Overview: The Soundboks 4 ‘Transportable’ Speaker Is Overkill (in a Good Approach)

It is exhausting to justify spending almost $1,000 on a large speaker meant for use for crowds of 250 or extra. But when you will discover a justification, you may be glad you probably did. The Soundboks 4 is overkill for a conveyable speaker, and most of the people will not most likely use it to its most potential, however even utilizing it at 60% of its energy made me really feel like I am in the midst of a music pageant. That is the fourth model of the third-generation Soundboks speaker and the larger and fewer moveable model of the Soundboks Go. It’s Soundboks’ flagship party-size speaker, and it will make you the lifetime of the get together of your block (or get the cops referred to as on you).

Soundboks despatched me the Soundboks 4 speaker to evaluation. I have been utilizing it for months to host soccer video games and the occasional home get together (and one marriage ceremony). It is a highly effective easy speaker, however in case you’re in search of a inexpensive indoor get together speaker with extra options, I like to recommend the PartyBox Stage 320 as an alternative.

Professionals and cons of the SOUNDBOKS 4

Professionals

• An unimaginable quantity of 126 decibels and an influence output of 216 Watts RMS

• Adjustable EQ and good signature preset sounds

• Connection for guitar, DJ mixer, microphone, or devices

• Highly effective 40-hour battery

• Replaceable battery

• Can play music and cost the battery on the similar time at half quantity (or full quantity with equipment)

• IP65-rated (dust- and splash-proof)

Cons

• Costly

• Solely mono audio channel (can get stereo audio in case you join a couple of Soundboks speaker)

• No bodily controls for music on the speaker

• Very liable to suggestions when utilizing a microphone at shut distance with excessive quantity

• App may be buggy for Android telephones

• Troublesome to hold in a single hand

Specs

• Battery Life: As much as 40 hours at mid-volume and 6 hours at full quantity (default sound profile); takes 3.5 hours to totally cost. A detachable 99.84Wh, 7.8Ah, and 12.8V rechargeable battery with overheating and brief circuit safety.

• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 with TeamUP for connecting as much as 5 Soundboks audio system, and a 3.5mm aux enter.

• App: Upgradeable firmware, customized sound profiles with customizable EQ, and Bluetooth PIN code choice.

• Inputs: Professional Panel inputs for guitar, DJ mixer, microphone, or lively devices (2 x 1/4-inch inputs, 3.5mm enter and three.5mm output).

• Drivers: 2 x 10-inch woofers, 1 x 1-inch compression driver tweeter with 40Hz – 20kHz frequency vary, customized pulse reflex port.

• Energy Output: 2 × 72-watt Class D amplifiers, reaching as much as 126 dB. Complete energy output of 216 Watts RMS.

• Water Resistance: Splash-proof with an IP65 score for inner electronics.

• Dimension: 25.6×17×13 inches (H × W × D).

• Weight: 35.5 lbs.

First impressions of the Soundboks 4

Credit score: Daniel Oropeza

As quickly as the massive, heavy Soundboks field arrived within the mail, I knew it was going to be bother. The speaker is taken into account moveable, however at 35.5 kilos, I’ve bother carrying it round in a single hand for greater than 20 seconds. It nonetheless falls below the class of moveable as a result of it may be transported round with a deal with and performed with a battery, however it isn’t simple to maneuver round. In actual fact, it is so huge and durable I sit on it comfortably when internet hosting soccer video games. In comparison with different huge audio system I personal, the Soundboks seems to be huge.

Credit score: Daniel Oropeza

Like all my moveable audio system, I took it to check it with my soccer neighborhood—this time, on a avenue hockey rink to host 15 folks enjoying soccer with Road FC. I used to be involved about blasting it at full quantity for the reason that rink is throughout the road from a residential block, however I nonetheless did it (purely for journalistic integrity, after all). Even on this setting, hitting the quantity to 11 (sure, it goes one stage previous 10) was an excessive amount of. But it surely sounded unimaginable, and the gamers liked it. My physique felt the thumping of each bass observe; it jogged my memory of being within the entrance row throughout a live performance. The music didn’t really feel distorted even on the full 126 dB quantity and energy output of 216 Watts RMS, conserving its balanced and crisp sound similar to the smaller Soundboks Go.

Options of the Soundboks 4

Credit score: Daniel Oropeza

The Soundboks 4 has extra options than the Soundboks Go, however for a virtually $1,000 speaker, I count on extra options. It has the TeamUP function that enables me to pair the speaker with as much as 4 different Soundboks audio system to play in sync. Linking it with one other SKAA-enabled Soundboks speaker can also be the one approach to get stereo sound. As soon as I join it with different audio system, I can choose which speaker performs left, mono, or proper channels within the app. There’s additionally a SKAA Professional Mode function to cut back the latency between paired audio system, however I could not strive any of those options when pairing.

