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Audio Docks & Speakers

ECOXGEAR ECXOBT Speaker Review: Rugged Build, Big Sound

The ECOXBT Bluetooth speaker is meant to be completely waterproof, but can it really be that protected from H2O and still produce good sound? Time to find out.

The Good: Rugged, striking looks, simple to use, all-day battery life

The Bad: Not the smoothest sound, a bit weighty

The Bottom Line: A trusty audio companion for the outdoor enthusiast


Water and electronics are age-old foes. I have personally destroyed phones before now by being inappropriately dressed for a monsoon-like downpour. But for manufacturers of audio products, waterproofing sound has become a lucrative niche in a sector where the mainstream is saturated (puns unintended).

Grace Digital is one of the companies to recognise this trend, creating the ECOXGEAR brand of outdoor speakers, to critical acclaim. I have one model, the ECOXBT, in front of me, fresh from a soaking. It is meant to be completely waterproof, and the promo images on the box suggest that this is a speaker that a canoeist might use. But can it really be that protected from H2O and still produce good sound? Time to find out.

Softened Ruggedness

The ECOXBT’s waterproof rating is IPX8, which means it can certifiably cope with a dunking down to one metre and beyond. It is to be expected then, that such a speaker housing might prioritise substance over style. So it is with the ECOXBT, although a few concessions to looks have been made.

ECXBT
For an outdoorsy speaker, the ECOXBT looks decent.

The majority of the bodywork is covered in a black, non-slip coating. It easily gathers dust and dirt marks, but it does make holding the speaker in wet conditions a great deal easier. Every screw is plugged with plastic, while the indicator lights are beneath a see-through window, and the speaker’s two ports — auxiliary and Mini USB for charging — are housed inside a tightly sealed door. These are all necessary for an aquatic life, of course, but only the screw plugs, which don’t always match the trim around them, have a negative visual impact.

ECOXBT
The ports are sealed behind this door.

Elsewhere, the ECOXBT offers up genuine design positives. The central part of my unit is a vibrant orange, and there is a red version available, along with a more utilitarian black edition. The front grille is made from black stainless steel, with ECOXGEAR’s lightning-like logo forming a subtle depression on the surface. That logo appears again at the rear, where a gentle contour around each of the speakers softens the overall look.

Evidently, you couldn’t describe this speaker as elegant — it has the same kind of look and feel as a robustly built gadget made for kids. But considering the serious undertaking of making a speaker so waterproof, it is nice to see that some effort, at least, has gone into design.

Simple, Superb Usability

Apart from the obligatory charger, the only extra that comes in with the ECOXBT is a carabiner. It is not often I say that about a speaker, and it sums up this outdoorsy product. It just wants to play music with the minimum of fuss.

ECOXBT4
A simple array of controls makes the speaker easy to use.

Bluetooth pairing is a one-touch affair, and the only other controls to be found on the ECOXBT relate to volume and its speakerphone ability. In the case of the latter, the speaker was recognised as a usable form of communication by the two phones I tried it on, and I found the microphone sound quality to be very reasonable.

It is all powered by an internal battery which, it is claimed, lasts for over ten hours of playback on each charge. I saw no evidence to suggest otherwise, and the fact that this battery can suck up so much charge in a couple of hours is mighty impressive.

Happy to Swim

In terms of the ECOXBT’s actual waterproofing, there is not much to report. You can apparently dunk it however you please, and unless you take it far enough down to be crushed by deep-sea pressures, it will carry on playing music. Such a dive would be unnatural, though, as the ECOXBT floats.

“Outdoor” Sound

If you’ve ever had a builder working on your property, you will probably be familiar with the sound of a worksite radio. It blares out tunes from a local commercial radio station, using a strident mix of booming bass and harsh trebles. It is not the sound you would hope to hear from a Bang and Olufsen system, but it cuts through the ambient noise of an outdoor environment, and so is actually well suited to the conditions.

The ECOXBT makes a sound just like this. High notes are somewhat harsh, with a slightly metallic edge. Mid-tones and bass notes are more satisfying, and clarity is good all round, which actually makes speech this speaker’s sweet spot. In terms of music, it is best suited to vocal-heavy pop hits, but most genres are reproduced respectably.

ECOXBT
The ECOXBT is fairly compact, but it still weighs 1.5lbs.

In terms of volume, the stereo speakers inside that waterproof shell are capable of kicking out an almighty chorus. The power is especially impressive considering the ECOXBT’s relatively small proportions — it measures 4×9×2.8 inches, with a moderate weight of 1.5 pounds.

Summing Up

I can’t say I’ve ever had the urge to fire up MJ or Dylan while abseiling down a waterfall. But if I did, the ECOXBT would probably be the speaker I would choose. It is reassuringly rugged, with an outside that is usable in any conditions. Inside, it has a battery that lasts all day, and speakers that can be heard even above the din of white water.

Given that it doesn’t offer the best sound quality around, it must be noted that there are similarly waterproof speakers out there which are smaller, and considerably lighter. On paper, 1.5 pounds looks quite light — but with the speaker in my hands, I would regard it as a not inconsequential weight to take on a trek. Conversely, in more mundane conditions, the ECOXBT looks decidedly average.

As a trusty form of audio to take on deck for a sailing trip, or just in the pool, the ECOXBT is a well-made audio companion.

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By Mark Myerson

Mark is best known for writing about apps, but he also loves the tactile, hardware side of technology. Being a professional photographer, he's pretty handy with a camera, and he's a self-confessed tweetaholic. Connect with him on Twitter and Google+.