Ultimate Ears BOOM 3

Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 — true 360-degree omnidirectional drivers, IP67, 15-hour battery, MagicButton one-tap custom playback shortcut, floats in water (on side). Widely available from major online retailers. cylindrical form factor rolls on uneven surfaces and is less pocketable than the Flip 6 or SoundLink Flex; bass output is adequate but not as punchy as JBL Flip 6 or as boosted as Sony EXTRA BASS; floats on its side in water rather than right-side-up like the SoundLink Flex; PartyUp multi-speaker protocol is UE-specific only.

The Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 is the only speaker in this comparison with genuine 360-degree omnidirectional drivers, which makes it the strongest choice when the speaker sits in the middle of a group at a campsite, picnic, or living room rather than facing one listener. IP67 protection and a 15-hour battery cover most outdoor sessions, and MagicButton lets you set a one-tap shortcut to a favorite playlist or streaming station without unlocking your phone. The cylindrical shape rolls on uneven surfaces and is less pocketable than the flat Flip 6 or SoundLink Flex. Bass is adequate rather than punchy, and while it floats, it floats on its side rather than right-side-up, which makes pool listening awkward. PartyUp links it to other UE speakers but stays within the UE family.

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