I could make the Soundboks 4 pair robotically to my cellphone after I flip the speaker on (and may flip that function off as nicely), however there is no such thing as a multi-device pairing, so I can not change between a number of units. The Bluetooth vary can also be spectacular. Soundboks says it might attain 800 ft in excellent circumstances, however I used to be in a position to go to the farthers level in my dwelling with two rooms and a kitchen value of partitions in between with out the sound being affected.

Credit score: Daniel Oropeza

Soundboks has a pin code function so solely those that know the four-digit pin can connect with the speaker, which is smart for a celebration speaker meant for use in a celebration setting doubtlessly surrounded by many inebriated folks. It additionally has a safety setting that utterly locks out the speaker from the app by marking it as stolen.

Credit score: Daniel Oropeza

The swappable battery means the speaker’s lifespan will not be depending on the battery. I used to be in a position to play music as I charged it due to the T-jack cable that comes with the speaker, however solely at stage 5 or decrease, which is sufficient for informal listening at dwelling. When you purchase The Battery ($199.99), which is a greater battery than the one which comes with the speaker, you’ll play music at full quantity and cost the speaker on the similar time. It additionally doubles as a USB-C energy provide.

Credit score: Daniel Oropeza

Soundboks says you possibly can’t depart the battery charging for greater than six hours otherwise you danger harm to it. Additionally, you shouldn’t energy the speaker utilizing the charger alone with no battery (though I did it and it labored as much as quantity 5)—the battery at all times needs to be linked when enjoying, based on the guide.

The Soundboks 4 has two channels for guitars, DJ mixers, microphones, or lively devices. I solely have a microphone, in order that’s the one factor I used to be in a position to take a look at, and I used to be dissatisfied the speaker does not have a function to keep away from suggestions. At quantity 6, I couldn’t stand lower than 5 ft away earlier than the screeching sounds of suggestions warned me I used to be too shut. For an out of doors speaker meant for giant crowds, I count on higher suggestions know-how just like the PartyBox Stage 320 presents.

Credit score: Daniel Oropeza

The Soundboks app

The Soundboks app is easy and simple, however regardless of the numerous lengthy updates I needed to make, it was nonetheless buggy on my Google Pixel 6a Android cellphone. There isn’t any approach to management your media bodily on the speaker aside from the quantity rotary dial, so I had to make use of my cellphone for all media management. It was irritating that more often than not after I needed to enter the settings of the app to vary the EQ, the speaker would disconnect from my app (however I may nonetheless management the music from Spotify and modify the quantity). However that is one thing that hopefully will get mounted with extra updates.

Credit score: Daniel Oropeza

The app permits you to management the quantity, flip the speaker off, use the TeamUp function, and alter the EQ. The EQ is customizable in real-time, so you possibly can hear the distinction when transferring the lever within the app up and down (so long as the app does not disconnect). The audio actually shines with the preset EQ settings, although. You may select between “Stage,” “Dancefloor,” and “Lounge” presets, and I discovered they every have a best-use case.

Credit score: Daniel Oropeza

• Stage: Greatest used when outside to make use of the 2 10-inch woofers to their most potential. It is loud with a thumpy bass. It reduces the battery life to about 4 hours when blasting at most quantity.

• Dancefloor: My most well-liked mixture of bumpy bass and clear mids whereas nonetheless supplying you with six hours of battery life at max quantity.

• Lounge: Excellent after I’m indoors and do not wish to annoy my canine. The sound has much less bass and brings out the one-inch tweeter for extra high-end nuance for a most of 8 hours at full quantity.

The default flat EQ will not be spectacular, though it does provide the longest battery time of as much as 40 hours at medium quantity. You actually get to listen to and really feel the potential of the speaker whenever you use one of many three signature EQ settings.

Backside line

Credit score: Daniel Oropeza

The Soundboks 4 is a formidable, highly effective speaker that has its place among the many finest moveable audio system out there, for the fitting use case. When you’re a DJ, host many massive events or occasions, the Soundboks 4 will do a superb job for you, in case you can afford it. The 126 decibels quantity is highly effective and finest used outside to get its most potential (and it’s splash-proof), however you are restricted to mono except you have got one other Soundboks speaker. I like that they made the battery replaceable, and with a separate “The Battery,” you possibly can play music at full quantity whilst you cost. The adjustable EQ and preset sound signatures are good and alter in actual time, however the app may be buggy. I want there have been extra methods to manage the audio straight on the speaker, however in case you’re utilizing it in a celebration setting, this may really be a professional (you do not need drunk folks messing along with your speaker). The speaker works nice as an amplifier for devices, however in case you plan to make use of a microphone, count on suggestions in case you get too near the speaker. When you’re in search of a less expensive speaker with extra options and higher for home events, I like to recommend the PartyBox Stage 320. However in case you’re working with massive crowds outside, the Soundboks 4 is the winner.