In depth
Published
At a glance
The SOUNDBOKS Rider is for someone who wants one substantial outdoor speaker with a swappable battery. Its simple input panel and durable construction keep the focus on music, while the app adds sound adjustment and remote control.
The important limitation is expansion. Rider does not support SOUNDBOKS TeamUp, so it should be bought as a standalone speaker even if other products from the brand already live at home.
SOUNDBOKS rates the Rider at a maximum 118 dB SPL and gives it a woofer-and-tweeter layout. The number communicates the intended high-output role, but lacks the common test conditions needed for a fair numerical comparison with every competing speaker. Its size makes most sense when music has to reach beyond a small table.
WIRED heard a clear, detailed presentation with substantial bass that did not overwhelm the mix. 1 That is encouraging for varied playlists. The app’s profiles and custom EQ remain useful when moving between open space and a more reflective location, where the same setting may feel considerably heavier in the low end.
The 3.5 mm input accepts a conventional analog source, giving the Rider an option when wireless pairing is inconvenient. Bluetooth 4.2 is an older implementation, but the relevant question is whether the documented connections fit the source you actually use. There are no XLR inputs or the larger models’ Pro Panel.
TeamUp is absent by design. A second Rider therefore should not be purchased with the assumption that two will create a wireless stereo system. The app still provides EQ, volume, access controls and updates. WIRED encountered initial connection difficulties with it, so setup is worth completing before relying on the speaker at an event. 1
The manufacturer separates its mid-volume 35-hour rating from an eight-hour full-volume figure. That is useful context for a speaker whose main attraction is output. A replaceable battery also offers a practical route to extending an outing without waiting beside a power outlet.
The included battery uses USB-C for charging, and the optional branded charger is quoted to refill it in about two hours. A charger is not included, so check the power supply already available before comparing the total purchase cost. The battery can supply 10 W over USB-C to a phone, sharing the energy reserved for music.
The cabinet uses a detachable steel grille and reinforced corners, with IP66 protection for dust and powerful water jets. That rating does not establish suitability for submersion. A removable grille can also make cleaning or cosmetic replacement more approachable than a permanently enclosed fabric surface.
At 14.3 lb, the Rider is still a meaningful load. WIRED found the single corner grip awkward and preferred the idea of two handles. 1 The optional strap is worth considering for longer carries, but it adds cost. Think through the actual route from storage to the listening spot before treating the speaker as a spontaneous day-bag accessory.
The SOUNDBOKS Mix adds TeamUp and a larger driver system, making it the more logical starting point for a future linked setup. Rider is more appropriate when one speaker will remain enough. A smaller travel speaker is easier to justify when most listening happens close to one or two people.
Buy the Rider for its standalone outdoor role, removable battery and straightforward sound controls. Its carrying burden and accessory costs need to be accepted up front. Owners hoping to build a wireless SOUNDBOKS group should choose a model with TeamUp before investing in this one.
This is a research-based review. The Fasit has not physically tested this product.
Independent sources cited in this article.
Reviewer found clear, strong sound with restrained bass balance, awkward single-grip carrying and initial app-pairing difficulties.