Skullcandy Kilo Review: A Cheap Shower-Friendly Bluetooth Speaker Leave a comment

Bluetooth audio system have change into so ubiquitous and inexpensive that you just not must depend on one and even two audio system to fulfill all of your cellular audio wants. Lately, there’s a Bluetooth speaker for practically any use case, from growth bins to energy your yard barbecue to ultra-portable fashions. Plus, the ever-important bathe speaker for jamming whilst you clear up.

For those who’re after the latter, Skullcandy’s Kilo speaker is an attractive funds possibility. With sturdy water resistance, a sturdy clip-on design, and a full day and evening of battery per cost, the Kilo has the products for a strong toilet cling or a ride-along Bluetooth speaker. It will not get you best-in-class sound, because it struggles with definition on the prime and backside of the frequency vary, but it surely’s surprisingly nicely balanced for a speaker from a model with a headphone line known as “Skullcrusher.” In case your funds can stretch a tiny bit extra, JBL’s Clip 4 is the superior alternative, however the Kilo will get the job finished.

A Good Grasp

Carabiners might look cool in Bluetooth speaker adverts dangling from a backpack, however in observe, 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 not possible to not examine the Kilo to JBL’s Clip line. Skullcandy’s mannequin is constructed like a direct response, proper right down to the rubberized bottom that helps diffuse it from surfaces for much less bass rumble while you lay the speaker flat. The Kilo’s IPX7 ranking means it lacks the Clip’s dust-proofing, but it surely’s nearly waterproof, in a position to survive showers of every kind or perhaps a quick 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 part from energy and pairing to quantity and tune skipping. It took thumbing via the directions to determine the elusive skip controls, finished by holding down the quantity keys as a substitute of tapping. That’s particularly very important for avoiding podcast adverts when your telephone’s out of attain. I most well-liked Skullcandy’s easier 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 technique to regulate 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, but it surely makes charging a rarity, so you may go away the speaker hung within the toilet or out on the deck for days and even weeks. An LED show on the Kilo’s decrease bezel lets you understand 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, but it surely readily reveals its funds standing when put too carefully beneath 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 funds speaker however gives sufficient heat and heft to reverberate via furnishings with out creating undesirable buzz. Pushing the quantity too arduous can result in some muddying at each ends of the spectrum, however sound stays clear within the heart, 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 better comparability. The Clip 3 supplied higher general 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 bounce in constancy for a bit additional cash.

For those who’re choosy about your sound, I counsel stepping as much as one of many above choices, each of that are normally discounted. For those who simply want a superb bathe speaker on a budget, the Kilo’s type, sturdiness, and battery life make it a strong choose, and sure a a lot better possibility than no-name Amazon specials.