Review: KOAR BeBox IPX6 All-Weather Bluetooth Speaker

Everyone needs a good beat to move to, and an outdoor Bluetooth speaker is about the best way to instantly turn your phone into a mini DJ platform; so you can blast out some tunes. The KOAR BeBox Bluetooth speaker is a neat compact unit, which promises to provide some good bass and great clarity; all in a drop-proof, water-resistant package.

KOAR is an American brand, who specialise in outdoor audio; they also produce a power bank, as well as a set of bone conduction headphones, not dissimilar to the Aftershockz Bluez 2 headphones I've reviewed here on the blog. Their overarching mission is produce great music, for the outdoors.

The KOAR BeBox uses two 3 Watt speakers to provide a strong output, for around 8 hours of playback. It connects to your audio device (iPod, laptop or phone) via either the Bluetooth connection or a provided AUX-in cable. A re-charge then takes around 4 hours, and is facilitated with a provided micro-USB input cable. It is a fairly common set-up with other outdoor bluetooth speakers.

As is the trend with Bluetooth speakers, KOAR have made the most of the fact that Bluetooth enables a two-way conversation between phone and speaker; adding a microphone and phone control buttons to the BeBox, so that you can satellite control your phone, and answer/receive calls.

The functionality, sound output and design of the BeBox have impressed me to date. It looks and feels robust, without being cumbersome. It has so far managed to withstand being placed next to a work-stand during bike washing duties, as well as a brief sailing trip! The little hanging carabiner is surprisingly useful, and allows the end speakers to really function at their best; whilst the ports, buttons and controls seem to be well protected and secure.

Overall, this is a neat, robust and (currently at $49.99) very good value little speaker unit. It might not be the highest clarity sound, or the biggest wattage output; but for everyday use and value, when you want something that you're not going to worry about getting knocked and bumped about, this is worth a look!

View the range from KOAR at Koar.com (Link)

The charging port and Aux-in cable ports are well sealed under this flap

The hanging carabiner on the KOAR BeBox Speakers is ideal to let the end speakers work at their best

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