Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 Wireless Speaker, Deep Bass, 360 ° Surround Sound, Waterproof, 2 Speaker Connection for Powerful Sound, 13h Battery, Black

Product Information

The only visible indication of battery life occurs when the small LED on top of the speaker turns red with low battery. What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence. Both speakers have a power on/off noise which is somewhat annoying. During testing, I never figured out whether this could be muted. It isn’t anything worth worrying about, but it is noteworthy because it could drive some people crazy. Other elements of the design are oh-so-familiar: there’s the stretchy rubber loop for hanging the speaker and the IP67 rating means the speaker is ultra-durable. Not only is it waterproof and can survive dust, sand and being dunked in water, but it will also float just like previous Wonderbooms.

Wonderboom 3 review - What Hi-Fi? Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 review - What Hi-Fi?

In crowded environments like house parties, the speakers hold up reasonably well, but don’t expect them to compete with larger, more powerful sound systems. They’re loud enough to be heard over a crowd, but the sound can become distorted at higher volumes. It’s important to remember that these are still compact, portable speakers and their performance should be evaluated with that context in mind.We've had the pleasure of the Wonderboom 2's company of late, so watch this space for our imminent review... Wonderboom 2 is able to wirelessly pair with another Wonderboom or Wonderboom 2. Wonderboom 3, on the other hand, can only pair with another Wonderboom 3. So, there isn’t any way to connect a Wonderboom 2 and 3 together. Unfortunately, no. The Wonderboom 3 can only pair with another Wonderboom 3, while the Wonderboom 2 can pair with another Wonderboom 2 or another Wonderboom.

Wonderboom 2 (English - 4 pages) User manual Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 (English - 4 pages)

The Wonderboom 3 offers Fast Pairing for Android devices, a slightly improved battery life, and a more eco-friendly design with 31% recycled plastic. The sound quality, however, remains identical to its predecessor. Is it possible to pair a Wonderboom 2 with a Wonderboom 3? I wouldn’t consider the Wonderboom a “party speaker,” but there is a definite focus on bass over mids. Vocals sound good but not great, and there is a tinny quality to the mids. The chord loop on the top of the Wonderboom 2 is now flat and slightly stretchier, too, with a little rubber slider in the middle which takes care of branding. That unmistakable yellow charger is sadly gone, in favour of a white cable, but it's still of the micro-USB variety.Other features that have rolled over from the Wonderboom 2 include Outdoor Boost mode (this reduces the bass frequencies so highs and mids can be heard more loudly outside) and Double Up (which pairs two Wonderboom 3s in mono or stereo modes for bigger sound). The design on the top of the speaker has been tweaked too. A central circular button where the branding used to be allows you to pair two Wonderboom 2s. This was a feature of the original Wonderboom, but the upgrade here is that long-pressing said buttons on two of the new speakers will pair them in stereo mode. You can pair the Wonderboom 2 with a Wonderboom - but only in mono. There doesn’t seem to be a noticeable difference in sound quality between the two speakers, even in side-by-side testing. What are the improvements in Wonderboom 3 over Wonderboom 2? We’ve been using the Wonderboom 3 in various spaces – bathroom, kitchen, home office, garden – alongside our dedicated test rooms, and we never found it sounded too boomy or too bright.

UE Wonderboom 2 review: long battery, extra bass | What Hi-Fi?

While sound quality is often tested in ideal conditions, it’s important to consider how the Wonderboom speakers perform in various real-world environments. From outdoor picnics to house parties and quiet indoor sessions, the use of these portable speakers isn’t limited to just one setting. Where Ultimate Ears has made a big fuss with this new speaker is the use of more environmentally friendly materials. The Wonderboom 3 uses “a minimum of” 31% post-consumer recycled plastic (i.e. plastic sourced from end-of-life electronics). The nod towards sustainability is always good to see, and it’s to UE’s credit that the speaker’s build quality is still of a high standard. Rather than having to manually pair the speaker at start-up, the Wonderboom 3 basically automates the process. Most importantly, I didn’t hear any difference in sound quality or maximum volume between the two speakers.

Neither speaker has a power bank for charging a phone. And, as stated above, both use micro USB charging. This leaner character doesn’t sharpen any edges; it just shines a light on the treble, laying bare more high-frequency notes than the previous model. Some might prefer a more full-bodied presentation to their songs, especially with voices – Lizzo’s vocals on Truth Hurts sound fuller and richer through the older Wonderboom 2, for instance. But that new extra helping of detail and clarity is appreciated, with the Wonderboom 2 sounding a tad boomy and congested in comparison to Wonderboom 3’s snappier, roomier presentation.

UE WONDERBOOM 2 review - SoundGuys

Neither Wonderboom version discloses specifics about the size of the battery. However, the Wonderboom 2 is rated for 13 hours of use, while Wonderboom 3 improves on this slightly with a 14 hour rating. The design of the two speakers is nearly identical. The only difference is that the Wonderboom 3 has a more eco-friendly design, using 31% recycled plastic. The fabric speaker cover also has a slightly changed feel, with the new version having a rougher, more course feel. During side-by-side testing, nothing really stood out. Both speakers have punchy bass and a wide, three-dimensional sound that most portable speakers can’t compete with. Again, this Fast Pairing only works with Android devices — so anyone with an iPhone will still have to manually pair the speaker.

Both versions of the Wonderboom are perfect for anyone seeking immersive audio and a wide soundstage.