Customers highly value the Soundboks 4's exceptional sound quality, citing its crisp, clear audio across all volume levels and ability to reproduce vocals with clarity. The long battery life, enabled by hot-swappable batteries and USB-C charging, is another significant plus, along with its impressive volume and portability. Its durability and water resistance are also frequently praised. There were no negative customer comments reported.
This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.
The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
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Rated 5 out of 5 stars
BEST PORTABLE SPEAKER!
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
BEST WIRELESS SPEAKER ON THE MARKET!!!! I have gone through so many portable speakers but none come relatively close to this one. The SOUNDBOKS exceeds expectations. It’s extremely loud, clear, durable and well worth it!
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Soundboks and BB rock
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Superb speaker, delivered quickly in perfect shape. Thanks Best Buy!
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Best in the west!! top blue tooth !! speechless !! Better quality and sound than sony and jbl partybox 710 plus you can get a backpack for IF YOU REALLY WANT PARTY
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Soundboks 4 is an absolute powerhouse of a Bluetooth speaker; there’s, really, no other way to describe it. Prior to the Soundboks 4, I had never heard of the Soundboks brand, but the phenomenal and, at times, stunning performance of this speaker has ensured that the Soundboks name will be front and center in any potential conversations regarding future Bluetooth speaker purchases. To briefly sum up my experience with the Soundboks 4, I have never owned a speaker that can deliver this level of volume and clarity, let alone one that’s completely wireless and driven via Bluetooth.
The form factor and component materials of the Soundboks 4 are the first indicators that this is something far greater than your typical “party speaker.” Featuring an overall design that is equal parts rugged and sleek, along with some of the sturdiest materials and construction I’ve ever seen in a piece of consumer audio equipment, all facets of the Soundboks 4 bleed “premium.” On top of looking and feeling premium, the Soundboks 4 is very durable as well, sporting an IP65 dust/water resistance rating. Standing at approximately 26” tall, 17” wide, and almost 12” deep, the Soundboks 4 is eye-catchingly large and carries with it a level of audio performance that goes far beyond mere justification of its own size. Despite its large form factor, the Soundboks 4 still manages to be portable in the hands of only one person. Featuring sturdy and conveniently placed handles on either side of the unit over the dual subwoofer vents, the Soundboks 4 is easy to carry wherever you need to bring the music.
Speaking to the audio performance of the Soundboks 4, versatility in excellence is the name of the game. Whether you’re cozied up by a bonfire with the night winding down, or just getting the brats on the grill at a tailgate, the Soundboks 4 can deliver all the delicate clarity and sheer power required of it. For quieter, intimate listening settings, the Soundboks 4 offers crisp and impressively accurate sound quality with an overall sound profile indistinguishable from performance at “normal” volumes. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of using premium audio equipment before, you’ll recognize this as the immensely satisfying ability to play music with a consistent level of detail and frequency response, regardless of volume level. At times, it’s actually somewhat startling hearing the Soundboks 4 replicate certain sounds so accurately at such a low volume. On the flip side, if you’re responsible for the music a sizeable backyard gathering or a rowdy day at the beach, have no fear: the Soundboks 4 is the single loudest speaker I have ever used, capable of delivering clear and powerful sound even to those over a hundred feet away from it. With a peak volume of 126dB (equivalent to emergency vehicle sirens or a running chainsaw), I had some difficulty even determining a location suitable for testing the speaker’s performance at this level. I opted to try it out in my back yard during the day, and it was almost surreal cranking it up to the max volume and still being able to hear it, clearly, from the foot of my driveway in front of my home. Even at this, frankly, impractical volume, the Soundboks 4 maintains its stellar audio performance, able to broadcast even the most intricate musical details to the surrounding backyards of my neighbors. At scales like this, it sounds like hyperbole, but the Soundboks 4 really is that powerful.
