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I tested an 'everything-proof' Bluetooth speaker that features Qi wireless charging - and can't go back
ZDNET's key takeaways
- The Altec Lansing Hydraboom 2.0 is available now on Amazon for $79.
- This Bluetooth speaker is waterproof, floats, and supports Qi wireless charging to keep your phone topped off.
- However, the sound focuses a bit too much on the mids, making it sound like a midrange speaker at best.
Have you ever wanted to mount a Bluetooth speaker to the rack on top of your vehicle (or just about any similar-sized pole or bar) and not care if it gets wet? Or maybe you're frequently out on your boat, need some tunes, and don't want to worry about losing the speaking to the watery depths.
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If that sounds like any given circumstance you might find yourself in, Altec Lansing has a Bluetooth speaker just for you.
The Hydraboom 2.0 everythingproof speaker is one such beast.
My experience
As I pulled the speaker from the box, the first thing I thought was, "This feels rock solid." I was right. This baby is tough. It has a nice grippy surface, everything is sealed, and it has a strong handle and clip for the included carabiner… and it floats.
That's right, this speaker floats.
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You could take a swim in the pool and bring this speaker along with you. With a 100-ft Bluetooth range, you don't have to worry about keeping it that close to the source. Fun times for sure (especially, given it's snowing yet again).
After the unboxing, I walked through my usual plan of attack:
- Connect the speaker to my Pixel 9 Pro.
- Open Spotify.
- Play "Analog Kid" by Rush.
- Listen and enjoy.
I'm not going to lie -- the sound from the Hydraboom 2.0 is fairly uneventful. The EQ curve favors the midrange, which will certainly not impress those who place a higher demand on immersion and sharp-hitting sound quality. But then again, this is $79 on Amazon, so you shouldn't expect anything but low-to-midrange audio.
Screw in the included clamps and mount the speaker to whatever you need.
The Hydraboom 2.0 does make up for the awkward EQ curve by delivering the decibels. It's not loudspeaker loud, but it will certainly keep the party going, even outdoors.
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The Hydraboom 2.0 is not a speaker you buy to impress your audiophile friends. This speaker is all about fun and on-the-go audio.
Oh, but the Hydroboom 2.0 has yet another trick up its sleeve. This Bluetooth speaker can also wirelessly charge your phone (as long as it supports Qi charging). Place your phone on top of the speaker, and the charging will commence.
Speaking of charging, a full charge gives you up to 16 hours of battery life, which is more than enough for your daily outing. And with the HyperEdge LED light modes, the fun just never stops.
Until the music ends. Or not.
Back to the sound quality
The EQ curve of the Hydraboom 2.0 certainly isn't the highlight of the speaker. But if you throw the right type of music at it, the sound isn't all that bad. Here's my genre take:
- Choral - voices are clear, with just enough depth and space to prevent them from getting muddy.
- Metal - there's just enough bass to give metal the punch it deserves, but the lack of highs really shows here.
- 80s - everything sounds good when you play 80s music through it.
- Pop - like choral, voices are clear, but also like metal the highs are missing. There's just enough punch in the low end but the mid-lows can get a bit shallow.
- Prog - a pretty good blend, but the mids are a bit glaring for the genre.
- Jazz - this might be the best genre for the Hydraboom. The likes of Miles Davis are clean and alive.
- Classical - there's a noticeable lack of separation to really discern the different instruments and voices.
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Most Bluetooth speakers these days allow you to install and use an app to adjust the EQ (and other features). Unfortunately, the only Altec Lansing app on the Google Play store is for older versions of Android, so there was no way to customize the sound. Too bad.
ZDNET's buying advice
It all boils down to this: do you favor ruggedness over sound quality? Do you need waterproof and don't really care if the soundstage is narrow or wide? Do you want fun or the ability to customize your EQ?
If a rugged, waterproof (and floating), and loud Bluetooth speaker will fill your needs, then the Hydraboom 2.0 is a great buy. If you place a high priority on sound quality, I recommend you look elsewhere. The thing about this speaker is that it's more fun than "phile."
If you're good with a lot of midrange, not so much highs, and no booming lows, you'll be happy as a clam with a speaker that can last as long as you need, go where you need it to go, and shrugs off water like a duck.