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Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM Speaker Review

Tested using Methodology v0.8
Review updated Dec 19, 2023 at 04:17 pm
Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM Picture
7.6
Music
6.9
Videos/Movies
8.0
Podcasts
3.1
Voice Assistant
8.1
Outdoors

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is the largest and loudest portable Bluetooth speaker in the Ultimate Ears lineup. Its 23-hour battery life and IPX4 rating for water resistance make it a great choice for outdoor gatherings as you can blast tunes all day without worrying about charging. You can easily switch between different Bluetooth devices at the press of a button, in case you and a friend want to take turns DJing, and there's an adjustable EQ available through the companion app if you want to customize the sound. There's even a handy carrying strap so you can bring it around with you one-handed.

Our Verdict

7.6 Music

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is good for music. This speaker has balanced mid and treble ranges that can reproduce clear and accurate vocals and lead instruments, so it's well suited to a variety of genres. It gets really loud without a lot of compression, too, and it has an Adaptive EQ room correction feature that'll tailor the sound according to the environment. The Ultimate Ears app even offers a full graphic EQ and presets to help you customize its sound further to your liking.

Pros
  • Graphic EQ and presets.
  • Gets pretty loud.
  • Good soundstage.
Cons
  • Okay directivity.
6.9 Videos/Movies

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is adequate for videos and movies, though it's designed more for streaming video from a device than for home cinema use. Though it struggles to reproduce the rumbly low-bass found in action-packed movie scenes, it can still reproduce dialogue clearly, thanks to its detailed mid-range. It has a good soundstage, and it can get loud without a lot of compression. Also, its latency with iOS and Android devices over a Bluetooth connection is low enough that you won't encounter sync issues while watching video.

Pros
  • Graphic EQ and presets.
  • Good soundstage.
Cons
  • Okay directivity.
  • Doesn't support Apple AirPlay or Google Chromecast.
8.0 Podcasts

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is impressive for podcasts. Thanks to its balanced mid-range, dialogue sounds clear, accurate, and detailed. You can use its graphic EQ to customize its sound, and there's even a 'Podcast' preset available. This speaker gets loud, and you can easily bring it from one room to the next.

Pros
  • Graphic EQ and presets.
  • Gets pretty loud.
  • Supports multi-device pairing.
Cons
  • No Multi-Room feature.
3.1 Voice Assistant

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM doesn't support voice assistants.

8.1 Outdoors

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is great for outdoor use. This speaker has an over 23-hour battery life that's ideal for long days outside, and its built-in strap makes it easy to carry with one hand. It also gets pretty loud. Its default sound profile is quite neutral and suitable for lots of different audio content, though it struggles to reproduce low-bass. Its overall build quality is decent, and this speaker has an IPX4 rating for water resistance.

Pros
  • Gets pretty loud.
  • Lasts over 23 hours off of a single charge.
  • IPX4 rating for water resistance.
Cons
  • Okay directivity.
  • 7.6 Music
  • 6.9 Videos/Movies
  • 8.0 Podcasts
  • 3.1 Voice Assistant
  • 8.1 Outdoors
  1. Updated Dec 19, 2023: We've updated this review to ensure the text remains consistent and added up-to-date in-text comparisons.
  2. Updated Oct 11, 2023: Added market comparison with the Ultimate Ears EPICBOOM in the Dynamics box.
  3. Updated Sep 19, 2022: Added 'White' color variant to 'Differences Between Sizes And Variants' section.
  4. Updated Aug 31, 2022: Added a comparison with the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential in the 'Frequency Response Accuracy' box.
  5. Updated Aug 17, 2022: Clarified power cable and adapter information in the 'In The Box' box.
  6. Updated Oct 26, 2021: We updated the test results for EQ to 'Graphic + Presets'.
  7. Updated Apr 15, 2021: We updated the results for impact and dust resistance to 'No'.
  8. Updated Mar 12, 2021: Updated our Bluetooth latency results with iOS and Android devices.
  9. Updated Feb 05, 2021: Review published.
  10. Updated Feb 02, 2021: Early access published.
  11. Updated Jan 19, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
  12. Updated Jan 15, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM comes in two color variants: Black and White. This review represents the test results for the 'Black' variant; you can see its label here.

If you encounter another version of Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM, let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.