Regarding the speaker’s non-musical technical aspects, the Soundboks 4 maintains its outstanding performance and hosts an impressive suite of standard and non-standard Bluetooth speaker features. Starting with the battery, the Soundboks 4 is powered by a hefty removable battery slotted into the side of the unit, which is rechargeable via USB-C connection. Outside of the extremely smooth motion of removing and inserting the battery, the battery itself has the juice to drive the speaker at maximum volume for up to 8 hours. When I received the unit, I pulled the battery out and charged it up to full, taking about 3 hours to top off the ~60% charge from the factory. Even after four days of consistent testing, likely totaling upwards of 7.5 hours of continued use at varying volume levels, the battery life indicator reads 4/5, suggesting I could get an impressive 35+ hours of use per charge with this usage pattern (consistent with Soundboks’ estimate of a 40-hour battery life). Moving on to the control panel, the Soundboks 4 keeps it simple and premium. Featuring a power button, volume knob, and a button used for syncing the speaker with other Soundboks speakers for tandem play, the Soundboks 4 is very easy to use, even for those with only minimal experience using Bluetooth speakers. To that point, connecting my phone to it was an incredibly easy endeavor. I only needed to hold the power button until the Bluetooth indicator was blinking, then select the speaker in my phone’s Bluetooth settings – something other Bluetooth speakers inexplicably manage to complicate. If you find that you’d like to expand the functionality further, Soundboks also offers an app, through which you can access different sound profile presets, a 6-band EQ to customize the sound profile exactly to your liking, the ability to put password protection on the speaker, and the ability to configure multiple speakers for tandem use. Typically, I am, by no means, a fan of audio products with their own app, but Soundboks managed to surprise me here as well. After a very simple device pairing process, I was able to use every facet of their app responsively, without issue. Topping off the non-musical technical aspects of the Soundboks 4, the speaker also has an input/output panel on its rear hosting an AUX input, AUX output, and two Balanced XLR/6.35 mm combo inputs for microphones, guitars, or mixing boards. This panel impressively expands the functionality of the Soundboks 4 into the realm of conventional stereo setups, and in some ways even eclipses them.
Overall, the Soundboks 4 is easily, by a wide margin, the most impressive Bluetooth speaker I’ve ever used. It is simply unmatched in its clarity, power, durability, and versatility. Going forward, this speaker will be coming along with me to anywhere I think there may be a potential desire for music. Whether it’s a lowkey bonfire between friends or a raucous tailgate, I know this speaker will happily, effortlessly deliver anything asked of it.
Posted . Owned for less than 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Wow amazing sound. My dj friend has one and that sold me on spending the money for one. I got some gold avery vinyl to add some color to mine.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Impressive performance and well built
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Great quality clean sound at any volume level and very long lasting battery and very good quality materials, easy to set up
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Battery life, Sound quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Louder Music makes me Happy
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
While I had heard of the Soundboks speakers and read reviews about them going back to Gen3 and their Go speakers. Until my speaker showed up, I had not heard the speaker in person. And WOW! Yes, they are loud. With the right music, bass thump is there, and Soundboks has a sub if you want more rumble. Audio clarity is perfect at all volume levels. I know this is way overkill for a random park/beach day or backyard BBQ. Yet, if you need speakers and want to have these types of get togethers. Why rent when you can own. The only question you need to ask yourself. Do you have good neighbors or bad ones? At higher volumes this might get their attention, and defiantly will if used outside.
Pros:
Best Buy has them to see/hear in person
Loud and clear audio
Can be used as more than a BT speaker
Easily add additional speakers, even if not Soundboks
Removable battery
Prosumer quality
Decent looks
Charges by USB-C (65w or better charger needed)
Cons:
Price
Manual is microscopic, Irony?
Heavy for being "portable"
No party lights
No power cable (65w charger or better required, not included)
App:
The app is fairly basic on Android: firmware, volume, a few audio presets ("Stage" has the most bass) and access to a 5 band equalizer. No battery level meter in app, there is one on battery. You will also get access to the Pro Panel if you buy this to use in PA/DJ/Amp roles. It also is SKAA capable, but that is not in my wheelhouse yet.
