Design & Construction

UE finally makes a comeback to the market with its newest speaker, the Megaboom 3. Continuing the legacy of Ultimate Ears products. Can the Megaboom 3 stand up to its 2018 competitors? Let's break it down and find out who's the winner. From the top, you will find the controls for Bluetooth Pairing, the Magic button and the power button. The Magic button is the new addition which help users control the play/pause with a single press and skip forward with a double press. However, skipping backward cannot be controlled with a triple press. On the front, you will find the iconic volume buttons. Pressing both at the same time will prompt you remaining battery life. As with all UE speakers, the Megaboom 3 does not disappoint in the durability department. The Megaboom 3 is shockproof, IP67 dustproof, waterproof and weighs in at a rather hefty 925g, Durable mesh fabric covers its round body while, tough silicon texture layers the top and bottom, At the rear, there is the Micro-USB port covered up with a tight-seal flap that prevents water from entering. It also comes with a durable hang loop on the rear top which makes it easy to carry with one finger or hang anywhere. You can also opt to charge the Megaboom 3 with a Charge Up Dock available in a separate purchase, so you don't have to open the flap and physically plug in your speaker every single time. Throughout my use, I dropped the speaker couple of times and a bit of exterior scratches can be found on the top and bottom part where the rubber coatings are. Other than that, no compromises on the sound quality itself.

Sound Quality

UE certainly when back to their sound studios to re-design their speakers. The sound quality is one of the best amongst 2018's list of large portable Bluetooth speakers. At 50% volume, it can fill up a large room. The bass response is fantastic, deep and boomy yet tight and punchy. Highs sound bright and mids are articulate and clear. It does not distort at full volume. Users can also Party Up with other 150+ UE Speakers like the Megaboom 3, Boom 3, Megaboom, Boom 2 and Boom for louder sound via selection in the Boom app, available for download on the App and Play Store. The speaker offers 360° sound with strategically placed drivers. There are two 50mm (2 in), 4-ohm full range drivers and two 55mm x 86mm passive radiators. delivering a maximum sound level of 90 dBA and frequency range between 60Hz - 20kHz. Sound customisation is also possible in the app. There are a few presets including The Standard, Cramped Spaces and Bass Jump. Personally, I will stick to the The Standard to keep the sound clean and loud. Other presets seem to mess up the music. If you are feeling a little ambitious, you can opt to customise your very own. Additionally, the app allows you to connect to Apple Music or Deezer Premium to play your playlists. Lastly, the app also has a Block Party feature which allows 3 devices to be connect to same speaker so that friends can play DJ.

​

Connectivity & Portability

Bluetooth pairing is quick and simple. However, NFC is not offered and there isn't any mic for making/answering calls either. You may have hoped for an aux port, but sadly, UE has taken on the totally wireless future and removed that feature too. Its battery life peaks at a maximum of 20 hrs. The UE Megaboom 3 also recognises up to 8 Bluetooth devices.

 

PROS

• Durable Construction

• Great 360° Sound

• Modern Design

• Long Bluetooth Range

• Easy Bluetooth Pairing

• Bassy yet Articulate Sound

• A Range Of Colours

• Party Up Mode

• Block Party Mode

• Water & Dust-proof

• Drop-resistant

​

CONS

• Lack of Mic For Answering Calls

• No Audio-in Port for Wired Usage

​

The Bottom Line

The UE Megaboom 3 is a contender if you are in the search for a new large wireless speaker. Housing a 20 hrs battery, clean sound with bold bass and a tough yet modern design with a range of colours will also suit every type and gender of users.