Last year, Ultimate Ears released its unique-looking UE Roll Bluetooth speaker just in time for the summer. Waterproof, portable, and priced at $100, the speaker didn’t need to actually sound too good to be a hit, but the fact that it did made it an even better buy. Considering how well that speaker was received, it was a no-brainer that Ultimate Ears would give it a sequel.
Today the company officially unveiled that sequel, predictably named the UE Roll 2. The speaker keeps the unique shape and IPX7 certification for water and shock resistance of the original, but appears to improve on its older sibling in all the right ways.
“Thanks to its bungee cord loop, UE Roll was our most portable, convenient, on-the-go speaker in the family,” Ultimate Ears general manager Charlotte Johs said in a statement. “No other speaker comes with everything you need to hang it in the shower, float it in the pool, or attach it to your bike. UE Roll 2 delivers all that and more, with improved sound and wireless range, so you can do more of what you love with even more freedom and flexibility.”
The speaker weighs in at slightly over half a pound, but packs increased volume and wireless range. Ultimate Ears claims the speaker offers “15 percent more sound” than the original model, as well as a wireless range of up to 100 feet. This is likely only in the most ideal conditions, but is considerably better than the 30-foot range many Bluetooth speakers offer.
The small size, weight, and rugged build mean the UE Roll 2 can go pretty much anywhere you can, and the included bungie cord loop allows the speaker to hang on to almost anything. Ultimate Ears even includes what it calls the UE Floatie, allowing listeners to bring the speaker into the pool with them.
Ultimate Ears claims a battery life of up to nine hours, but this is bound to change based on how loud you listen, among other factors. Be sure to give the UE Roll 2 plenty of time plugged in before you take it with you, as the company says charge time via Micro USB is 5.5 hours.
The UE Roll 2 keeps the same $100 price tag as the original, and is available in the U.S. and select countries in Europe starting this month. For more information, see the Ultimate Ears website.
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