There are a lot of wireless portable speakers out there, but not many that have the aesthetics of the Logitech UE Boom. Logitech has developed this rugged Bluetooth speaker that is as durable as they come, with plenty of punch in the audio department. Though it looks like it’d be pretty heavy, it’s really not, coming in a 1.2 pounds and ideally suited for outdoor use.
Sure, you can use it anywhere you are, but I found the bass to be a tad underwhelming for a $200 speaker, though again, the big plus on it is its durability and cool design. Speaking of design, it comes in a variety of colors (to choose from), such as red, black, blue, pink, green or white, and sits upright. The speaker is also resistant to water, which is cool, especially if you do plan on using it outdoors and there’s actually a clip attached to it, if you plan on snapping it onto a backpack or something of the like.
The speaker can also connect to a device using an auxiliary jack, while there is a USB port for charging the device, which provides about 15 hours of battery life, making it one of the best for a wireless speaker in the battery department. There are volume controls on the speaker itself, but obviously you can control the audio from your smartphone as well.
As it pertains to its cylindrical design, Logitech boasts 360-degree sound and that’s pretty much how it works. When sitting upright, you can be in front, to the side, or behind the speaker and you’ll still get the same audio quality, which makes it perfect for placing in the middle of a room.
Logitech also makes use of its own app – UE Boom – which can be downloaded for Android and iOS devices. The app lets you adjust bass and treble, and if you happen to have another Boom speaker, you can combine then for stereo sound, or simply combine them for louder audio.
The UE Boom will connect with up to eight devices and allows it to be paired with two at the same time so that two different people can control the music with their own library. You’ll also find support for NFC, which lets you pair your Android devices with a quick tap.
Having tried out a variety of tracks, I found the midrange audio to be the most prolific, and while there isn’t a lot of deep bass, it was formidable and delivered some good clarity, at least when not trying to push the speaker to its highest volume. Performance
I've listened to a lot of these compact Bluetooth speakers and the Boom plays very loud for its size. If it has a deficiency, it just doesn't deliver a ton of bass, though few if any of these small speakers put out great low end. You'll also get some distortion with bass-heavy material, particularly at louder volumes, and while it's got a bit more dynamic range and fuller sound than speakers such as the JBL Flip and Charge, it's not a huge advantage.
The speaker offers decent though not exceptional clarity and like most of these small speakers, it's strongest in the midrange, so it sounds best with acoustic tracks.
Overall, the UE Boom does a nice job at providing quality audio, while its durable design and 360-degree soundfield make it a solid option for anyone who truly does take their speakers on the go.
Final Score: 4 out of 5
via Examiner National Edition Gadgets & Tech Channel Articles http://www.examiner.com/article/review-logitech-ue-boom?cid=roadrunner