Even with app volume control. I'm still not sure if it is best to have speaker at full volume and use phone volume rocker to dial it back. Or use the app and knob to control audio with phone volume maxed. For now, inside I use the speaker at volume 5 or 6 and use phone volume rocker to control loudness. Note: you can turn the speaker off through the app, but not on. When turning speaker on, you have to set toggle in app for auto connect to source (phone). Otherwise you will need to manually do it each time in Bluetooth settings on phone.
Sound:
I like the Soundboks audio quality profiles. It is better to listen from a few feet away. Stage is best for bass at higher volumes. In house I usually use Custom EQ when audio levels are lower. Everyone wants something different from music they listen to. This speaker is mostly about how loud it can go. It sounds better when louder, but it requires space to not hurt/damage your ears. This is not to say it sounds bad at lower volumes, but the bass is far more subdued at the lower volumes. It has very good clarity at all volumes and zero distortion or crackle. I guess if most speakers are hammers, the Soundboks Gen4 is a 40lb sledgehammer. It could be more than many might need. Also know that a second speaker might be even better if you want stereo. As the app will let you set up multiple speakers and assign them left/right placement for stereo.
Battery:
It is great that the battery is a newer LiFePO4 removable/replaceable model. It is quoted for 40 hours of use at moderate volume. For those wanting specifics: 12.8 V, 7.8 Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4). Battery has a USB-C port to recharge. Sadly there is no included charger anymore and website recommends that a 65w charger or higher be used to recharge. Yes, it can charge via USB and run at the same time if your wattage input is 65w or better and volume is not maxed. Plus, there is a button to show battery level with 5 round LED's.
MISC:
The only things in the box other than the speaker and battery is: Welcome card with QR code for the app, Tiniest manual ever, seriously microscopic print (irony?), 2 tools (speaker grill puller and Allen wrench). Charger is no longer included, info as to why is on website. If you take speaker grill off. you will notice the Soundboks badge can be removed with Allen wrench. This is good if you want to paint the grill, the name will not be in the way.
For a Bluetooth speaker, it is a lot. It is LOUD, a little pricey, and heavy in a good quality way. You and I only get so many trips around the sun. I love music and this speaker makes me happy. The company was started by some fun guys in Denmark. And I believe their country ranks among the highest for happiness. So, crank it to 11 and join the happy folks who love their music louder.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Okay, I’ll be honest. I had never heard of Soundboks speakers, and so this review is coming from someone completely new to this brand. Right away from the moment I was unboxing the speaker, I began feeling excitement just at the presentation that was even taking into that unboxing experience. Some brands don’t even bother to make this a good experience, so I appreciate something as small at this to set the mood.
After unboxing the speaker, the first thing I noticed was the size and the quality of the built. The built quality really does reflect what perhaps some famous performs would use. From edge to edge the design shows quality, and I appreciate the little balls on the sides to help with protection. There are also some sleek handles on the side to help when moving the speaker. The only thing I wish it came with was a bag to store the speaker when moving it. There is some sold online, but it would be nice if it came included.
Now for the sound quality. I didn’t have to download an app. I was able to turn it on right away and begin hearing music. The speaker is loud, and the sound is good out of the box. Now to make this sound experience even better, I do recommend downloading the box so you can adjust the EQ settings to your liking. The app is easy to navigate as it should be. The controls on the actual speaker are also easy. I was connected within seconds.
One of my favorite features as someone new to Soundboks speaker is how clean the speaker looks including the design where the rechargeable battery goes. It’s discrete and you almost need to look at where the battery is. The battery power is strong so perfect for long parties or a full weekend camping session. I took this camping and left it on my truck (to not get dirt around it) and it was perfect. I even got compliments from my friends, and like me, they are now aware of Soundboks speakers!
