94

Soundboks (Gen. 3) Review

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

True Score

75
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

    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) 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

    75

    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