With its dynamic light show, the Soundcore Boom 2 is practically a portable disco.
Soundcore is the audio sub-brand of Anker Innovations, the computer accessories company that makes everything from power banks to Thunderbolt docks. The Boom 2 is the latest product to gallop from the Soundcore stable and is the second iteration of the brand’s party speaker which debuted at CES 2024.
The new Boom 2 wireless Bluetooth speaker has been designed for outdoor use and offers up to 80W of audio output enhanced and includes BassUp 2.0 technology for more low-end thump. There’s also plenty of detail and balance available for a well-focused soundstage for a pair of tweeters.
My first impressions were that the Boom 2 felt a little light, but I guess if you’re going to be carrying a speaker to the beach, along with plenty of refreshments, you don’t want anything too heavy to carry. So maybe weight doesn’t always equal serious sound. The integrated handle makes carrying the Boom 2 easy and convenient. Beneath the handle are a series of waterproof buttons for controlling the music, adjusting volume and customising lights and sound.
The Boom 2 speaker from Soundcore includes integrated and dynamic lighting effects.
As well as delivering a powerful bass via the Soundcore Boom 2’s woofer, the speaker includes controls for fine-tuning the bass in case you need to keep things down in the early hours. With the BassUp mode turned off, the speaker delivers up to 60W of stereo output with a 40W going to the woofer and 20W shared equally between two tweeters. However, when the BassUp 2.0 function is turned on, the Boom 2 boosts its woofer’s output to 50W and each of the tweeters gets 15W, bringing the total output to 80W.
With its 2.1 channel stereo design, the Boom 2 has a clear treble thanks to those two tweeters. Soundcore has used an active crossover with a digital signal processor that can customize the EQ settings for a balanced and smooth blend of high, mid-range, and bass.
The Soundcore Boom 2 also has two passive radiators with a symmetrical design for reinforcing the bass output. The passive radiators include integral RGB lights that can automatically sync their lighting effects to the beat of the music. Soundcore provides seven presets of lighting effects and users can customize the colors using the Soundcore app. Thankfully, you can turn the lights off completely if you want to.
The Boom 2 has controls ranged across its top and there’s also an integrated handle for carrying the … [+]
With its powerful bass and clear midrange, the Boom 2 sounds pretty good, especially considering it’s relatively light casing. The dynamic lighting is a nice extra and teens will be all over it with those customization options.
The Boom 2 is good for outdoor use and a full charge of the onboard battery provides up to 24 hours of playtime when running at 50% volume with BassUp and the lights turned off. You can expect considerably less with the sound levels cranked up, full-on bass and a dynamic light show in play.
The Boom 2 uses Soundcore Pro EQ for tailored sound and the speaker also supports PartyCast 2.0, enabling more than 100 Soundcore PartyCast speakers to be connected in sync. However, if your party is that large you might want to consider a PA system. Using the TWS button, users can also connect a pair of Boom 2 speakers into a true stereo pair, separating the left and right channels to create a wider soundstage.
The Boom 2 can float on water, according to Soundcore. I haven’t tried it but it could be useful in … [+]
One feature of the Boom 2 that’s particularly useful is its power bank function. The powerful built-in battery can be used for recharging a smartphone while it’s streaming music to the speaker. For those people who like a pool party or have a penchant for dancing in the rain, the Boom 2’s IPX7 waterproof certification ensures the speaker will shrug off a few enthusiastic splashes. Soundcore claims the speaker will even float on the water, providing uninterrupted music whether you’re in the pool, by the river or lying on a beach.
Verdict: The Soundcore Boom 2 is a well-designed party speaker with all the features you’d want for a pool party. It has an output of 80W and can pack quite a powerful punch. As with most party speakers, you’re not getting audiophile quality but you are getting a speaker that’s rugged, light and packed with party features and a hefty serving of thumpy bass and a fun light show.
Pricing & Availability: The Soundcore Boom 2 is available now in Phantom Black, Adventure Green and Explorer Blue. The price is $129.99 / £119. The speaker is now available on Soundcore and Amazon so there’s no excuse not to have a party.
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