Just a few days ago, the Danish manufacturer Soundboks introduced a portable Bluetooth speaker with the Go model, which stands alongside the loud premium device of the now 3rd generation. Only now also for on the go and that without having to do without the premium sound. Our Soundboks Go test reveals whether this difficult undertaking has succeeded and what the portable “Bökschen” has up its sleeve.
Technical data
| Amplifier | 2 x 72 W RMS class D amplifier |
| Maximum volume | 121 dB |
| Driver | 2 x 10″ woofers / 1 x 1″ silk dome tweeters |
| Frequency range | 40 – 20,000 Hz |
| Wireless connection | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Other inputs | 3.5mm AUX |
| Battery | 12.8 V 7.8Ah LiFePO4 |
| Battery runtime | 40 hours at medium volume / 14 hours at full volume |
| Battery charging time | 3.5 hours |
| Material (case) | ABS and polycarbonate |
| Weight | 9.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 459 x 316 x 266 mm |
| IP code | IP65 – dustproof and protected against water jets |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Colors (grid) | Black |
| Price | € 699.00 * |
Soundboks Go review: the package contents
It is a bulky cardboard box that reached our test lab there from the Danish manufacturer Soundboks. When you look at the inside, it quickly becomes clear why. The brand-new Soundboks Go comes with a 99.84 Wh battery, called “Batteryboks” and the corresponding power supply. A comprehensive manual and a cardboard slipcase including some promotional materials round out the scope of delivery.
Design and workmanship
Those already familiar with Soundboks’ premium speakers will immediately notice that the same design language has been incorporated into the new Go model. Thus, the Soundboks Go relies on an equally simple as noble appearance.
The front is adorned with large hexagonal openings that allow a view into the electronics behind. On the right side, we can see the enormous 10-inch woofer, which is supported by the silk dome tweeter with a diameter of one inch to the left. The manufacturer’s logo is emblazoned in silver lettering at the top left.
A look at the back reveals just one interesting element here, as the removable Batteryboks battery pack can be found there, which can be easily taken out of the case for charging with a carrying strap. The bottom, on the other hand, also offers little that is exciting, with the exception of the large hole in the center that allows the Soundboks Go to be positioned on a tripod stand.
Besides an AUX input on the left side and numbering on the right, the top of the Go is particularly interesting, as this is where we find all the controls. On the top left is the volume knob, which also functions as a power button.
To the right is a three-part button setup of rubberized buttons that we can use to pair the Soundboks Go with other Soundboks devices (TeamUp) using the SKAA network if we wish (or have the wherewithal) to use it as a host or auxiliary device.
The manufacturer also places the rubberized carrying handle in the center of the Go’s upper side, so that the Bluetooth speaker can be packed quickly and easily. This can optionally be replaced by an optionally available shoulder strap, which, however, adds another 50 euros to the bill.
The workmanship of the Soundboks Go
The fact that this is a premium device through and through becomes quite clear from the first glance at the workmanship of the Soundboks Go. The materials feel extremely valuable. Here, the Danes rely on a composite of ABS and polycarbonate and high-quality silicone dampers, which make the Bluetooth speaker extremely robust.
In addition, the rubberized, raised side panels protect the technology from possible drop damage and scratches, while the carrying handle and all controls are made of silicone rubber.
The high-quality anodized aluminum volume control feels grippy and premium, and also features a well-designed detent. All in all, Soundboks has spared no expense or effort in the workmanship of the Go, which weighs 9.2 kg and measures 459 x 316 x 266 mm. The build quality and feel fully live up to the premium price. Thanks to IP65 certification, the speaker is also protected against splashing water.
Operation, battery life and range
Pressing the volume wheel turns on the Soundboks Go. The control is surrounded by an LED wheel, which regulates the volume in a maximum of eleven levels as is typical for the manufacturer and is represented by blue lines. Below the dial, a Bluetooth symbol informs about the active connection.
The Go transmits wirelessly in the Bluetooth 5.0 standard and thus enables a range of around 10 meters to the corresponding audio source. Once turned on, the Bluetooth performance speaker is also immediately found by smartphones, tablets, PCs/notebooks and other Bluetooth-enabled devices and connected at the touch of a button.
Now it is actually only a matter of starting the desired music and you are ready to go. Alternatively, music can be played back via the 3.5 mm jack input on the side, which also works with all sources without any problems – at least if you have an appropriate connection cable. In addition, musical instruments or microphones can be connected here to use the Soundboks Go as a monitor in the studio.
Unfortunately, we could not test the connection in the SKAA network due to the lack of additional Soundboks devices. Here, the Go can be used with up to four other devices of the manufacturer in a network, if desired. And it can be used wirelessly either as a host or main player or as an additional source in join mode. In theory, this should work without any problems.
Battery life of the Soundboks Go
Just under 100 watt-hours is the removable battery of the Soundboks Go. It features a button in the upper left corner that provides information about the charge level based on the LED bars below it. A total of five bars inform about the runtime, so each of them stands for 20 percent power.
The so-called Batteryboks is charged with the included power adapter, whereby a complete charging process takes about 3.5 hours. Alternatively, the power adapter can also be connected directly to the corresponding input on the Soundboks Go and the speaker can thus be used cabled.
