Afrigather 
Replace: Final Ears has now confirmed that the Wonderboom 3 helps Bluetooth 5.2.
It is no secret I have been hankering after the UE Wonderboom 3 for years. Why? As a result of the 2019 Wonderboom 2 was simply so good – even now, it is sitting fairly as one of many best Bluetooth speakers we have had the pleasure of testing.
And at last, at this time, it has arrived! The Final Ears Wonderboom 3 comes in 4 new jackets: Joyous Vivid (which is definitely grey), Hyper Pink, Efficiency Blue, and Lively Black – all made with a minimal of licensed 31% post-consumer plastic.
The crisp, bassy audio ought to now last as long as 14 hours – ie. an hour longer than the Wonderboom 2 – and the cellular Bluetooth vary is as much as a claimed 40m versus the 30m vary of the second-generation Wonderboom.
However that is it, of us. That is the place the improve record ends, so far as I can see.
As with the Wonderboom 2, the Wonderboom 3 nonetheless floats. It additionally has the identical cute ‘outside increase’ tree button on its underside, and it carries the like-for-like IP67 ranking for mud and water ingress. Nevertheless it additionally sports activities the identical micro USB charger that was comparatively previous information even in 2019 – so anybody trying to carry one USB-C charger to rule all of them might be sorely out of luck.
Final Ears was considerably cagey concerning the Bluetooth model supported at launch and, so far as I can inform, there’s been no change within the driver configuration beneath its new, eco-friendly jacket both – no racetrack-shaped drivers (as seen in JBL’s newest slew of audio system), no further few watts of energy, nothing.
I will be trustworthy: I am upset.
Did I point out that the Wonderboom 3 just isn’t backward suitable with older Wonderbooms both? So, when you’ve got a Wonderboom 2 kicking about, you will not have the ability to daisy-chain it to your shiny new Wonderboom 3 for greater mono or stereo sound.
Opinion: Wonderboom 3 is woefully low on upgrades, and I reckon it will not wash
Final Ears is main with the sustainability angle right here, however as a lover of its merchandise, I might hoped for extra.
Having held the Wonderboom 3 (count on a full evaluation quickly), the brand new colorways apart, I discover it indistinguishable from its older sibling – and therein lies the issue.
The place is the USB-C fast cost? And would it not have been an excessive amount of to ask UE’s engineers to supply its avid fan base a companion app? That may have opened the door to multi-room connectivity utilizing these reasonably priced audio system or beefing up the sound with its latest Hyperboom – which is quickly to launch in a brand new white colorway.
Do not get me improper, the Hyperboom is a really proficient product, and the Wonderboom 2 was an award winner again in 2019 throughout my tenure at What Hello-Fi?, which makes this 2022 replace all of the extra disappointing.
Within the three years since 2019, Bluetooth 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, and even 5.3 have cropped up in competing fashions and recent wi-fi earbuds, together with hundreds of newer Bluetooth audio system boasting ever-improved energy dealing with, higher stamina, mics and additional perks like USB-A ports to cost your cellphone whilst you boogie. And this simply… effectively, it does not appear sufficient.
I perceive that UE’s focus has been on utilizing extra eco-friendly supplies, however in the event you select to not improve, you have not contributed to the issue now, have you ever? The fast-fashion nature of consumerism is definitely solely compounded right here as a result of, I consider, with these meager upgrades (an additional hour of play, an additional 10m of vary) few followers will purchase a third-gen mannequin.
Final Ears has launched the Wonderboom 3 with the identical asking value because the inaugural Wonderboom and Wonderboom 2: $99 / £89 / AU$149. Will it grow to be the most recent addition to our best waterproof speakers shopping for information? I am unable to see it taking place – as a result of a key improve (and let’s be clear, I imply the charger) hasn’t been made.
Is it value shopping for a brand new Wonderboom 3? Clearly, it’s best to choose for your self (and I do love that pink colorway), however for me, the reply is not any. You do get a micro USB charging cable within the field – that is helpful as a result of I do not know that I nonetheless have one at dwelling – however in the event you like your tech to maneuver with the instances, that is an replace to overlook.
Becky is a senior employees author at TechRadar (which she has been assured refers to experience somewhat than age) specializing in all issues audio. Earlier than becoming a member of the staff, she spent three years at What Hello-Fi? testing and reviewing all the pieces from wallet-friendly wi-fi earbuds to large high-end sound programs. Previous to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, Becky freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 22-year profession as an expert dancer and aerialist – any love of dance begins with a love of music. Becky has beforehand contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo and The Stage. When not writing, she will be able to nonetheless be discovered throwing shapes in a dance studio, as of late with various levels of success.
