BassBuds BassBoomz high performance Bluetooth speaker review

It is often said that good things come in small packages. But when it comes to music and speakers, we tend to think in the opposite direction, that bigger speakers equal better sound. The folks at BassBuds are trying to change that perception with their latest offering, the portable BassBoomz High Performance Bluetooth Speaker.

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To be honest with you, I have scoffed at speakers of this sort in the past. I did not think that they could provide a decent or adequate sound quality. When the offer came in to review the BassBoomz, my curiosity got the better of me, and I asked to review it. There seems to be a lot of these types of portable pop-up Bluetooth speakers on the market lately, made of various materials and having various features and price points. The BassBoomz feature:

• Li-ion rechargeable battery
• Bluetooth connectivity
• AUX input (cable included)
• Solid aluminum constriction
• BXS (Bass Expansion System)

The BassBoomz came with a USB charging cable, a dual 3.5mm audio cable, and a user’s guide.

The rear of the speaker has a 3.5mm line-in jack, a charging port, and an on/off switch. All are clearly labeled. The BassBoomz packaging states that the battery should supply 5-6 hours of play time with the speaker at 70% volume.

The top and the bottom of the speaker are pretty normal. The top has a grill over the speaker, and the bottom has the basic speaker information.

The first thing I did after reading the user’s guide for the BassBoomz was to plug it into a USB port and charge it. The indicator light in the middle of the logo on the front of the speaker will be red when the speaker is charging; it turns off when the battery is fully charged. Charing took about 45 minutes, then I proceeded to pair the BassBoomz with my iPad. Pairing the speaker was straightforward, and the instructions were easy to follow.

Although the user’s guide states that the BassBoomz can be used either opened or closed, it is recommended that you open the speaker for the best sound quality. To open the speaker simply grip the top and bottom and turn counter-clockwise. The speaker will extend itself to its fully open position. To close, simply push the top and bottom together and turn clockwise.

After all the preliminaries were done, it was time to see how the BassBoomz sounded. To my surprise, they sounded pretty good. As I stated before, I was a little skeptical about what kind of sound this speaker could produce. I have had many sets of portable speakers and most have never live up to their billing, but the BassBoomz provided a solid sound. The bass is more than adequate, the mids and highs are clear and sharp, and the volume range is very good. I listened to a variety of music through the BassBoomz – jazz, country, classical, big band, rap, rock, and even some heavy metal – and the speaker sound was good. When I tweaked the EQ settings on my iPad for the type of music I was playing, the sound was even better. Having the ability to plug the BassBoomz into non-Bluetooth devices via the 3.5mm cable and jack is a major plus for this speaker.

So what’s my bottom line on the BassBoomz? I think it is well made, produces a great sound for its size, and will provide hours of listening pleasure. It will never replace big speakers or earphones in high-noise areas, but they are great for a portable speaker that can be used on the go. The compact size is nice, but it is a little heavier than I thought it would be. Not having any other similar speakers to compare these to, I give these high marks. With several color choices available, the BassBoomz can fit almost anyone’s taste. At approximately $75.68 (£46.95), they are one of the pricier choices on the market for these small speakers, but the sound quality may make it worth the investment.