If you’re looking for a big party speaker, I highly recommend this. If you have not heard of Soundboks, give it a try because you will not be disappointed trust me!
Heavy duty kinda haulable speaker packing a punch!
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Ok, it’s somewhat portable (well same thing) but it’s at a close weight of 45 lbs (but I carry 45 plates easily but this has bigger volume).
The good thing is there are handles on both front and back built into the frame so no worries of carrying this, however it’s like you have to lift it carefully like the same procedure almost for a warehouse worker using your knees vs a mistake using a bit of our back sometimes. If you’re strong, no worries there as it’ll be lightweight for you.
Anyhow, the charger is stowed in a compartment of the speaker for easy storage and believe the battery is in the same spot I think. There are ports which seem to be similar to microphone type plugs and input for maybe DJing equipment, or pluggable instruments like a guitar (which we don’t have any at the moment).
I have tested some music tracks from my Apple Music subscription through Bluetooth.. and for a brief couple of minutes I have set the volume maybe at a good 75% it was shaking the living room a bit and could hear it when I stepped out the door onto the front yard and closing it. It’s a banging party speaker with a good amount of bass, and so went back into the house quick to turn it down at a decent level not too loud. The battery was still at a good charge and from what I read it can last a good 40 hours on a full charge, so it’ll be a while until charging it again.
With regards to the build quality, it is sturdy and can be placed upright or sideways or maybe on its “back” or “front” hence all the four corners have these ball feet.
In conclusion, this is your house party or party in the park type of speaker for a “small-medium” type of audience, at a house or at a small bar, rented space for a wedding or birthday, etc. and with Halloween coming up soon, we always have a speaker playing spooky sounds and music while we giving out candy; we shall use this speaker for sure.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Great sound! Easy connectivity to Roku, to phone, to everything Bluetooth! Microphones with apps are easy. Pending on what you are doing, we were able to do karaoke to party music! Very loud and waterproof! My battery was played at max for 6 hours at least.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I have dealt with many speakers, never really been satisfied with its sound output. That was until i found this Soundboks 4 from youtube videos, decided to pull the trigger and give it a try. Man, was i blown away by how loud and crisp the sound is. Build quality is on another level, with how tough it feels and the buttons and knobs feel like they will last. (Tho easily scratchable but nothing worth taking a star from it). Even at max volume does it really kick! Trade off at max volume the bass can get distorted if you dont set your EQ right. Medium and highs are still crisp and clear. Just spend time with your EQ (through the app), and you wont have any issues at any volume. Will recommend 100%. Eventually will invest into a second one for party events. I work in a airplane hangar (which is massive) and i have coworkers that can hear from the other side, it ridiculous how loud this is! You wont be disappointed!
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This speaker is amazing. The build is extremely solid and the covers on the corners provide protection and also just enough lift that it does not shake the floors with all the bass it kicks out. The power is incredible, but also the sound quality is great at low volume and high volume. The battery life so far is also very good and it recharges pretty quickly so I don't think I will have to rush out and buy another battery. I have the JBL party box 1000 also and this is just as powerful (not as flashy) but I love the portability on this Sounboks 4 and the ability to have it on the deck by the pool. I got mine on sale which helped push me to buying it, but it is worth the investment for sure.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Sound quality, Volume
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Soundboks
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Best speaker ive ever heard. Loudest soeaker ever made a must buy
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Best Speaker Ever!
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This speaker is by far the best speaker ever! Its very easy to use, and the quality of sound is just amaizng! I woukd highly recommend getting one of these. I wish I could have 3 more of these speakers!
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
It was everything I hoped for and more.
Has an overall weight higher than the original with improve functionality.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Battery life, Durability, Sound quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
A Class Of Speaker All Its Own
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
SOUNDBOKS 4 - Portable Bluetooth Speaker
I am writing this review for the Soundboks 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker. The Soundboks comes with a swappable battery that can be used to power other Soundboks’ speakers.
