Does the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 support AirPlay 2?
Best answer: Nope, the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 does not currently support AirPlay 2. Despite creating great speakers with even better sound quality, Ultimate Ears has yet to equip their portable speakers with the software functionality required to support Apple's AirPlay 2. However, there are quite a few similar speakers that are a little ahead of the game right now when it comes to trying to integrate with Apple's ecosystem, like the Libratone ZIPP.Amazon: Libratone ZIPP (opens in new tab) ($250)Amazon: Megaboom 3 (opens in new tab) ($200)
Let's talk about AirPlay 2
For folks who've gotten a taste of the Apple juice and have found themselves firmly planted in the Apple ecosystem, having a speaker with AirPlay 2 compatibility is important.
But what is AirPlay? According to Apple's website, "AirPlay lets you effortlessly stream music, videos, and games from any Apple device to your favorite speakers or TV." And after years of fine-tuning, Apple promises that AirPlay 2 will take your listening experience to a "whole new level." AirPlay 2 also adds the ability to stream music to multiple audio devices at the same time. So, you could start playing your favorite tunes from your Apple device and hear it playing in multiple rooms around the house simultaneously, or pick and choose which AirPlay speaker to stream to.
This approach typically offers better sound quality than regular Bluetooth streaming thanks to the additional bandwidth provided by Wi-Fi. Ideally, Apple would want you to keep it in the family and pick up its HomePod for your AirPlay 2 activities but there are other (cheaper) options.
Take a look at the Libratone ZIPP
The Libratone ZIPP is one of the best truly wireless speakers around with its Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options. The ZIPP boasts a 10-hour battery life and with its AirPlay 2 support, the speaker lets you connect up to six other speakers across multiple rooms in your home. ZIPP's cylindrical design offers "full-room" 360-degree sound and easy-to-setup presets which will store your five most played playlists or radio stations. The ZIPP comes in several colors, including Cloudy Grey, Victory Red, and Nordic Black. It's currently priced at $250 down from $300.
There's no AirPlay 2 support but the Megaboom 3 does offer quite a bit
Sure, there is no AirPlay 2 support on the Megaboom 3 but Ultimate Ears does sort of offer a similar speaker-linking feature called PartyUp. With PartyUp you have the option of linking up to 150 speakers via the Ultimate Ears app. The speaker also features an all-new Magic Button, which allows you to program your favorite playlists from your music streaming service and control your tracks with just one touch.
The speaker's body is wrapped in a light-shifting two-tone fabric and its cylindrical design offers 360-degree immersive sound with thundering bass. It also offers around 20 hours of uninterrupted playback time and has been dubbed "virtually indestructible" with an IP67 water and dustproof rating.
Apple Eco-friendly
The Libratone ZIPP does cost a little more than the Megaboom 3 but if AirPlay 2 support is what you're looking for then this is a great option. It's portable, gorgeous, and offers amazing sound.
Great bang for your buck!
The Megaboom 3 is seriously one of the best speakers on the market but it is lacking AirPlay 2 support. If you need a great speaker and you don't need the support, then you can't go wrong with the Ultimate Ears lineup.