Compared To Other Speakers

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a large portable Bluetooth speaker with an outstanding battery life of over 23 hours. It can get louder than its more portable sibling, the Ultimate Ears EPICBOOM, without audio becoming too compressed. While you can't bring it around on a hike, its battery life is significantly longer. That said, it can't produce quite as much bass as speakers like the JBL Boombox 3, which is a better choice for fans of bass-heavy music like EDM and hip-hop.

See also our recommendations for the best Bluetooth speakers, the best home speakers, and the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers.

JBL Boombox 3

The JBL Boombox 3 and the Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM are similar speakers with different strengths. The Boombox 3 can produce deeper bass than the HYPERBOOM, and it offers five extra hours of battery life, lasting up to almost 30 hours in total. It's better built with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, certifying it to be dust tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. That said, the HYPERBOOM is a bit smaller in size and can get louder than the Boombox 3 with less compression present at max volume, so audio quality sounds cleaner and clearer when you blast the speaker. It also offers a slightly wider-sounding soundstage. If you prefer a better-built speaker that can produce deeper bass, go for the JBL. If you tend to blast your music and want audio quality to sound cleaner at max volume, go for the Ultimate Ears instead.

JBL PartyBox 310

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a slightly better speaker than the JBL PartyBox 310, though they have different strengths. The Ultimate Ears has fewer compression artifacts at max volume and better soundstage performance. It's also more portable than the JBL. That said, the JBL can produce a much deeper low-bass and can get louder than the Ultimate Ears. It also has inputs you can use to connect it to a mic or guitar.

JBL Boombox 2

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the JBL Boombox 2 overall. The Ultimate Ears can get louder than the JBL, with signifianctly fewer compression artifacts at max volume, resulting in cleaner sounding audio when the volume is maxed out. Its soundstage is also perceived as wider, and you can hear your audio more clearly from all angles. That said, the JBL is better-built, with an IPX7 rating for water resistance.

Sonos Move

The Sonos Move is a better speaker than the Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM overall. The Sonos is more portable and better built. It can produce deeper bass than the Ultimate Ears and has both Alexa and Google Assistant built-in. That said, the Ultimate Ears can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono. It can also get louder than the Sonos, with fewer compression artifacts at max volume.

Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 overall. The HYPERBOOM has a better-balanced sound profile that can produce a deeper bass than that of the MEGABOOM 3. It can also get much louder with significantly fewer compression artifacts at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volume levels. Additionally, it has a longer battery life, lasting just under 24 hours from a single charge, though this can depend on your usage. That said, the MEGABOOM 3 is smaller and more portable than the HYPERBOOM. It also offers a wider-sounding soundstage, thanks to its 360-degree design.

JBL PartyBox 110

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the JBL PartyBox 110, though they have different strengths. The Ultimate Ears can get as loud as the JBL, though it has significantly less compression present at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volumes. It's also smaller and lighter, making it easier to carry with you when you're on the go. That said, the JBL can produce a more extended low-bass out-of-the-box and comes with many party features like customizable RGB lights, mic and guitar input, and DJ effects.

JBL Xtreme 3

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the JBL Xtreme 3. The Ultimate Ears can get louder than the JBL with less compression at max volume, so your audio sounds clean and clear at louder volume levels. It also offers a wider and more spacious-sounding soundstage. That said, the JBL is better built, smaller, and more portable than the Ultimate Ears.

Sony SRS-XG500

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the Sony SRS-XG500 overall. With its Adaptive EQ feature turned on, the Ultimate Ears has a better-balanced sound profile, a wider-sounding soundstage, and can get slightly louder than the Sony with significantly less compression at max volume. That said, the Sony features customizable RGB lights and a mic/guitar input.

JBL PartyBox 100

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the JBL PartyBox 100. The Ultimate Ears has a slightly smaller, lighter design, which some users may prefer. It also has a longer battery life and an IPX4 rating for water resistance, though we don't test for this. Also, its graphic EQ and presets make it easier to customize its sound profile to your liking. However, the JBL has RGB lights.

Bose S1 Pro System

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the Bose S1 Pro System overall. The Ultimate Ears can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono which is more immersive. Its directivity is a bit better too, resulting in a wider-sounding soundstage. Also, it comes with a graphic EQ and presets, so you can customize its sound to your liking. 

Ultimate Ears EPICBOOM

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a more premium speaker than the Ultimate Ears EPICBOOM. The HYPERBOOM offers better sound quality, especially regarding dynamics, as it can get louder with less compression at max volume. Its battery life is longer-lasting, too, and it has lower latency over Bluetooth. It's larger than the EPICBOOM and not quite as well-suited to outdoor use.

