The SOUNDBOKS 4 dwarfs most battery-powered audio system
Brad Moon
There's nothing that livens up a celebration on the deck, by the pool, or on the campsite just like the music from a conveyable Bluetooth speaker. These items have been a game-changer in comparison with the outdated days while you needed to deliver a boombox and both an enormous loop of extension wire, or stacks of D-cell batteries that you just'd burn by on an hourly foundation. Nonetheless, most moveable Bluetooth audio system are somewhat modest in dimension and sound output. The small dimension is what makes them moveable, in spite of everything. Eager for one thing extra substantial, however nonetheless capable of run for hours on a chargeable battery? The topic of this assessment is for you: the SOUNDBOKS 4 Bluetooth efficiency speaker.
Dimension Issues
The primary impression of unboxing the SOUNDBOKS 4 is {that a} band may need misplaced a part of their stage speaker stack. After I say it is a mammoth moveable speaker, I'm not kidding. It stands over two toes tall, it's constructed like an expert speaker–with a poplar cupboard (not plastic), a metal grill and a powder-coated aluminum body–and it suggestions the scales at over 35 kilos.
It is moveable–barely–and an elective backpack accent is offered
Brad Moon
That dimension makes it simply barely qualify as moveable. Barely. Thankfully, there are silicone ball corners that not solely enable the speaker to face securely, they supply wanted cushioning in opposition to bumps in the event you're lugging the speaker by tight quarters. In case you have loads of distance to cowl, SOUNDBOKS presents an elective backpack attachment.
Though it simply barely qualifies as a conveyable speaker, the SOUNDBOKS 4 makes good use of that huge cupboard and after powering it on and beginning to stream your music, you'll in a short time neglect in regards to the effort concerned to get the speaker there.
Silicone ball bumpers on all corners, poplar cupboard, aluminum body and metal mesh + handles = one … [+] rugged speaker
Brad Moon
Most moveable Bluetooth audio system have plastic enclosures and due to their dimension, make use of a small array of 2-inch or perhaps 3-inch full-range drivers, plus a passive radiator to attempt to add a little bit of bass. Amplification is more likely to be within the 10W to 20W vary, and common battery life most likely averages round 10 hours as of late. Generally, music performed outdoor on these audio system is satisfactory, however removed from distinctive. Particularly when you get a number of toes away from them.
The SOUNDBOKS 4 goes far past satisfactory, to spectacular sound, with a giant sonic improve from the primary three editions of the large flagship speaker.
The SOUNDBOKS 4's massive, picket cupboard homes 2 woofers, a tweeter and superior acoustic know-how
SOUNDBOKS
That massive speaker cupboard has the house to mount a pair of 10-inch woofers, plus a 1-inch compression driver tweeter. They're powered by three 72W Class D amplifiers. The poplar cupboards present a hotter sound than plastic, and there's a pulse reflex port that helps to strengthen the decrease finish even additional. The battery isn't solely the safer and longer life Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) formulation with as much as 40 hours of playback time, it's also swappable.
SOUNDBOKS 4 Key Specs:
2 x 10-inch woofers, 1 x 1-inch compression driver tweeter with 40Hz – 20kHz frequency vary, customized pulse reflex port3 x 72W RMS Infineon MERUS Audio eximo class D amplifiers, next-gen adaptive DSP with bass enhancer, customized EQ (app-based) plus Stage, Dancefloor, Lounge sound modesQuantity management knob goes to 11Bluetooth 5.0Professional Panel inputs for guitar, DJ mixer, microphone or lively devices (2 x 1/4-inch inputs, 3.5mm enter and three.5mm output)Helps SOUNDBOKS wi-fi TeamUP multi-speaker connectivityIP65 rated electronics coatingPerson swappable/replaceable 12.8V, 7.8Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery with 5-step LED energy indicator, rated at as much as 40 hours playback at mid-volumeWorking temperature 14°F to 100°F25.6 x 17 x 13-inch poplar cupboard with silicone ball corners, powder-coated aluminum body, power-coated metal grill and handlesWeighs 35.5 lbsBackside pole mountBlack cupboard with black grill, or black with metallic grey grillFurther batteries and equipment corresponding to backpack body bought individuallySome options managed by way of SOUNDBOKS cell app45-day return coverage, 2-year guarantee (plus further 1-year when registered)MSRP $999
Killer Sound
The SOUNDBOKS 4 is claimed to ship "drastically improved" audio efficiency and high quality in comparison with the unique (and followups SOUNDBOKS 2 which I reviewed right here and the SOUNDBOKS 3). SOUNDBOKS says the enhancements embody a way more highly effective DSP, redesigned speaker drivers, refactored audio routing, new firmware and improved battery life.
