The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker is among the most popular and highly recommended portable Bluetooth speakers. Known for its sleek design, impressive audio quality, and rugged features, this speaker delivers powerful performance in various environments. Whether at a party, on a hiking trip, or lounging by the pool, the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 is designed to meet your audio needs with its crystal-clear sound and durability.
In this detailed review, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Ultimate Ears Boom 3, including its features, specifications, design, price, and more. Let’s dive in!
Quick Specs
Here’s a quick overview of the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker:
- Speaker Maximum Output Power: 20 Watts
- Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth
- Audio Output Mode: Surround
- Waterproof Rating: IP67 (Waterproof and dustproof)
- Battery Life: Up to 15 hours of continuous playback
- Charging Type: USB-C (with wireless charging dock available separately)
- Bluetooth Range: 45 meters (150 feet)
- Weight: 608 grams (1.34 lbs)
- Dimensions: 22.5 cm x 8.3 cm x 8.3 cm (8.85 in x 3.27 in x 3.27 in)
Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Release Date
The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 was released in 2018, continuing the legacy of the highly successful Boom series. It improved upon previous models by offering better sound quality, longer battery life, and a more rugged design. Since its release, it has been praised for its durability and performance, making it a popular choice among outdoor enthusiasts and music lovers.
Unboxing the Ultimate Ears Boom 3
When you unbox the Ultimate Ears Boom 3, you’ll find:
- The Boom 3 speaker itself is wrapped in a protective case.
- A USB-C charging cable for quick recharges.
- An informative manual to guide you through the setup process.
The sleek and environmentally friendly packaging ensures your product is well protected during transit.
Design, Display, and Controls
The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 boasts a sleek, compact, cylindrical design. It’s available in multiple colors and is built with durability in mind. The speaker is covered in light-shifting fabric, a two-tone performance textile that is both tough and visually appealing. The fabric is similar to that used in motorcycle jackets and is designed to withstand the rigors of outdoor adventures.
Key Design Features:
- 360-degree sound: The cylindrical shape allows sound to radiate in all directions, ensuring immersive and balanced audio in any environment.
- Rugged Build: With an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating, the Boom 3 is built to withstand harsh conditions. It can be submerged in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes without damage.
- One-Touch Music Control: The Magic Button lets you easily control your music—play, pause, skip, or set custom playlists for your favorite streaming services, such as Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and more.
This combination of durability, style, and sound quality makes the Boom 3 ideal for indoor and outdoor use.
Differences Between Sizes and Variants
While the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 is the most popular option, the brand offers other variations within the Boom and MegaBoom series. Here’s a quick comparison between them:
Ultimate Ears Boom 3 vs. Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3
- Size & Weight: The Boom 3 is smaller and more portable, while the Megaboom 3 is more considerable and produces louder sound.
- Sound Quality: Both models offer excellent sound, but the Megaboom 3 provides a slightly deeper bass and a more powerful output.
- Battery Life: Both speakers offer long-lasting battery life, but the Megaboom 3 typically lasts up to 20 hours on a single charge, compared to 15 hours on the Boom 3.
Ultimate Ears Boom 3 vs. Ultimate Ears Boom 2
- Sound: Boom 3 features an improved sound system, offering more transparent and balanced 360-degree audio.
- Durability: The Boom 3 has a higher waterproof rating (IP67) than the Boom 2’s IPX7.
- Battery Life: The Boom 3 has a longer battery life (15 hours) than the Boom 2 (12 hours).
While both the Boom 3 and Megaboom 3 are fantastic options, the Boom 3 stands out due to its portability and compact form, which allows it to deliver high-quality sound.
Available Colors of Ultimate Ears Boom 3
The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 comes in several vibrant colors, including:
- Night Black
- Ultraviolet Purple
- Lake Blue
- Blossom
- Phantom (a special edition)
These options make it easy for users to choose a speaker that matches their style or preference.
