The Transfer 2 allows you to go anyplace and has a 24-hour battery packed into a transportable (albeit pretty hefty) design. Auto Trueplay tunes the speaker’s audio output for wherever you are listening, inside or out.
For
- Highly effective, balanced sound
- Can pair with one other Transfer 2 for true stereo over Wi-Fi
- 24 hours of battery life
- A number of voice assistants
In opposition to
- Too heavy to hold far
- Worth feels excessive
Unveiled concurrently the Sonos Transfer 2, the UE Epicboom is a Bluetooth-only transportable speaker. It is lighter, floatable, and battery life runs to 17 hours. It prices lower than the Sonos, too.
For
- Balanced sound
- Nice portability
- Water-proof and floatable design
- Can pair with a number of Increase audio system
In opposition to
- Adaptive EQ wasn’t efficient
- Lacks power with some genres
As our greatest Bluetooth audio system shopping for information reveals, good house audio system are actually coming with standard brief vary Bluetooth wi-fi connectivity capabilities. However once I’m cleansing up the yard, picnicking within the park, hanging out on the seaside or stress-free by a pool, I need a transportable speaker that is versatile sufficient to slot in with my exercise and sturdy sufficient to play all day.
As likelihood (or design) would have it, we not too long ago noticed two new transportable Bluetooth audio system unveiled by rival makers at the very same time. Each the Sonos Transfer 2 and the Final Ears Epicboom obtained introduced on September 6, 2023, and after a number of weeks of standalone exams, it is time to put these two transportable audio system head-to-head. Which is one of the best mannequin for taking out into the yard or on a highway journey?
Each fashions supply sturdy sturdiness for a life on the transfer however include very totally different options, and any shopping for choice will come all the way down to particular person wants. However with a $100 distinction between these two new transportable Bluetooth audio system, value can also play an element.
Learn on to learn the way two of one of the best out of doors audio system examine and which is one of the best worth in your wants.
Sonos Transfer 2 vs. UE Epicboom: Specs in contrast
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Sonos Transfer 2 | Final Ears Epicboom |
|---|---|---|
| Worth | $449 / £449 / AU$799 | $349 / £340 / AU$499 |
| Wi-fi | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Bluetooth |
| Battery life (rated) | 24 hours | 17 hours |
| Dimension | 9.4 x 6.3 x 4.9 inches | 9.4 x 6.3 x 4.6 inches |
| Weight | 6.6 kilos | 4.4 kilos |
| Sturdiness | IP56 | IP67 |
| Colours | Black, white, olive | Charcoal black, cotton white |
Sonos Transfer 2 vs. UE Epicboom: Worth and availability
There is a $100 value distinction between these two transportable audio system. The Sonos Transfer 2 is obtainable now from the Sonos Retailer and prices $449 / £449 / €499 / AU$799, which is $50 greater than the unique Sonos Transfer debuted in 2019. It is accessible in black, white colour choices instantly, whereas a brand new olive colorway will ship in November.
The Epicboom is priced at $349 / £340 / $499 and accessible in black and white colour choices solely — each the maker’s Megaboom 3 and Wonderboom 3 transportable speaker mannequin are available in a wider alternative of colour choices. It is accessible from the Final Ears web site and likewise from on-line retailers together with Amazon and Greatest Purchase. That is $100 lower than the Sonos Transfer 2, however it’s value saying right here that the Epicboom does not have the Wi-Fi connectivity and powerful good options of the Transfer 2.
Even with the Wi-Fi smarts making it the extra versatile mannequin, the Sonos Transfer 2’s larger value feels a bit steep — it is $200 costlier than the Sonos Period 100 house speaker. If it is transportable Bluetooth that is most vital to you, the Final Ears Epicboom is the extra reasonably priced mannequin.
Winner: Final Ears Epicboom
Sonos Transfer 2 vs. UE Epicboom: Design
You are unlikely to have the ability to inform the Sonos Transfer 2 other than the unique Transfer at only a look, however the design has a extra subtle house speaker really feel in comparison with the rugged design of the Final Ears Epicboom.
Each transportable audio system have related dimensions, however the Sonos is an efficient deal heavier. There is a helpful finger recess on the again that is useful for transferring it round the home, however the larger weight means you will not need to carry it far. It has an IP56-rating for mud and waterproofing, which implies it may be roughed round a bit, however it’s unlikely to outlive a day on the seaside or a moist evening left exterior.
The UE Epicboom alternatively is 2 kilos lighter and has a carry strap. It is also higher protected with a IP67-rating, defending it from water splashes and short-time submersion. It is one of the vital strong fashions I’ve encountered and a contender for probably the greatest waterproof audio system. There’s even a rubberized management panel on the highest and a safety cap for the USB-C charging port behind the speaker.
