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.
94
out of
109
Speakers
Soundboks (Gen. 3) Review
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Updated Jan 25, 2024 6:27 PM
Published
True Score
True Score is an AI-powered algorithm of product tests and customer reviews.
75
Mixed Reviews
74
3
Experts
86
923
Consumers
Expert Rankings
(
3
)
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.
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 Life | 40 hrs |
 | Built In Microphone | No |
 | Charge Time | 3.5 hrs |
 | Depth | 18" |
 | Height | 26.2" |
 | IPX Rating | IP65 |
 | Smart App | SOUNDBOKS App |
 | Speaker Pairing | Yes |
 | Water Resistant | Yes |
 | Wattage | 3 × 72W |
 | Width | 12.6" |
 | Wireless Range | 60 ft |
All Specs
Test Results
These are the most important criteria to test for Speakers based on our comprehensive Testing Methodology.
| 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 | 75 | 74 | 82 | 76 |
Ranking | # 94 / 109 | # 97 / 109 | # 31 / 109 | # 91 / 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) 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 |
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
75
Any product with a True Score above 60 is a Meh
Expert Scores
Publications with higher Trust Ratings are given more weight.
100.6Category Trust Rating
58The SOUNDBOKS 3 is alright for music. With its default settings enabled, it has a… Read MoreBy:
Dagobiet Morales Alfaro
81.17Category Trust Rating
NRA device that functions as a PA, amplifier, and Bluetooth speaker all in one sounds… Read MoreBy:
Sara Carbone
30.5Category Trust Rating
NRLet’s talk physics—or more specifically the physics of sound. Everyone knows from their early science… Read MoreBy:
Bill Henderson
Customer Scores
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