears Everboom has captured attention as one of the best portable speakers for outdoor use. In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at its design, features, sound quality, and how it stacks up against competitors. Whether you’re planning a beach day, camping trip, or backyard barbecue, this speaker has a lot to offer in terms of durability, sound performance, and ease of use.
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Key Takeaways
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Design & Build | Waterproof (IP67), floatable, durable, 360-degree sound |
| Battery Life | 20 hours on a single charge |
| Outdoor Performance | Outdoor Boost feature for better sound projection |
| Portability | Lightweight, clip-on loop for easy carrying |
| Sound Quality | Loud, clear highs, but lacking mid-range clarity |
| Price | Mid-range, competitive with similar portable speakers |
Design and Build Quality
One of the standout features of the Ultimate Ears Everboom is its rugged design, which is ideal for adventurous users.
The speaker is IP67-rated waterproof, meaning it can be submerged in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes without issue. Additionally, it’s dustproof and floatable, making it perfect for outdoor activities near water, like camping by the lake or poolside parties.
Its compact size and lightweight design, paired with a convenient loop for attaching a carabiner, make it easy to carry on the go.
In terms of design, the Everboom follows the classic Ultimate Ears style—an oval shape with the iconic large “+” and “-” buttons for volume control on the front. The top of the speaker houses the essential controls: power, Bluetooth pairing, Outdoor Boost, and play/pause.
UE’s simplistic, durable design philosophy continues here, ensuring you get a speaker that’s both functional and visually appealing for outdoor settings.
Features
The Ultimate Ears Everboom packs a variety of features that make it a reliable companion for outdoor adventures:
- 20 Hours of Battery Life: One of the Everboom’s strongest selling points is its impressive battery life. Ultimate Ears promises up to 20 hours on a single charge, and in tests, the speaker often exceeds that under normal listening conditions. Even with extended use, the battery holds strong, making it suitable for full-day outings.
- Outdoor Boost Mode: Designed specifically for outdoor environments, the Outdoor Boost mode enhances the sound projection by increasing volume and adjusting the EQ. While the boost only raises volume by about 1 dB, the change is noticeable in open spaces, helping to overcome typical sound dispersion issues that plague Bluetooth speakers in outdoor settings.
- Ultimate Ears App: Through the UE app, users can further customize their listening experience. The app offers EQ presets like Bass Boost and allows users to pair multiple Ultimate Ears speakers via the PartyUp mode for a surround-sound experience.
- Durability and Portability: At just over one pound, the Everboom is lightweight enough to be clipped onto a backpack or belt using a carabiner. The speaker is designed to endure the elements, whether you’re hiking through the wilderness or hosting an outdoor gathering in unpredictable weather.
Sound Quality
When it comes to sound quality, the Ultimate Ears Everboom delivers a 360-degree sound experience, ensuring everyone around the speaker enjoys consistent audio performance. The driver arrangement is set up to beam sound evenly in all directions, making it ideal for social gatherings where people are scattered around the speaker.
That said, some limitations become apparent in sound fidelity. The Everboom has been criticized for favoring volume over clarity, especially in the mid-range frequencies.
Highs are crisp and bass is powerful, but the lack of mid-range detail can make some genres, such as bluegrass or orchestral music, sound compressed or lacking in depth. For example, while bass-heavy genres like electronic music perform well, more nuanced tunes from bands like Phantogram or Nickel Creek can sound underwhelming.
On the other hand, the Bass Boost EQ preset adds a decent punch to the low-end frequencies without muddying the audio. This can be especially helpful for genres like rock or hip-hop, but users seeking a more balanced, dynamic sound may feel that the mids are lacking. The Outdoor Boost feature helps with outdoor sound projection, but it doesn’t necessarily improve clarity.
Battery Life and Charging
The Everboom’s 20-hour battery life is one of its strongest features, especially for users who need a speaker that can last through long days of activities without needing a recharge.
In typical use cases—playing music at around 40% volume—the speaker can last well over the advertised time. When running at higher volumes or with Outdoor Boost enabled, the battery performance is still respectable, making it a top choice for extended outdoor adventures.
Charging is handled via USB-C, a convenient and modern standard that ensures quicker charging times and better durability. Additionally, the battery indicator on the top of the speaker or through the UE app makes it easy to keep track of power levels.
Comparison with Competitors
When comparing the Ultimate Ears Everboom to its competitors, such as Marshall Middleton or the Beats Pill, it holds its ground in several key areas:
- Durability: With an IP67 rating, the Everboom is one of the few Bluetooth speakers that’s completely waterproof and can float. Neither Marshall Middleton nor the Beats Pill offers this combination of features, which makes the Everboom a better choice for outdoor use.
- Battery Life: The Everboom’s 20-hour battery surpasses many of its competitors. The Marshall Middleton, for example, also offers a similar battery life, but at a higher price point.
- Sound Quality: While the Everboom offers loud, punchy sound, Marshall Middleton offers better sound clarity and more nuanced EQ controls. The Beats Pill, on the other hand, offers good bass performance but falls short on battery life and water resistance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Ultimate Ears Everboom is a fantastic choice for users who prioritize durability, portability, and battery life. Its rugged build, waterproofing, and 360-degree sound make it an excellent speaker for outdoor adventures. However, if sound clarity and mid-range depth are your top priorities, there are other options, such as the Marshall Middleton, which may suit you better.
The Outdoor Boost and Bass Boost feature enhance the speaker’s outdoor performance, but the overall sound experience may feel somewhat limited for audiophiles. Nonetheless, the Everboom provides great value for its price, especially for adventurers looking for a reliable, durable speaker that can handle the elements.
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