If you are in a hurry! here is a quick comparison of UE Magablast and UE Megaboom 3.
|
Specifications |
UE Megablast |
UE Megaboom 3 |
|---|---|---|
|
Dimensions |
3.5 x 3.5 x 9.4 inches |
3.8 x 7.8 x 3.8 inches |
|
Weight |
2.65 lb |
2 lb |
|
Wifi connectivity |
Yes |
No |
|
Playtime |
Up to 16 hours |
Up to 20 hours |
|
Bluetooth version |
4.2 |
4.2 |
|
Frequency Response |
65Hz – 20kHz |
60Hz – 20kHz |
|
IP Rating |
IP67 |
IP67 |
|
Number of Drivers |
4 |
2 |
|
Passive radiators |
2 |
2 |
|
Rating |
||
|
Price |
If you are looking for a powerful Bluetooth speaker made with exquisite attention to detail, you need to go with Ultimate Ears.
Ultimate Ears (UE) has a wide range of Bluetooth speakers, each made with quality as a top priority. When it comes to choosing a loudspeaker, the obvious comparison would be UE Megaboom 3 vs Megablast.
They all have their advantages and disadvantages, and in this detailed comparison, we will see why the Megablast is the better choice.
About Ultimate Ears
Ultimate Ears is an American company owned by Logitech. In recent years they’ve attracted a lot of attention from people since they produce high-quality, very durable, Bluetooth speakers for a reasonable price.
Even though they are producing audio gadgets for over a decade, some people still don’t know that they actually exist. However, their finished product is capable of rivaling even the top brands like JBL and, in most cases, are better.
UE Megablast
UE Megablast is the biggest Bluetooth speaker in the Ultimate Ears portfolio. Unlike other brands, UE designed the Megablast, just the right size, so it has a lot of power without losing its portability.
The UE Megablast has the same cylindrical shape and oversized plus and minus signs as all of UE speakers. It comes in multiple color options, and it is an exquisite piece of technology.
Additionally, it comes with integrated Amazon Alexa, with voice control. Like most UE speakers, it has 360-degree audio and an IP67 certificate making it waterproof and dustproof.
Performance-wise it is the most powerful speaker in UE’s portfolio, and they claim that it is 40% louder than the Megaboom.
Pros
- Very powerful bass
- Water-resistant (IP67)
- Customizable EQ
- Integrated Amazon Alexa
- 16-hour battery life
Cons
- No Google assistant
- No sync option with other UE speakers (only with wifi)
UE Megaboom 3
On the other side, we have a slightly smaller UE Megaboom, which can still produce a punchy sound.
The UE Megaboom 3 has a similar cylindric design, but it is covered in very high-quality fabric instead of a rubber. This is probably the best looking Bluetooth speaker of all time.
It is also IP67 rated, making it waterproof and dustproof. The battery life on the UE Megaboom 3 is impressive. It has a 20-hour battery life and a Party Up feature that allows you to connect other Boom and Megaboom speakers (up to 150).
Pros
- Deep bass
- Long battery life
- Portable and good looking design
- Can sync with 150 other UE Bluetooth speakers
Cons
- No wired connection
- No Alexa integration
Face-to-Face
Which is better – UE Megaboom 3 or Megablast?
They are both very powerful speakers in the Ultimate Ears portfolio, and sometimes it is hard to tell the difference. However, don’t let the design fool you; there are still significant differences that can point you towards the Megaboom 3 or Megablast.
Design
Design-wise, both speakers look very similar, apart from the size difference. The UE Megaboom 3 is a bit smaller, coming at 3.2 x 3.2 x 8.8 inches vs Megablast 3.5 x 3.5 x 9.4 inches.
The Megaboom 3 also has fewer color options to choose from (Dusk, red, Night Black), but it is still beautiful with the dual-tone and light shifting fabric. On the other hand, the Megablast has six color options to choose from.
Also, the Megaboom 3 is covered with fabric, whereas the Megablast has a vertical rubber line just where the buttons are.
Even though they look similar, the Megaboom 3 is a clear winner when it comes to the design. It is a very sleek-looking and modern Bluetooth speaker.
Both Bluetooth speakers have an IP67 certificate making them waterproof and dustproof. In terms of durability, they are made from high-quality materials, which means they can withstand any outdoor activity.
Winner: UE Megaboom 3
Sound Performance
Even though both Bluetooth speakers sound fantastic, the obvious winner is the Megablast due to more drivers.
In fact, the Megablast has two 1-inch tweeters and two 2-inch active drivers, plus two 3 x 2 inches passive radiators. On the other hand, the Megaboom 3 has only two 2-inch drivers and two 2.2 x 3.4 inches passive radiators.
The maximum sound level that the Megablast can achieve is 93dBA, whereas the Megaboom 3 can go up to 90dBA. This means that the Megablast is louder, but not to make a significant difference.
Despite the two extra drivers, the Megablast has a frequency range of 65Hz – 20kHz, but the Megaboom 3 has a frequency range of 60Hz – 20kHz. This means that the Megaboom 3 has more vibrant and deeper lower sounds.
