Image credit: Sarah Tew/CNET
Ultimate Ears has long been synonymous with innovation and quality in the portable speaker market. With each iteration, they seem to push the boundaries of what a compact, portable speaker can achieve, both in terms of sound quality and durability.
Introducing the Ultimate Ears Boom 4, the newest product in the line, which is set to revolutionize portable listening. Prestiged as the ultimate portable speaker, it strives to combine top-notch music performance with a durable, travel-friendly design. Does it, however, provide as promised?
Elevated Design
The Boom 4 is immediately identifiable as an Ultimate Ears product since it maintains the brand’s signature cylindrical shape. There’s a style to suit every personality, thanks to the wide range of colorful colors and patterns it comes in. At little over a pound, it’s manageable on a backpack, but its sturdy construction makes it look like it could take a beating on the road.
This speaker is perfect for outdoor events, picnics, and poolside get-togethers thanks to its IP67 waterproof and dustproof classification. An attractive and long-lasting cloth complements its rough appearance, elevating both its aesthetic value and its practicality.
Sound Quality

Image credit: Sarah Tew/CNET
The Boom 4 continues Ultimate Ears’ tradition of producing top-notch audio. Its compactness belies the quality of the audio it produces, which is full and well-balanced. Bass that is both deep and punchy makes dance music feel exciting and interesting. The singers and instruments are brought to life by the clear and well-defined midrange, while the treble adds a pleasant glitter with its sharp but not harsh sound.
The Boom 4 improves upon its predecessor in terms of soundstage and audio reproduction detail. Additionally, it competes well with similar products, providing impressive volume and clarity for a speaker of its size.
Interaction and Power Consumption
An astounding fifteen hours of playback time are available on a single charge for the Boom 4. Because of its long lifespan, it can play music all day and night long. With a USB-C port, charging is a breeze and takes very little time at all.
One more thing the Boom 4 does well is connect. It boasts Bluetooth 5.2, which guarantees a solid connection for up to 150 feet from the music device. Additional capabilities, such as one-touch music controls, may be accessed through the Ultimate Ears app, which also lets users adjust the EQ settings and connect numerous Boom speakers for stereo or party mode.
Function and Convenience
A plethora of useful features make the Boom 4 an excellent choice. You can create an immersive sound experience for big parties with the PartyUp function and more than 150 Boom and Megaboom speakers. Also, audiophiles will love the adjustable equalizer settings that let them customize the sound profile to their taste.
The speaker has an intuitive design with physical controls for playback and volume. All users, regardless of their degree of technical expertise, will have no trouble with the Ultimate Ears app’s straightforward setup and customizing process.
Cost-Effectiveness
The Boom 4 is unique among portable speakers due to its combination of functionality, durability, and high-quality sound. The investment is well-justified by the value it gives in terms of audio performance and build quality, even though its price point is slightly more than some competitors. The Boom 4 has a more interesting soundstage and a stronger, longer-lasting construction than competing speakers.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Exceptional sound quality for its size
- Rugged, waterproof design
- Long battery life and easy connectivity
- PartyUp feature for multi-speaker pairing
Cons:
- Higher price point compared to some competitors
- No auxiliary input for wired connections
Conclusion
The Ultimate Ears Boom 4 is a formidable contender in the portable speaker market, offering a perfect blend of sound quality, durability, and user-friendly features. Whether you’re an audiophile seeking a portable speaker that doesn’t compromise on sound or an adventurer in need of a rugged, travel-ready music companion, the Boom 4 is up to the task. It’s more than just a speaker; it’s a portable party that brings people together, making it a worthwhile addition to anyone’s tech collection. You can still try out the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 too – most of its features are in commensurate with the Boom 4!