Sonos Move 2

The Sonos Move 2 is a better speak overall than the Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM. It's more portable, better-built and has better directivity. It also has voice assistant capabilities and can be integrated with other Sonos speakers as part of a multi-room system. That said, it lacks the Ultimate Ears' ability to connect up to two devices via Bluetooth and latency on both Android and iOS devices is higher, so you may experience syncing issues between audio and video. 

SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3)

You may prefer either the Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM or the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) depending on your listening habits. The Ultimate Ears is smaller and more portable than the SOUNDBOKS. It can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, and offers a wider-sounding soundstage. It also has significantly less compression present at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volumes. That said, the SOUNDBOKS is a large party speaker that can get much louder. It can also produce a more extended low-bass, so you can feel the deep thump and rumble in bass-heavy music.

JBL PartyBox Encore Essential

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker for music than the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential overall. The Ultimate Ears can get louder with significantly less compression present at max volume, so the audio quality is cleaner when you blast your music. It offers a wider-sounding soundstage too, and its battery life of almost 24 hours makes it much better suited for longer listening sessions. That said, if you're looking for a speaker packed with party features, the JBL is better. The JBL can produce a deeper and thumpier low bass. It comes with a customizable RGB light ring and a mic input. You can use its companion app to access extra sound effects and light show features, and you can customize the sound of your connected microphone.

SOUNDBOKS Go

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a smaller, more portable alternative to the SOUNDBOKS Go. The Ultimate Ears plays stereo content, and it has an IPX4 rating for water resistance, unlike the SOUNDBOKS, so it's ideal if you want something to take with you outside. That said, the SOUNDBOKS is more of a traditional party speaker, and it gets louder and delivers more bass overall. Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the other.

JBL PartyBox 710

The JBL PartyBox 710 and the Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM are very different speakers, and depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either one over the other. The JBL is a much larger speaker designed for use at parties. It comes with customizable RGB lights, mic and guitar inputs, and the JBL PartyBox app, which features DJ effects and karaoke settings. It can also produce a much more extended low-bass, meaning you can feel the thump and rumble in bass-heavy music. That said, the Ultimate Ears is much smaller and battery-powered, making it more portable. Also, while it doesn't get as loud as the JBL, it has significantly less compression present at max volume.

Sonos Five

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker overall than the Sonos Five. The Ultimate Ears is battery-powered, so it's more portable and can be used outdoors. It's better built, and it gets louder with fewer compression artifacts at max volume. Some listeners may prefer its graphic EQ over the Sonos' bass and treble adjustments, too. However, the Sonos reproduces more low-bass out-of-the-box, and its default sound profile is more neutral and balanced.

Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II. The Ultimate Ears can get louder with fewer compression artifacts present at max volume, so your audio sounds cleaner during louder listening sessions. It can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, and comes with a graphic EQ and presets to customize its sound. That said, the Bose supports voice assistants through your smartphone and can understand your commands from far and in noisier settings. Thanks to its 360-degree design, it also has better directivity, resulting in a more open-sounding soundstage.

Sony SRS-XG300

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the Sony SRS-XG300 overall. The Ultimate Ears can get louder with significantly less compression present at max volume, so audio quality is clearer and cleaner when the volume is maxed out. Its sound profile is more balanced with its room correction feature enabled. It also has a longer-lasting battery life of almost 24 hours. That said, the Sony is smaller and lighter, making it easier to bring along with you on the go. It supports voice assistants through your smartphone, though its performance isn't great. It's also battery built with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance that certifies it to be dust tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes.

JBL PartyBox 300

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the JBL PartyBox 300. The Ultimate Ears is more portable, and it has an IPX4 rating for water resistance, though we don't test for this. It has a better soundstage performance and a longer battery life, and it's also more customizable thanks to its graphic EQ and presets. However, the JBL does get a bit louder, and it has RGB lights.

Anker Soundcore Motion+

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the Anker Soundcore Motion+ overall. The Ultimate Ears can get louder with less compression present at max volume, so your audio sounds cleaner at louder volumes. It also has a better-balanced sound profile that can produce a more extended low-bass. However, the Anker is smaller, making it easier to take with you on the go. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone, though its performance isn't very good.

