Verdict
The Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus stands out as one of the largest and most powerful Bluetooth speaker in its Leontyne Price range . If you ’re look to rock an out-of-door political party , but do n’t want to deal with an expensive and gigantic party speaker unit , this is the perfect middle soil . It look great , vocalize great and come at a very sane monetary value .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
A couple of month ago , I take the Soundcore Boom 2 for a whirl , and it impressed me with its copious bassy sound signature and tough retro design . Now , there ’s a new translation on the scene . The Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is large , louder and bassier , for those time when your typicalBluetooth speakerisn’t quite enough .
look at the two models , it ’s clear that they ’re associate . Both have big catch grip running along the top , similar grille designs , and standardized passive radiator on either side . With the Boom 2 Plus , though , everything is supersized , hint at a severely potent experience . It ’s so openhanded , in fact , that Anker allow for a shoulder shoulder strap in the box to help you choke up it about .
The Plus rendering retails for $ 249.99 / £ 199.99 and I was worked up to receive out if it ’s worth the extra disbursal , and the heft , compare to the stock model . After pumping plenty of tunes in the spring cheerfulness , here ’s what I think .
Design
As name above , there are lots of similarities between the Boom 2 Plus and the standardBoom 2 , but the larger framework has a slightly less box-shaped look . The side sweep inwards at an slant , and the front grille is curved , resulting in more streamlined styling .
It looks even more like a XC boombox , and I ’m a big devotee of the pattern . Both modeling count right in their own right , but the Boom 2 Plus feels more agiotage overall . They ’re both mostly made from plastic , but the Plus has a courteous two - tone finishing , while the housing of the stock Boom 2 feels a little more rugged and utilitarian .
I have the Phantom Black version in for testing , but it ’s also available in Adventure Green and Explorer Blue if you ’d opt a little more personality . As mentioned , the black version is n’t whole black , It has a two - tone design , with dreary greyness panels framing the twist on all sides . It ’s nothing too cheap , but it does look good .
On either side of the handle , you ’ll feel a metal attachment compass point for the included shoulder strap . The strap attach with sturdy - feeling Soundcore - branded G - Hooks , and once it ’s in place , there ’s almost no danger of it unexpectedly unplug . It ’s a skillful small inclusion and it definitely nominate have a bun in the oven this healthy loudspeaker system much easier .
There are rubberised button on the top , with mostly the same layout as its small sibling . There ’s a big businessman clitoris , pair control , volume up and down , play / pause and PartyCast and Bass Up switch . There is one new addition , though , and that ’s a lighting mode push . I was really happy to see this , as it mean you could switch the colour of the RGB accent lights on the radiators without needing to expend the app .
Around the back , a thick India rubber bung can be removed to bring out the ports . There are only two , but again , it ’s an improvement on the smaller model . Here you ’ll detect a single USB - C port , which is used to load the machine but can also move as an output to turn on other gimmick , and this clip , there ’s a 3.5 millimeter auxiliary input , too . This is a bang-up plus , as it means the speaker can be used with just about anything , rather than being limit to Bluetooth root only .
This speaker isIPX7 certify , which means it ’s fundamentally waterproofed , and it ’ll even float if you drop it in a swim pool . It ’s unadulterated for the unpredictable weather that comes with British pickup . Keep in mind you ’ll need to be careful at the beach , though , as it ’s not rated to withstand debris ingress .
Features
The Boom 2 Plus can be used with the same Soundcore companion app as the stock Boom 2 , and it ’s usable on both the Apple App Store and Google Play . Once tie , you get access to a 9 - banding counterbalance , as well as preset musical mode that can give you a flat sound or underscore the vocals and soprano for dissimilar genres .
You also get finer control over the firing effects within the app . you could prefer between eight light upshot , and you could tweak the colors of each setting . All of them seem to be euphony - reactive , which is o.k. by me , and the effect are much more impressive on the larger radiators of this gimmick than its smaller sib .
Firstly , the LEDs are much brighter , which makes the light much more impactful . The multi - color gradient and normal impression are much more pronounced on the larger surface of these topnotch - sized radiators , too . My favourite modality features two color that look like they ’re chasing each other around the bound of the inflammation zona , but of trend , you’re able to turn them off entirely , if you prefer .
The app also lets you hold in thing like the light of the clit backlighting , and you’re able to adjust an reflex power - off timekeeper if you like . There are controls for the BassUp and PartyCast option , too .
My favourite thing about this utterer , though , is that you could ignore the app completely and still get the full experience . Most functions have physical buttons and can be activated without ever opening the app , it ’s only really the equaliser that you miss out on . As someone with far too many apps installed , It ’s refreshing to sleep together I can get rid of this one and not omit out on much .
PartyCast allows you to wirelessly connect up to 100 Soundcore speakers , and they ’ll sync your medicine and lighting essence so you may fill a wide domain with sound . I only quiz with two speaker , but it could n’t have been easier . Simply turn both on , press the PartyCast Button on each , and begin play some music .
