Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review

Ever for the reason that fantastic Wonderboom 2, Final Ears has made small however not main updates to this Editors Selection Bluetooth speaker. From Wonderboom 2 to Wonderboom 3 there have been minimal adjustments (elevated battery life and Bluetooth vary), and now the fourth era will get the sunshine improve contact we’ve come to anticipate. 

That makes the Wonderboom 4 not a necessary improve even for homeowners of the second gen mannequin however retains it on the prime of the pile for moveable Bluetooth audio system.

The compact, waterproof and sturdy moveable speaker appears the identical and sounds the identical, however is enhanced with a brand new Podcast Mode and the welcome alternative of its fiddly MicroUSB charging port with extra up-to-date and easier-to-use USB-C.

Design, construct and colours

The Wonderboom 4 retains its cute chunky, colourful design, constructed with eco-friendly supplies. The texture of the mid-speaker part is a barely course cloth.

It’s small (95.3 x 104mm) and lightweight (420g) so you’ll be able to carry it in a backpack with out noticing, though it’s in all probability too chunky to slot in a briefcase or slim laptop computer bag.

It’s waterproof sufficient to take to the bathe, tub, pool or seaside—it even floats—with an IP67 mud and water-resistance ranking that guarantees security immersed in eater as much as 1m deep for half-hour.

It options drop-proofing to 5 toes (1.5m), in accordance with the producer. It ought to nonetheless work after such tough remedy however we assume it wouldn’t be with out some scuff marks after a fall.

On the prime there’s an elastic loop so you’ll be able to hold the speaker from no matter’s close by.

Purchased direct from the Final Ears retailer it’s obtainable in Lively Black, Cobalt Blue, Hyper Pink and Joyous Brilliant (a lightweight gray with yellow accents). Relying on which nation you’re procuring in, Amazon provides some further color choices, corresponding to Spruce Inexperienced, Digital Lavender and a much less joyous grey.

The controls are few and easy. The obvious are the large Plus and Minus quantity buttons on the entrance. On the highest are buttons for Bluetooth, energy, and Play/Pause and Ahead/Again songs. Pairing along with your cellphone or different Bluetooth system is straightforward.

You’ll want to flip the speaker the wrong way up to search out the underside button that switches between the Out of doors Enhance and Podcast Mode choices, or returns to Customary mode. You may as well rapidly test the speaker’s battery degree utilizing the quantity buttons.

Its environmental friendliness is gained from its minimal of 31% post-consumer recycled plastic, and it’s wrapped in a sustainable cloth constituted of 100% recycled polyester. The packaging is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) licensed.

Sound high quality & options

Final Ears nailed the pure sound high quality with the second era Wonderboom 2 and saved issues as they have been on the following model. So far as we are able to inform, it hasn’t modified this speaker’s sonics in any respect, which is ok by us.

Its two lively 40mm drivers and two 46.1-x-65.2mm passive radiators provide a 360° sound. Most quantity is 86 dBC in Customary mode and 87 dBC with Out of doors Enhance turned on. That’s sufficient to fill a medium-sized room, and that further outside quantity increase will assist out within the wild, down on the park, or in your again backyard. You’ll lose a little bit bass in Out of doors mode, nevertheless.

The Wonderboom 4 delivers shiny, well-rounded sound that’s tuned to swimsuit most genres. There’s sufficient bass so as to add depth and heat with out overpowering, rounded mids, and barely skinny high-end – nevertheless it does sufficient to get the job achieved.

Related audio system can are likely to lose bass, however the Wonderboom 4 retains its bass impressively for such a small system. Possibly there’s not sufficient oomph for hip-hop or heavy rock followers, who would possibly want the Anker Soundcore Movement 300, which includes a BassUp mode.

Out of doors Enhance mode pulls again on the bass and ups the treble, serving to the sound to hold additional in expansive outside areas, and providing you with a welcome second sonic choice.

The brand new EQ Podcast Mode brings crisper, clearer vocals, though some customers have mentioned this could make an audiobook narrator’s dramatic voice sound slightly skinny, monotone and featureless.

If you happen to purchase a second Wonderboom (model 3 or 4) you’ll be able to join the 2 to double the quantity or create a two-channel stereo pair.

Bluetooth vary stays long-range at as much as 40m. There’s no bodily wired choice to attach, so that you’ll must preserve the battery charged to make use of the Wonderboom 4.

Battery & charging

The Wonderboom 4 can last as long as 14 hours on a full cost. Until you actually are a celebration animal, meaning it ought to preserve you going earlier than you drop. And it could actually in all probability final lengthy sufficient to maintain occurring a brief tenting journey.

Press the Plus and Minus quantity buttons on the identical time to establish the present battery degree.

Fortunately, the Wonderboom 4 now expenses by way of USB-C slightly than fiddly MicroUSB. Personally, I’d improve from the Wonderboom 3 simply to throw one other MicroUSB cable within the bin.

Final Ears

Final Ears

Final Ears

Worth & availability

The Wonderboom 4 will set you again $99.99/£89.99, which is slightly below the road of what we contemplate a finances Bluetooth speaker. There are extra reasonably priced ones on the market, however as at all times you get what you pay for.

You’ll be able to decide it up from Amazon and Amazon UK after all, together with the standard retailers corresponding to Finest Purchase and Walmart within the U.S., or Argos, Currys and John Lewis within the U.Ok.

The Anker Soundcore Motion 300 is $20 cheaper (identical value because the Wonderboom 4 within the U.Ok.) with an analogous sound profile, however lacks the Wonderboom’s rotund allure.

Take a look at our full rating of the most effective low cost Bluetooth audio system we’ve reviewed for extra choices, together with reasonably priced choices such because the JBL Clip 4 and EarFun Uboom.

Verdict

The Wonderboom 4 is a superb, rugged moveable Bluetooth speaker with a improbable audio vary, lengthy battery life and easy controls. It’s barely modified from the earlier mannequin however the small adjustments are welcome.