Skullcandy Kilo Review: A Cheap Shower-Friendly Bluetooth Speaker

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

In case you’re after the latter, Skullcandy’s Kilo speaker is an attractive funds possibility. With strong water resistance, a sturdy clip-on design, and a full day and evening of battery per cost, the Kilo has the products for a stable toilet grasp or a ride-along Bluetooth speaker. It will not get you best-in-class sound, because it struggles with definition on the high and backside of the frequency vary, but it surely’s surprisingly nicely balanced for a speaker from a model with a headphone line referred to 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 completed.

A Good Hold

Carabiners could 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 unattainable to not evaluate the Kilo to JBL’s Clip line. Skullcandy’s mannequin is constructed like a direct response, proper all the way down to the rubberized bottom that helps diffuse it from surfaces for much less bass rumble once 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 all the things from energy and pairing to quantity and music skipping. It took thumbing via the directions to determine the elusive skip controls, completed by holding down the quantity keys as an alternative of tapping. That’s particularly very important for avoiding podcast adverts when your cellphone’s out of attain. I most popular Skullcandy’s easier management structure over time, offering all choices on the speaker’s accessible entrance face.

The Kilo’s function set is bare-bones in any other case. The dearth of a devoted cell app means there’s no solution to regulate EQ or mix a number of audio system in “Celebration 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 depart 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 checklist 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 stable, with no offensive sharpness or sibilance to talk of, leaving little to complain about when listening close to.

It does an honest 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 intently below 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 affords 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 middle, particularly in sparser mixes.

Extra achieved (and pricier) audio system just like the Clip 4 and Sony SRS-XB100 provide 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 offered 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’re going to get a large bounce in constancy for a bit more money.

In case you’re choosy about your sound, I recommend stepping as much as one of many above choices, each of that are normally discounted. In case you simply want a very good bathe speaker on a budget, the Kilo’s fashion, sturdiness, and battery life make it a stable choose, and sure a a lot better possibility than no-name Amazon specials.