After more than five years, the Teufel Motiv Go 2 is the recently released successor to one of the most popular compact Bluetooth speakers from the Berlin-based company Teufel. At first glance, little has changed, but if you take a closer look, you will recognize a well thought-out realignment: more app, more connectivity, even better sound. Find out more in the test.
Technical data of the Teufel Motiv Go 2
| The product | Motiv Go 2 |
| Drivers | 2x full range 2x passive cone |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Connections | USB-C |
| Battery life | Up to 16 hours |
| Special features | Dynamore; Party mode |
| size | 211 mm x 115 mm x 65 mm |
| weight | 1 kg |
| Colors | Black; White; Purple |
| Scope of delivery | Motiv Go 2, USB-C cable, instructions |
| Price | € 234.98 * |
Teufel Motiv Go 2 Review: Little has changed in the design
Anyone familiar with the predecessor will immediately experience déjà vu with the Motiv Go 2, and that is meant as a compliment. The basic design has hardly been touched, because it was simply already good. The Motiv Go 2 comes in the same compact cuboid format, measuring 21.1 × 11.5 × 6.5 cm and weighing 935 grams, it sits comfortably in the hand and fits easily on any desk, shelf or in any rucksack.
What Teufel has revised is the control bar: All buttons have been moved to the top of the device, where they form a uniform, bundled bar. For comparison: With the predecessor, you still had to touch the side of the device for Bluetooth pairing, which was sometimes awkward in everyday life.
The aluminium frame that stabilizes the housing gives the Motiv Go 2 a noticeable solidity. You are not holding a plastic toy in your hands, but a device that lives up to premium standards both visually and haptically. The wipe-clean, scratch-resistant textile cover provides reliable protection against daily wear and tear, and the elegantly milled product name on the underside is a small but fine detail that underlines the quality claim. The Motiv Go 2 is available in three colors: classic black, elegant silver and the new “Soft Lavender”, a pastel lavender color for this series.
However, there is one small point of criticism: there is no carrying strap or fastening eyelet. For a speaker that is clearly designed for mobility, this is a missed opportunity. Also slightly disappointing: the button lettering on the control bar follows the color of the housing and is not illuminated. This is sometimes difficult to read.
Modern features and connectivity
Teufel uses Bluetooth 5.3 for the Motiv Go 2, a sensible upgrade over the 5.0 of its predecessor, which primarily provides more stability and better energy efficiency. Multipoint is still on board so that two playback devices can be paired simultaneously. Handy when switching between smartphone and laptop without having to re-pair. A new addition is Google Fast Pair, which significantly speeds up the initial setup on Android devices and finally raises the Motiv Go 2 to the connectivity level of the competition from JBL or Sony.
The biggest new feature in terms of connectivity is undoubtedly the PartyLink function, which allows up to 100 Teufel speakers to be connected wirelessly. This is a direct response to JBL’s Connect ecosystem and makes the Motiv Go 2 much more attractive for anyone who already owns Teufel devices or is planning to expand their setup.
This is complemented by the Teufel Go app, which is available for the first time for the Motiv series: a two-band EQ, genre presets, Dynamore control as well as settings for LEDs and auto-off can be conveniently controlled from a smartphone. Not a fully-fledged multi-band equalizer, but a real step forward compared to the rigid factory configuration of its predecessor.
On the negative side, there is one decision that has actually bothered me several times in everyday life: The analog AUX input is completely omitted. The analog input is replaced by the USB-C port, which can also be used to connect the Motiv Go 2 as an external sound card. For example, on a PC or notebook.
The Motiv Go 2 also takes a step backwards in terms of codec support: where the predecessor still supported aptX, the successor is limited to SBC and AAC. For Apple users, AAC is a gain, Android users lose an option.
Battery life of the Teufel Motiv Go 2
On paper, the Teufel Motiv Go 2 has a stated battery life of up to 15 hours in Eco mode, slightly less than the 16 hours of its predecessor. In practice, it achieves a solid 14 hours in normal operation, which is sufficient for a long working day or an extended excursion without having to plug in in between. Eco mode specifically reduces dynamics and bass depth to get more playing time out of it. For background music in the office or podcasts when camping, this is a sensible compromise, but for active music listening, it is a rather mixed compromise.
Charging is now via USB-C, which actually simplifies everyday life: one cable for smartphone, laptop and speakers. The maximum charging power is 30 watts, which enables quick recharging. If you supply the speaker with audio via USB-C in cable mode, you cannot charge it at the same time. However, the battery life is more than sufficient for most usage scenarios. Only those planning trips lasting several days without a power outlet need to keep this limitation in mind
Teufel Motiv Go 2: Rich sound included!
The sound of the Teufel Motiv Go 2 is noticeably better and I really like it. The basic technical design is tried and tested: Two 2-inch full-range drivers with aluminium cones and two passive cones work together in a housing stabilized by the aluminium frame, the total output is 20 watts. What has changed compared to its predecessor is the tuning, and this is clearly audible.
The Motiv Go 2 sounds more balanced, more detailed and, above all, much more structured in the bass range than you would expect from a device of this size. The bass response is simply remarkable. Bass-heavy tracks show substance and differentiation without tipping over into booming.
Electronic productions benefit just as much as classic rock music, where drums have real substance. In the mid and treble range, the tuning remains pleasantly neutral: vocals sound clear and expressive, without artificial sharpness or harshness. An excellent and harmonious balance that pays off, especially during longer listening sessions, because it doesn’t tire, but simply puts you in a good mood. No matter what genre you are at home in.
However, the decisive sonic upgrade compared to its predecessor is the revised Dynamore technology: if you activate the stereo expansion in the app or at the touch of a button, the sound stage expands audibly. Effects and instruments are clearly detached from the housing and are positioned more freely in the room.
In the test, however, Dynamore turns out to be context-dependent: Placed close to a wall, it raises the sound to a new level and makes the Motiv Go 2 sound bigger than it actually is. Standing freely in the room, however, the lateral dispersion can spread the sound stage a little too much, causing fine details to be somewhat lost. It’s good that the function can be switched on and off.
But: whether with or without Dynamore – the Teufel Motiv Go 2 delivers a really strong sound. And I wouldn’t have expected that in this compact size.
Teufel Motiv Go 2 Review: Conclusion
The Teufel Motiv Go 2 is not a simple update, it is a deliberate reorientation that consistently focuses on modern usage scenarios. App control, PartyLink, USB-C audio and Google Fast Pair turn a solid Bluetooth speaker into a contemporary, networked product. In terms of sound, Teufel has turned the screws in the right direction: the Motiv Go 2 sounds more balanced, more spacious and livelier than its predecessor.
There are only a few competitors in its size class that can compete with it. And that alone is pretty impressive. The compromises are manageable. The omission of AUX input, microphone and aptX affects a minority of users. Anyone who only uses their speaker wirelessly and for listening to music will hardly miss these features. And anyone going on long journeys should know that the 15-hour battery life can only be achieved in bass-reduced eco mode.
The bottom line is that I have no hesitation in recommending the Teufel Motiv Go 2 to anyone looking for a compact, high-quality Bluetooth speaker that is equally impressive at home, in the office and on the go. The combination of first-class sound, solid workmanship and the app integration that is now finally available makes it one of the strongest offerings in its class.
PROS
- Vibrant sound
- Audio via USB-C
- Compact and robust
- Dynamore
- Good battery life
CONS
- Expensive
- No headphone jack
- No aptX anymore
Conclusion
Convincing Bluetooth speaker with rich sound, premium design and intuitive operation. However, the absence of AUX input, microphone and aptX is disappointing.