Bang & Olufsen Beolit 20

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the Bang & Olufsen Beolit 20. The Ultimate Ears can get louder with significantly less compression present at max volume, so audio quality doesn't degrade as much as you bump up its volume. It offers a significantly longer-lasting battery life of almost 24 hours from a single charge. It's also rated IPX4 for water resistance, meaning it's certified to withstand small water splashes. The Bang & Olufsen can produce a more extended low-bass with its 'Optimal' preset enabled.

Ultimate Ears MEGABLAST

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the Ultimate Ears MEGABLAST. The HYPERBOOM can get louder with less compression present at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volumes. It can produce a more extended low-bass. It can also last almost 24 hours from a single charge, though this can depend on your usage. However, the MEGABLAST is smaller, making it more portable. It also offers fantastic voice assistant support with Alexa built-in, and can understand your commands from far and in noisier environments.

Bose Portable Smart Speaker

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the Bose Portable Smart Speaker. The Ultimate Ears has a much longer battery life, and it can get louder without much compression at max volume. It also has a full graphic EQ and presets in its companion app, while the Bose just comes with bass and treble sliders. However, only the Bose is compatible with voice assistants, and it comes with Alexa and Google Assistant built-in.

Sony SRS-XP700

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the Sony SRS-XP700 overall. The Ultimate Ears has significantly less compression present at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio during louder listening sessions. It's also smaller, more portable, and offers a more open-sounding soundstage than the Sony. Also, it can last up to almost 24 hours from a single charge, though this can depend on your usage, and your experience may differ. The Sony features customizable RGB lights and mic and mic/guitar inputs, making it suitable for parties.

Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2, though they have different strengths. The HYPERBOOM can produce a much more extended low-bass, and can get significantly louder than the WONDERBOOM 2 with less compression present at max volume. It also comes with a graphic EQ and presets to tweak its sound to your liking. That said, the WONDERBOOM 2 is smaller and more portable. It also has better directivity thanks to its 360-degree design, resulting in a wider-sounding soundstage.

ION Pathfinder 280

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the ION Pathfinder 280, though they're designed for different uses. The Ultimate Ears is smaller and more portable than the ION. It has a better-balanced sound profile that can produce a more extended low-bass than the ION and can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono. That said, the ION comes with RGB lights and radio capabilities. It lasted up to 68 hours from a seven-hour charge during testing, making it suitable for multiple long listening sessions. While it's larger than the Ultimate Ears, it has a built-in telescopic handle and wheels to help transport it.

Klipsch The Three II

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the Klipsch The Three II overall. The Ultimate Ears offers a better-balanced and more neutral sound profile with its room correction feature enabled. It's also battery-powered and comes with a built-in carrying strap, making it more portable. Additionally, it's more customizable thanks to the graphic EQ and presets featured on its companion app. That said, the Klipsch can get louder than the Ultimate Ears.

Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore overall. The Ultimate Ears' sound profile is more neutral and can produce a more extended low-bass. It comes with a graphic EQ and presets to tweak its sound. It can get significantly louder with less compression at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volumes. It also has a longer-lasting battery life, though this can vary depending on your usage. That said, the Bang & Olufsen is smaller and lighter, making it easier to carry around with you when you're on the go.

TREBLAB HD-Max

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the TREBLAB HD-Max overall. The Ultimate Ears offers a better-balanced sound profile that can produce a more extended low-bass than the TREBLAB. You can customize its sound to your liking thanks to the graphic EQ and presets featured in its companion app, and it can get louder with significantly less compression present at max volume. It also has better directivity, resulting in a wider-sounding soundstage. The TREBLAB is smaller and lighter, making it more portable. Its rated IPX6 for water resistance, certifying it for protection from direct contact with water for up to three minutes. Its removable strap also comes with a built-in bottle opener.

Yamaha MusicCast 50

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the Yamaha MusicCast 50 overall. The Ultimate Ears offers a wider-sounding soundstage and can get louder than the Yamaha with less compression present at max volume. It's battery-powered and comes with a built-in carrying strap making it more portable. Though we don't currently test for this, it also has an IPX4 rating for water resistance, so you can take it outdoors with you when you're on the move. That said, the Yamaha supports Apple AirPlay, which may please some Apple users.

Sony SRS-XB43

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the Sony SRS-XB43. The Ultimate Ears has a better soundstage performance, and its out-of-the-box sound profile is better balanced. It also gets louder and has longer battery life. However, the Sony supports voice assistants from your smartphone, and it's smaller as well as better-built.