The battery life depends on several factors, such as the selected volume or the set sound mode. The maximum runtime is up to 40 hours (at medium volume). The Go lasts for about 10 hours at full volume. However, you can easily fill a concert hall with sound at the appropriate level. In home use or at a party, the maximum level 11 should therefore only be used in the very rarest cases.
App connection: Soundboks
But before we get to the sonic qualities of the Soundboks Go, let’s take a look at the companion app called Soundboks, as offered for free on iOS and Android.
It first prompts us to create an account and then connects us directly to a device from the manufacturer that is within range. Visually, the app presents itself clearly and tidily and already reveals all important options on the main page.
Here we can turn the device on and off, switch between solo and composite modes, adjust settings, adjust the volume and select different sound modes. Regarding the modes, there are three presets to choose from, which not only affect the sound, but also the maximum volume, as well as the battery life.
“Bass+” calls up the maximum performance of the Soundboks Go and reaches an incredible 121 decibels of volume. However, the battery life drops to around 6 hours when the slider is set to the limit. The “Power” mode is minimally lower with a maximum of 119 dB, but allows the speaker to last for around 10 hours and does not emphasize the bass as much. The “Indoor” mode is supposed to offer the most neutral sound, “only” reaches a maximum volume of 112 dB and results in a battery runtime of just under 14 hours at maximum level. In addition, there is a 6-band equalizer that allows us to fine-tune the frequencies ourselves and save our settings.
Options for future firmware updates, an “SKAA Pro Mode” for reduced latency in TeamUp mode, and Bluetooth autoconnect round out the app’s scope. Nice gimmick: For the market launch of the Soundboks Go on April 26, the so-called DIRECT feature starts within the app.
Every weekend, the music of (more or less) well-known artists can be streamed via the app at no extra cost, and they will be performing simultaneously in various clubs or locations around the globe. The first events will take place on April 29 and 30 in London and Copenhagen. The focus here is largely on the genre of electro music. For genre fans certainly a nice feature.
Sound quality of the Soundboks Go
Let’s get to the most important question: does the premium Bluetooth speaker Soundboks Go live up to its high price tag in terms of sound? The short answer is “yes.” The long answer is “yes, but…”.
For this, let’s first take a dry look at the technology. To realize the sound, the Go relies on a composite of a 10-inch woofer and a one-inch silk dome tweeter, pushed to the extreme by two 72-watt class-D amplifiers (Merus Audio eximo). A frequency band of 40Hz – 20,000 Hz can also be represented.
The first thing that stands out is the almost unbelievable maximum volume that the Soundboks Go is able to reproduce. If we turn the smartphone and the speaker to the limit, our entire interior dances to the beat of the music. Definitely more than enough to fill a large party with sound. However, a volume of level 5 or 6 is more than sufficient for enjoying music alone.
However, the Go’s sound is not completely convincing. The Bluetooth speaker tends to overload especially at high volumes. During our test, the Go even overdriven at maximum volume once to such an extent that our eardrums would have burst – however, this error only occurred once and could not be reproduced.
(Too) Strong bass focus
Otherwise, however, the Bluetooth speaker shows itself to be quite bass-heavy in terms of sound and, with the exception of the indoor preset, strongly emphasizes the low tones. Of course, this is hardly surprising, since this is the speaker’s core field of application, which best copes with bass-heavy electro music.
However, the Soundboks Go unfortunately does not succeed in presenting the individual bass frequencies well differentiated. The low bass only reaches down to just under 50-60 Hz and transitions quite spongily into the mid-bass range (80 to 100 Hz). The equalizer can be used to counteract this somewhat by lowering the 150 Hz frequency, but the separation of the bass frequencies is unfortunately not really clean. The Go simply doesn’t manage this powerful bass, which causes a tingling in the pit of the stomach, as well as we would have liked (and also expected due to the specifications).
In particular, the mids turn out much more pleasing and detailed, while the highs are somewhat in the background. Thus, there is no question of a neutral and balanced, almost hi-fi sound. The differentiated, high-quality sound of the big brothers, such as the New Soundboks (our test) can unfortunately not reach the Go model at any time. However, the Soundboks Go is quite suitable for the sound reinforcement of a preferably larger party with bass-heavy music via Bluetooth.
Summary of the Soundboks Go
If you are planning to supply your future barbecue or garden party and half the place with massive electro music, the Soundboks Go is a comparatively portable, but extremely high-quality Bluetooth speaker at hand, which at least in the area of mobility steals the show from the big brothers from their own house and reaches an incredible volume.
The build quality is excellent, and the companion app is well-organized and equipped with useful functions. However, the Soundboks Go cannot fulfill the high expectations in terms of sound. The acoustics are too unbalanced and the connection options are too limited. And a device weighing around 10 kg is not necessarily as portable as the manufacturer wants us to believe.
Soundboks Go
Workmanship
Sound
Features
Value for money
86/100
High-quality manufactured, chic and extremely loud Bluetooth speaker with practical app, but unbalanced and too bass-heavy sound.
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