When it comes to portability and probably the most sturdy design, the Final Ears Epicboom is the extra sensible mannequin for all times on the transfer.
Winner: Final Ears Epicboom
Sonos Transfer 2 vs. UE Epicboom: Controls
The Sonos Transfer 2 has all of the connectivity smarts that include integrating any Sonos speaker. Whenever you’re house, you’ll be able to management the Sonos Transfer as you’ll some other in its ecosystem by way of the delicate Sonos S2 management app. Then, if you’re away out of your community, Bluetooth picks up the place you left off. Moreover, the Transfer 2 has the identical capacitive quantity slider and contact controls on high similar to the Sonos Period 100 and Sonos Period 300 house audio system.
Along with bodily controls on the speaker and within the Sonos app, the Sonos Transfer 2 could be managed by way of voice assistant. It’s appropriate with Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice Assistant.
In the meantime, the Epicboom has primary push controls to determine Bluetooth connectivity and play/pause on the highest floor. Quantity stage controls are the massive +/- buttons on the entrance. The Increase management app allows customers to regulate EQ settings with 5 presets plus a person set choice to allow listeners to regulate the 360-degree sound to their specific style.
The app additionally allows customers to avoid wasting favourite music to a button on the Epic’s predominant management panel. The preset can accommodate as much as 4 playlists or albums that customers can cycle by means of to pick. It may solely be used with three of the finest music streaming providers although, together with Amazon Music, Apple Music (iOS solely), and Spotify (Android gadgets solely). There is not any voice management accessible on the Final Ears Epicboom.
Winner: Sonos Transfer 2
Sonos Transfer 2 vs. UE Epicboom: Sound high quality
Finally, it is the Sonos Transfer 2 that has the larger sound. The stability matches the Sonos Period 100 with top-notch efficiency throughout the board with nice vocal readability even when the speaker is turned as much as a excessive stage. There’s loads of rhythmic depth and extra midrange readability than you’d count on from a transportable speaker. The Sonos Transfer 2 has loads of conviction in delivering a dynamic audio expertise.
At the least a few of that’s due to Auto Trueplay, which makes spatial changes mechanically. Outdoor the speaker managed to make up for lack of reflection factors and produce a balanced sound with loads of power.
By comparability the Final Ears Epicboom is not fairly as richly balanced. Vocals of all types sound clear and detailed, however bass heavy tracks lack the type of supply to match the delicate sound the Sonos Transfer 2 manages. What you do get when it comes to bass is properly detailed and rhythmic although.
Carrying the Epicboom by its carry strap round the home and out into the yard felt like a extra rewarding expertise, making it an ideal carry speaker for a stroll. Curiously, I most popular the sound with Outside Increase switched off throughout my exterior trials.
Winner: Sonos Transfer 2
Sonos Transfer 2 vs. UE Epicboom: Battery life
When it comes to playback instances, the Sonos Transfer 2 lasts as much as 24 hours, whereas battery life for the Epicboom claims to ship as much as 17 hours of playtime.
The Final Ears has a USB-C charging port on the again, whereas the Sonos Transfer 2 makes use of a charging base giving it a devoted spot to sit down and recharge at house.
Full recharges on the Final Ears Epicboom take round 3 hours and battery life is displayed as a proportion on the Increase app. Battery life is displayed beneath the system tab on the Sonos S2 management app.
Winner: Sonos Transfer 2
Sonos Transfer 2 vs. UE Epicboom: Verdict
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Sonos Transfer 2 | Final Ears Epicboom |
|---|---|---|
| Worth and worth (10) | 8 | 9 |
| Design (20) | 15 | 17 |
| Connectivity (15) | 15 | 12 |
| Controls (15) | 15 | 13 |
| Sound high quality (25) | 20 | 15 |
| Battery life (15) | 15 | 12 |
| Whole rating (100) | 88 | 78 |
Regardless of the upper value, the additional flexibility and top-notch efficiency make the Sonos Transfer 2 the final word transportable speaker total. Though it is not precisely a take-anywhere speaker due its weight, it is a great mannequin for these seeking to combine a transportable speaker at house with an current Sonos ecosystem — or a robust constructing block to start out from — which you can simply take out to the yard.
In the event you’re after a transportable speaker with rather less sophistication for journey journeys then the Final Ears Epicboom is a superb alternative. It presents sturdy sturdiness to endure journeys to the seaside, pool events, and even taken into the bathe, and is a sensible Bluetooth speaker resolution that a lot will heat to.
Winner: Sonos Transfer 2
