Ultimate Ears - Boom 2

Boom 2 at Costco for $99. Absolutely love mine, loud, clear sound and killer bass. 5 stars.

Very happy with the UE Boom 2 for 10 years but replaced by the Bose SoundLink Flex 2 which delivers very pleasant sound (if you lower the bass a notch with the 3-band equalizer) and a small Xiaomi Sound Pocket 5w for less than €20, very satisfactory for my electric scooter 🛴

I find it hard to say bad things about one or the other. I've always liked the neutrality, spaciousness and lack of distortion of the UE Boom 2. The Bose SoundLink Flex is characterized by a very rich sound, including the bass (which in my opinion should be lowered a notch in the equalizer as already mentioned in a previous comment). Still, listening to Pink Floyd's "The Wall" on it for example is pure joy, even at high volume...It almost feels like you have hi-fi speakers in the room, it's very impressive compared to the size of the speaker. Its main fault is its very weak autonomy, we end up using it almost always plugged in but what a sound! Very pleasant (but the EU was far from unpleasant but only more neutral, therefore less flattering) That's basically my opinion 🤗

I took the boom 2 last year (gave it to a friend in Jamaica when I left) it just wasn’t nearly as loud as I was hoping. The year before I took the Tribit Stormbox, but it was almost too large to take, and I ended up leaving it with someone because I was afraid JA TSA was gonna say it’s too big for return trip (plus we were bringing home a rescue dog) I loved the sound and quality from it but was bigger and heavier than I’d hoped. Wish there was something in the middle.

The UE boom 2 isn’t as difficult to carry as you’ve opined. Used it for over a decade, went everywhere with me including the beach since it is quite versatile and rugged in build quality. I’d not recommend getting a smaller one as the sound quality usually gets worse.

I have a UE Boom from 2015 that I still use multiple times a month as well. It does not seem like something that would last a decade. Super cool.

Boom 2 would suffice and very portable. I envy it for its power in a small form factor. It was too expensive here(soundcore here are expensive and no discounts) on my end so ended up with the blast for 190 usd https://preview.redd.it/58zwcu7au23e1.jpeg?width=4624&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7817f567375012181a1cdc8149ae95496ea471de

They’re great. (Soundcore Motion 300 & Boom 2). The 300 I mainly use for showering.

Question, which is better the Boom 2 or Uboom X? I have 2 pairs of Boom 2s, but I wonder if the Uboom X is better.

Yeah, the Uboom X is much larger and have better edge at bass and probably overall sounds Tage, prices are similar, the Boom being slightly cheaper, more portable with lights and powering feature. I guess the difference is not that much. I'll keep my Boom 2s, until the Stormbox Lava receives an update.

Agreed. I've had the UE Boom 2 for almost 10 years, it's been on the beach, in the mountains, in blistering sun and pouring rain - works perfectly and even strong enough to be used as a house party speaker.

I’ve had a UE Boom 2 since probably 2018 and it’s been great. I had a Best Buy warranty on it the first two years and I was super rough with it hoping it would break and I could get a new one for free but it held on. I would just chunk it across the room and wash it off in a bucket and it took it like a champ.

I have two Boom 2's and a MegaBoom and none of them compare to my Stormbox Blast. Even when they're linked up. The Booms are a bummer these days.

You will struggle to get better value for money than the boom 2 if volume is your biggest criteria

I have both, the Uboom X is a different class of speaker. Boom 2 wins for portability, weight, casual listening. Uboom X is a party speaker in many ways. It competes with the JBL Xtreme. It weighs 2.5x the boom 2 and is larger in size. They both are great, but for different reasons. I am not sure, but I would guess the Uboom X would outperform two boom 2s. With the Oluv EQs, the earfun stock EQs are trash.

The 3.6lb Boom 2 is easy to toss in a bag and will cover 20 people indoors. The little tribit Micro is more of a personal & podcast speaker. For outdoors the 9lb Earfun Uboom X or heavier Tribit Blast & Wking x20 are going to better for 20 people partying.

For a sec I thought you were talking about the UE boom 2 (which all things considered isn't that bad of a speaker)

Yeah obviously lol. The UE boom 2 is nearly 10 years old

Appreciate you taking the time to do this. I just ordered a boom 2 since my UE MEGABLAST froze and won’t turn on. Don’t feel like spending so much money on the megaboom right now

Just pulled a Boom 2 out of the attic, it’s been there for years and total almost 11 years old I think. Thing still holds a charge, dropped in a pool and it’s sounding good :)

Micro 2, boom 2, uboom x, tribit stormbox blast, xiaomi sound outdoor, motion 300 are the best up to 150$. But the xiaomi is the smallest and the size might be a factor here, then 2x xiaomi sound outdoor in stereo mode, those things are very nicely build and also have a nice sound curve, similar to flip 6 but without this harshness and with deeper bass. And the xiaomi is like 50$ which is insane

Out of here i would go with charge, but if you want to have a bigger bass in still portable form i would get boom 2, the rest of the speakers are meh

Saw you got the boom 2 , best dollar for speaker out there! Definitely use the eq setting to adjust to your liking, then if you want more bass and soundstage get another and pair them up!

I have soundlink mini, 2x soundcore 3i in tws for beach, and soundlink max. For you I’d say hop in a store and try some on! The bose flex or boom 2 seem a good fit, abit of background music and left out in the rain no problem. I Listened to a boom 2 during a bbq this past weekend, and it held up just fine for the event it was even on the grass and did just fine. I have seen Bose flex recommended in pairs, so getting one with the option to get another later isn’t a bad idea. Pairing each time is a little work though. Listened to the charge 6 it really packed good punch, the Bose max also good in smaller areas but those could be too loud for your use. My soundcore 3i I use eq to make bass heavy also might be too much sound for your use. I did not like the ult sounds as much but maybe you would if you go listen to them in person. GL!

