Bluetooth: 5.0
Options: Sonos Voice Management, AirPlay 2, environmental Trueplay tuning, Adjustable EQ, multi-room, Alexa, Stereo pairing
Dimensions: 24.1 x 16 x 12.7cm
Weight: 3kg
The Transfer 2 sounds higher than its predecessor and the battery life is greater than twice as lengthy. It additionally has new controls that deliver it into line with essentially the most up-to-date Sonos fashions, in addition to a brand new olive inexperienced end. As a standalone sensible speaker, it is a really convincing effort.
For
- Sounds clearer, extra detailed and extra agile than predecessor
- Massive, daring sound
- Glorious streaming options
- Longer battery life
Towards
- Very costly
- Nonetheless too large to be really ‘transportable’
- No hi-res assist
- Rivals sound extra nuanced, spacious and time higher
Bluetooth: 5.0
Options: Outside Mode enhance, adjustable EQ, IP67 ranking, PartyUp daisy-chaining, One Contact NFC pairing (Android solely)
Dimensions: 16.2 x 24.1 x 11.9cm
Weight: 1.9kg
Final Ears returns with a giant, cumbersome transportable that provides a broad, strong sound in an equally sturdy package deal. Its sound might do with somewhat extra pep and spark, however this stays a well-made, well-furnished speaker with tons to love and lots to point out off.
For
- Broad, expansive sound
- Engaging and well-made
- Sturdy function set
Towards
- A little bit synthetic sounding
- Rivals supply extra perception and musicality
Sonos has constructed a lot of its status on its vary of premium sensible audio system, a lot in order that the American model stays a market chief on this explicit subject. If you’d like refined residence audio inside a fantastically adept ecosystem, Sonos is usually the best place to begin.
We favored the unique Sonos Transfer mannequin, granting it 4 stars at launch, and regardless of an inflated price ticket, the Transfer 2 is one other fantastic addition to the Sonos steady. Like its predecessor, it is a big transportable speaker, however it’s extra the kind of factor that you just carry from one room to a different after which set down slightly than stick in your backpack and lug round for a complete day-long tour.
The Final Ears Epicboom, in the meantime, is comparable in dimension and form to the Transfer 2, albeit with a lower cost tag and a smaller raft of in-built options. They may look related, however there’s lots that would separate these two succesful performers in the case of making an knowledgeable shopper resolution.
Sonos Transfer 2 vs UE Epicboom: worth
We cannot sugarcoat it: the Sonos Transfer 2 doesn’t come low-cost. The hefty semi-portable launched earlier this yr for £449 / $449 / AU$749, and we will not see the worth dropping any time quickly. The Black Friday gross sales in November may see some cheeky offers pull that inflated price ticket down a bit, however we would advise that you do not maintain your breath.
The Final Ears Epicboom, in the meantime, is a few hundred quid cheaper, boasting a check worth of £330 / $350/ AU$500. It is nonetheless a premium worth to pay for a conveyable Bluetooth speaker, thoughts you. Contemplating it is so recent to the market, we would be shocked if that worth dropped in any respect earlier than subsequent yr.
** Winner: Final Ears Epicboom**
Sonos Transfer 2 vs UE Epicboom: design
The Transfer 2 is bought as a conveyable Bluetooth speaker, however it’s a far cry from the small-form daintiness of the five-star JBL Flip 6 or the funky Final Ears Wonderboom 3. A kind of mini-monolith round which tiny Pagans may worship had been they so inclined, the Transfer 2 is comparable in dimension and form to a mid-sized home equipment. You possibly can conceivably lug it to a barbecue or wedding ceremony occasion, however it’s designed to be the kind of factor you progress from room to room or possibly out into your personal again backyard through the recessed carry deal with on the again.
On the floor, the Transfer 2 could be very related in look to the unique mannequin, sporting Sonos’ fantastic construct high quality alongside a powerful IP56 water- and dust-proof ranking. For those who do deliver it outdoors, it will not be susceptible to the weather.
The icons and contact controls on prime have been redesigned to match the Period 100 and Period 300 audio system, together with the neat quantity slider. The buttons across the again for energy, Bluetooth pairing and mic on/off have been reworked as effectively, and there is a slightly tasteful olive inexperienced end to enhance the same old white and black choices.
The UE, in the meantime, is fairly just like the Transfer 2 when it comes to kind and design. If something, we would count on an Final Ears product to be a world aside from Sonos’ aesthetic playbook, however it’s fairly restrained contemplating the colorful designs we’re used to seeing from UE. If something, we’re barely dissatisfied that it does not go additional within the funky stakes.
Once more, the Epicboom is a sturdy mini-monolith that pushes the bounds of what you’d take into account transportable with out totally straying from its temporary. Might you’re taking it out on a stroll? Sure, however it’s higher used as a semi-stationary speaker that may be carried to a location after which set down for the day, slightly than as a handheld that fairly actually goes wherever you do. It’s a good bit lighter than the Transfer 2, and there is a small strap on the again to assist carry it round.
Just like the Sonos Transfer 2, although, it is greater than able to coping with the weather ought to they change into a difficulty. With an IP67 ranking and the power to drift in water, that is nonetheless very a lot a go-anywhere unit, with the Epicboom surviving a dip in our workplace sink with out smoking on the edges. It retained a little bit of water after testing, although, so simply be cautious of that earlier than you begin dunking with abandon.
