ION Audio Block Rocker Sport - 100 W Waterproof (IPX4) Outdoor Wireless Bluetooth Speaker with LED Light Bar, Radio, Aux Input and Microphone

This is the second ION speaker box we have bought and this is the newer version with a couple of improvements. We use this as an outdoor speaker for group activities or events. The last event a single speaker was used effectively in an area of approx 400 m squared with the speaker at the front. Music and microphone sound carried well over this distance to all visitors seated in a horseshoe.One feature that I have not explored on this is the linking with another unit. I have used this on other boxes and the impact is amazing so I would guess that this would be something to consider if you are using outdoors in large areas. The last thing you want is your guests nearest the speaker being uncomfortable while those far away not hearing it. It depends on your event and your seating. If it is for you and you family then enjoy it in the garden. I use it for this too and it’s terrific. The sound is good with bass and low register being a better feature than crisp notes that you get with high end tweeters and quality mid-range speakers but, at these prices, the sound is great.One word of advice though… DON’T buy for your kids bedroom. The base is great on this unit but, unless you house is immense, the base carries through the floor.There are lights on the box but don’t think that these provide a disco effect. They just respond to the music and make the box more attractive but they certainly don’t cast anything approaching disco light.All in all, and for the price, I think these are brilliant units. If I get another 7 years out of this, like the last (which only has a dodgy battery issue) then I’ll be very happy indeed. The unit deserves 5 stars and I’d give it 6 if I could.

As suggested by another person, I charged the unit for a day, then ran the speaker at a low volume 1-2 for about six hours before moving it to 4-5 for another few hours, before using it at a higher volume (7-9). No rattle, no buzz, no distortion, I haven't tried it at 10, because it was plenty loud enough in the spaces I've used it in, I expect it to be loud enough outdoors.I have taken it to places through medium rain (not a downpour), and encountered no trouble with its performance afterwards. I do recommend drying it off if it has been rained on, if nothing else, to protect one's music player (ie an iPod or the like) from coming in contact with water.No trouble with the Bluetooth, but I prefer to use a cable, as it's less taxing for all the batteries; battery life is excellent. Which brings me to the only con: it's a heavy battery, and that makes the entire unit heavy (for me).Otherwise, this is great for dance classes.

Perfect for using at any event indoors or outdoors, very easy to connect to and plays good sound quality, very tough and well made m, easy to transport to although quite heavy to lift but is on wheels

This is a fairly impressive piece of equipment, so long as you keep in mind what it is intended for. It's a loud, easy-to-use, self-contained amplified speaker, for parties. The sound quality is dreadful -- it's all bass; but it isn't designed for critical listening.What matters for a unit like this is that it's loud (it is), that it's easy to connect to a mobile phone (it is), and that it gives decent battery life. On that subject, the manufacturer claims 77 hours; I really think that's unlikely, given the 7 amp-hour battery it uses. Some users have reported two-three hours on full volume, and that seems to match my experience. Bear in mind that, given the logarithmic nature of human hearing, full volume probably corresponds to _ten times_ the power of half volume, not twice the power. At half volume, the battery outlasts any event I've used it at, so I can't really comment on the battery life in that condition. In any event, cranking the volume up from half to full doesn't make it sound that much louder, and uses hugely more juice.I found that the unit paired easily with a number of different mobile phones. Once paired, I experienced no connection problems, but I left the phone within arm's reach of the unit, so I wouldn't expect to.There is a 3.5mm, headphone-style audio input, and it does work, but it isn't very effective with mobile phones. The problem is that mobile phone headphone jacks are designed to be used with, well, headphones. The output voltage isn't enough to driver the Block Rocker to full volume, whatever you do with the volume control. Phones work a lot better with a Bluetooth connection.I haven't used the microphone, so I don't know how well it works. The built-in FM radio works fine, provided you are in an area with decent signal strength.I've used the Block Rocker outdoors, and it's plenty loud enough, even on half volume. It's not night-club loud, but it's loud enough for outdoor parties old folks like me. Standing the unit with its back to a wall improves the volume, as it does with most speakers. The all-bass delivery doesn't really suit me, but it probably suits the intended customer base better. I presume it's designed for people much younger than me, because the drag handle is about the right length for a ten year-old.All in all, this is a decent piece of equipment -- robust, easy-to-use, and self contained. However, I can't give it full marks when it sounds as bass-heavy and dull as it does.

Sound quality is brilliant and battery has only been charged once and still going with two lines. Bought for my son to use for drum practice and it’s perfect. Also great in the garden for some background music. Would highly recommend ☺️

Great unit, ideal for use in my kids school with good battery life, ease of use and general robustness.The buttons and audio jack are not as robust as the rest of the unit and there is no speaker mount hole on the bottom so you cannot put it on a stand.Generally though the school have been very happy with it and when the buttons did break they were happy to replace the unit.

Comes with missing microphone🎤 and fm radio was rubbish. This is not impressed me at all. Sound is decent for indoor.

Love the speaker, and it worked perfectly for 3 weeks. And then the bluetooth connection broke. Not what I expected after spending so much money on it, I've used it 3 times, and now unable to turn the bluetooth on on the box.