3-way speaker system w/ 8” full range main driver + 3” Tweeter + 8” rear facing subwoofer Back-lit buttons and large LED display for night viewing
Integrated Velcro pouch for easy transport and storage of accessories
Microphone built in for Siri & Google ECOCONNECT: Pair 2 EcoBoulder Plus’s together at a distance up to 30 feet between the two speakers and be completely immersed in sound. Pair 2 EcoBoulder Plus’s together at a distance up to 30 feet between the two speakers and be completely immersed in sound. It weighs 27 lbs and has a built-in handle and wheels so you don’t need to break your back carrying it.
That is something we didn’t test as it is the middle of winter in Chicago and we don’t have a pool. The design reminds me of a large piece of luggage only with buttons and speaker grilles all over it. On the back of the unit, you’ll find the subwoofer along with the handle that tucks away like rolling luggage. The handle is sturdy and feels pretty solid, again, not unlike your luggage. Around the front is the rest of the speaker array along with bold ECOXGEAR branding. Along the right side of the speaker is a bottle opener, a nice touch I thought, along with a canvas pouch.
Opening up the top cap reveals a USB port, AUX, and microphone in. Cycles through all modes Play/Pause: Play and pause music coming from Bluetooth Adjusts the mic volume 0-30 EcoConnect Button: Pairs two EcoBoulder+ speakers together
Adjusts the main speaker volume 0-30 Backlight Button: Turns the lights on and off on the control panel
Used to tune radio stations on the included AM/FM tuner EcoTalk: Use Siri or Google Assistant via Bluetooth from your device Use Siri or Google Assistant via Bluetooth from your device AM/FM Presets and EQ: Store 5 radio stations and use equalizer controls
I wouldn’t say it’s the prettiest thing on two wheels but I think most people will be just fine with its looks given its versatility and function. Take this tailgating, camping, on picnics, to the pool, and other outdoor festivities. To my surprise, the bass response was rather thin for such a large speaker. So I suspect you may give up a little sound quality for the ability to project and fill an outdoor space with this speaker.
I’m fairly confident that ECOXGEAR isn’t lying about battery life here. There are other, smaller, yet less versatile speakers out there that sound better but don’t get as loud and aren’t as multi-faceted that cost more.
The ECOXGEAR EcoBoulder+ is a massive multi-function speaker that could very well serve you well on your next outdoor excursion. This could be the perfect speaker for many who just want to blast some tunes at their next tailgate party.
EcoXGear EcoBoulder+ Review
We’ve reviewed plenty of Bluetooth speakers from EcoXGear that are portable and outdoor friendly, but most tend to be small enough to stow in a backpack or purse. The EcoBoulder+ delivers 100 watts of sonic fury and some unique, borderline-ridiculous extra features like a built-in bottle opener, an input for guitars and microphones, and cup holders.
The 19.8-by-15.5-by-11.3-inch speaker (HWD), as mentioned, has a telescoping luggage-style handle and wheels, so its 27-pound weight shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
And, to really go the extra mile, the right side panel features not only a velcro-on carrying pouch (for housing cables or whatever else will fit inside its relatively generous proportions), but also a bottle opener.
Near all of these controls, a display tells you what listening mode you’re in, as well as EQ settings, battery life status, and other relevant info. The side panel houses connections for the aforementioned mic (not included), a 3.5mm aux input, and a USB charging port for powering your devices using the speaker’s battery.
While we tested in Normal EQ mode, it is certainly possible to increase or decrease both bass and treble, though we found these adjustments unnecessary, and also to be on the more subtle side. On tracks with intense sub-bass content, like The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” the EcoBoulder+ delivers a solid low frequency response, even in Normal mode.
Generally speaking, this is a nicely balanced sound—not terribly accurate, really, but there’s plenty of high frequency presence to match the bass boosting. Bill Callahan’s “Drover,” a track with far less deep bass in the mix, gives us a better sense of the general sound signature. We hear far more bass depth from Callahan’s baritone vocals, which tells us that most of the boosting on this system is done in the lows and low-mids and not so much in the sub-bass department. On Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “No Church in the Wild,” the kick drum loop gets plenty of high-mid presence, accentuating its sharp attack and allowing it to slice through the layers of the mix.
The sub-bass synth hits that punctuate the beat are more implied than delivered—despite its bulky size, the EcoBoulder+ doesn’t deliver subwoofer-like thunder. For orchestral tracks, like the opening scene in John Adams’ The Gospel According to the Other Mary, the lower register instrumentation gets a slight push forward in the mix, mainly because much of its presence exists in the lows and low-mids, but generally speaking, this is a bright sound signature. EcoXGear EcoBoulder+ 3.5 See It at Amazon MSRP $249.99 Pros Crisp audio with solid bass at high volumes.
The Bottom Line The EcoXGear EcoBoulder+ is a unique portable Bluetooth speaker with built-in cup holders, a bottle opener, wheels, and the ability to float or double as a guitar amp.
EcoBoulder+
(Be careful, the charging caps and waterproof compartment must be closed properly to keep the EcoBoulder+ watertight.) The IPX7 Waterproof Standard means that the product is protected against water immersion. ECOXGEAR tests all their products by submerging them in AT LEAST 3 feet of water.
The connectivity for the EcoBoulder+ is designed and tested to far exceed 30 feet (up to 100ft) from your Bluetooth device.
Walls, leaded glass windows and metal studs inside the drywall will affect the range operation. Try lowering the volume control of your connected device or musical instrument.
To improve FM reception, do not use USB charging ports and unplug from AC power.
The EcoBoulder+ is the Off-road Vehicle of Bluetooth Speakers
You’ll also be able to increase sound output by syncing two Ecoboulder+ speakers together through the “Ecoconnect” feature, which supports a connection range of up to 30 feet. It also includes a couple handy built-in accessories for when you finally find the perfect spot, such as an integrated bottle opener and two cup holders big enough to hold 30-ounce ramblers. At a certain point, the Ecoboulder+ begins to sound more like an off-road vehicle than a speaker, packing just about every important feature you’d want from a great piece of outdoor gear.
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