Features of Ultimate Ears Boom 3
The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker has impressive features to deliver exceptional sound and performance. This speaker is not just about portability and ruggedness; it’s about bringing music to life with high-quality audio, advanced technology, and thoughtful design. Below, we’ll break down each of its key features in detail.
360-Degree Sound
One of the standout features of the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 is its 360-degree sound. This design allows sound to radiate evenly in all directions, ensuring that everyone in the room or area experiences the same high-quality audio. The Boom 3’s cylindrical shape helps to disperse sound in a way that is more immersive compared to traditional directional speakers.
- Balanced Sound: The Boom 3 provides clear and well-balanced audio, ensuring crisp and clear highs and lows. This means you won’t miss out on any details in your music, whether it’s a vocal performance or the deep, rumbling bass.
- Consistent Sound at All Volumes: No matter how loud or soft you play your music, the sound remains even and precise. This ensures you can enjoy your music fully without worrying about audio distortion.
Deep, Rich Bass
Unlike many compact portable speakers, the Boom 3 doesn’t sacrifice bass performance for portability. It delivers deep, accurate bass that is rich in texture and true to the original music without exaggerated or distorted tones.
- Bass Clarity: Whether you’re listening to electronic, rock, or hip-hop, the bass on the Boom 3 maintains clarity, providing a full-range sound experience. You won’t feel like the bass is too overbearing or muddy.
- Natural-Sounding Bass: The bass is designed to reflect the actual sound mix of your music. The Boom 3 uses its unique audio processing to ensure that all parts of the audio spectrum—from the treble to the bass—work together harmoniously.
Waterproof and Dustproof (IP67 Rating)
The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 is built for adventure. Its IP67 rating means it is not only waterproof but also dustproof, making it perfect for a variety of outdoor activities.
- Waterproof: The Boom 3 can be fully submerged in water up to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes, meaning you don’t have to worry about rain, splashes, or accidental spills.
- Floats on Water: One of the most unique aspects of Boom 3 is its ability to float on water. So, if you drop it in a pool or lake, you don’t have to panic—it’ll float back to the surface, ready for you to retrieve it.
- Dustproof: Whether you’re hiking in a desert or at the beach, the Boom 3 won’t be affected by dust or sand. The rugged build and sealed design ensure that the internal components stay protected from debris.
15-Hour Battery Life
The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 has a powerful rechargeable battery that can provide up to 15 hours of continuous playback on a single charge. This makes it perfect for all-day outdoor parties, road trips, or camping adventures.
- Long Battery Life: With 15 hours of battery life, you can enjoy extended listening sessions without worrying about your speaker dying halfway through your day. Whether you’re at a picnic, on a hike, or at a barbecue, the Boom 3 can keep the music going for hours.
- Fast Recharge: The Boom 3 uses USB-C charging, faster recharges than older micro-USB models. You can also charge it wirelessly with the Power Up Charging Dock (sold separately), ensuring it’s always ready for your next adventure.
Magic Button for One-Touch Music Control
The Boom 3 introduces the Magic Button, which allows you to control your music directly on the speaker without reaching for your phone.
- Simple Controls: With a simple button press, you can play, pause, skip, and even adjust the volume. The Magic Button simplifies music control, making it easier to manage your playlist without stopping the fun.
- Custom Playlists: For services like Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Deezer, you can set up custom one-touch playlists. This makes accessing your favorite tracks directly from the speaker even easier.
Power Up Charging Dock (Optional)
The Power Up Charging Dock (sold separately) allows you to charge your Ultimate Ears Boom 3 wirelessly. This is a convenient and hassle-free way to ensure your speaker is always fully charged and ready to go.
- Wireless Charging: The Power Up Dock charges the Boom 3 without plugging in any cables, providing a convenient charging experience.
- Compact and Functional: The charging dock has a sleek design and can hold your Boom 3 in place while charging, ensuring you’re always ready for the next time you want to enjoy your music.
