Final Ears has had a reasonably fastened line of audio system for a short while now, but it surely’s ripped that up with the addition of the Epicboom.
It takes its place close to the highest finish of the roster from an influence perspective however appears much more approachable than the large Hyperboom. Here is the way it stacks up.
Final Ears
Final Ears Epicboom
Highly effective sound
The Epicboom does what it says on the tin – it is a new impressively highly effective speaker from Final Ears that is very easy to make use of and sounds nice. That $350 value is a little bit of a problem proper now, although – there are higher choices on the market for the cash.
- Sounds nice
- So rugged
- Easy to make use of
- Feels overpriced
- Bluetooth solely is restrictive
Design
- 162 x 119 x 241mm
- Weighs 2kg
- Out there in black and white
The Epicboom is a tidy bit of labor from UE’s design crew – it seems like a pure match with the model’s different audio system regardless of really being fairly a considerable departure.
Initially out there in just a few colors, that familiarity is clearly largely all the way down to these tell-tale huge plus and minus buttons – the speaker’s quantity controls. They’re so recognisable that Final Ears describes them as mainly a second brand.
These, paired with a largely cloth mesh end, make for a contemporary and tactile construct that works simply as effectively right here because it does on smaller choices just like the Wonderboom 3.
That stated, there is not any getting round the truth that this can be a chunky speaker, one which weighs an honest quantity and is subsequently on the clunkier finish of the transportable spectrum.
UE’s resolution is a pleasant carrying strap that makes it simple to maneuver the Epicboom one-handed. Even smarter is the magnetised finish of this strap, which clicks into place on the speaker when not in use to cease it from impacting the silhouette. It’s a pleasant contact and alleviates that weight fairly considerably.
The highest of the Epicboom homes some controls, together with a brand new button for its out of doors mode, whereas the underside is extra rubbery and has grippiness to make steadying the speaker very easy.
Behind the bottom, there is a weather-proof flap to present entry to the USB-C port for charging, and that weatherproofing is one other typical ace up UE’s sleeve.
With IP67 resistance, the Epicboom is floatable and just about completely waterproof, which makes it very best for out of doors events or gatherings.
The white model I have been testing theoretically has the identical stain resistance as all UE audio system, though I wouldn’t significantly wish to take a look at that intentionally.
A really worthy and spectacular side-note is that Final Ears has stepped up its work on sustainability for the Epicboom, which options completely recycled materials in its mesh, and a majority of recycled plastic in its physique.
Sound high quality
- 2 x45mm mid-high frequency transducers, 1x 120mm woofer
- Customisable EQ
The Epicboom has been given fairly a reputation to dwell as much as, but it surely just about matches that description, with vastly punchy sound.
It’s simply (simply) under the Hyperboom by way of uncooked energy and quantity, however I’m undecided that most individuals would ever actually use it in a approach that felt restricted by noise.
To that finish, stick the Epicboom in any get together or gathering and also you’ve received a one-stop resolution that sounds nice and may fill huge rooms.
Even higher, it’s received a brand new out of doors mode which you can toggle with a button press or within the app to even out its sound and higher go well with open areas with none reverb to depend on.
The sound signature total is acquainted to those that’ve used UE audio system earlier than, simply scaled up a bit – you get a variety of bass and mid-range in your cash, though the power-focused method additionally signifies that the Epicboom just isn’t probably the most detailed speaker available on the market.
It is nice for pop and electro, however regardless of some new EQ modes that cater to quieter materials, you continue to do not essentially wish to depend on it for solo, crucial listening.
Like most of UE’s different Growth audio system, you’ll be able to simply pair the Epicboom with an inventory of others or a second certainly one of itself, to get stereo sound. This is usually a bit bizarre with a a lot smaller speaker however nonetheless splits your sound up properly and provides a bit wider of a soundstage.
Battery life and options
- 17-hour battery life, two-hour charging time
- Bluetooth solely
The Epicboom is a giant speaker, and whereas meaning it might pack in a chunky battery, it additionally hits how lengthy it might really final for.
17 hours is its said life, and I discovered my testing lined up roughly with that, and that sees the Epicboom land about on an excellent par.
This is sufficient to final via mainly any gathering, however should you use the speaker actually frequently you’ll clearly must prime it up.
Fortunately, UE’s fascination with micro USB seems prefer it’s over, with USB-C charging forsaking the fiddly port that it inexplicably nonetheless included within the Wonderboom 3.
On the options aspect, the Epicboom is as easy a $350 or £330 speaker as you are ever going to get – it’s Bluetooth all the way in which.
There’s an NFC tag for fast pairing to Android, however no Wi-Fi connectivity to talk of, that means no AirPlay 2 or Chromecast capabilities.
Unsurprisingly, that is very a lot the Epicbooms best curse and largest blessing abruptly.
On the one hand, it is extremely easy to function and simple to arrange in a approach that the overwhelming majority of customers are actually aware of.
However on the flipside, it does not actually match into a house setup very effectively with out Wi-Fi, and feels prefer it misses out on a bunch of connection choices which might be additionally extensively acquainted by now.
Easy is nice, however at $350 the Epicboom feels a bit prefer it’s being oversold primarily based on that simplicity.
Verdict
The Epicboom is a little bit of a protected wager from UE – it is very a lot one other speaker in the identical mould as people who have come earlier than it, albeit with extra energy to leverage and the all-important inclusion of USB-C for charging.
Meaning it really works a deal with and is as rugged and dependable as you would like, but in addition brings drawbacks within the type of restricted connectivity choices. If you’d like a brilliant highly effective get together speaker and love the feel and appear of UE audio system, this can be a nice alternative, but it surely’ll be rather more compelling if the worth will get lower a bit additional down the road.