I have to admit, I was not prepared for just how good the Soundboks really is. I have four other Bluetooth speakers, and I thought each of them were pretty good in their own unique ways. But the Soundboks put them all to shame.
When the Soundboks first arrived, I was surprised at how large it was. I don’t really know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t something of this size. Yes, I read the specs and all, but reading and seeing are two different things. I was actually wondering if the delivery driver was making a mistake when he first unloaded it. But as soon as I saw “Soundboks” on the side of the box, I knew he wasn’t making a mistake. I unpacked it inside and as I took it out of its box, I could see the array of speakers inside of the metal grill. At that moment I knew I was in for an incredible experience. You know how it is, when you see something that is so well-made, and so well put together, it just resonates within you. And let me tell you, it was actively resonating. The speaker comes surrounded by a black cloth bag. Not a cheap, fall-apart-as-soon-as-you-take-it-off bag, but one that makes you stop and wonder what you can use it for, because you just don’t feel right throwing it in the trash.
As soon as I had it all unpacked, I began to read over the included user’s guide. Perhaps to save trees, Soundboks decided on a 2 ½” x 4” User Manual, with one page actually dedicated to somewhat being a user manual. So, most of the information I was able to obtain about set up and usage came off the internet. The very first thing you need to do is to charge the battery. The battery is charged using a USB-C cable. Now, Soundboks says it takes about two hours to fully charge the battery, IF you use their 65W charger...which is sold separately. But I don’t have the 65W charger, so I had to charge it using a USB-C cable, also not included. It was getting a bit late, so I hooked it up and let it charge all night. I went ahead and downloaded the app, but the battery came completely drained, so I had to wait until the battery was charged before I could actually use it. Now, it is possible to use the Soundboks without the app, but you lose a lot of access to additional controls such as the equalizer presets and custom settings, auto-connect, as well as performance upgrades. It doesn’t make any sense not to get the app, really.
The next morning, I was anxious and excited to test out the Soundboks! I love the way the battery is inserted into the speaker. It has its little cubby hole, and you just stick it in. Then you plug the battery into its power port. So, the battery was inserted, and I turned on the speaker. I connected using the app and decided to see just how good this speaker sounded. But first I decided to look over the speaker really close to familiarize myself with it completely. First, the Soundboks cabinet is made of Poplar. The experts say this gives the Soundboks 4 a richer and warmer sound. There are two 10” woofers, and one 1” “compression driver” tweeter. To help boost the bass, there is the pulse reflex port that runs all the way through the cabinet. I used to think those were for looks! The port runs from side to side. On the right side of the cabinet is the Power button, Volume knob, and a Team Up button that allows for Solo, Host and Join capabilities with up to five other SKAA enabled speakers. I at first thought this meant with other SKAA enabled Soundboks speakers, but I discovered that is the beauty of SKAA enabled speakers… they can connect ANY SKAA-enabled speakers, regardless of the brand. That is a game-changer in my book. I used to get aggravated because my other speakers can only connect to the same-brand speakers, and as you well know, not everyone who brings along a portable speaker owns the exact same brand, so you pretty much have to figure out which one is the best one to use, or figure out how to wire them directly with an auxiliary cable. Both the left and right side of the speaker have a carrying handle. The left side of the speaker is where the battery is located.
One of the coolest features is the removable grille. To remove it, Soundboks included a rubber-tipped hook tool that allows for quick removal. Well, quick as opposed to having to unscrew several screws. The grille is fitted very snugly into the cabinet which is a very good thing. The last thing you want is to have the grille fall out during transport, or during any other event where damage to the speakers is possible. One other thing Soundboks allowed for was the removal of the SOUNDBOKS emblem. This is to keep it from getting damaged.
