Verdict
The KitSound Boombar 30 is a disappointing Bluetooth speaker . The audio is categoric and lack depth across the frequency range , with build caliber that palpate cheap . Its battery life is good , though , and it ’s a nice looking speaker . expend more will get you a much better software .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The KitSound speakersthis situation has testedhave been a mixed traveling bag – an affordable cost matched with rarified ambitions they have n’t always lived up to . Now the brand brings the Boombar 30 to our attention , another low-cost Bluetooth speaker that ’s more fashionable than some of their previous efforts .
At £ 29.99 it ’s one of the more cost - effective alternative in the market alongside KitSound ’s own outdoorDiggit 55speaker , and it sits beneath one of our front-runner , the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 .
The Boombar 30 has much to do to make it onto our list of thebest Bluetooth speakers . Here ’s my view on whether it ’s a economic value Italian sandwich or a miss .
Design
The Boombar 30 is one of the more schematic - look speakers within its price lot , opt for a prospicient oval shape with matte surfaces on the front and back , which mean it can be stood good or lay flat . The bleak and gunmetal grey aesthetic carries the Boombar 30 well , to the point where it could pass for stylish . For a more showy facial expression , a roseate gold finish up grillwork is also available .
Pick it up and you realise why it ’s an affordable loudspeaker . At 305 one thousand , it ’s reasonably lightweight and its thin chassis intend it is quite portable , but I ca n’t help oneself but feel that the Boombar 30 is quite hollow . The plastics used in its construction are coarse to the touch , although the mesh grille on the front feels marginally good .
On the top , the Boombar 30 ’s control surface is rubberised with four understandably - marked , big icons denoting might , pairing , and volume up and down . The buttons experience jolly tactile with a satisfying click when weight-lift .
Otherwise , there is n’t too much else about the Boombar 30 , apart from the small USB - C embrasure for charging . The verbalizer ’s base is rubberised and non - slip . It does n’t move around too much on a table or desk , and it ’s also moderately stable when pass a twosome of pushes . This is n’t a loudspeaker plan to be banded around of path , but it ’s nice to know that the Boombar 30 wo n’t fall over at the fall of a chapeau .
Features
The Boombar 30 lay down manipulation of Bluetooth 5.1 , which isperfectly fine for proffer a dependable wireless connection with a orbit of up to 30 m. Though I ’ve not start out 30 m of space , to test this , I put the Boombar 30 at one terminal of my home and drive my phone running Spotify to the other . The connection worked , pass through various wall without a hitch .
There is n’t any multi - degree union with the Boombar 30 , though . pair both mySamsung Galaxy S21 Ultraand theHonor Magic V2at the same time did n’t figure out , as one phone would boot the other off .
The Boombar 30 also lack app livelihood , which is a shame . All its feature are via the handful of buttons on top , which you’re able to use for handling call , as well as ring up a smart helper provided your equipment supports one . With the Magic V2 , it call up Google Assistant with a two-fold tap of the power button without problem .
On the Boombar 30 , the power button also doubles as a multi - function clit for changing its EQ mode from its default to a bassier choice . The Bluetooth pairing push button can also be used to plug into two Boombar 30s together as a stereo pair for a wide soundstage .
KitSound rates the battery life of the Boombar 30 as up to 20 hours . That ’s more than relatively priced pick such as the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 , as well as more expensive speakers such as theSonos Roam .
Sound Quality
The Boombar 30 is n’t the most impressive sounding loudspeaker , offering a flavorless and fragile execution with its default EQ mise en scene . Phil Collins ’ screen of Blame It On The Sun lacked heat , while the song ’s cymbal bang and small drum fills sense compressed .
bang ’s YYZ is a notoriously busy and bass - heavy instrumental , and on the KitSound it fathom quite squashy . Without the TrueBass EQ mode enable it miss punch , feel hollow where it ought to be more prominent .
Chic ’s Good Times present some DOE , but the hand blast in the instrumental breaking were crunchy . The whole song lacked profoundness , especially Bernard Edward ’s iconic bassline . The Boombar 30 did n’t handle busy recordings including the opening couple of proceedings of Marillion ’s The Invisible Man . Steve Hogarth ’s vocals were crusade back in the mix and lacked the brooding character I ’ve fall to anticipate from the song .
The TrueBass EQ mood help the Boombar 30 ’s overall strength , increasing the magnificence of James Taylor ’s Caroline I See You and append a tactile sensation more deepness . It is n’t as prominent as the speaker ’s selling would intimate , but it does make a divergence . Without it , Boz Scaggs ’ Lowdown sounded vacuous .
Turning it on ameliorate thing to a degree with a potent grim end and a more rounded tactile property to the Boombar 30 ’s overall public presentation . enable TrueBassEQ requires three taps of the Boombar 30 ’s mightiness push button , and every clip I switched between EQ presets , it made an annoyingly strident bleeping smell that disrupt the music .
There also is n’t much in the way of soundstage with the Boombar 30 . De La Soul ’s Me Myself and I felt hemmed in and once again proved the KitSound ’s lack of low ending with the cart track ’s thrive bassline almost non - actual . In Earth Wind and Fire ’s September , the recognisable bongos were lose in the mixture and placed slightly right of centre .
On the plus side , the 10W of world power provide a reasonable amount of volume , and the Boombar 30 had little fuss filling a way with sound . sour the book up too mellow adds straining , though , so you ’re best sticking to between 50 and 60 pct loudness .
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Should you buy it?
Where the Boombar 30 competes with more expensive rival is its battery life , which is some of the just out there for an affordable Bluetooth speaker .
The Boombar 30 fall shortsighted of expectations with flat audio that miss depth . It ’s not an energetic or fun - vocalize loudspeaker system , and other options will get you much better quality for not much more .
Final Thoughts
When I first change by reversal the KitSound Boombar 30 on , my initial thoughts were that it was going to be a decent Bluetooth talker . However , even at its low-cost price , it’sa disappointing speaker with a flat sound .
It feels flashy with it employment of coarse plastic , but at at least offers stylish looks for the money and decorous control . The 20 hour of battery punches above its weight , but that ’s the only space where the Boombar 30 does .
pass more on theTribit Stormbox Micro 2gets you a good sound . For more options , find out out our list of trust Reviews’best Bluetooth utterer .
Trusted Score
How we test
We test every wireless speaker we review soundly over an extended flow of clock time . We expend industry standard tests to compare features right . We ’ll always severalise you what we find . We never , ever , accept money to look back a merchandise .
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FAQs
No , unfortunately , the Boombar 30 does n’t support multi - period Bluetooth . you’re able to , however , pair two speakers together in a stereoscopic photograph pair .
Test Data
Full Specs
