Soundcore Boom 2 Outdoor Speaker: features, specs and who it suits

The Soundcore Boom 2 (model A3138) is a large portable Bluetooth speaker made for outdoor listening. It pairs a dedicated subwoofer with two tweeters, floats on water and runs for up to 24 hours on a charge. It is aimed at backyards, beaches, campsites and pool sides, where a phone speaker or a small portable won't fill the space.

What the 2.1 speaker layout means

"2.1" describes the driver arrangement: two channels for the highs and mids, and one for the bass. In the Boom 2, Soundcore uses a 50W racetrack-shaped subwoofer and two 15W tweeters. A crossover divides the signal so each driver handles the frequencies it is best at.

A racetrack subwoofer is an oval shape, which typically lets a driver move more air than a round one in a slim enclosure. That matters for outdoor listening, where there are no walls to reinforce low frequencies.

Understanding the 80W figure

Soundcore lists 60W as the standard output and says BassUp 2.0 lets you tweak the bass EQ and raise the maximum to 80W. Wattage figures on portable speakers come from the brand's own measurements and are not a direct measure of loudness. Still, the figure indicates this is built for larger spaces rather than desk listening.

Waterproof and floatable

The Boom 2 is built to IPX7. The "7" means it is designed to cope with temporary immersion in water, typically up to one metre for about 30 minutes in test conditions. Soundcore says the speaker is designed for the beach, the pool or rain, and that it floats. As with any IPX7 product, the standard doesn't extend to salt water exposure over time, so rinse and dry it as the manual instructs.

Battery, power bank and connections

Soundcore quotes 24 hours of playtime on a single charge, noting that this varies with volume and what you play. Loud, bass-heavy listening will drain it faster than quiet background music. A built-in power bank lets you charge a phone from the speaker over USB-C, which is handy at a campsite.

The speaker uses Bluetooth 5.3. Bluetooth 5.x generally offers a stable connection and reasonable range, though walls and distance reduce it.

Sound controls and PartyCast

The app includes a customisable EQ so you can shape the sound for different music styles. PartyCast 2.0 links multiple compatible speakers; Soundcore says it can connect 100 or more. RGB lights add colour for evening gatherings.

Size and weight

The listing gives dimensions of 11.7 x 4.0 x 7.3 inches (about 30 x 10 x 18.5 cm) and a weight of 3.7 lb (about 1.7 kg). That is portable enough to carry by hand or pack in a bag, though it is much larger than a pocket speaker.

Who it suits

It suits people who want a single speaker that can handle an afternoon in the garden or a day at the beach, who like to adjust the bass, and who may want to link several speakers for a larger event.

What to check before you buy

• Size: make sure you have space in your bag or vehicle for a speaker of around 3.7 lb.
• Charging: confirm you have a USB-C cable and power source for recharging.
• App support: check that the Soundcore app is available for your phone.
• Volume: at higher volumes, be considerate of neighbours and follow local noise rules.
• Care: rinse and dry after wet use, and keep ports closed or covered as described in the manual.

The short version

• Portable 2.1 outdoor speaker with a 50W subwoofer and two 15W tweeters.
• 60W standard output, with up to 80W using BassUp 2.0.
• IPX7 waterproof and floatable.
• Up to 24 hours of playtime, plus a USB-C power bank function.
• Custom EQ, Bluetooth 5.3, PartyCast 2.0 and RGB lights.

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