So with all that out of the way, the question begs to be asked, “How does the Soundboks 4 Portable Speaker sound?” And this is where I absolutely cannot do it justice. First off, most speaker companies recommend NOT turning the speakers up to full volume. One of the first things Soundboks encourages you to do is to crank it ALL THE WAY UP!! Before I was so bold as to do that, I cranked it up in increments of one level at a time. By the time I had it up to eight I knew I was not going to be able to crank it all the way up inside my house and live to talk about it. So outside I went. I chose a psychotrance track made just for dance halls. Sitting on my front porch, I cranked it all the way up. I live in the country, and neighbors are not close by. However, it did not take long for my closest neighbor to come outside and see who the miscreant was playing music so loud. After a brief intermission to explain to him what I was doing, I walked to the end of my driveway which is right at 300’ long and signaled to my friend to crank it up all the way again. It wasn’t the loudness that blew me away, however. Don’t get me wrong, it was loud…very loud. But it was the clarity of the sound that I was able to hear even at almost 300’ away. I just can’t properly describe just how unbelievably good the Soundboks 4 sounds! The bass was deep and sonorous, the highs and mids were crystal clear, and the singing was just as clear as the music.
I experimented with it most of the morning, trying out different songs, different volumes. By the time we had finished playing around with it, I was convinced that the Soundboks was constructed using extraterrestrial technology. But alas, the tech specs detailed how the three 72W Class D amplifiers that power the speakers, coupled with the DSP (digital signal processor) combine to create the other-worldly sound experience I had been enjoying all day. And every day since. But my bragging is not done yet. One of the more amazing things I discovered is that the Soundboks 4 actually has two XLR ports, meaning I was able to connect a condenser mic. This is where it gets even crazier. As the music was playing, I talked and sang along with the music. This was just a straight plug-in the speaker without the use of a mixer. Other than a bit of feedback when I got too close to the speaker, my voice sounded just as crystalline as the music. In other words, this speaker is perfect for the DJs out there, especially with the ability to connect to a turntable at the same time.
At this point I don’t know what else I can say about the Soundboks 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker. Well, I do want to mention there are extras that can be purchased, such as a neat looking backpack that will allow you to “easily” carry the speaker from one place to another. Soundboks also offers additional battery packs and a 65W charger that allows for two-hours-till-fully-charged capability.
I honestly cannot think of one single negative issue I can bring up about the Soundboks 4 speaker. My gosh, it delivers amazing sound, equally amazing battery life, durability and water resistance, the ability to connect to other SKAA enabled speakers, and the ability to connect to microphones, and other sound equipment. What more can you ask for? As far as I’m concerned, you will not find another speaker in this category that can come close to competing with the Soundboks 4. If you are looking for an exponential upgrade to your current portable speaker collection, this is the one to get. It is truly that good.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
love my Soundboxes...got 3's and now this 4...can make a host and join other speakers...
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Battery life, Sound quality, Volume
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
A triple threat: sound, portability & connectivity
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I was completely blown away with the audio of this Soundboks speaker. And it's not just because of how loud it can get. What makes a great speaker is being able to balance that loudness with a full, rounded sound and this knocks that out of the park.
::Unboxing::
Includes a Quick Start Guide/User's Guide; dual plug charger which lets you charge the battery while you're using the speaker (it's recommended you not exceed 50% battery while doing this); and tools to remove the speaker grill (which allows for easy cleaning after using the speaker outdoors).
::Initial Impressions::
This thing is STURDY. The cabinet is made of aluminum and exudes a very premium feel. There's steel handles on each side for carrying (it is quite hefty at a little over 35 pounds) and there's silicone in the corners to protect the speaker and reduce vibration at higher volumes. This is one of those devices where you can look around it and just get a gist of how it operates without having to consult the User's/Quick Start guides so it gets high marks for the intuitiveness too.
