Boombot Rex – Small Ultraportable Speaker Packs A Punch
Boombotix created a ultraportable speaker called Boombot Rex which enables users to take along and share music wherever they go. It was a successful Kickstarter project that went $100k over its initial goal.
Boombot Rex is built with a ruggedized high-impact ABS shell which gives it the protection required for a life on the go. It’s small for a speaker but not exactly small enough to fit in your pocket. It does however have a sturdy clip for you to clip it onto a bag strap.
Design & Features
The rubbery feel of the Rex together with the edges of the hexagonal body makes for an easy grip. The device measures in at 85 mm x 80 mm and is 54 mm thick and weighs about 180 g.
Here, you can clearly see the two 36 mm drivers behind the front grill. The bass woofer is hidden within the body; it is a 2.1 speaker system.
Above the clip at the back of the device are 3 buttons and a toggle switch to switch the device on or off.
Of the three buttons, two are for volume control while a third has multiple functions including playing, pausing, skipping to the next track (double tap), initiating Siri on iOS (hold down) and even answer calls with its built-in noise-cancelling microphone.
Under the clip, you’ll find 3 jacks: one is to enable charging of the Rex via micro-USB, the second, a line in and the third, a line out. The line in allows you to use the speaker with a device without Bluetooth. The line out lets you plug multiple Rex speakers in a daisy chain or other speakers simultaneously.
Setup
Setup can be done by pairing up your device’s Bluetooth settings to the Rex, or connecting with the provided line in cable.
We tested our Rex on an Android device, where it worked without flaw. On iOS, it even shows a battery indicator (next to the iPhone’s battery indicator) and has Siri integration.
The full-color LED shows colors for different meanings: a blinking blue indicates that it’s ready to pair, a solid blue means pairing is successful. Green indicates charging (2 hours), while red indicates that there is less than 10% battery life left. The device will automatically shut itself off after a few minutes of non-activity.
Sound Quality
The speakers are tuned to have a bit more treble than bass which we think makes it better for instrumental or acoustic tunes as these genres are not ‘flooded’ with a heavy bass. However, for such a small and protable device, there’s plenty of bass to go around.
As expected, the sound quality using the line in is slightly better than just via Bluetooth, but it’s only noticeable when played at the maximum volume.
The 2.1 speaker system really packs a punch. At its loudest, it can be heard from 30 ft or more indoors, which is almost as far as the Bluetooth range (25-40ft) of the speaker.
The Rex also has certified IP53 water-resistance that lets you use it during a light rain or snow; just don’t submerge it underwater. It’s available in a variety of colors and a few customized styles that are limited edition.
What’s In The Box?
Users receive a micro-USB charging cable, a 1-meter male-to-male 3.5 mm jack cable, a slightly shorter male-to-male 3.5 mm jack retractable cable, a Boombotix sticker and a simple user guide.
What’s Hot
- Lasts 6 hours on a single charge.
- Long Bluetooth range with high quality music playback.
- Sturdy rubberized exterior with light snow and water resistance.
- Line in for devices without Bluetooth.
- Line out to daisy chain multiple Rex’s or other speakers.
- Better iOS support with battery indicator and Siri integration.
What’s Not
- Not submersible in water.
- Arctic White Rex easily attracts dirt due to rubberized surface.