Soundboks Rider Review: 118 dB Portable Speaker Priced at $600
The Soundboks Rider, priced at $600, is a portable Bluetooth speaker that delivers sound levels reaching 118 decibels, reminiscent of a live rock concert. Its PA-style design includes a robust plastic cabinet, silicone corners, and a steel grille. The battery is easily replaceable, charges through USB-C, and can be swapped out without hassle. Unlike larger Soundboks models, it features a single carry grip, whereas the Sony ULT Field 7 has two handles. Additionally, it does not support SKAA TeamUp connectivity, lacks a speaker stand mount, and has fewer input options. While the audio quality is impressive with deep bass, the companion app has connectivity issues. The Rider stands out for its volume and durability but is viewed as a niche, costly option compared to the $500 Sony ULT Field 7 and the $330 JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2.
Key facts
- The Soundboks Rider costs $600
- It can output up to 118 dB SPL, similar to a rock concert
- The battery is replaceable, charges via USB-C, and swaps in seconds
- It has a steel front grille, silicone rubber ball corners, and a thick plastic cabinet
- It lacks SKAA TeamUp multi-speaker connectivity, a speaker stand mount, and XLR inputs
- The app controls volume, sound profiles, EQ modes, and power
- Pairing required repeated pairing, unpairing, and power cycling, plus a re-pair after a firmware update
- Alternatives cited include the $500 Sony ULT Field 7 and $330 JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2
Entities
Institutions
- Soundboks
- Sony
- JBL
- Marshall
- Samsung
- Wired
Locations
- New York City
- United States