Short answer: the SoundLink Max, and the ranking gap is substantial. It ranks #17 of 120 large speakers at $399; the Epicboom ranks #89 at $228.59, $170.41 less.
Both distort under similar conditions. The SoundLink Max’s cons note it gets distorted above 80% volume; the Epicboom’s describe distortion and bass thuds in the 70 to 80% range. Neither is built to be pushed to its limit.
The SoundLink Max’s real weakness is a battery drain issue, not sound. Our notes describe deep, rich bass with a neutral tuning and app EQ, undercut by a reported self-drain of about 20% a week sitting unused, on top of a peak in the upper bass and a dipped midrange.
The Epicboom’s case is sustainability and being the largest UE portable that still feels portable, built mostly from recycled fabric and plastic, though our notes say bass isn’t very deep for its size.
Buy the SoundLink Max for the meaningfully better measured sound. Buy the Epicboom if UE’s ecosystem or its recycled materials specifically matter to you.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A rugged waterproof speaker with deep bass, a very long real world battery and a port that charges your phone.
A rugged, floating waterproof speaker made mostly from recycled materials, with long Bluetooth range and USB-C charging.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | Ultimate Ears Epicboom | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $228.59 |
| Ranked | #17 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #89 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 17 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) | 4.3 lbs (1.97 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 10.4” x 4.7” x 4.1” (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) | 4.7” x 9.5” x 6.4” (119 x 241 x 162 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79” (20mm) tweeter | 1x 120mm woofer, 2x 45mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | Yes (built-in loop) |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 10W RMS |
| Maximum SPL | - | 94dB (Manufacturer specified) |
Watch Them Compared
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