Does anyone know how these compare to UE boom 2? It's the only reference point I have and I'm very happy with the UE.

Boom 2 for outdoors and its only like 100 bucks

UE Boom is my favorite speaker. I’ve owned version 2 and now 4. It gets much louder than JBL flip, battery lasts forever and it’s very resistant, not to mention the fact that it stands vertically is perfect when taking it to the beach. I’m not picky with bass or other stuff, I just want good and loud sound for outdoors.

while checking out the boom 2, I also came across the boom 2 plus. how would the boom 2 plus compare with uboom?

yea i really like the size of the boom 2 and most reviews compliment the sound and bass

Are you talking about the max? If so that's a pretty innacurate and false perspective of this speaker. I had if for half a year now and it sounds the best at lowet volumes, it sounds the best when you're listening on axis in front of it, the lack of mic is not a big deal for most people. A pool speaker would be a boom 2, but hell nah the bose soundlink max has a great tuning for indoor listening so that's hogwash mate. X600 is funny to even mention, a speaker that has the most aggressive marketing by soundcore, the saptial mode is more than terrible for those who understand sound, and distorts with bass heavy recordings at higher volumes. The voice response of the battery and welcome tones are unique, and by the way can be turned off for those who don't like it. I own over 40 speakers, x600 is one of them, and hell no the x600 will be returned soon.

We were talking about the max, not the flex. And bose soundlink max wipes the floor with the x600. Boom 2 is a different conversation. The boom 2 is a cheaper speaker than the x600 but it's funny how well it competes against the max.

Well the boom 2 is still a better speaker. They tried to make something more premium, but ended up having a worse speaker than the cheaper one they made.

Boom 2 is great value, pretty ez to take on the go and you don't lose much when something happens to it

I know. The Tribit Lava is $130. But after the early bird discount is $100. It has better low Bass rumble than Boom 2 which is also at $100. There are many speakers with good bass. But there aren't many with that Low Bass Rumble

I think the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 would be a good option. It's about $50 right now on amazon and is waterproof and small enough to prop up next to your soaps and such. It's also tiny and versatile as a general travel/activity speaker. If you don't mind setting the speaker on the floor, the larger speakers suggested in the other comments would be fine, but I personally would get tired of crouching over all the time to adjust the speaker down there. The JBL is fine, if not a bit overpriced for what you get, and the Boom 2 is great, but oversized for your use case in my opinion.

Boom 2 or Boom V2 if you have access to Costco. Small enough to be backpacked, while loud enough for small parties. This might still be too large for biking unless it’s inside the backpack. For biking, I would recommend the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2. It floats around $50.

Boom 2 or Boom V2 if you have access to Costco. Small enough to be backpacked, while loud enough for small parties. This might still be too large for biking unless it’s inside the backpack. For biking, I would recommend the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2. It floats around $50.

Brane x for a speaker that can give all the music. The boom 2 is good for on the go use because it has lots of bass and a good eq. The earfun uboom x is probably going to sound the best, it has an eq and is tuned to be neutral sounding Tribit just came put with their lava speaker, it seems to be better than the xtreme 4 for less than half the price

How portable does it have to be ? If you’re looking to spend under $200ish I think the uboom x is damn near unbeatable in terms of bass and overall sound quality. From personal experience I can tell you it‘s quite a bit better than the boom 2.

Haha, well, I’m sure plenty of people enjoy the UE Boom series. Personally, though, I’m not a fan of the driver layout. I find that directional speakers offer a more enjoyable listening experience, instead of having the left and right channels fired in opposite directions away from my ears for "360 degree sound".

First time I used my UE Boom was at the beach. My idiot self put it on a little side table next to the ocean while we played in the shore break and wouldn't you know a wave came and gave it a bath. Sound stopped and I ran to grab the thing thinking it was toast only for the music to continue once it wasn't submerged anymore. Tstill have it almost a decade later and it still works great. I guess they really are water resistant

Given that the battery on any of them will die at some point, and cannot be replaced, are any of these really BIFL? That being said, if you’re just looking for a recommendation, I have a UE Boom that’s been going strong for at least 12 years, maybe even 15, as well as a Marshall branded speaker that is nearly as old. Both sound great, but I’d give the edge to the UE for sound quality to the UE, and the edge for simplicity and connectivity to the Marshall. UE is also waterproof where the Marshall is not. But to caveat my caveat, I have no idea if either of these is still made by a) the same manufacturer, or b) to the same standards, and would frankly expect that they aren’t and that the new ones you buy only share branding, and are probably inferior, since that’s the way nearly everything has gone

Yesss I’ve had my first one for 10 years, second for 7ish, and they’re stellar. The app is great too

I’m 10 and 7 years on my two booms respectively

Been using the Ultimate Ears Boom for a while now and they’ve been great! Got a second the a bigger one because of how much I liked them.

I'm not sure what exactly you mean by "high quality" - If you are referring to the quality of the speaker itself as well as the sound quality, I would recommend BOOM from ultimate ears (Logitech, Swiss). I've literally thrown it down 2 floors and it survived, the sound quality is by no means bad either.

For the small portable my affections are always with Bose. Some of my favorite speakers for sound stage, portability, and loud reaching well made BT speakers in super portable, easy to handle packages. I have three of their BT speakers and they really perform. As I get less portable, I stumbled into one not on your list — Logitech’s Ultimate Ears brand — which has some smaller BT speakers as well. They’re really well made and they double down on putting resources into the simple features I care about most (sync, app, weatherproofing etc).