![]() ![]() The Boom 2 leaned on the boomy side (go figure), which was sometimes overpowering. The most noticeable tweak is the tamed bass. We adored the audio quality of the Boom 2, but still saw how it could be improved. The speaker’s internal updates weren’t just limited to functional additions. It’s important to note that UE can administer updates through their app, so it’s possible that the connection concerns get addressed that way. The drops didn’t happen enough to drive us mad just a minor annoyance. Streaming through WiFi wasn’t exempt from the issue either. It seemed to happen more when the music was buffering. At times, playback via Bluetooth would just stop and we would have to re-pair. We must mention that we observed some iffy connection reliability, which wasn’t present at all in the old model (in our experience). In this case, you’ll primarily be using the service to play music, and it does so as advertised. It essentially functions like an Amazon Echo or Dot smart speaker would, with Alexa summoned vocally to respond to or execute a vast array of inquiries. Bear in mind, the app is primarily for establishing the speaker and Amazon link it’s not something you’ll be using regularly. The setup process is only a few steps, and the app is pretty basic. UE developed an app in order for you to log into your Amazon account and start utilizing Alexa. The WiFi bit takes a little more effort, but still easy. Battery life takes a small hit (probably because the extra tech), from a 15-hour rating to 12 – bummer. There’s a tiny button atop that you hold down to re-enter pair mode and connect another source. It boots up in pair-mode real easy to unbox and get playing. But for the rest of us, we’ll have to revert back to the primitive Bluetooth audio method, defeating the purpose of this upgraded device.Īs far as using the device itself, the Bluetooth functions is as simply utilized as before. This is fine if you’re well-invested in Amazon’s ecosystem. Amazon’s limited supported music streaming services, at the time of this writing. Alexa can only tap into Amazon’s streaming apps. You can’t simply ask Alexa to play music from your Play Music or Spotify accounts. You’re limited to what Amazon’s service offers, which is somewhat…limited. There is a significant drawback, however, when it comes to music. This means you can do all things like request information, update your calendar or todo-lists, order items, and vocally control your smart home. Despite not being an Amazon-made device, it has full-on Alexa access. The good thing is that ups the speakers competence from just a music player to a virtual assistant. Well…kinda.įor WiFi control, UE partnered with the popular Alexa cloud-based voice service from Amazon. This means that it can pull music from online sources all by itself, no mobile device dependency needed. The Blast isn’t just a “Bluetooth” speaker. So if the design is essentially the same as before, what’s the purpose of this update? That question is answered from the inside. And indoors, the sound bounces off the walls from multiple directions and fills out the space. You don’t have to be strategic on where you place the speaker, unlike most of the single direction-firing speakers out there. Speaking of which, we’ve come to adore this 360-degree output from the cylindrical design. ![]() It efficiently gives the speaker ingress protection (IP67 water/dust-proof rating, to be exact) while still allowing audio to flow through. The braiding is so tight that it feels like plastic in-hand. The arrangement looks similar to that on the Boom 2. The same can be said of the super tightly weaved fabric that dominates the speaker’s exterior. The substantial thickness makes the device feel sturdy as heck. The plastic is robust and rubbery in feel. The materials are still the same as before. Smaller changes you’ll catch at a close look are the now flat-edged and slightly thicker plastic caps at the top and bottom of the cylindrically-shaped unit. The growth in size isn’t a significant con, but something to take note of if you carry your speaker in a small/tight bag. ![]()
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