This year's International Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2018) marked a significant leap in voice-based Human-Machine Interface (HMI) technology, with major tech companies showcasing their latest innovations. Among the most notable were smart speakers that demonstrated advanced voice control capabilities. One such product was the Alexa-powered Megablast from Ultimate Ears, a brand under Logitech. The Megablast combines high-fidelity audio, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and advanced acoustic processing in a rugged, waterproof design. We had the chance to take it apart and explore its inner workings.
Amazon’s Echo line set a new benchmark for voice-controlled audio systems, prompting competitors like Bose, Sonos, Google, and Apple to integrate voice assistants into their products. This led to a "multi-assistant" strategy where users could choose between different voice platforms, depending on their preferences.
For discerning users, while a small speaker may not deliver theater-level sound, its ease of use, portability, and reliability make it an attractive option. Key factors to consider include audio quality, wireless connection stability, and the device’s ability to recognize voice commands even in noisy environments.
The Megablast was designed with these three aspects in mind. It features IP67 water and dust resistance, meaning it can survive immersion in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes. It comes with built-in Amazon Alexa, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, and can be set up in just five minutes. It also supports popular streaming services beyond Alexa, offering a versatile audio experience.
Measuring approximately 237mm x 88mm, the Megablast delivers 360° surround sound at up to 93dB, with a frequency range of 60Hz to 20kHz. It uses two 25mm tweeters, two 55mm midrange drivers, and two 85x50mm passive radiators for deep bass. The Li-ion battery provides up to 16 hours of playback, and it supports Bluetooth connectivity up to 150 feet and Wi-Fi up to 330 feet.
The speaker also includes a detachable D-ring for easy mounting or hanging. To charge via USB, the back cover must be removed. Despite its compact size, the Megablast offers impressive sound quality, especially for mid and high frequencies, though the bass is not as powerful as a dedicated home theater system.
In terms of voice recognition, the Megablast uses multiple microphones with beamforming and noise cancellation to pick up commands clearly, even in a noisy environment. However, unlike the Echo or Echo Dot, which have visual indicators, the Megablast only shows a small silver light when active, making it less obvious when it’s listening.
When disassembling the Megablast, we found three MEMS microphones positioned on top, along with a Bluetooth antenna and a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth SoC from SPIL. The speech recognition chip is the DBMD5 from DSP Group, which enables clear voice control in challenging environments.
The internal structure is well-designed, with components bonded to the main board using insulating foam to ensure stability. The audio processing is handled by two NXP DACs and a TI Class D amplifier, delivering high-quality sound without the need for a heat sink.
Overall, the Megablast offers excellent portability and performance, proving that even traditional audio brands can adapt to modern voice-driven technologies. Despite its unique design, it delivers a seamless user experience. As one user put it, “It might look strange, but it works beautifully.â€
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