Bluetooth audio system have turn into so ubiquitous and inexpensive that you simply now not have to depend on one and even two audio system to satisfy all of your cellular audio wants. Nowadays, there’s a Bluetooth speaker for practically any use case, from increase bins to energy your yard barbecue to ultra-portable fashions. Plus, the ever-important bathe speaker for jamming when you clear up.
When you’re after the latter, Skullcandy’s Kilo speaker is an attractive price range possibility. With sturdy water resistance, a sturdy clip-on design, and a full day and night time of battery per cost, the Kilo has the products for a strong rest room cling or a ride-along Bluetooth speaker. It will not get you best-in-class sound, because it struggles with definition on the high and backside of the frequency vary, however it’s surprisingly nicely balanced for a speaker from a model with a headphone line known as “Skullcrusher.” In case your price range can stretch a tiny bit extra, JBL’s Clip 4 is the superior selection, however the Kilo will get the job finished.
A Good Hold
{Photograph}: Skullcandy
Carabiners could look cool in Bluetooth speaker adverts dangling from a backpack, however in follow, they’re most helpful for affixing your speaker to a bathe basket or hook for a extra everlasting residency. In that respect, the Kilo’s compact carabiner clip works nice. It’s not as versatile because the bigger clips you’ll discover on JBL’s Clip 4 and even the smaller Clip 3, however its compact measurement makes it simpler to suit into tight spots.
It’s unattainable to not examine the Kilo to JBL’s Clip line. Skullcandy’s mannequin is constructed like a direct response, proper all the way down to the rubberized bottom that helps diffuse it from surfaces for much less bass rumble whenever you lay the speaker flat. The Kilo’s IPX7 ranking means it lacks the Clip’s dust-proofing, however it’s nearly waterproof, capable of survive showers of every kind or perhaps a brief dunk within the pool.
The Kilo has related onboard controls, although it distills the JBL Clip 4’s 5 buttons into three multi-keys that deal with every thing from energy and pairing to quantity and track skipping. It took thumbing via the directions to determine the elusive skip controls, finished by holding down the amount keys as an alternative of tapping. That’s particularly important for avoiding podcast adverts when your telephone’s out of attain. I most well-liked Skullcandy’s less complicated management structure over time, offering all choices on the speaker’s accessible entrance face.
The Kilo’s characteristic set is bare-bones in any other case. The dearth of a devoted cellular app means there’s no method to alter EQ or mix a number of audio system in “Social gathering Mode” as on JBL’s newest audio system. You can pair two Kilo audio system collectively for stereo playback, however that is about it.
The most important plus on this package deal is the Kilo’s distinctive 24-hour battery life, which greater than doubles related JBL fashions and meets or beats absolutely anything else I’ve examined. You don’t strictly want that a lot battery, however it makes charging a rarity, so you possibly can depart the speaker hung within the rest room or out on the deck for days and even weeks. An LED show on the Kilo’s decrease bezel lets you realize when it’s time to seize the USB-C charging cable, which is a pleasant contact.
Podcast Particular
In case your major use case for the Kilo is barreling via the ever-growing listing of podcasts in your Spotify or Audible library, you’ll be in wonderful form. The speaker does its greatest work within the center frequencies, providing clear and current dialog out of your favourite comedy, thriller, and nonfiction casters. Element is strong, with no offensive sharpness or sibilance to talk of, leaving little to complain about when listening close to.
It does a good job with music, as soon as once more shining within the midrange the place devices like vocals and guitar are rendered with crisp presence, however it readily reveals its price range standing when put too carefully below the microscope. There’s a tinny, nickel-glaze to brighter devices like cymbals and high-register synths. On the opposite finish, the bass cuts off about as early as you’d count on from a contemporary price range speaker however presents sufficient heat and heft to reverberate via furnishings with out creating undesirable buzz. Pushing the amount too arduous can result in some muddying at each ends of the spectrum, however sound stays clear within the middle, particularly in sparser mixes.
Extra completed (and pricier) audio system just like the Clip 4 and Sony SRS-XB100 supply higher readability and definition within the excessive frequencies and heftier punch down low. The older (and smaller) JBL Clip 3 is a more in-depth comparability. The Clip 3 offered higher total definition and readability in my A/B testing, however the Kilo serves up a weightier soundstage. None of those audio system are going to blow you away, however you’ll get a large leap in constancy for a bit additional cash.
When you’re choosy about your sound, I counsel stepping as much as one of many above choices, each of that are often discounted. When you simply want a very good bathe speaker on a budget, the Kilo’s model, sturdiness, and battery life make it a strong decide, and certain a a lot better possibility than no-name Amazon specials.