TREBLAB HD77

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the TREBLAB HD77. The Ultimate Ears is a larger portable speaker that can get louder than the TREBLAB with significantly less compression present at max volume, so audio quality remains clean and clear at louder volume levels. It has a better-balanced sound profile that can produce a more extended low-bass, and you can customize its sound thanks to the graphic EQ and presets in its companion app. However, the TREBLAB is smaller, making it easier to bring along with you on the go. It's also better built and offers a wider-sounding soundstage.

Bose Home Speaker 500

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the Bose Home Speaker 500 overall, though they have different strengths,  The Ultimate Ears offers a better-balanced sound profile, and can get louder with less compression at max volume, so your audio sounds cleaner at louder volumes. It's battery-powered and comes with a built-in carrying handle, making it more portable. Its sound profile is also more customizable thanks to the graphic EQ and presets in its companion app. That said, the Bose is a wired home speaker that offers outstanding voice assistant support with Alexa and Google Assistant built-in. It also has better directivity, resulting in a wider-sounding soundstage.

Sony GTK-XB72

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the Sony GTK-XB72 overall. It has a better-balanced sound profile and can get as loud as the Sony with fewer compression artifacts at max volume, resulting in a cleaner sound at louder volume settings. It's also more portable thanks to its battery life that can last over 23 hours from a single charge, though this can depend on your usage habits. That said, the Sony has a ClearAudio+ feature which automatically adjusts the speakers' sound to your audio when enabled. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone, though its performance isn't great.

Alpine Corporation Solar Bluetooth Rock Speaker

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the Alpine Corporation Solar Bluetooth Rock Speaker. The Ultimate Ears can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, resulting in a more immersive soundstage. It also has a more neutral and better-balanced sound profile, suitable for a wide variety of audio content. You can customize its sound thanks to the graphic EQ and presets featured in its companion app. It can get louder, and its built-in carrying handle also makes it more portable. That said, this rock-like speaker is designed to better blend in with outdoor landscaping, which some users may prefer.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
RGB Lights No

The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a tall speaker that's meant to sit vertically. Its simple, monochrome design helps it easily blend in with most home decor, and you can find it in either black or white. It's wrapped in a tight fabric with plastic on the top and bottom, and there's a carrying strap attached to one corner.

8.4
Design
Portability
Volume
864 in³ (14,165 cm³)
Weight
15.0 lbs (6.8 kg)
Power Source
AC & Battery
One-Hand Carry
Yes

This speaker is impressively portable. It's tall and a bit heavy, but you can still carry it with one hand thanks to its built-in carrying strap. Also, it's battery-operated, so you can bring it outside without worrying about plugging it into an outlet. If you're looking for a speaker that's a bit smaller, check out the TREBLAB HD-Max and the JBL Xtreme 3, which come with a bottle opener built into their carrying straps.

7.0
Design
Build Quality
Material Quality
Good
Water Resistance
Water-resistant (IPx4)
Dust Resistance
No
Impact Resistance
No
Floats In Water
Unspecified

This speaker has a decent build quality. The top and bottom are made of hard plastic, which feels solid, and the other sides are wrapped in a tight fabric that doesn't seem like it could rip easily. The built-in carrying strap feels durable and thick, and the speaker has an IPX4 rating for water resistance. Unfortunately, the weatherproof door for the input ports doesn't have a very tight seal, so it's susceptible to dust build-up over time. For a portable speaker with a better build quality, check out the Sony SRS-XG500, which is rated IP66 for dust and water resistance.

5.8
Design
Controls
Ease Of Use
Good
Feedback
Good
Music Play/Pause
Yes (Physical)
Call Answer/End
No
Volume Up/Down
Yes (Tactile)
Track Next/Previous
No
Microphone On/Off
No
Additional Controls
Yes

The controls are middling. On top of the speaker, some buttons let you power it on/off, adjust the volume, play/pause your audio, choose between different Bluetooth sources, and play audio over the AUX or Optical inputs. You can hit both volume buttons at the same time to get audible feedback on the battery level. There's also a tone that plays when you hit max volume, but no other audible feedback. Additionally, you can hit the play/pause button twice to skip to the next track and hold it to start playing the playlists you can set in the app. However, there isn't a way to return to the previous track.