::Use Case::
We recently had a family reunion and a pool party so I got to take this through the outdoor paces - and yes you read that right - pool party - this is IP65 rated so it's perfectly safe if it gets splashed and it gets plenty loud outside - I'd be hard pressed to find a scenario where you would need to place this at max volume because even at a little over 50% we were worried about neighbors calling the 5-0 due to noise during the pool party. The reunion was outdoors at a park so we were able to crank it up a little more. What's also great about this speaker is the connectivity. At the reunion we had a talent show, so it was easy to connect mics to the back for karaoke, my sibling plays guitar and there's a connection for that as well. The mics were also great for games (i.e. when we played bingo) or when we did a raffle.
::Over the top::
The feature that really took this over the top for me is the hot swappable batteries. Technically, because you can charge and play at the same time, you don't have to have a second battery but if you didn't want to be volume limited you could easily swap the battery pack out. I didn't have a spare, but it was pretty easy to remove the included one. Personally, we usually have a generator so I would just charge and play with the volume limitation.
::The App::
It doesn't get any simpler than this. It's very cleanly laid out and gives you just what you need. Under "Sound" it gives you presets (Stage, Dancefloor, Lounge and EQ), the battery life at max volume and a description of the best environment for usage (i.e. parties/events or hangouts/solo listening). You can choose left, right or mono if you're stereo pairing another speaker. Under "Bluetooth" you can enable auto-pairing or if you want to keep just anyone from being able to connect, you can set a pin code. Under the "Pro Panel" is where you can control the volume for guitars, mixers, mics or active instruments. Under "SKAA Pro Mode" you can enable this setting if you're going to pair with another speaker to lower latency (note: this limits you to two speakers). And lastly there's an "Upgrades" menu for firmware updates which it's encouraging to see that they intend to push out future software updates to continue to improve this speaker over the life of it.
::Final Thoughts::
This speaker really brings the party to life and it does it while producing beautiful audio! It's not one of those speakers where the bass starts to get raunchy and the audio starts to sound trashy at higher volumes and in most cases, you'll find yourself comfortable at 75% volume or less. I do wish in the app it would show you a more dynamic volume/battery life ratio that's tied to the current battery condition and the current volume (kind of like how some EV's can tell you how much battery to expect based on how you're driving currently). I do also wish that they would make more decor-friendly grills for it too - it's sleek the way it is, but something more contemporary or modern to make it a statement that matches the sound quality. Both of these are minor wish list items and I still 1000% recommend this though!
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
It’s not as heavy as it looks. Surprisingly portable. Very well constructed. There’s a soft material around the edges to prevent scratching the device or anything else around it. (Will also protect knees lol) You can use it in portrait or landscape meaning you can stand it upright or lie it on its side. Either way is good for what ever setup you may have. One of the strangest things (and it works) is that it has a removable battery pack. In the back of the speaker there is a power pack that’s removable and I’m guessing the thinking behind this is not having to move the entire speaker box close to an outlet to charge. Instead of doing that, you can just remove the power pack and charge it anywhere. There’s an LED indicator that lets you know when the pack is fully charged. You can then insert it back into the speaker and have hours of music. Pretty neat. There’s also a usb 3 port to allow for charging of other devices which is an extra plus for versatility.
The sound is crisp and clear. The highs are very crisp and voices are very clear. If it’s not to your liking you can adjust this with the Soundboks app. There are some presets (stage, dance floor, lounge, and custom) within the app that allows for different sounds depending on the music you’re listening to. I wish there were more than just three but the custom setting allow you to customize to your liking. To me the app leaves much to be desired so maybe they can beef it up with an update. I like that you can set a PIN code to allow others connection to the speaker. This way not just anyone can connect while it’s on. Permission must be given. I would imagine that a DJ would love this speaker. It gets loud enough for almost any party setting especially in a house or a small building. There’s 3.5 mm and other inputs that allow for outside connections.
I connected my television via bluetooth and it sounded great. So this can even be used as sound for a theater. Whatever you choose to use it for you can’t go wrong. I would recommend this purchase if you’re in the market for a top of the line bluetooth speaker.