93

Soundboks (Gen. 3) Review

Christen da Costa Avatar
Updated Jan 25, 2024 6:27 PM

True Score

74
74
3

Experts

86
923

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

Product analysts loved the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) during their testing, endorsing it for parties and podcasts. They were delighted by its well-balanced sound profile with deep bass. Testers also liked its exceptionally loud output. However, they disliked its directional soundstage.

Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) is a high-end party Bluetooth speaker that first made its mark in 2019, touting a loud output and numerous customization functions for event managers. Featuring a 43.8-hour battery life, this device is similar to the best speakers today. This 36.6-lb device has an excellent 223.1-foot Bluetooth range and boasts two XLR ports for connecting various music instruments. With a 110.0 dB maximum SPL, this speaker gets really loud. Read to the end of this SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) review and see how it compares with the finest Bluetooth speakers today.

Consensus

our Verdict

Top experts hailed the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) during their experiments, and they recommended it for parties and podcasts. Reviewers at Sound Guys lauded its splendid 43.8-hour battery life, although it does not support voice assistants. Testers at The Gadgeteer adored its Graphic EQ and pretests. Analysts clocked its maximum SPL at an incredibly loud 110.0 dB, but its high 6.95 dB is evidence of significant sound quality deterioration at the highest volume setting. Tests revealed a decent 94 ms iOS Bluetooth latency and 111 ms Android Bluetooth latency. Experts hailed its 28.7Hz to 19.9 kHz frequency response range and 4.66 dB standard error, noticing a neutral sound profile with deep bass that will please music and movie enthusiasts. However, it has a poor 6.43 dB directivity index, resulting in a non-immersive soundstage. It also downmixes stereo to mono unless it’s paired with a similar speaker. It’s also not waterproof and lacks speakerphone and voice assistant features. See our Beats Pill Speaker review if you need speakerphone functions.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Extremely loud 110 dB maximum SPL
  • Well-balanced sound profile
  • App-based graphic EQ and presets
  • Decent Bluetooth latency
  • XLR inputs for music instruments

Reason to Avoid

  • Needs to be paired with another speaker to support stereo
  • Doesn’t support voice assistants and lacks speakerphone functions
  • Not waterproof
  • Non-immersive soundstage performance

Soundboks (Gen. 3) Review Specs

Battery LifeBattery Life40 hrs
Built In MicrophoneBuilt In MicrophoneNo
Charge TimeCharge Time3.5 hrs
DepthDepth18"
HeightHeight26.2"
IPX RatingIPX RatingIP65
Smart AppSmart AppSOUNDBOKS App
Speaker PairingSpeaker PairingYes
Water ResistantWater ResistantYes
WattageWattage3 × 72W
WidthWidth12.6"
Wireless RangeWireless Range60 ft

All Specs

Test Results

Battery Life (Hours)43.8
Volume Output (dB)110
Low End Roll Off (Hz)63.496
High End Roll Off (Hz)17,472.053

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Product Comparison

Soundboks (Gen. 3) Review

True Score

74
74
81
75

Ranking

#

93

/

109

#

95

/

109

#

33

/

109

#

92

/

109

Market Context

The SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) is a high-end party Bluetooth speaker that first made its mark in 2019, touting a loud output and numerous customization functions…

The SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) is a high-end party Bluetooth speaker that first made its mark in 2019, touting a loud output and numerous customization functions for event managers. Featuring a 43.8-hour battery life, this device is similar to the best speakers today. This 36.6-lb device has an excellent 223.1-foot Bluetooth range and boasts two XLR ports for connecting various music instruments. With a 110.0 dB maximum SPL, this speaker gets really loud. Read to the end of this SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) review and see how it compares with the finest Bluetooth speakers today.

The SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) has a wider 28.7Hz to 19.9 kHz frequency response range, providing more accurate sound than the SOUNDBOKS Go, which has a…

The SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) has a wider 28.7Hz to 19.9 kHz frequency response range, providing more accurate sound than the SOUNDBOKS Go, which has a 49.7Hz to 13.7KHz frequency response range. Unlike the Go portable speaker, the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) has two XLR inputs for music instruments. Learn more about the Go in our SOUNDBOKS Go review today.

The SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) produces deeper bass and features a 110.0 dB maximum SPL, getting louder than the Sony XP700, which has a 99.0 dB…

The SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) produces deeper bass and features a 110.0 dB maximum SPL, getting louder than the Sony XP700, which has a 99.0 dB SPL. However, the Sony speaker supports stereo and has RGB lights, unlike the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3), which requires pairing two speakers together to support stereo. Check out our Sony XP700 review for details about the Sony wireless speaker.

Producing deeper bass and loud 110.0 dB maximum SPL, the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) is better for music enthusiasts than the Monster Rockin’ Roller 270X, which…

Producing deeper bass and loud 110.0 dB maximum SPL, the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) is better for music enthusiasts than the Monster Rockin’ Roller 270X, which has a 95.7 dB maximum SPL. However, the 26.9-lb Monster speaker is more portable and has a better 64.7-hour battery life than the 36.6 lbs Gen.3 , which has a 43.8-hour battery life. Read our Monster Rockin’ Roller 270X review for details.

Battery Life

40 hrs

40 hrs

25 hrs

100 hrs

Built In Microphone

No

No

n/a

n/a

Charge Time

3.5 hrs

3.5 hrs

3 hrs

n/a

Depth

18"

12.4"

Height

26.2"

18"

IPX Rating

IP65

IP65

Smart App

SOUNDBOKS App

SOUNDBOKS App

Yes

Monster Zone Control

Speaker Pairing

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Dig Deeper

Soundboks Go Review →

Sony XP700 Review →

Monster Rockin’ Roller 270X Review →

Score Card

E

Expert Score

74

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

86

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

74

Any product with a True Score above 60 is a Meh

Expert Scores

  • Rtings
    100.6

    Category Trust Rating

    58
    The SOUNDBOKS 3 is alright for music. With its default settings enabled, it has a… Read More

    By:

    Dagobiet Morales Alfaro
  • Sound Guys
    81.17

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    A device that functions as a PA, amplifier, and Bluetooth speaker all in one sounds… Read More

    By:

    Sara Carbone
  • The Gadgeteer
    30.5

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    Let’s talk physics—or more specifically the physics of sound. Everyone knows from their early science… Read More

    By:

    Bill Henderson

Customer Scores