If the compact Wonderboom is too big for you, Ultimate Ears’ latest speaker replaces that model as the smallest entry in the company’s current lineup. As the name suggests, the Miniroll is a smaller version of the company’s flat, circular Roll design. This new Bluetooth option weighs less than a pound and can be tucked into small pockets. Or, as UE wanted to show in marketing materials, the speaker can attach to almost anything thanks to a built-in, flexible strap.
Once again, Ultimate Ears retained prominent volume buttons as a key design element. Power and play/pause buttons are on the left, with the latter control also assisting with track skipping and activating PartyUp mode (with OraCast) for syncing with other Miniroll speakers. On the bottom edge, there’s a USB-C port for charging. Even though that component is completely exposed, the speaker is IP67 rated dust and waterproof, plus it’s able to withstand a drop of about four feet (1.2 meters).
Don’t let the small size fool you, the Miniroll is still powerful. The speaker can manage up to 85.5dB of sound, which is impressive for a unit of this stature. That big sound is powered by a 45.6mm active driver and a 37.75mm x 65mm passive radiator.
The Ultimate Ears promise up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge, giving you plenty of power for a full-day party. There’s also a sustainability element here. The fabric is made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled polyester and the speaker features at least 40 percent post-consumer recycled plastic parts.
The Miniroll is available now in black, blue, grey and pink colour options for $80 (€80/£70). At this price, the speaker is the most affordable in the current UE range – in addition to being the smallest.
There are several factors to consider when buying wireless earbuds. Some people want the best active noise cancellation (ANC) performance, while others want features that can be used all day. Some want seamless interaction with their phone and some are looking for the best sound quality. If you fall into the last category, the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 ($399) is worth considering.
The company has consistently delivered some of the best audio performance you’ll find in over-ear headphones. But its wireless earbuds weren’t quite on the same level. They offered great clarity and ample consideration of subtle details in songs. Still, there was work to be done to create a fuller, more immersive soundstage. With the Pi8, the company has overhauled its sound platform, adding new, larger drivers for more nuance and better low-end tone. Unfortunately, there are still some areas where Bowers & Wilkins needs to improve to truly rival the best.
What’s great about the Pi8
Bowers & Wilkins introduced an all-new design on the Pi8, which offers a completely different shape than the Pi7 S2. This model has a more uniform, oval shell, which I think gives it a refined look compared to its predecessor.
The company also chose to use interesting details, like a microphone grille that stretches across the width of the earbuds, to hide components that have historically been prominently displayed. Yes, that outer area still accepts taps and long presses for calls and audio playback, and those actions get quick responses.