After I examined the SOUNDBOKS 2 a number of years again, I found that taking part in music at a quantity degree of 6 (out of 11) might be heard a block away. The SOUNDBOKS 4 has that very same energy. I spent a number of days doing yard work with the speaker at 5 and about 50 toes away from me, and it was loud.
The quantity dial goes to 11
Brad Moon
Not simply loud, however it sounded actually good, which isn't straightforward to drag off from that distance and outdoor. The highs had been crisp, midrange was stable and the bass thumped and rumbled. A lot of the element that may be misplaced or muddied at any distance with a typical moveable speaker was nonetheless there, after which some. You need to use the SOUNDBOKS 4 indoors with new Dancefloor and Lounge sound modes taming that output and tailoring it to an indoor setting. The cell app additionally presents an EQ for customized settings.
I don't have that SOUNDBOKS 2 round to match it to, but when my reminiscence serves me proper, the SOUNDBOKS 4 is simply as loud, however with a extra refined sound and much more spectacular bass.
Lengthy Battery Life, However Pay Consideration to Charging
I really like the truth that SOUNDBOKS audio system use swappable batteries. Not solely does this promise a for much longer life (most moveable audio system are finished as portables as soon as their built-in battery dies after a number of years), however it additionally permits for getting a second battery and swapping it out if wanted to maintain an extended social gathering going for even longer.
Nonetheless, you do want to concentrate when charging this speaker. First, it's not fairly so simple as plugging in an influence adapter to cost. The included charger makes use of a T-jack, which is barely extra sophisticated to attach–you possibly can't join the charger on to the speaker (skipping the battery)–and SOUNDBOKS additionally warns in opposition to charging for greater than six hours, because the charger isn't meant for use as an influence supply. Whereas charging (which takes about 3.5 hours), you should maintain energy output underneath half quantity.
The underside line is that when utilizing this speaker indoors, you'll nonetheless be working on battery energy…
To me, the swappable battery is greater than definitely worth the inconvenience. And by way of battery life, the SOUNDBOKS 4 is a champ. Whilst you can drain the battery in simply 5 hours in the event you pump the amount to 11, at a way more affordable quantity of 6 (which can nonetheless completely blow away most moveable audio system, by the way in which), you possibly can obtain as much as 40 hours of playback on a cost. I may take the speaker out for a number of hours a day, play music at mid-volume, and solely need to cost it each two or three weeks.
Extras
The SOUNDBOKS 4 is considerably distinctive in its further capabilities, which make it an ideal selection for giant occasions normally. Its "Professional Panel" contains inputs for a microphone and even an electrical guitar or different lively devices–some moveable audio system embody a mic enter, however good luck discovering one which can be utilized as a guitar amp. You may even energy and blend a number of exterior audio sources concurrently.
If you happen to personal multiple of those audio system, the SOUNDBOKS 4 is SKAA-compliant. This implies you possibly can wirelessly join as much as 5 audio system collectively utilizing TeamUp for true concert-level efficiency. The designers made this further straightforward with an on-speaker button devoted to the duty.
Need to make the SOUNDBOKS 4 actually your individual? The corporate presents a number of grill colours. However SOUNDBOKS additionally encourages creativity. The grill will be simply eliminated and customized spray-painted. The person guide even offers step-by-step directions.
SOUNDBOKS 4 (R) towers over even the SOUNDBOKS Go
Brad Moon
Suggestion
For completely dominating outdoor sound in a conveyable kind issue, the SOUNDBOKS 4 is hard to beat. It's massive, solidly constructed, rugged, loud (however with top quality audio efficiency), presents as much as 40 hours of battery life plus a swappable battery, and it may well do double responsibility as a guitar amp or PA system. At $999 it's not low cost, however you're getting loads of speaker in your cash. Simply bear in mind that if you're utilizing it indoors it's nonetheless meant to run on battery, not plugged into the wall.
Have a look at the dimensions of the drivers lurking beneath that grill! SOUNDBOKS 4 guidelines the outside
Brad Moon
If you're craving massive sound and like the thought of a swappable battery however the SOUNDBOKS 4 is simply an excessive amount of speaker for you, I'd counsel trying out the SOUNDBOKS Go (reviewed right here) as a barely extra manageable–however nonetheless–mighty, various.
Disclosure: SOUNDBOKS offered a speaker for analysis functions however had no enter into this assessment.