First; sorry for everyone who thinks this speaker is great, but this is my opinion.
To start with, I have (since 2013) the JBL Charge (1). I have been using this for years with pleasure, super satisfied with it (especially if you compare it, in terms of price and accessories, with now. Only yes, the Charge is of course getting a bit old. (not waterproof, the hard plastic design, sound quality (etc). So it was time for a new speaker. Then I bought a speaker from UE online, the Boom 3. Checked reviews online, also here at coolblue, All fine, satisfied, all in all good reviews. Now that I have it for a few days given a chance I must say I'm very disappointed Let's start: Sound, when I compare this with the old (now elderly Charge 1) the bass is not found on the UE, not even with the Bass EQ you have on the UE App can turn on. The mids (mainly voices) are very good, as are the highs which are also fine. I don't understand why the UE went for this "sound signature" as it is not even really a neutral sound is because then there should be more bass. By the way, the app is is easy and convenient, if it is within bluetooth range it can be turned on via the app, surely the best feature after the build quality. Speaking of which; the best. Waterproof, dustproof, floats, resistant to a spray of water (garden hose, shower, etc.). But it is waterproof, and floating is more than enough for 90% of people, I think. So, all in all. No idea why you would want to buy this speaker unless you are someone who goes camping every weekend and is so careless with expensive electronics that it has to be water and dust proof. In terms of size, buy the JBL Flip 4, cheaper, slightly smaller even, equally waterproof and floating, and better sound quality (more bass, more neutral sound, also good mids and highs). In terms of price, the Sony XB-31 is cheaper, less high and middle tones, but a bass that is 4 to 5 times better (and then the Extra bass button can still be added) and the XB-41 is just a size larger slightly more expensive but much harder. Of course the same “sound” as the XB-31 (so a lot of bass). And if you just want an all-round better speaker go for the Charge 4 which is slightly newer than the Boom 3. Slightly more expensive, better sound quality in every way and of course more bass (again). Also, all the aforementioned speakers are just waterproof, as perhaps everyone uses them, if they fall out of hands in the pool or in the shower or bath, etc. Owja and that 360 Degree sound is just a marketing stunt, everyone puts the Just put the speaker on a table, desk, cabinet on the side of the room, or in a corner, and not in the middle of the room, and even then, place the speaker with the speakers facing you. It is also not that if you sit at the back of the speaker that you do not hear anything at all, because then the UE also hears nothing at the front and back since he has the speakers on the "sides".
"Hehe, he's finally done with his whining." Sorry for the super long review. But I hope that someone like me who goes to Harstyle/Hardcore, EDM, Hip-hop, Pop, you name it (because what genre of music doesn't have bass in their songs anymore) , makes me think about the buy this speaker because honestly, compared to that charge from 2013 I would have said, Yes (sturdier, more beautiful, etc) but compared to speakers that are on the market now, in 2018, a big NO, save your money or spend just a little more for something much better.
