With most of us now carrying an improbable amount of music on smartphones, iPods or other digital doodads, Bluetooth speakers have really come of age. One of the latest contenders in this genre is Logitech's Bluetooth Ultimate Ears Boom. There may be more wallet pleasing Bluetooth speaker options available, but few can match the UE boom's design, portability and audio quality.
Look and feel
At about the size of a small coke bottle, the UE Boom packs a surprising punch. Essentially 60mm cylinder that's about 190mm in length, the Boom weighs in at just under 550 grams, making it a highly portable audio option, and a great travel companion. That the Boom's weight is concentrated at its base also means it is also able to be stood up (a small hook on its top also means it can be hung). Sheer design cleverness aside, the boom is also pretty durable thanks to a sturdy rubberised outer and a tough fabric covering its speaker grills. The review unit I was supplied with was finished in a striking white and orange design that could best be described as pleasantly distinctive.
In Use
Operating the Boom is simplicity itself. For a start its controls are minimal to the point of being sufficiently idiot proof that even this writer managed to get it up and running with no RTFM (reading the freaking manual). The controls consist of a large volume up and volume down button plus a power button and small Bluetooth pairing button on the Boom's underside. Paring the Boom with my iPod touch was seamless; even if it initially startled me (the Boom played a loud bongo drum roll to let me know it'd successfully paired up with my iPod).