I wasn't expecting my ears to bleed and the new firmware allows you to toggle between normal mode and loud mode

Also, updating the speaker's firmware can unlock a "loud" mode that increases the available volume significantly (as well as allows other customization settings).2

Since I purchased the unit, their updates improved sound in normal mode and provided loud mode for outside, although I prefer quality sound of normal mode

To enable/disable Loud Mode

Microphone works great too, and loud mode increases the max volume a good 50% in perceivable loudness.

Speaker lasted only a few hours in 20-30 dregree weather and when put in loud mode and turned all the way up it sounds like crap, 3 stars for it is built really well and sounded great until volume was maxed out

Even with the newly added Loud Mode, which sacrifices quality for loudness, doesnt cut it

This speaker is extraordinary, I can fill an entire parking lot that is meant to hold buses with this speaker (on loud mode)

Forget about maxing out volume in "loud" mode.

Couldn't find any reviews after the update or reviews on its loud mode

We honestly have no need for loud mode

However once unpacked, the firmware flashed to allow the switching to loud mode, I was no longer disappointed.

Make sure you download the updated driver from the fugoo website for loud mode

even in loud mode, the volume levels are not what I was hoping for

Downside about the LOUD mode is that it needs to be turned on (the device needs to be turned off and on to activate it) but doesn't take more then 2 seconds to do so

Super durable tough caseSolid battery life (14-16 hours on loud mode at max volume, about twice that on normal mode at moderate volume)BalanceMountableEasy to use

probably not however you have the option to change the volume from normal mode to loud mode which nobody seems to mention

It leaves out all question because it tells you of it is on, off, connected, on loud mode etc

In LOUD mode battery is used faster but great for parties, sound fills an area at least 20x20, depending on ambient noise.

Updated latest and virtually no difference, except that loud mode creates unacceptable distortion without increasing volume and range of listening area

Happens even in "quiet" mode.

I first started noticing the "hiss" and "pops" some time back but thought the speaker was on a loud mode

Because of the usual close proximity of the speaker, there’s been no need to switch from normal to loud mode

(dont forget to turn on the loud mode after the software

The speaker sounds very good too with very little distortion at the highest volume on loud mode

but it in loud mode and the regular mode and it wasent even loud and the sound quality is terrorble

I had the speaker turned up all the way on "loud mode"-which comes with the new update

When you enable "loud mode" you definitely experience some distortion at max volume

Putting the unit into "loud mode" will definitely increase the volume, but will also introduce distortion and could possibly damage it, I've seen mine jump across the table when a bass-heavy track came on

One, it tends to distort at high volumes and in order to get the higher volume, you have to turn the speaker off to enter the "Loud Mode".

Currently (June 2014) there are two sound modes availble, normal & loud

Then after i read you can do a firmware update to get the "LOUD" mode

In loud mode this speaker is easily listenable on a four lane road in the rain with semi-trucks driving by

Updated latest and virtually no difference, except that loud mode creates unacceptable distortion without increasing volume and range of listening area

40 hours on normal mode and 20 in loud mode

only drawback is not knowing when loud mode is on and switching between the two without turning the device off

Restarting the device in Loud-mode definitely amps up the volume level to be close to the UE BOOM ... but at the cost of some sound quality (starts sounding like the BOOM in loud-mode too which we thought was a lower quality sound)

Excellent sound quality, thoe it does tend to over amp in "Loud mode" causing some bass distortion

I'm not super impressed with the sound in either 'loud' or regular mode at maximum volume, but it's just fine at lower levels

Also, updating the speaker's firmware can unlock a "loud" mode that increases the available volume significantly (as well as allows other customization settings).2

The sounds were still loud, crisp and clear at max in LOUD mode, does not distort the music

Wonder if I can get a trade-in?(It's not that it was just a voice- annoyingly loud and non-adjustable, but every action called it up, and it would be capped with a snippet of music and a rimshot, even more irritating.)While disabling the voice eliminates the worst of the problem, it does not get it 100% as the cheerful "Pairing mode" voice informs you when the "pair" button is pressed

In loud mode is it still pretty darn loud

Once I held down the O and powered it up, it went into Loud Mode, and I was like wow this is loud.

Little wonder they came out with a "loud" mode firmware update

I turned on LOUD mode and was shocked as it was only a little bit louder than before

The sound quality is great, in normal mode or in loud mode.

Even with the newest firmware and the unit set to "loud" mode - it had NO bass.

Not only was it's volume rather poor (even when boosted in loud mode), it's bass is almost non-existent

I'm not sure if there was a defect in the speaker or not but when listing at max volume (not loud mode) the tweeters would crack and the base was also crackeling

In a hotel room, it's probably even too loud in loud mode

The thing actually managed to shake the counter it was placed on, and that was before updating it to the new firmware which includes a 'loud mode'

Unfortunately, as many others have commented, it is not loud enough and loud mode doesn't make much of a difference.

Not loud enough, even in "Loud Mode".

I have never had to turn this to anywhere near max volume, and i've never had to enter the loud mode at all

I tried this with fully charged Nude Super M (which has a muffled sound on audible books compared to ue boom, fugoo and eve soundlink mini)