SOUNDBOKS Rider Is a 118dB Bluetooth Party Speaker You Can Actually Carry

Following the success of the Mix Bluetooth Party Speaker, Danish audio brand SOUNDBOKS has introduced the Rider, which retains some of the Mix’s key features in a smaller, more portable design.

The Rider delivers the same maximum amplifier output as the Mix at up to 72 watts, along with a claimed maximum SPL of 118 dB, up to 35 hours of battery life, and an IP66 rating for protection against dust and water. Its more compact, strap-friendly design is intended to make it easier to carry between locations without giving up the output expected from a larger party speaker.

That is really the problem SOUNDBOKS is trying to solve with the Rider. Many compact Bluetooth speakers are easy to throw into a bag, but their size can limit bass extension and maximum volume when the gathering moves beyond a few people. Traditional party speakers can provide substantially more output, but their larger cabinets and heavier construction make portability more complicated.

The Rider is positioned between those two categories, offering much of the output and durability associated with a party speaker in a form factor designed to be considerably easier to carry.

“Typically, speakers make you trade volume for convenience. We built Rider so you’d never have to choose again,” said Jesper Santon Thomsen, CEO of SOUNDBOKS. “Wherever the moment happens, your sound shows up in full. It’s the smallest speaker we’ve ever made, yet it’s still loud enough to turn an ordinary afternoon into the story everyone tells later. Why plan harder when you can be freer?”  

SOUNDBOKS Rider Key Features

Compact and Lightweight: Measuring 13.8 x 9.4 x 7.9 inches and weighing 6.5 kilograms (14.3 pounds), the SOUNDBOKS Rider is the smallest and lightest Bluetooth party speaker in the company’s lineup. That more compact footprint is intended to make the Rider easier to carry without giving up the output expected from a larger party speaker.

Durable Design: Rounded ball corners and an impact-resistant PC/ABS cabinet are designed to withstand bumps, transport, and typical outdoor use without requiring overly careful handling. The Rider also carries an IP66 rating for water and dust resistance, along with a steel grille and SOUNDBOKS’ signature shock-resistant ball corners for additional protection.

Room-Filling Sound: The Rider uses two Texas Instruments Class D amplifiers to drive an 8-inch woofer and 1.2-inch tweeter, with a claimed maximum output of 118 dB SPL. The speaker has a specified frequency range of 40 Hz to 20 kHz and incorporates SOUNDBOKS Adaptive Bass Enhancer DSP to manage low-frequency performance. And because this is SOUNDBOKS, the volume control naturally goes all the way to 11.

Companion App and Control Panel: The SOUNDBOKS APP provides control over EQ adjustments, sound profiles, and speaker locking, allowing users to manage settings from a mobile device (smartphone, tablet). The Rider also provides a control panel with a volume knob and auxiliary input. 

Up to 35-Hour Swappable Battery: Battery life is rated at up to 35 hours at mid-volume and approximately 8 hours at maximum output. The removable battery can be swapped out when depleted, while additional battery packs are available separately for extended use. The battery can be recharged via USB-C, with SOUNDBOKS claiming a full recharge in approximately two hours when using its optional charger.

Handle and Strap: The SOUNDBOKS Rider includes an integrated carry handle and is compatible with the optional Strap 2.0. Combined with its 14.3-pound weight and compact dimensions, those options make the Rider considerably easier to carry than a traditional party speaker.

Comparison

The Bottom Line 

SOUNDBOKS is not trying to win the feature-count war with the Rider. Its strongest argument is the combination of a claimed 118 dB maximum output, a 14.3-pound cabinet, IP66 durability, and a swappable battery rated for up to 35 hours at mid-volume. At $599, it is the entry-level model in the current SOUNDBOKS lineup, but there is nothing particularly entry-level about the price.

That portability comes with some meaningful compromises. Unlike the SOUNDBOKS Mix and SOUNDBOKS 4, the Rider does not support SKAA-powered TeamUp for linking multiple speakers. There is also no Pro Panel, dedicated microphone or guitar input, included microphone, or built-in light show. The optional Strap 2.0 and SOUNDBOKS fast charger also cost extra. What you do get is a 3.5mm auxiliary input, app-based EQ and sound profiles, and the same removable battery concept used by the larger models.

Competition at this price is substantial. The $549.95 JBL Boombox 4 weighs just 12.8 pounds and adds IP68 protection, Auracast, and a user-replaceable battery, while the $419.95 JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus weighs roughly the same as the Rider and adds a wireless microphone, karaoke features, a light show, and Auracast support. The $649 Sony ULT Tower 7 offers considerably more party-oriented functionality, although at roughly 50 pounds it belongs in a very different portability class.

We have also covered the $349 Tronsmart Halo 300, $499.99 TCL TP300K, and $399.99 Hisense Party Thunder Pro, all of which underscore just how crowded this category has become.

The Rider therefore makes the most sense for someone who wants a genuinely portable, rugged speaker that can get very loud without hauling around 30 to 50 pounds of hardware. Buyers looking for karaoke, synchronized lighting, microphone and instrument connectivity, or expandable multi-speaker systems will find more features elsewhere. SOUNDBOKS is betting that some people would rather carry 14 pounds of speaker than a rolling karaoke machine with its own light show. That might be the Rider’s most compelling feature.

Price & Availability

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