General, although, the Transfer 2 is somewhat classier, somewhat fancier and, finally, somewhat extra premium in its design.
** Winner: Sonos Transfer 2 **
Sonos Transfer 2 vs UE Epicboom: options
The Transfer 2 is greater than only a Bluetooth speaker. The feature-laden Sonos Transfer 2 helps 24-bit/48kHz hi-res music information from Qobuz and Amazon Music, whereas Alexa and Sonos Voice Management are readily available for hands-free playback. With AirPlay 2, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth streaming compatibility, it scores large over the Epicboom in the case of connectivity and playback choices.
One of many Transfer 2’s greatest enhancements is battery life, which now stands at a powerful 24 hours, over double the 10-11 hours we had been capable of squeeze from the unique Transfer mannequin. That battery, by the way, is replaceable, whereas a wi-fi charging base is included within the field.
The Transfer 2 additionally has the appreciable boon of being suitable with the wonderful, user-friendly and complete Sonos app, which makes set-up and pairing an absolute breeze. You get entry to many streaming providers via the app, whereas there’s scope so as to add the Transfer 2 right into a higher Sonos multi-room. Moreover, Sonos’s Trueplay room calibration tuning for adjusting the Transfer 2’s sound to the place it is positioned in a room (or open air) is a helpful function.
The cheaper Epicboom is not fairly as spectacular on this entrance, because it’s ‘solely’ a Bluetooth speaker and does not have the streaming smarts of the Sonos. What it does have for its transportable wants is a useful Outside Mode, which additional boosts the Epicboom’s sound when performed within the nice open air by providing up an additional 1dB of energy for a much less bassy, extra forthright sound profile.
Battery lifetime of 17 hours or so for the Epicboom is first rate, however it’s comfortably overwhelmed by the Transfer 2’s 24. The Epicboom does have its personal UE app, which permits pairing with a number of different UE fashions such because the Increase 3, the Megaboom 3, the Hyperboom and even one other Epicboom. It is nice, intuitive and simple to make use of, however it’s not as in-depth or as feature-laden as the wonderful Sonos platform.
In the end, the Epicboom is not on the Sonos Transfer 2’s stage in the case of providing a really refined ecosystem or as many wi-fi streaming choices, however it fulfils its temporary with normal Bluetooth options and extra of a give attention to out of doors use, ruggedness and intuitiveness. A win for the Transfer 2, although, feels inevitable.
** Winner: Sonos Transfer 2 **
Sonos Transfer 2 vs UE Epicboom: sound
The Transfer 2 is an enchancment on the unique Transfer, including layers of musical curiosity and pleasure whereas nonetheless spreading sound impressively with energy and element. Sonically, it is a vastly succesful performer.
For events, particularly, it is an actual blast. Songs are thrown round with abandon, and it has no hassle staying composed whereas elevating the roof. There’s extra grip and depth to the bass than the unique Transfer, whereas notes sound cleaner and extra exact, and there is actual meat and richness to the unit’s basic sonic tone. The newest Transfer does sound a contact bass-heavy because of its clear emphasis on boldness and punch, however the Transfer’s barely ahead steadiness will reward you no matter the place and the way you hear.
The Epicboom, in the meantime, provides a giant, daring sound with breadth aplenty and a stable, well-rounded presentation. Crank the speaker as much as its loudest echelons and the music will retain its integrity admirably, holding collectively with out distortion or harsh edges on the treble pitch. It is a good all-round performer, particularly if you take the UE’s smaller price ticket under consideration.
We have voiced our doubts, nevertheless, as to the Epicboom’s means to supply dynamism and musicality, and whereas it’s clearly able to producing a large, highly effective sound, its inclination in direction of a barely synthetic tone generally is a limiting issue. Hearken to the UE side-by-side with the Transfer 2 and you will find extra richness, tonality and depth inside the latter’s presentation.
If you’d like one thing that provides a transparent, pure but genuinely textured replica, the Sonos is a cultured performer. Switching again to the Epicboom is in no way a letdown, however there are inevitable shortcomings which can be illuminated throughout our back-to-back assessments. Although it sports activities a a lot increased price ticket, you’ll be able to’t escape the clear sonic distinction between the 2 fashions.
** Winner: Sonos Transfer 2**
Sonos Transfer 2 vs UE Epicboom: verdict
The Transfer 2 is actually an enchancment on its predecessor, and whereas it does not fairly handle to hit the heights of the total five-star ranking, it looks like issues are on target. Battery life is improved, the sound high quality has been refined, and it is as well-built and unassumingly aesthetic as most Sonos merchandise lately.
The Epicboom, conversely, has bit extra rugged likeability about it, regardless of not being as premium or as refined total. It is extra tough and prepared than the marginally aloof Transfer 2, though it is hindered by a much less muscular, much less concerned sound and a smaller bag of tips than its Sonos rival.
That stated, the Epicboom is considerably cheaper than the Transfer 2, one thing that actually might sway your resolution when push involves shove. For those who worth all the fancy issues the Transfer 2 can do (wi-fi capabilities, spatial audio and so on.), Sonos’ speaker makes a level of sense, particularly with its clear sonic benefits. For these trying to save round £120 although, the Epicboom is much from a idiot’s funding, even if you have in mind its comparative sonic and useful shortcomings.
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