Ultimate Ears, which was acquired by Logitech in 2008, has clearly produced a very popular Boom product series.

The UE Boom is a 360-degree portable speaker, which launched in the winter of 2013 and has been well-received in the New Zealand market. It's easy tounderstand why Kiwis like it due to it's clever design, great sound and portable nature.

The UE Boom doesn't appear very large when one experiences it for the first time: it's essentially a cylinder-shaped tube 60 mm in diametre and in 190 mm height that weighs 0.55 kg. Its centre of gravity is located near the the base, which makes it quite stable and it isn't likely to fall over in case someone accidentally bounces into it. There's a hook at the top so that it can be hung up.

The speaker is wireless and Bluetooth enabled, and can easily be controlled by Android and iOS mobile apps. This means that you can play and share all your songs on your phone during the barbeque or birthday party. The 15 hour battery life and high sound ensure a pleasant audio experience.

The price around $200 is relatively high compared to other portable speakers sold in New Zealand, but Kiwis perceive it as offering high value.

The successor to UE Boom is the Logitech UE Boom 2. Kiwi audiophiles should also consider the UE MegaBoom. The UE Mini Boom and the UE Roll come at a cheaper price tag and retails at around $130.