Choosing Between Two Premium Portable Speakers: EPICBOOM vs BIGGIE

The portable speaker market has evolved significantly in recent years, with manufacturers pushing boundaries in both sound quality and versatility. Today, we're comparing two recent entries in the premium segment: the Ultimate Ears EPICBOOM ($229.99) and the Morel BIGGIE ($299).

The Current State of Portable Audio

Premium portable speakers have come a long way from simple Bluetooth boxes. Today's high-end models offer sophisticated digital signal processing (DSP), advanced driver designs, and features like adaptive EQ that automatically adjusts sound based on your environment. While both of our contenders launched recently - the EPICBOOM in September 2023 and the BIGGIE in early 2024 - they take notably different approaches to portable audio.

Two Different Philosophies

The EPICBOOM embraces the modern outdoor-ready approach, with its waterproof design and 360-degree sound pattern. Think of it as the adventurous audiophile's companion - ready for poolside parties or backyard gatherings, while still delivering sound quality that discerning listeners will appreciate.

The BIGGIE takes a more traditional hi-fi approach. It's what we might call "transportable" rather than truly portable, prioritizing sound quality over ruggedness. Its two-way speaker design (meaning separate drivers for high and low frequencies) is more similar to what you'd find in quality bookshelf speakers.

Deep Dive: Sound Quality

EPICBOOM's Approach

The EPICBOOM uses two 45mm drivers for mid and high frequencies, plus a larger 120mm woofer for bass. This three-driver setup, combined with 360-degree sound dispersion, creates an impressive sound field that works especially well outdoors where sound tends to dissipate quickly.

The adaptive EQ is particularly clever - it uses built-in microphones to analyze the environment and adjust the sound accordingly. In practice, this means better clarity whether you're in a small room or open outdoor space.

BIGGIE's Traditional Excellence

The BIGGIE takes a different route with its 1-inch soft dome tweeter and 4-inch woofer. This classic two-way design, common in high-end home speakers, allows for more precise sound reproduction. The 60-watt amplification system (split between 45W for the woofer and 15W for the tweeter) provides impressive dynamic range - the ability to handle both quiet and loud passages without distortion.

In real-world listening, the BIGGIE shows its audiophile heritage with better detail in complex musical passages and more natural vocal reproduction. However, it's designed to sound best when you're sitting in front of it, unlike the EPICBOOM's all-directions approach.

Practical Considerations

Durability and Weather Resistance

The EPICBOOM's IP67 rating means it's fully dustproof and can handle submersion in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. It's built to handle drops, splashes, and outdoor conditions. The BIGGIE, while well-built, isn't designed for outdoor abuse and should be kept away from water.

Battery Life and Charging

Both speakers offer impressive battery life: 17 hours for the EPICBOOM and 20 hours for the BIGGIE. The BIGGIE adds fast charging - 20 minutes gets you about 4 hours of playback. Real-world testing suggests both slightly underperform their rated times at higher volumes, which is typical for portable speakers.

Connectivity and Modern Features

Both speakers use Bluetooth 5.3, but there are meaningful differences in implementation. The EPICBOOM's 55-meter range is good, but the BIGGIE extends this to an impressive 165 feet. The BIGGIE also includes a 3.5mm auxiliary input, which audiophiles will appreciate for connecting high-quality source devices.

Special Features Worth Noting

EPICBOOM's Party Tricks

• PartyUp feature lets you connect multiple Ultimate Ears speakers
• One-touch NFC pairing for Android devices
• Outdoor Boost mode that adjusts EQ for open-air listening
• Floating design for poolside use

BIGGIE's Audiophile Touches

• True Wireless Stereo for connecting two units in stereo
• USB-C port can charge your phone
• Custom DSP that optimizes sound at different volume levels
• Premium MDF cabinet construction to minimize vibration

Value Proposition

At $229.99, the EPICBOOM represents solid value for a premium outdoor-capable speaker. Its versatility and durability justify the price, especially considering similar outdoor speakers often cost more.

The BIGGIE at $299 is positioning itself as a more premium option. The higher price brings better sound quality and more traditional hi-fi features, but you lose the outdoor versatility.

How to Decide

Choose the EPICBOOM if:

• You'll use it outdoors frequently
• You want worry-free durability
• You prefer 360-degree sound
• You prioritize versatility over absolute sound quality

Choose the BIGGIE if:

• Sound quality is your top priority
• You'll use it primarily indoors
• You appreciate traditional hi-fi features
• You want the option of wired connections

The Bottom Line

Both speakers excel in their intended use cases. The EPICBOOM is the more versatile choice, offering good sound quality with excellent durability and outdoor features. The BIGGIE delivers superior sound quality but asks you to trade some portability and durability for that acoustic performance.

For most users looking for a genuine portable speaker, the EPICBOOM's combination of features, durability, and sound quality make it the more practical choice. However, if you're primarily using the speaker indoors and prioritize sound quality above all else, the BIGGIE's superior acoustics might be worth the extra investment and reduced portability.

Remember that both represent significant improvements over budget portable speakers, and either will serve well as a primary portable audio solution - just be honest about how and where you'll use it most often.

Ultimate Ears EPICBOOM Portable Bluetooth Speaker Deals and Prices

Morel BIGGIE Portable Bluetooth Speaker Deals and Prices