Short answer: the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 for better sound quality, the Bose SoundLink Color II for the lower price. The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 ranks #83 of 136 medium speakers at $163. The Bose SoundLink Color II ranks #98 at $139, $24 cheaper.
The case for the Bose SoundLink Color II: Soft-touch rubber coating is comfortable to hold and tough enough for bumps and scrapes. The catch: Boosted bass on Color II.
On the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 side: IP67 rated, floats, and survives drops from up to 1 meter. Watch for: Not stereo, barely any bass.
One note: the Bose SoundLink Color II is discontinued, but it still ranks #98 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Color II if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 if sound quality matters more than the price.
If battery life is a priority, the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 is rated for 20 hours versus 8 hours for the Bose SoundLink Color II.
If water resistance matters to you, the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Bose SoundLink Color II at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Color II | Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.00 Discontinued | $163 |
| Ranked | #98 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #83 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 600 g | 2 lbs / 925 g |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 5.2" x 5" x 2.2" (132 x 127 x 56 mm) | 3.4" x 8.9" x 3.4" (87 x 225 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm full-range drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 70Hz |
| Max Volume | - | 98dB |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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The Two Speakers In Full
Bose SoundLink Color II: $139.00 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Soft-touch rubber coating is comfortable to hold and tough enough for bumps and scrapes. IPX4 splashproof. Supports multipoint pairing to two devices at once.
Cons: Boosted bass on Color II. Not as deep of bass as other models. Lacking midrange detail. Rolled off treble. Discontinued.
Full Bose SoundLink Color II review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.2" x 5" x 2.2" (132 x 127 x 56 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3: $163 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated, floats, and survives drops from up to 1 meter. 20 hour battery life - about double most speakers this size.
Cons: Not stereo, barely any bass. You can tell from the micro USB that they are just feeding you the same crap hardware over and over, this is inexcusable for a product released in 2018. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 8.9" x 3.4" (87 x 225 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 98dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 2 lbs / 925 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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