I’m hooked on phonics — from podcasts to playlists to FM radio, I’m connected to audio most hours of the day. And I’ve tested a wide array of “fixes” for my audio addiction: noise-canceling over-the-ear headphones, budget earphones, wireless earbuds, wearable mini-speakers, and waterproof boomboxes.
Each one has some upsides and downsides, and more importantly, they all have situations in which they shine. As tech has advanced, though, the sound quality has continually improved. But it’s always a secondary consideration to some other attribute — portability, durability, battery life, and charge time, for example.
I approached testing the SOUNDBOKS Go uncertain of what its primary performance attribute would be. But it had just enough active-outdoor lifestyle features — long battery life, water and drop resistance, portability — to merit a look. What I learned in testing was that this speaker is an entirely different animal than any other audio product I’ve tested before.
In short: The SOUNDBOKS Go presents a not-insignificant audio investment for people who want a powerful, rich Bluetooth speaker that can work in the home, at a backyard BBQ, or out tailgating. Its battery life is terrific and it’s portable enough to tag along on vehicle-based adventures. Just be mindful of your surroundings, as this speaker can overpower the world around it.
If you’re shopping for speakers, compare the SOUNDBOKS Go to others on GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Portable Speakers.
- Amp: Dual 72W continuous Class D amplifiers
- Drivers: 10” woofer, 1” silk dome tweeter
- Effective frequency range: 40Hz-20kHz (bass enhancer to 121 dB)
- Battery life: 40 hours at mid-volume in Power mode, 10 hours at full volume in Power mode
- Recharge time: 3.5 hours (zero to full)
- Weight: 21 lbs.
Pros
- Outstanding sound quality
- Customizable EQ w/app
- Swappable battery for extended listening
- Durable enough to withstand light weather and hazards
Cons
- Not ideal for carrying long distances
- Not fully waterproof
- Use responsibly in outdoor/wilderness areas
SOUNDBOKS Go Portable Speaker Review
Portable outdoor audio is having a little bit of a moment right now. Far from new, Bluetooth-connected speakers have evolved from their tinny-sounding, rubber-cased ancestors into a spectrum of portable-to-powerful products. And while the options vary wildly in form and features, the quality of sound has vastly improved.
Admittedly, I initially intended to pit the SOUNDBOKS Go against another newly released Bluetooth speaker, the Turtlebox Gen 2. They both boast drop and water resistance and carry the unmistakable boombox aesthetic. However, I quickly learned that these speakers have slightly different strengths and use cases.
If you’re looking for the most rugged speaker that also offers solid sound and portability, check out our review of the Turtlebox. However, if you consider yourself a true audiophile and want the richest and most portable sound for backyard parties and tailgate pregames, then the SOUNDBOKS Go is more your speed.
Construction, Specs
The body of the SOUNDBOKS Go measures about 18 inches wide, 12 inches high, and 10 inches deep. It’s composed of an ABS and polycarbonate shell, a rigid and acceptably durable build that advertises drop/shock resistance up to about 5 feet.
A nonremovable honeycomb baffle covers the front and helps protect the drivers — a 10-inch woofer and a 1-inch tweeter. A top hat mount in the bottom allows the speaker to affix to a pole or stand. The Go maxes out at 121 decibels and has a frequency range of 40 Hz to 20 kHz.
Molle daisy chain webbing runs along either side of the speaker and provides various attachment points for accessories like the shoulder strap (which I highly recommend). A tough rubber handle is attached to the top for carrying.
The speaker weighs about 20 pounds, so it’s not a burden to lift and move, but the optional shoulder strap ($59) makes life easier. You can also easily jury-rig your own shoulder strap with standard carabiners.
The SOUNDBOKS rates the Go speaker at IP65 for water resistance. Practically speaking, you can spill on it or splash next to it without worry. But in the event the pool party gets really wild, do not submerge the speaker in water.
The speaker can also pair with up to four other SOUNDBOKS speakers via “TeamUp” mode, with one speaker serving as the “host.”
Battery
Unlike many other portable speakers I’ve tested, the SOUNDBOKS Go has a swappable battery that can be charged either internally or externally. The brand recently transitioned to standard USB-C charging for this battery, so you can use any USB-C cable capable of delivering at least 65 W.
If you have the money, I’d recommend a second battery ($200), as it provides virtually uninterrupted play if you’re away from a power source. However, the Go can accommodate pass-through charging, so if you have access to grid power or a generator, you can keep listening while the battery charges.
The 7.8Ah Li-ion battery requires 3.5 hours for a full recharge from a dead state. At mid-volume, the SOUNDBOKS Go offers about 40 hours of playtime and 10 hours at full volume.
The battery has a built-in, five-stage power indicator, so you can roughly estimate how much life remains before full discharge.
Great Indoors & Outdoors (Just Not the ‘Great Outdoors’)
When it comes to portability, the SOUNDBOKS Go just makes the cut. Most other speakers reviewed on GearJunkie are smaller and lighter. At 21 pounds and about the size of a carry-on roller bag, this speaker requires a fair amount of trunk space and (ideally) no more than a short walk to your final destination.
For this reason, I think it’s a much better option for outdoor use closer to home. What’s more, it’s so powerful that it doesn’t really complement a camping trip in the woods.
Now that said, this might be the most versatile premium speaker I’ve ever tried. It will fill any room with outstanding bass and nuanced range. The free companion app lets you dial in whatever custom EQ settings you like best.
I did max out the volume inside, but it is almost certainly too much power to blast on full indoors. Perhaps for a bustling party, but even then, it’s probably enough to keep under max volume. For an outside barbecue, cabin party by the lake, or tailgating, however, this speaker finds a sweet spot.
For starters, you don’t have to baby it into the bed of a truck or set it down gently on the ground. It’s plenty tough enough for jostling and bumping. Just avoid outright abuse.
I can confirm the speaker will withstand rough handling into the back of a truck and driving over rough roads. And it had no problem blasting a soundtrack to shoveling while sitting in a snowbank.
Drawbacks
While the SOUNDBOKS Go is a solid speaker, there are a couple of things to consider and features I would have liked to see included.
For starters, there are no controls for your music on the speaker itself beyond the power/volume knob. Just about every other Bluetooth speaker I’ve used has buttons on the device to advance or reverse tracks and play/pause. With the SOUNDBOKS Go, you’ll have to manage all of that from your phone or whatever device you’ve connected to play the music.
Second, this speaker has firmware, which you will need to update on occasion. This means two things: First, you should use the app somewhat regularly to check for these updates. Second, you’ll need to keep your phone near the speaker when you do update.
This is pretty standard, but if you’ve happened to miss some firmware updates, this can leave you with an hours-long block in which you have to wait for your speaker to update.
SOUNDBOKS Go: Who’s It For?
At $700, the SOUNDBOKS Go is an investment for those seeking a versatile speaker that prioritizes sound quality over all else. It is not the ideal speaker for those who want easily portable audio to use on the go and/or for the occasional podcast. For that, there are lighter-weight and less nuanced speakers that cost less.
But if you enjoy entertaining and playing DJ for friendly gatherings indoors and out and appreciate the ability to take the party on the road, the SOUNDBOKS Go has a lot to like. Its long battery life and nearly uninterrupted playtime — with swappable batteries and pass-through power — mean you won’t have to worry about charging regularly and before each use. And with customization and pairing options, you can create high-end audio experiences that can go almost anywhere you can.