The Soundcore Boom 2 Plus can do as a power bank if you need to top up your smartphone or add-on on the go . It ’s not the fast charger , only output 10W , but it ’s a handy feature nonetheless . Interestingly , the same port can tight saddle the speaker at 30W , it would have been prissy to see that work in both directions .
Anker has n’t divvy up the accurate mental ability of the bombardment , but it says it ’s unspoilt for 20 hour of playback on a charge . All I know for sure is that I charged it up when it arrived , and after hatful of use over the last couple of week , it ’s still not dead . So whether it lasts 20 hour or not , it ’ll play for a bunch longer than most multitude will need .
Sound Quality
The Soundcore Boom 2 Plus boast dual subwoofers , double tweeters and duplicate passive radiators to give birth a powerful and bassy strait . In normal mode , it ’ll output up to 100W and with BassUp activated it boosts to 140W. Comparatively , the received Boom 2 maxes out at 80W with BassUp twist on .
This means it can get seriously brassy . Around the house , I rarely exceeded 50 % loudness , and it really felt like I was crank it up when I got anywhere close . If you need to fill a enceinte infinite or are planning to employ it alfresco for a garden company , then this speaker will have no trouble delivering the loudness demand . I bet it ’d work well as a portable PA , too , when combined with a suitable microphone .
There ’s little to no deformation at maximum bulk when used with a Bluetooth source , and with such a flashy end product in a relatively succinct housing , that ’s impressive stuff . If typical Bluetooth speakers are n’t quite write out it , but you do n’t want to jump to a full - on party talker , this is a great option .
The wakeless key signature is similar to the normal Boom 2 : it ’s strong , bass - forward and pleasant to mind to . At the same sentence , the mids and highs are present and do n’t get too muddied by the depleted - oddment thump . With this modelling , however , the excess subwoofer kicks the bass up a notch .
On the smaller loudspeaker , I found I needed the BassUp way active all the time to get the best audio but that ’s not the case here . In fact , on path that are already bass voice - grievous , it sometimes became too much . Turning off BassUp style can deliver a more balanced speech sound – it ’s still warm but less overdone . It ’s courteous to have a earsplitting alternative for political party clock time , though .
Anker say the Boom 2 Plus can represent frequencies from 40Hz – 40kHz , liken to the Boom 2 ’s mountain chain of 50Hz – 20kHz . I ca n’t say I noticed much conflict at the top ending , but it unquestionably extends a slight deeper into the sub - bass oftenness . In either fount , though , it ’s no match for an actual subwoofer , and you ’ll be miss out on some passing bass gang fight . Realistically , most medicine does n’t utilise these frequencies , but sub - bass fiends may be a little frustrated .
The staging is a little lacking , too . It run back in stereophonic , but the number one wood are closemouthed together and do n’t really hand over much of a stereo effect . If that ’s what you ’re looking for , you ’ll need to appear elsewhere , as even with multiple Soundcore verbalizer , you do n’t seem to be able to make a wireless stereo pair .
That said , it ’s clearly not the end of this production . This is design to crank out loud and bassy party tune for summer gather , and it ’s perfect for that . It excels in delivering the thumping basslines of hip - hop and house lead , and rock , funk and soul vocalize just as effective , too .
Latest deals
Should you buy it?
The Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus can deport astonishingly high bulk levels for its sizing . It ’s a perfect choice for outdoor party , without having to mete out with the bulk of a typical party speaker
If you require something that you may throw in a back pack and keep with you , this is not the right-hand choice . The snatch deal and articulatio humeri shoulder strap make it easier to manage than some other utterer , but it ’s still too large and heavy to carry over long distances
Final Thoughts
At this sizing , output level , and price , the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus put up out as a great option . Most similarly priced speakers are much less knock-down , and more focussed on portability . Meanwhile , most party speakers are more expensive , and significantly larger and heavier , too .
The JBL Xtreme 4 is an obvious contender , with a standardized contour factor and included shoulder joint strap , but it ’s much more expensive , and it ’s not as flash , at least on paper . The olderXtreme 3can be found at similar prices to the Boom 2 Plus , while stocks last , but again , it ’s not probable to be as tawdry , there are no lights and the battery does n’t last as long . So the Boom 2 Plus unquestionably has its benefits .
If you ’re looking to advance to a larger and more powerful Bluetooth utterer , but do n’t want something as enceinte and cumbersome as a distinctive party loudspeaker , this is one of the fine options around . It ’s middling price , sounds fantastic and look great , especially when the light pulse along with the round .
Trusted Score
How we test
We try out every wireless talker we review good over an extended time period of time . We use manufacture standard tests to compare features by rights . We ’ll always tell you what we notice . We never , ever , accept money to review a product .
rule out more about how we quiz in ourethics insurance .
FAQs
Yes , using PartyCast 2.0 the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus can wirelessly sync with up to 100 compatible Anker loudspeaker system .
The Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is IPX7 - rate , which means it ’ll withstand full submergence in water for up to 30 minutes . It also floats , so you may fish it out if it falls in the pool .
