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soundcore Rave 3S review

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Best forKaraoke gatherings that need easy microphone setup

At a glance

Rated battery life
Up to 12 h (at 50% volume with BassUp and lights off)
Protection
IPX4 speaker; wireless microphones are not waterproof
Weight
10,480 g
Bluetooth version
Bluetooth 5.3
Speaker linking
Two Rave 3S units in stereoThree or more via Auracast in monoNot compatible with PartyCast

The Rave 3S is most appealing when singing will be part of the gathering. Two included wireless microphones and vocal-removal controls make its feature set unusually complete, reducing the separate purchases and setup often associated with a party speaker.

It can also play ordinary music, but karaoke is the reason to accept the 10.48 kg cabinet and six-hour recharge. A buyer who will never pick up the microphones should compare lighter options carefully.

Pros

  • Two wireless microphones included
  • Useful vocal-removal and microphone controls
  • AUX input and app EQ

Cons

  • Wireless microphone audio stays on the host in a group
  • Six-hour recharge
  • No wheels and a substantial carrying weight

Sound

  • 200 W rated output
  • Woofer and three full-range drivers
  • Custom EQ

The Rave 3S uses a 6.5-inch woofer and three smaller full-range drivers. Its stated 200 W output places it in the party-speaker category, while the app offers presets, bass enhancement and custom EQ to adapt the presentation.

Digital Trends found ample output for its indoor listening and useful EQ control, but heard roughness in the highs when pushing the level. 1 The practical response is to leave some headroom, especially when vocals will be added through a microphone. A louder backing track can make singing harder to balance without improving the experience.

Karaoke

  • Two wireless microphones
  • Vocal removal
  • Host-only microphone audio

The included microphones are the central convenience. Digital Trends found them easy to connect and liked being able to change vocal-removal strength from the microphone itself. 1 That reduces interruptions when several people take turns and makes ordinary streamed songs usable for casual singing.

The important group limitation comes from soundcore’s own support guide. Wireless microphone audio plays through the host speaker, even when several Rave 3S units are connected. A larger system therefore does not automatically distribute the singer everywhere that music reaches. Test the intended arrangement before buying extra units for a karaoke event.

Connectivity

  • Bluetooth 5.3
  • AUX
  • Mic/guitar input

The 3.5 mm input accepts an analog source, while the 6.35 mm input provides a route for a wired microphone or guitar. These connections are useful when a screen or player handles lyrics and the speaker handles the audio. Confirm the source’s output and bring the appropriate cable.

Two Rave 3S speakers can operate in stereo, with three or more using synchronized mono through Auracast. The older soundcore PartyCast system is incompatible. Owners of an existing soundcore collection should check the protocol, since a common brand name does not establish that every speaker can join the same group.

Battery & charging

  • 12 hours at 50% volume
  • Lights and BassUp off
  • About 6 hours charging

The 12-hour rating uses 50% volume with BassUp and lighting disabled. Singing sessions with louder backing tracks and lights can be more demanding, so base the charging plan on the intended event and leave a reserve.

A full recharge takes approximately six hours with the recommended 15 W USB-C supply. That is long enough to make overnight charging the convenient routine. Keep the power connection dry, and remember that the speaker’s IPX4 splash resistance does not extend to the wireless microphones.

Design

  • 10.48 kg
  • IPX4
  • Microphone storage

The microphones store on the cabinet, helping keep the system together between events. The body is manageable for moving around a room, but its weight and lack of wheels deserve attention if it will often travel from a car through a venue. Plan the carrying route before choosing it for regular mobile use.

Alternatives

Sony’s Tower 5 offers RCA, XLR and USB-C audio for a wider range of wired sources, but microphones are an additional purchase. The Rave 3S is the more directly equipped option when easy two-person karaoke is the priority. Choose by the inputs and included accessories that would otherwise need to be added.

Verdict

The Rave 3S is a well-focused karaoke package with useful included microphones and accessible controls. Its group microphone restriction and long recharge are the details most likely to affect an event. For a household that will sing regularly, those tradeoffs are easier to accept than for someone seeking music playback alone.

About this review

This is a research-based review. The Fasit has not physically tested this product.

Sources & Research

1 reference

Independent sources cited in this article.

  1. Digital TrendsSoundcore Rave 3S review: Superb wireless mics make this karaoke speaker sing - Digital Trends (opens in a new tab)https://www.digitaltrends.com/wearables/soundcore-rave-3s-party-karaoke-speaker-review/

    Included microphones and vocal-removal controls were easy to use in testing. Reviewer heard high-frequency roughness when pushed louder and found app EQ useful.