Soundboks Go review: Loud and clear
A TEST REPORT from Nils Ahrensmeier 
on April 12, 2022, 15:00 am | Write a comment
With the Soundboks Go, the Danes are launching their first "portable" Bluetooth speaker, which promises "concert quality" in a compact format. TechnikNews tested him.
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Unboxing
The scope of delivery of the Soundboks Go includes not only the loudspeaker itself, but also the battery and the associated power supply unit. If desired, a carrying strap can be ordered for €50 when ordering. You can find a detailed unboxing here.
Design and workmanship
The Soundboks Go has a relatively simple design and sticks to the design of the new Soundboks (Generation 3). At 9,2 kg, the box is a whole 5 kg lighter than its big brother, but it is still not as light as other portable loudspeakers. The dimensions are also not small at 45,9 × 31,6 × 26,6 cm, but the sound box was well suited for carrying. For many users, however, the carrying strap should be a good investment. On the front, in front of the two speakers, is the typical “Grill” with Soundboks lettering, but unlike the larger model, there are no colors other than “black”. For carrying (even without a belt) there is a rubber handle on the upper side, which is well made and did not show any cracks or the like during the test period.
The rest of the box is also made of high-quality polycarbonate, and there is a polyester strap on the casing that can be used to hold the box. The materials also make the box IP65 dust and water certified, which I can confirm from my last two weeks of testing. I used the box every day, especially outdoors. No matter whether it was snow, heavy rain or mud - in the end everything came off again and there were no problems with playback.
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- The Soundboks Go has two buttons (Image: TechnikNews)
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- The grill of the Soundboks Go is not interchangeable (Image: TechnikNews
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- The Soundboks Go is controlled via a rotary knob (Image: TechnikNews)
Features
The Soundboks Go has an app that can be used to control it. This can be used to set functions such as the Bluetooth connection, the sound and general settings. There are several equalizer profiles to choose from, which are described and directly marked with a battery life. At full volume, the "Bass+" profile should last for around 6 hours, and the indoor profile a full 14 hours. The volume can also be controlled remotely in the app, and the box can be turned off.
Different sound boxes can also be connected to one another. I was able to do that too with a friendprobeers, the connection is really child's play. Soundboks 1 is set to "Host" mode, Soundboks 2 to Join mode. This completes the connection, at 10-15 meters there was no delay in the audio playback. At greater distances, however, there is definitely one, Soundboks has also created a mode for this. With the "SKAA Pro" setting, only a maximum of 5 more Soundboks can be connected instead of 2, but the latency is very low (and the radius is reduced by 30%).
The Soundboks Go app has many setting options (image: TechnikNews)
Unfortunately, the direct mode will not be available until the end of April, which is why it will not be included review report.
Connections
The Soundboks Go is mainly found via Bluetooth. The pairing mode is started as soon as it is switched on, which means that the Soundboks is displayed in the Bluetooth settings. This process can be set up in the app, including a code for security and an automatic connection to the last device. Music can also be transmitted via a 3.5 mm jack connection; there is no XLR connection like on the “New Soundboks”.
There is also a 3.5 mm jack connection on the side. (Picture: TechnikNews
Klang
The most important thing about a speaker, however, is the sound. After all, what is the point of all the possible features if the sound is not good in the end? The Danes have installed two speakers in the Soundboks Go. A 10-inch woofer and a 1-inch tweeter, both of which work with a maximum of 72 watts. This should enable a maximum volume of 121 dB to be achieved (with Bass+ profile).
In practice, the box could definitely provide a party with around 100 people with music, and for several hours without any problems. There is definitely a difference compared to the large Soundboks, but in terms of size, it is definitely on the same level. In the standard profile, the sound is quite balanced, while in the "Indoor" profile, the focus is on the highs and the bass is cut. The Bass+ mode increases the bass significantly, which means that a little detail in the treble range is lost.
Rechargeable battery
The battery has a capacity of almost 100 Wh and should last up to 40 hours depending on the configuration. Since I mostly used the Soundboks at the highest volume, I can report mainly under these settings. In Bass+ mode, the Soundboks Go was mostly empty after about 5 hours and 25 minutes, in "Power" mode after about 9 hours. Charging itself takes about 3 hours, after which the Soundboks can be used again without a cable. The battery can also be used while charging, but this slows down the charging process.
Conclusion
The Soundboks Go is a very good performance speaker for parties, an afternoon in the city park or a mini concert. Although it is a lot more portable than the Soundboks Gen 3, it is not a "small box that you can take with you". This is also reflected in the price. At 699 euros, the Soundboks Go is not a small investment on the side, but definitely a Bluetooth speaker in the more expensive segment. The offered package is almost unique, the Teufel Rockstar Air weighs a lot more and does not have the same performance - but more connections. But for the money you get a lot of sound in a compact format for this sound. But who really? proIf you want to equip your concert professionally, you should rather use large sound boxes with XLR connections.