Both speakers are very loud and have rich bass, but you wouldn’t feel like the mids and highs are missing. They have a great sound balance combined with a 360-degree sound delivery, and it feels incredible.
Winner: UE Megablast
Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, they offer different features. The Megablast has Bluetooth connectivity and wifi (for setup and use of Alexa), and on the other hand, the Megaboom 3 only has Bluetooth.
In comparison, they both have the same Bluetooth range, but in the real world, the Megablast is getting an extra 15-20 feet compared to the Megaboom 3.
Unfortunately, there isn’t an option for wired connection on both speakers, but since most devices now have Bluetooth, it isn’t that much of a loss.
Another great thing about both Bluetooth speakers is that they can be charged wirelessly using a charging dock that is purchased separately.
If you like to sync your Bluetooth speaker with other UE devices, you will be disappointed to hear that the Megablast doesn’t support that option. With the Megaboom 3, you can connect with up to 150 Boom and Megaboom devices and play music simultaneously.
In a recent update, UE decided to add the sharing feature to the Megablast, and now it can be paired with two devices for stereo and up to eight in party mode, but only if you’re using wifi. This means that the other speakers should also be Megablast.
Winner: UE Megablast
Software
Both devices run on the same software and can be connected to the Boom app, which is excellent. There are various options available like, view the battery health, turn the speaker on or off, and a four preset equalizer options.
On the Megablast, there are a couple of microphones that are always listening to your voice commands. You can use Alexa as a handsfree option to turn up or down the volume, skips songs, or even control smart home devices.
Winner: UE Megablast
Battery Life
One of the benefits of going with the Megaboom 3 is longer battery life. In fact, the UE Megaboom 3 offers an impressive 20-hour battery life, which is longer than most of its competitors.
Of course, in the real world, it is hard to get to such high battery life since it all depends on environmental factors such as the volume level or type of songs.
The Megablast only has a 16-hour battery life, but it still pretty good considering that it has more drivers to power up.
Winner: UE Megaboom 3
What’s the Difference Between Megaboom 3 and Megablast?
Although both devices might look similar, there are quite a few key differences you have to know about.
Wifi Connectivity
The biggest difference between the Megaboom 3 and Megablast is that the UE MEgablast supports wifi connection. The wifi connection is mainly used for connecting with other devices in your home, as well as Alexa.
The Megablast is considered as a smart speaker just because it can communicate with other nearby devices.
More: Comparing Ultimate Ears Boom 3 with JBL Flip 5 -Which is The Better Bluetooth Speaker?
Built-in Alexa
Another very interesting feature is the fully integrated Alexa. With Alexa, you can take advantage of handsfree voice commands, and you can connect other devices like lights, cameras, and more that will put you in the right mood.
Even though the Megablast is a smart speaker, it still doesn’t function as a commanding speaker, just as well as the Amazon speaker. Even though it has multiple microphones, sometimes it cannot pick up commands even when you are speaking clearly.
More: Ultimate Ears Boom 3 vs 2: Does it Worth the Upgrade
Magic Button
In terms of button interaction, both devices have the controls for simple operations such as powering on or off, or volume control.
However, the UE Megaboom 3 has something called a “Magic” button that allows you to control music playback or set up a quick lunch for playlists from Apple Music or Deezer.
This means that you are one click away from your favorite playlist. The only drawback to the Magic button is the lack of support for Spotify.
More: JBL Xtreme 2 vs UE Megaboom 3: Which One Is the Best?
App Control
Although both devices have the same app for controlling many things on the Bluetooth speakers, there are still some app features that are different for Blast and Boom speakers.
Obviously, the Megablast has an Alexa feature on the app, as well as EQ settings or speaker linking.
On the other hand, the Megaboom 3 lets you play with the EQ settings, connect up to 150 speakers, setup Music Alarms, and lastly, the Block Party feature that allows you to have the ability to play DJ vie Megaboom speakers.
More: Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 vs Life P2: Which Buds are the Best?
Audio Quality
Let’s get one thing straight, both Bluetooth speakers sound great. However, with the additional tweeters, the Megablast can go up to higher frequency, which means it has a crisper sound even at max volume.
On the other hand, the Megaboom 3 offers slightly richer and deeper bass. So you have to choose the one that works best with your priorities.
More: Jaybird x4 vs Jaybird x3: Does it Worth the Upgrade
Verdict
Choose the UE Megablast if:
- You want a louder Bluetooth speaker.
- You want Alexa compatibility.
- You want a smart speaker.
- You want crisper higher notes.
- You don’t mind the bigger size.
Choose the UE Megaboom 3 if:
- You choose looks over loudness.
- You want a longer-lasting battery.
- You want more customizable options.
- You want balanced sounds.
- You want deeper bass.
Both speakers perform outstandingly in the real world. There isn’t much to separate both these speakers, apart from the built-in Alexa and wifi connectivity on the Megablast.
If you are looking for a smart speaker with voice commands, you should go with the Megablast. However, if Alexa doesn’t make any difference to you, go with the Megaboom 3.
