Especially stuff everybody else is already into. I think it's partly because I'm a devout non-conformist and partly because I'm a bit of a jerk.
Whatever the reason, I've always had the irrational and completely unfounded belief that if everybody's doing it, there must be something else around the corner that's way better and that's what I'm going to use.
Sometimes, not often, but sometimes, this stupid attitude makes me look a bit cool. Like when I had an mp3 player before anybody even knew what they were.
Most times, I just look like an arrogant idiot, like when everybody was using Facebook for about nine years before I'd even set up my own page.
I guess it sort of caught on after all.
Unfortunately, I've been a bit like that with the Boom boom. Now I've seen the error of my ways...
Something happened to bluetooth speakers. Almost overnight, they went from being tinny, low-powered sound boxes of last resort to being genuinely decent.
Ultimate Ears had a lot to do with that. Suddenly I was seeing those trademark oversized plus and minus volume controls everywhere. And I mean everywhere. Inside. Outside. The pool. The beach. People were taking these things to the beach!
The Ultimate Ears Boom became the first choice for rehearsals in dance studios. If there was a bunch of people and a Boom, there was a party - or the beginnings of one anyway. And there was always a Boom. They were everywhere.
So of course, I didn't want one. What did those sheep know about decent sound reproduction anyway?
Classic glennzb.
Now there's a new Boom in town, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2.
So I thought, okay, let's give it a go. See what all the fuss is about...
I've been such an idiot.
The familiar compact, cannonball design is back, similar but not exactly the same as the original.
The Wonderboom 2 now carries an IP67 rating making it dust-proof and waterproof. It'll survive being submerged in a metre of water for up to 30 minutes. That means it'll definitely last through a long shower sing-a-long.
Setting up the Wonderboom 2 is less complicated than a lot of other speakers as there's no app involved. Okay, sure that means a little less functionality, but the payoff is you just turn it on and pair it. I was looking to extend my speaker coverage out to my deck and it connected so easily to my Amazon Echo. Like no problems at all. Like seamlessly.
Right away I was impressed by the sound quality. The thing Ultimate Ears seems to be able to do so well is separating big bass from the higher frequencies for a powerful yet clear and detailed listening experience.
The Wonderboom 2 now features an Outdoor Boost button on the base. Pushing this seems to cut out some of the bass and pump up the top end. The result definitely makes the music travel further and seem louder, although I prefer the sheer thump-thump of the remarkable bass response offered by the default setting. It really seems remarkable how powerful such a compact device can sound.
The range of the Wonderboom 2 blows me away too. Often bluetooth appliances like these stutter and drop out if there's the slightest hint of physical or electrical interference between the source device and the speaker but I found I could carry the Wonderboom 2 all over my section while gardening and the hits just kept on coming with no interruption at all.
At an RRP of $169.90, the Wonderboom 2 is almost cheap enough to grab a second one so you can give the true wireless stereo function a go - almost. Luckily there are plenty of specials around at the moment and you can even buy them in a convenient twin-pack.
Yes there's a glut of bluetooth speaker options around these days, but after finally using one from Ultimate Ears, I have to admit; the Wonderboom 2 is pretty ultimate.
Click here for more information on the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2.
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