JVC SPPA7BTB Portable Wireless Speaker with LED Lights: A Full Review

Hauling a heavy boombox out to the patio used to be the only way to get decent volume outside, but now you can get surprisingly loud audio from a cylinder the size of a water bottle. The JVC SPPA7BTB fits right into that category. I've been looking for the best portable bluetooth speaker under $100 that I don't have to treat like fragile electronics, and this one mostly hits the mark for backyard barbecues and garage workouts. At around 80 bucks, you get 30 watts of output, which is plenty loud to hear over a sizzling grill or a few people talking. The audio profile is bass-heavy, which works well for hip-hop and electronic tracks, though the mids can get a little muddy if you push the volume past 80 percent. It has an IPX5 rating, meaning it handles splashes by the pool or a sudden drizzle without shorting out. The built-in LED lights are a fun party trick, pulsing along with the music in four different modes. However, keeping those lights on takes a toll on the 3000mAh battery. JVC claims six hours of playback, but if you have the volume cranked and the lights flashing, you are going to get closer to four. That is fine for an afternoon hangout, but you will need to keep the USB-C charging cable handy for an all-day event. Still, if you want something loud, durable, and easy to carry with its included shoulder strap, it earns its spot as a solid budget audio option.