Soundboks, pronounced like soundbox, has a minor cult following for its massive, highly effective Bluetooth audio system. The corporate’s newest providing, nevertheless, is all about slicing down on worth and measurement to make a extra transportable wi-fi speaker whereas making an attempt to not diminish its sound high quality within the course of. The Soundboks Go is available in round 20 kilos and at $699—nonetheless a dedication in each regards.
The Soundboks Go has a 3.5 mm auxiliary enter, however no different inputs for a microphone or instrument. That limits its capability to be a compact karaoke occasion field like different competing merchandise. The corporate retains considered one of its signature options of wirelessly linking with a number of different Soundboks, so you possibly can at all times add extra audio system to the combination in the event you ever want extra quantity.
After spending a while with the Soundboks Go, I discovered it a powerful speaker that may present music for loads of sorts of outside gatherings. The speaker, together with its companion app, does have some quirks, although, which could not make it a slam dunk for everybody available in the market for a celebration sound system.
TL;DR
Execs:
- Heavy quantity of bass from a smallish speaker
- Helpful capability to hyperlink a number of audio system wirelessly
Cons:
- No quarter-inch or XLR inputs for microphones
- Unbiased quantity controls might be annoying
Purchase at Soundboks.
A Highly effective Moveable Bluetooth Speaker
TYLER HAYES
The Soundboks Go is clearly meant to go locations. The corporate calls it dentproof with a bolstered unibody enclosure, however it’s additionally splashproof with an IP65 score. Whereas its 20-pound weight is affordable for its measurement and sound functionality, it is nonetheless not precisely light-weight, in my view.
There are two 72-watt class D amplifiers inside, together with a 10-inch woofer and 1-inch silk dome tweeter.
Most individuals will use its Bluetooth 5.0 for wi-fi connectivity, however it does have a TeamUP connection for linking collectively 5 audio system—Soundboks (Gen. 3) or Soundboks Go. It is a beefy speaker so far as a Bluetooth goes.
Quirks or Advantages?
TYLER HAYES
After I first tried the Soundboks Go, there have been a number of options I discovered odd. The primary was that the amount knob on the speaker would not management the amount in your cellphone as most Bluetooth audio system do. The cellphone quantity and the speaker quantity function independently.
The rationale for that is associated to linking a number of audio system collectively. If a number of audio system are wirelessly linked, you may not need all of them to all have the identical quantity. I perceive this reasoning, however I do want this might be adjusted with a setting within the app. Even after weeks, I nonetheless discover it a bit annoying to have unbiased quantity controls.
The Soundboks Go has a detachable battery. That is international amongst Bluetooth audio system, as a result of most aren’t this massive or this costly. A swappable battery appears much less essential on this smaller unit than on the larger Soundboks (Gen. 3), however I do assume it’s a good contact right here. I bought used to eradicating the battery to cost it fairly rapidly. The battery can final someplace between 6 hours at full quantity and utilizing essentially the most aggressive bass EQ setting and 10 hours with a decrease quantity.
Firmware updates are a spotlight function for the corporate. This is not unusual; most firms have a solution to replace {hardware}. It would not even be price mentioning besides that I attempted to replace a speaker, and it seemingly bricked the machine. I reached out to buyer assist through e-mail and did not hear again once more after the primary contact (or have a decision).
The firmware replace course of leaves quite a bit to be desired, taking greater than half-hour in length. It additionally would not let you know within the app what’s being up to date or which new options are being added.
Occasion Speaker
TYLER HAYES
The Soundboks Go is an effective measurement to be a celebration speaker. It is comparatively compact and straightforward sufficient to maneuver round the home or yard with out hurting your again. If you happen to pair it with the shoulder strap, the field is less complicated to hold for for much longer distances.
I additionally assume the Soundboks Go has a helpful form to it. It lends itself nicely to being stackable and even for simply setting a drink on. It’s splashproof, in any case.
I in contrast the Soundboks Go instantly towards a JBL PartyBox 110, and I really got here away stunned at how nicely the JBL speaker carried out. The Soundboks Go was very related, particularly within the Highly effective EQ setting, however I tended to love the blended fullness only a contact extra on the PartyBox 110 utilizing default presets. That stated, the Soundboks Go can actually pack an audio punch when turned up and pushed.
Ought to You Purchase the Soundboks Go?
TYLER HAYES
The Soundboks Go is a speaker worthy of throwing a celebration. It may be a Spotify DJ in addition to something. My reluctance about it is not actually about sound high quality, it is extra about its market match. For instance, having the ability to join a microphone might be an enormous occasion use case—if not for karaoke or singing, then for making bulletins.
The Soundboks (Gen. 3) ought to have the ability to present much more quantity and consists of a number of mic and audio connection ports for $999. One thousand {dollars} is some huge cash, however it’s not far more in the event you’re already contemplating spending round $700 for the Go.
Personally, I believe the Soundboks Go makes a enjoyable seashore speaker. It might be an ideal summer time addition to a yard pool occasion, too. Even with its quirks, it is in all probability the suitable product for somebody. I am simply undecided what number of of these folks there are.
Purchase at Soundboks for $699.
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