Bluetooth speakers come in different sizes and shapes. Some are louder than others, but very few are as loud as performance speakers. The Soundboks 3 is very loud, portable, and ready to make your party an unforgettable experience.
In this post, I review in detail all the features of this speaker to help you decide if this is the right match for you, plus a few tips to get the most out of it.
The loudness of the Soundboks 3
First, let’s explore what is inside. The Soundboks 3 has two 10″ woofers and one 1″ compression driver. All of these components are powered by three 72W RMS class D amplifiers. The way this is configured is that each amplifier drives one speaker.
The total RMS power this speaker can deliver is 216W but this is not the metric we need to pay attention to if we want to know how loud it is. It is essential to understand what is the total sound pressure level (SPL) it can deliver because this is the real perceived volume.
The max SPL is 126dB, and to bring this number to perspective; I am going to use an example. By playing the Soundboks 3 at full volume, the sound it produces is equivalent to the sound of a jackhammer at a relatively close distance. That is Loud!
When compared to the Soundboks 2, the loudness is about the same, but the newer model has less distortion at maximum volume.
I have written an entire article about the loudest Bluetooth speakers for outdoors check it out if you’d like.
Sound Quality
When it comes to the sound quality of the Soundboks 3, the effective frequency range is from 40Hz – 20kHz. Thanks to the two 10″ woofers, the bass is punchy and clear. The 1″ compression driver delivers bright, accurate highs that are not overpowering.
You can play at high volumes without distortion because the Soundboks 3 is designed to deliver up to 126dB of volume.
When comparing the Soundboks 2 vs. the Soundboks 3, the newer model has more detail in the sound it delivers. The tweeter sounds better than the older model. The midrange is also better in the Soundboks 3, but the bass is not as deep as in the Soundboks 2.
The Soundboks 3 has more emphasis in the mid-bass range, so the bass is better in the older model.
If you want deep, low-end bass, this speaker is not going deliver it, you’ll be better off with another speaker such as the JBL PartyBox 1000. But if you want a portable, very loud Bluetooth speaker that delivers punchy mid-range bass, this one will be perfect.
Design Quality and Ruggedness
The Soundboks 3 is about the same size as the Soundboks 2. The measurement is 25.6 x 17 x 13 inches or 66 x 43 x 32 cm. It weighs 34 pounds or 15.4 kg
This speaker was designed from the beginning to be a very rugged system. It is splash-proof and dirt resistant, built using only good quality materials.
The cabinet that houses the speakers and electronics is made from poplar wood. To protect the enclosure is has a powder-coated aluminum frame and silicon molded ball corners. These ball corners are excellent for absorbing shocks and isolating the cabinet from the floor to avoid vibrations.
The front of the speaker has a powder-coated steel grille for protecting the speaker components, and the handles are also powder-coated steel.
Connectivity
The Soundboks 3 comes with all you need to get the party rocking. It comes with Bluetooth 5.0 protocol to connect any portable device.
Another excellent feature of this speaker is that using wireless connectivity, you can connect up to 5 Soundboks 3 devices to share your signal for an even louder volume. All connected speakers need to be of the same model (The New Soundboks); it doesn’t work with mixed models.
Besides, it comes with the following connection capabilities:
- 2 × Combo microphone/instrument (XLR, 1/4”) input
- 1 × 3.5mm Stereo Input
- 1 × 3.5mm Stereo Output
One thing I didn’t like about this Bluetooth speaker is that it doesn’t have a separate volume control for the microphone/instrument inputs, and the 3.5mm stereo input. There is only one volume control knob, and it’s only for the Bluetooth signal.
Therefore, it means those inputs don’t have a preamp, so if you connect a mic or an instrument, the volume can’t be controlled, meaning that is not going to work well for Karaoke or public address.
Battery Life
The battery life on this Bluetooth speaker is excellent. You can get up to 40 hours of playtime if the volume is set to medium. On the other hand, at full volume, you only get about 5 hours. The charge time if the speaker is off is 3.5 hours for a full charge.
Another good thing about the Soundboks 3 is that you can get extra batteries and change them very easy, without the need for any tools.
The battery comes with a 5-step LED life indicator to let know what’s the status of the battery. The system has a battery management system that protects the battery from overcharge and over-discharge. It is also protected from short circuits.
Its battery is 12.8V, 7.8Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4), and has a temperature range between -10C to 40C.
The SoundBoks APP
With the app, you get access to enhancements such as EQ and different sound options. Using the Bluetooth connection, you can also remotely control the speaker at a distance of about 60ft / 20m or less from your phone or portable device.
Furthermore, each time a new firmware is released, you can easily upgrade it through the app. Download the app from the App Store for iOS or Google Play Store.
Pros
- The speaker is very loud, giving life to your party.
- Connect up to five Soundboks 3 together for an even louder outdoor party.
- It is constructed using good quality materials.
- It is splash and dirt resistant, perfect for outdoor and tailgating parties.
- It delivers bright highs, clear mids, and punchy mid-bass.
- Good battery life, up to 40 hours, plus you can buy extra batteries for extended use.
- The Soundboks backpack makes it easier to carry the speaker around.
- The downloadable app allows you to control the speaker remotely and change the settings and EQ.
- It comes with an installed pole mount for using a speaker stand.
Cons
- The bass is not as deep as some people might like.
- It doesn’t have a preamp and volume control for the microphone/instrument input.
- It has a high price tag
Conclusion
Overall the Soundboks 3 or as it’s called by the manufacturer The New Soundboks is an excellent Bluetooth speaker that is perfect for outdoor use that delivers insanely loud that will give life to any party.
There are few drawbacks, but they have to do more with personal taste than any other thing. I hope this review can help you decide if this speaker is for you or not.
If you think that the SoundBoks 3 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 3 but produces almost the same loudness.
If you have any questions or comments, please drop us a line, thank you for reading this blog.