SOUNDBOKS Go Transportable Speaker Evaluation

I’m hooked on phonics — from podcasts to playlists to FM radio, I’m related to audio most hours of the day. And I’ve examined a wide selection of “fixes” for my audio dependancy: noise-canceling over-the-ear headphones, price range earphones, wi-fi earbuds, wearable mini-speakers, and waterproof boomboxes.

Every one has some upsides and drawbacks, and extra importantly, all of them have conditions through which they shine. As tech has superior, although, the sound high quality has frequently improved. But it surely’s all the time a secondary consideration to another attribute — portability, sturdiness, battery life, and cost time, for instance.

I approached testing the SOUNDBOKS Go unsure of what its main efficiency attribute could be. But it surely had simply sufficient active-outdoor life-style options — lengthy battery life, water and drop resistance, portability — to benefit a glance. What I discovered in testing was that this speaker is a wholly completely different animal than some other audio product I’ve examined earlier than.

In brief: The SOUNDBOKS Go presents a not-insignificant audio funding for individuals who desire a {powerful}, wealthy Bluetooth speaker that may work within the dwelling, at a yard BBQ, or out tailgating. Its battery life is terrific and it’s transportable sufficient to tag alongside on vehicle-based adventures. Simply be aware of your environment, as this speaker can overpower the world round it.

If you happen to’re purchasing for audio system, evaluate the SOUNDBOKS Go to others on GearJunkie’s information to the Finest Transportable Audio system.

SOUNDBOKS Go Transportable Speaker Evaluation

Transportable outside audio is having slightly little bit of a second proper now. Removed from new, Bluetooth-connected audio system have advanced from their tinny-sounding, rubber-cased ancestors right into a spectrum of portable-to-powerful merchandise. And whereas the choices fluctuate wildly in type and options, the standard of sound has vastly improved.

Admittedly, I initially supposed to pit the SOUNDBOKS Go towards one other newly launched Bluetooth speaker, the Turtlebox Gen 2. They each boast drop and water resistance and carry the unmistakable boombox aesthetic. Nevertheless, I rapidly discovered that these audio system have barely completely different strengths and use circumstances.

If you happen to’re in search of essentially the most rugged speaker that additionally provides strong sound and portability, take a look at our overview of the Turtlebox. Nevertheless, for those who think about your self a real audiophile and wish the richest and most transportable sound for yard events and tailgate pregames, then the SOUNDBOKS Go is extra your pace.

Building, Specs

The physique of the SOUNDBOKS Go measures about 18 inches extensive, 12 inches excessive, and 10 inches deep. It’s composed of an ABS and polycarbonate shell, a inflexible and acceptably sturdy construct that advertises drop/shock resistance as much as about 5 ft.

A nonremovable honeycomb baffle covers the entrance and helps defend the drivers — a 10-inch woofer and a 1-inch tweeter. A prime hat mount within the backside permits the speaker to affix to a pole or stand. The Go maxes out at 121 decibels and has a frequency vary of 40 Hz to twenty kHz.

Molle daisy chain webbing runs alongside both aspect of the speaker and supplies numerous attachment factors for equipment just like the shoulder strap (which I extremely advocate). A troublesome rubber deal with is connected to the highest for carrying.

The speaker weighs about 20 kilos, so it’s not a burden to carry and transfer, however the elective shoulder strap ($59) makes life simpler. You too can simply jury-rig your personal shoulder strap with customary carabiners.

The SOUNDBOKS charges the Go speaker at IP65 for water resistance. Virtually talking, you may spill on it or splash subsequent to it with out fear. However within the occasion the pool social gathering will get actually wild, do not submerge the speaker in water.

The speaker may also pair with as much as 4 different SOUNDBOKS audio system by way of “TeamUp” mode, with one speaker serving because the “host.”

Battery

Not like many different transportable audio system I’ve examined, the SOUNDBOKS Go has a swappable battery that may be charged both internally or externally. The model just lately transitioned to straightforward USB-C charging for this battery, so you should utilize any USB-C cable able to delivering not less than 65 W.

When you’ve got the cash, I’d advocate a second battery ($200), because it supplies nearly uninterrupted play for those who’re away from an influence supply. Nevertheless, the Go can accommodate pass-through charging, so when you have entry to grid energy or a generator, you may maintain listening whereas the battery expenses.

The 7.8Ah Li-ion battery requires 3.5 hours for a full recharge from a lifeless state. At mid-volume, the SOUNDBOKS Go provides about 40 hours of playtime and 10 hours at full quantity.

The battery has a built-in, five-stage energy indicator, so you may roughly estimate how a lot life stays earlier than full discharge.

Nice Indoors & Open air (Simply Not the ‘Nice Open air’)

In terms of portability, the SOUNDBOKS Go simply makes the reduce. Most different audio system reviewed on GearJunkie are smaller and lighter. At 21 kilos and concerning the dimension of a carry-on curler bag, this speaker requires a good quantity of trunk house and (ideally) not more than a brief stroll to your last vacation spot.

For that reason, I feel it’s a significantly better choice for outside use nearer to dwelling. What’s extra, it’s so {powerful} that it doesn’t actually complement a tenting journey within the woods.

Now that mentioned, this is likely to be essentially the most versatile premium speaker I’ve ever tried. It is going to fill any room with excellent bass and nuanced vary. The free companion app allows you to dial in no matter customized EQ settings you want finest.

I did max out the quantity inside, however it’s nearly definitely an excessive amount of energy to blast on full indoors. Maybe for a bustling social gathering, however even then, it’s most likely sufficient to maintain beneath max quantity. For an out of doors barbecue, cabin social gathering by the lake, or tailgating, nevertheless, this speaker finds a candy spot.

For starters, you don’t should child it into the mattress of a truck or set it down gently on the bottom. It’s lots powerful sufficient for jostling and bumping. Simply keep away from outright abuse.

I can verify the speaker will face up to tough dealing with into the again of a truck and driving over tough roads. And it had no downside blasting a soundtrack to shoveling whereas sitting in a snowbank.

Drawbacks

Whereas the SOUNDBOKS Go is a strong speaker, there are a few issues to think about and options I’d have preferred to see included.

For starters, there aren’t any controls to your music on the speaker itself past the facility/quantity knob. Nearly each different Bluetooth speaker I’ve used has buttons on the machine to advance or reverse tracks and play/pause. With the SOUNDBOKS Go, you’ll should handle all of that out of your cellphone or no matter machine you’ve related to play the music.

Second, this speaker has firmware, which you’ll need to replace every so often. This implies two issues: First, it’s best to use the app considerably repeatedly to test for these updates. Second, you’ll must maintain your cellphone close to the speaker whenever you do replace.

That is fairly customary, however for those who’ve occurred to overlook some firmware updates, this could go away you with an hours-long block through which it’s important to wait to your speaker to replace.

SOUNDBOKS Go: Who’s It For?

At $700, the SOUNDBOKS Go is an funding for these in search of a flexible speaker that prioritizes sound high quality over all else. It isn’t the best speaker for many who need simply transportable audio to make use of on the go and/or for the occasional podcast. For that, there are lighter-weight and fewer nuanced audio system that value much less.

However for those who get pleasure from entertaining and taking part in DJ for pleasant gatherings indoors and out and admire the flexibility to take the social gathering on the street, the SOUNDBOKS Go has rather a lot to love. Its lengthy battery life and practically uninterrupted playtime — with swappable batteries and pass-through energy — imply you received’t have to fret about charging repeatedly and earlier than every use. And with customization and pairing choices, you may create high-end audio experiences that may go nearly wherever you may.