Design
In The Box

  • Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM
  • 19v AC/DC power cable and adapter
  • User manual

Sound
7.1
Sound
Frequency Response Accuracy
Slope
-0.23
Std. Err.
2.84 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
55.0 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.5 kHz

The frequency response accuracy is decent. With its Adaptive EQ feature turned on, it reproduces balanced mid and treble ranges, so vocals and lead instruments are clear and accurate. The Adaptive EQ feature is often found in premium speakers like this. It analyzes the unique acoustic characteristics of your room and optimizes audio reproduction accordingly. You can customize its sound profile using the graphic EQ and presets in its companion app. However, it doesn't have as much bass as other portable speakers like the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential or the smaller Bang & Olufsen Beolit 20.

Note: The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM can be powered by either AC or battery. This review represents the speaker's performance while battery-operated, and the results are only valid with these test settings.

Sound
Raw Frequency Response
Binaural Recording @ 1m
Binaural Recording @ 2m
7.7
Sound
Soundstage
Directivity Index
4.36 dB
Stereo
Yes

The soundstage performance is good. It can play stereo content, so you can clearly hear a separation between the left and right channels when listening to music recorded in stereo. However, its directivity is just okay, so its soundstage may be perceived as a bit narrow, depending on what angle you're listening from. This is partly due to its rectangular design, which doesn't have a cylindrical speaker's consistent, 360-degree directivity, like the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3.

9.0
Sound
Dynamics
SPL @ Max Volume
98.3 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
0.39 dB

This speaker has superb dynamics. It gets pretty loud, especially compared to the Ultimate Ears EPICBOOM. Plus, there isn't a lot of compression when you play it at max volume, so your audio reproduction remains clear and pure. This makes it well-suited to parties and large gatherings, whether they're in large rooms or outdoors.

Active Features
9.1
Active Features
Battery
Battery Life
23.9 hrs
Charge Time
2.5 hrs
Power Saving
Yes
Charging Port
AC
Battery Powered
Yes

The battery performance is incredible. The manufacturer advertises 24 hours of continuous playback, so you don't have to worry about recharging it daily, and we measured just under this. However, battery life can vary according to usage, so your experience may differ depending on your usage. The speaker also has a convenient power-saving feature that turns it off after fifteen minutes if it's not connected to a power source and it's not playing audio, which can help conserve battery life.

0
Active Features
Voice Assistant
Alexa
No
Google Assistant
No
Speakerphone
No
Siri
No
Voice Assistant
No
Voice Activation
No
Microphone Mute
No Microphone
Far-Field Performance
No Microphone
Ambient Noise Performance
No Microphone
7.9
Active Features
App
App Name
Ultimate Ears
iOS
Yes
Android
Yes
EQ
Graphic + Presets
Stereo Pair Mode
Yes
Party Mode
Yes
Multi-Room
No

The Ultimate Ears app is very good. It offers a graphic EQ for sound customization, and there are also three different EQ presets you can choose from: 'Bass Boost', 'Game/Cinema', and 'Podcast'. You can even pair it with another HYPERBOOM or speakers from the BOOM and MEGABOOM series to create a stereo pair or amplify your audio across a crowded party.

Connectivity
Connectivity
Wired
Aux Input
Yes
USB Audio
No
Other Ports
Yes

This speaker has several wired inputs. There's an AUX port that lets you plug your phone directly into the speaker, as well as an Optical port and an AC cable port. The USB-A port is for charging only, and the micro-USB port is just for updating the firmware.

9.5
Connectivity
Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Yes
Bluetooth Version
5.0
Bluetooth iOS Latency
25 ms
Bluetooth Android Latency
53 ms
Bluetooth Range
334.6 ft (102.0 m)
Multi-Device Pairing
2 Devices

This speaker has outstanding Bluetooth connectivity. You can pair up to two devices to it simultaneously, and you can use the 'Bluetooth 1' and 'Bluetooth 2' buttons on the top of the speaker to switch between your different audio sources. This makes it easy for you and a friend to take turns playing tunes without the hassle of disconnecting and reconnecting. They have great Bluetooth range, so you can stay connected even in an adjacent room. Also, thanks to its low latency with iOS and Android devices, it's suitable for watching videos. However, some apps compensate for latency differently, so your experience may vary.

0
Connectivity
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi Version
No Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi Frequency Band
No Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
No
Apple AirPlay
No
AirPlay Latency
N/A
Google Chromecast
No
Chromecast Latency
N/A