I’ve spent loads of time previously DJing, throwing small events and going to occasions, in order that’s put me within the mindset of searching for the largest sound techniques with the least quantity of trouble. There are loads of Bluetooth choices as of late that might make my youthful self excited. The Soundboks Go is the most recent of the bunch, packing a decent increase from this comparatively small bundle (18 x 12 x 10 inches). This 20-pound speaker is half the scale of the Soundboks Gen 3 and practically half the worth at $699. It nonetheless has a thumping bass output, clear, long-throw mids and highs and wi-fi TeamUP enlargement, however its bodily connectivity is restricted to a single 3.5mm aux enter.

There’s lots to love right here for people who find themselves searching for massive sound in a format you possibly can lug round with out an excessive amount of effort utilizing its built-in deal with or $59 shoulder strap accent. With Soundboks’ SKAA wi-fi connectivity (TeamUP), it’s additionally simple to broaden the setup with different audio system from the model by setting one speaker to Host and the others to Join. This would allow you to rapidly cobble collectively an occasion PA or dancefloor, however that’s no small monetary feat contemplating the worth.

The Go and the Gen 3 have lots in frequent, each in sound high quality and construct. Both use the identical swappable BatteryBoks, embrace a prime hat (or pole) mount and supply a giant, brilliant output (40Hz – 20kHz) with little to no distortion on the loudest quantity. These Bluetooth 5.0 audio system work with the Soundboks app so you possibly can alter the EQ, customized sound profiles, quantity, stereo positioning, set Bluetooth sign locks and obtain the most recent firmware updates.

The onboard controls are pretty primary, offering a quantity management that doubles as the facility button, alongside the handbook Solo, Host and Join button. The Join indicator reveals the connection standing, which you’ll examine additional within the handbook. For deeper controls, you’ll have to go to the app.

As for its construct, the Soundboks model has made a reputation for itself making rugged moveable Bluetooth audio system and the Go follows go well with. It has an IP65 score so it may deal with inclement climate nicely, simply do not dunk it within the water. On the outside, there is a strong ABS and polycarbonate cupboard and grille with silicone bumpers and a TPE rubber deal with much like the one on the UE Hyperboom. There’s strapping with loops that run across the heart, which is used for connecting the shoulder strap. While the Go is straightforward sufficient to hold round by the deal with, I’d suggest going all in and getting the strap as nicely in the event you plan to stroll round with it for various blocks. Sometimes even 20 kilos can appear heavier after some time.

The audio design for the Go has only one 10-inch woofer (96dB), a 1-inch horn-mounted tweeter (102dB) and also you’ll discover the bass ports across the woofer in a front-facing place. This limits the reflectivity of the bass from that of the Gen 3, making it typically higher for outside settings. 

That’s wonderful, since it is a speaker that works greatest when unlimbered at increased volumes and supplies bass you possibly can really feel even at 20 ft away (most successfully in Bass+ mode). While that’s the best, you should use it indoors at a decrease quantity (50% or much less on Indoor mode) to good impact, however once more the output may be very directional and may appear a bit massive for smaller rooms. It is marketed as an “outdoor” speaker in any case.

Still, you possibly can shuffle by the customized profiles to get the best output to your specific setting. Bass+ mode supplies the chunkiest and thumping bass output, however will tax the battery life. Power mode remains to be very loud, with loads of bass and will provide you with 10 hours of playtime at full quantity or 40 hours at medium. Indoors mode is a a lot thinner sound, however received’t disturb the neighbors as a lot and nonetheless sounds wonderful. There’s additionally a customized setting, so you possibly can alter the EQ as you see match. However, in the event you’re considering of simply preserving the battery plugged in and charging the entire time when you play, remember that you shouldn’t go previous 50 p.c quantity or threat damaging the system.

One massive changeup with the Soundboks Go is the give attention to wi-fi connectivity over sensible wired inputs and outputs. The single 3.5mm aux enter is all you get, so although it is extra moveable, musicians and singers seeking to amplify their craft on the street must attempt to make do — or improve to the Gen 3.

While the Soundboks Go is a high-end system, it may nonetheless fall sufferer to the capricious nature of Bluetooth alerts. Using TeamUP to attach a number of audio system additionally has some vary limitations, though elevating the audio system up on prime hats to maximise line-of-sight and having buildings for the radio alerts to bounce off of will assist optimize connectivity. In my testing with the Bluetooth supply being my pocketed telephone and connecting a Soundboks Go and Gen 3 collectively by way of TeamUP they began to have a little bit little bit of connection drop whereas about 40 ft away from one another in an space off a busy street with no partitions of any kind close by.

Having a couple of speaker positioned inside 30 ft or much less of one another or in clusters would appear to be the way in which to go right here if in case you have them. If you’re planning an occasion, you could need to think about getting a SKAA transmitter to bridge your supply and hook up with the audio system for a extra steady connection than Bluetooth. For essentially the most dependable connection, you’ll need to keep on with wired enter, though the Soundboks Go’s 3.5mm port isn’t a normal for skilled use.

Overall, the $699 Soundboks Go is certainly a extra moveable various to the $999 Gen 3 mannequin, however loses many of the wired connections, aligning it extra with the Bluetooth mainstream. If you need to use a pair as a Bluetooth loudspeaker various, it’s doable contemplating the as much as 10 hour runtime at full quantity in Power mode. But for bigger (and louder) occasion purposes, particularly in Bass+, the runtime restrict turns into a difficulty. As a private standalone system, it’s highly effective, moveable and sturdy. The JBL PartyBox collection (110 or 310) audio system are shut rivals, however in portability, maybe the JBL Boombox 2 is nearer. That kicks out some quantity, however doesn’t have the lengthy throw such as you’ll discover with the Soundboks Go.

The value is a bit steep, however the audio high quality would not disappoint, particularly in its measurement vary. It can be an excellent complement to a different Go or a Gen 3 speaker, nevertheless it’s a much less succesful pro-level rivals. If you’re on the fence, there’s a 100-day return coverage and a decent two-year warranty (plus yet one more in the event you register the system). The Soundboks Go is now obtainable to buy for $699 on the corporate’s web site.