The SoundBoks 2 is on of the loudest Bluetooth speaker for outdoors. With two 10″ woofers, a tweeter, and three 75W amps, it’s a terrific companion for various kinds of uses.
It’s great for street-side busking, beach parties, wedding receptions, backyard parties and lots of other needs.
Before we continue with the review, it’s worth mentioning that the SoundBoks 2 is a second-generation speaker. There is a newer, updated version of this speaker. Here is the link to the review of the more recent, updated version, the SoundBoks 3.
Features
- Dimensions: 12.6″ x 26″ x 17″
- Weight: 35.8 lbs.
- Volume: Up to 122 dB
- Battery: Military-grade; delivers 40 hours playtime on average volume.
- Battery charging time: 4 hours
- Super durable
- Two 10″ woofers
- Three 75W amplifiers with boost converters
- One soft dome tweeter
- Battery indicates the current charge
- Knob for either indoor or outdoor mode
- Loud and clear
- DC charging input: Charge the speaker directly or its battery
- Combo AUX/3.5mm mini jack
The Design
The Soundboks 2 features a super -solid, rugged design that makes the product extremely durable. Weighing in at 35 lbs. and with handles on each side, the speaker is one you’ll haul around with relative ease. It’s massive — not the kind of thing you’ll want to carry for long.
Various materials including wood, metal, aluminum, and plastic come together into an incredibly durable product. There’s a metallic grate covering your cones so you can enjoy great parties for years into the future.
Also, the design features metal ball corners coupled with metal piping. These details easily make the speaker one of the most durable deals on the market today. This thing is built to last. In fact, you can sit on it as a stool or even use it as an end table. And doesn’t that make it versatile?
There’s a simple yet effective control panel that displays two useful knobs. One knob helps control volume. The other helps you switch between indoor and outdoor mode.
Here’s one more thing. The bottom of the Soundboks 2 is designed in a way that allows you to mount your speaker on stands.
Sound Performance
With a max volume of 122 dB, the Soundboks 2 is one of the world’s no #1 loudest battery-powered Bluetooth speaker.
When Soundboks conceived this product, they thought of everything you’d ever want in a speaker for both indoor and outdoor use. The speaker has two knobs, one of which helps you choose either the indoor mode or the outdoor one. Without this knob, this speaker would be overkill for indoor use.
In terms of loudness, the Soundboks 2 isn’t anywhere near average. You’d be hard-pressed to find a portable Bluetooth speaker that pumps such levels of sound. I think of this speaker as a monster boombox. It’s a real beast, and the sound you get justifies its high price.
The speaker’s three 75W class-D amplifiers, two 10″ woofers, and one tweeter ensure you get powerful, loud sound throughout the party.
Things get even better when the integrated boost converter jumps in and takes the volume to a whole new level. With the indoor mode, you’ll see a volume of up to 100 dB while the outdoor mode delivers a max volume of 122 dB.
What about sound quality?
You may be a puritan when it comes to audio resolution, but you’ll still love this speaker. Honestly, though, the Soundboks 2 isn’t the greatest option there is in that regard.
Note: the speaker doesn’t have an equalizer. But that doesn’t mean you won’t get clear, balanced sound — you actually will.
Bluetooth Connectivity
There have been some complaints that sometimes there are some connectivity issues with the Soundboks 2. Certain older phones have difficulty connecting to this speaker. Examples include the OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 3 smartphones.
But a smartphone such as the iPhone 6 should easily find your speaker, connect, and remain connected without issues. Connectivity is optimal within the 50-feet range.
Ruggedness
When it comes to ruggedness, I can’t think of a speaker that comes even close. The Soundboks 2 is an extremely tough option that can take pretty much anything you may fling at it. The solidly built exterior makes sure your system stays looking good for years.
Battery Life
One thing I really like about the Soundboks 2 is its military-grade battery (LiFePO4). The battery looks like a rectangular box with a handle. At full volume, one full charge should give you about 7 or 8 hours of playtime.
Going with a considerably lower volume (mid volume) may give you up to 40 hours of playtime. But it’s a good idea to buy an extra battery. That ensures you’ll never ever worry about having to end your party earlier. The battery is rechargeable and easy to replace.
You may choose to charge the Soundboks 2 directly (without the battery). You may also opt to charge the battery while it’s in there. If you charge it without the battery, you’ll probably not get all the volume it’s got.
Pros
- Great for both indoor and outdoor use
- Loudest portable Bluetooth speaker
- Rugged design
- Extremely durable
- Military-grade battery
- Relatively easy to haul around
Cons
- Big
- Quite expensive
- Connectivity issues with certain phones
- No USB port for charging devices
- No equalizer
- Not weatherproofed
Honestly, not being able to charge the phone isn’t exactly a minor quibble. But aren’t you more interested in the beast’s thunder than you’re in making calls during the party?
Concerning connectivity, you’ll have to decide if buying a compatible phone makes sense for you. The presence of a metallic grille on the front of the Soundboks 2 could account for the connectivity issue. But the grille offers full protection to your speaker. And that’s a really good thing.
While the product is tough and durable, the manufacturer doesn’t provide an IP rating. That means the product won’t survive a dunk in water. Luckily, taking care of something one loves often doesn’t feel hard.
What’s in the Box
- The Soundboks 2
- The AUX cable
- Charger
- User’s manual
- Rechargeable battery
Warranty
Soundboks provides a 2-year limited warranty for the product. The warranty only applies to those who buy from authorized retailers or directly from the manufacturer.
You should immediately let whoever delivers the speaker know about any manufacturing defects. The item comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. However, you’ll have to shell out the shipping costs.
Conclusion
Ever wondered what’s the loudest, battery-powered, portable, Bluetooth speaker on the planet? The Soundboks 2 is, the speaker thumps ears so hard that people remember it for years.
Whether you’re having a house party or having fun outdoors, you won’t go wrong with this one. It amplifies the sound like nothing else, and its military-grade battery lasts forever. It’s way better than anything you’ve ever heard about the Soundboks 1.
If you think that the SoundBoks 2 is too big for your taste but still want an insanely loud but more portable speaker, you need to check out the SoundBoks GO, which is the smaller brother of the SoundBoks 2 but produces the same loudness.
I hope this review helps you decide whether this speaker is a good fit for your next outdoor adventure.