PartyUp Feature for Pairing Multiple Speakers
The PartyUp feature is one of the Ultimate Ears Boom 3’s most fun and unique capabilities. It allows you to connect up to 150 speakers to create an immersive sound experience for larger gatherings.
- Create the Ultimate Sound System: Whether hosting a massive outdoor party or attending a festival, you can pair multiple Boom 3 or Megaboom 3 speakers together to create an enormous surround sound experience.
- Cross-Generational Pairing: You can pair your Boom 3 with older models like the Boom 2 and Megaboom 1. This flexibility allows you to expand your audio setup without upgrading to the latest model.
Light-Shifting Fabric
A light-shifting fabric covers the Ultimate Ears Boom 3, giving it a unique, shimmering look. The design team created the fabric to be challenging and beautiful, making the speaker both rugged and stylish.
- Performance Textile: The fabric used is similar to the materials found in motorcycle jackets and fire equipment, meaning it’s tough enough to withstand wear and tear from outdoor use.
- Iridescent Finish: The Boom 3’s fabric comes to life in vibrant, eye-catching colors that change depending on the light, adding a touch of elegance and style to its rugged exterior.
Bluetooth Wireless Connectivity
The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 utilizes Bluetooth connectivity to pair with your devices, making it easy to stream music wirelessly. Bluetooth ensures that you can easily connect your phone, tablet, or laptop to the speaker.
- Wide Range: The Bluetooth connection offers a range of up to 45 meters (150 feet), allowing you to keep your phone or device at a distance while still enjoying uninterrupted audio.
- Multiple Device Pairing: The Boom 3 can pair with various devices, making it easy for you and your friends to take turns controlling the music at parties or gatherings.
Portable Size
The Boom 3 is compact and lightweight, weighing only 608 grams (1.34 lbs) and measuring 22.5 cm x 8.3 cm x 8.3 cm. This makes it easy to carry and take along on your adventures. Its portable design ensures that you don’t sacrifice sound quality for convenience.
- Easy to Carry: Whether you carry it in your backpack or hold it in your hand, the Boom 3’s compact size ensures portability without compromising audio quality.
- Versatile Design: You can easily place the Boom 3 anywhere, from a tabletop to a backpack, making it ideal for travel, outdoor activities, and parties.
Price and Availability
Retailers price the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 between $130 and $150, depending on ongoing promotions. It’s available through various online stores, including Amazon, Best Buy, and the official Ultimate Ears website. For those who want a complete setup, the Power Up charging dock is also available for purchase separately.
Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Comparison
When compared with other Bluetooth speakers in the market, the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 stands out for its rugged design, impressive sound quality, and long battery life. While there are other terrific options, like the JBL Charge 4 and the Bose SoundLink Revolve, the Boom 3 is unique in its ability to deliver balanced sound in a portable, waterproof form.
- JBL Charge 4: Known for its powerful bass, it lacks the 360-degree sound and the waterproof rating of the Boom 3.
- Bose SoundLink Revolve: This device delivers excellent audio quality but is slightly less durable and doesn’t float like the Boom 3.
The Boom 3 delivers sound quality, durability, and portability that few other speakers can match.
Is It Worth Buying the Ultimate Ears Boom 3?
If you’re looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker that combines great sound with exceptional durability and portability, the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 is worth considering. Its waterproof rating, long battery life, and 360-degree sound make it ideal for outdoor activities, parties, or everyday use.
For those looking for high-quality sound in a compact, rugged design, the Boom 3 delivers. Its added benefits of wireless charging, PartyUp capabilities, and easy-to-use music controls ensure that this speaker meets all your needs.
Conclusion
The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker is an excellent choice for a high-quality, durable, portable Bluetooth speaker. Whether you are using it for outdoor adventures or simply enjoying music at home, the Boom 3 promises a superior audio experience with its 360-degree sound, deep bass, and water-resistant design.
The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 is a top contender for music lovers who need a reliable, rugged speaker that performs well in any environment.
