The DOSS Soundbox Touch – Comprehensive Review and Comparison

If you are looking for an affordable, handy, and portable speaker that can link with your Bluetooth-enabled smartphone or device, the DOSS Soundbox Touch may be the right choice for you. The Touch is suitable for home and business use. However, throughout our review, we will be focused on how well the unit performs as a portable audio solution.

Comparison Table

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We will also compare it to similarly priced devices based on:

• Ease of Use
• Assembly Time
• Design Quality
• Warranty    

By the conclusion of this review, you will have an unbiased 360-degree view of what this unit can and can’t offer you.

The DOSS Soundbox

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Out of the box, the first impression of the DOSS Soundbox is that it is visually pleasing with a high-end design. The aesthetics are minimal unless you choose one of the patterned colors, and the touch controls are a nice addition. It won’t be an eyesore in whatever room or environment you have it in, and it won’t scream cheap. Without ever turning it on, you feel you’re getting your money’s worth.

With regards to functionality, the touch controls are a major draw, and the reason the speaker has its name. Visually they are not intrusive, they react quickly, and do their job. Bluetooth pairing was a breeze, and although there are scattered reviews about connective issues they are far and few between. Keep in mind, your device signal plays a role in pairing strength. The inclusion of a micro SD and Aux input are nice touches. They add a layer of versatility not commonly provided in this price range.

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The DOSS Soundbox Touch is ideal for travel, business, personal, and entertainment situations. Your experience starts as soon as you open the box. The look and feel of the Touch are impressive. Its construction feels solid and sturdy when held in the hands. It has a sleek and minimalistic aesthetic that can be jazzed up with varying color schemes including:

• Galaxy black
• Grid white
• Camouflage
• Wave blue

Product Specs

The DOSS Soundbox is wrapped in an attractive and sturdy aluminum grill. The grill does not flex when firmly pressed, which is a testament to the speaker’s overall construction. We should mention, although the unit is completely wrapped, the entire grill is not functional. There are no audio projection components on its backside, and that area does not emit sound. The Touch is relatively compact. It is unlikely the most compact speaker you’ve seen, but at a mere 6.6″ x 2.9″ x 2.7″, it is unobtrusive and highly portable. Alongside the speaker you receive:

• A micro USB charging cable
• A male to male audio adapter
• A soft storage bag

The storage bag is decent quality and durable enough to travel with. The unit has a battery life of about twelve hours. Maximizing that time is dependent on keeping your play volume at 75 percent or below. When the unit is turned on, the identifiers glow bright white, and the center control lights up with a dim cheap looking LED. On the top left, you will find your mode selector. The modes available are:

• Bluetooth
• Wire connect
• Micro SD

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On the top right is the pause, play, and speaker disconnect button. The bottom two identifiers are used to skip left and right, while the center LED lit control manages the volume.

When the unit is rotated to the rear, you find its power button, a connector port, and micro USB input. There is an LED underneath the USB port to indicate when the unit is charging. The light will also tell you when charging is complete. However, it is obstructed when the speaker is plugged in. You have to lift it to check the charge, and we feel that is a bit of a nuisance.

There is also a slot marked TF Card, dated wording, we know, but it is meant to take a micro SD card. The Touch does not come with a wall adapter for charging, so you will have to use a bank you have on hand to charge it. We feel the lack of a bank is forgivable at this price.

The top and the bottom of the speaker have a simple and clean matte finish. It looks as if there is a base radiator or upward pointing roofer; however, that is purely for aesthetics as there are no actual openings. Still, we appreciate the attention to detail.

The Touch produces quality HD sound and bass. The portable listening experience is impressive when compared to similarly priced units. It has two, 6-Watt high-performance drivers. The incorporation of an enhanced bass setup gives the speaker a full-bodied soundstage with a minuscule one percent harmonic distortion.

Battery

The unit is outfitted with a 2200 mAh lithium-ion battery. Its expected life is around 12 hours. Realistically you will get about fourteen hours at 50 percent volume and perhaps nine or ten hours at the highest volume.

Once drained, a full charge takes about four hours. Out of the box, you can be up and running within 3-hours since the unit comes partially charged. The play life on the battery is actually at the higher end of wireless Bluetooth portable speaker performance. At 50 percent volume, only models like the Samsung Level Box Mini will do better, while the Touch gives the UE Boom and Sony X33 stiff competition.Bluetooth 4.0

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The Bluetooth connection is solid from a maximum of 33 feet away. Walls and stairs don’t seem to be a barrier to the signal whatsoever. As mentioned before, using the 4.0 Bluetooth technology on the Touch is optional. It can be used wired via the included auxiliary cable or function off of a micro SD. However, let’s be real, we came for the Bluetooth, so we plan to use it.

Pairing is simple, just enable Bluetooth on your device and hold the play button on the Touch to pair. You will see DOSS on your devices list of Bluetooth connections for selection. When the center control blinks in alternate colors, you are ready to go! There are also voice commands, so you are not fully dependent on visual cues. Once you have initially paired the unit to your device, it will auto-pair for future use.

Touch Controls

We covered the basics of the touch controls earlier, but let’s get into them in more depth. On the top of the device is the capacitive touch control. The face is small and sleek. It is used to play, pause or skip tracks. All options are clearly identified and back or LED lit.

The center dial controls the volume. Swiping it in a clockwise motion raises the volume, and counter-clockwise motion turns it down. We like the innovativeness of the design, especially for a budget speaker. The touch controls function well and are sensitive. They do not present any latency problems.

Durability

Many people flock to the Touch because it has a high rating for outdoor use. However, this speaker is not waterproof at all, so it is best suited for sunny days and situations where there is no chance it will be splashed or moistened. That said, the overall construction is solid. There are no loose parts, rattling, clicking or anything that seems like it may become an issue down the road. Still, it is not what we would call rugged. For example, the slick top panel seems it would scratch and scuff easily over time.

Sound

Obviously, more than anything, the most important aspect of the DOSS SoundBox Touch is how it sounds, so let’s get into the meat of this review. When you buy a speaker for so little money, expectations are understandably low. However, surprise surprise, the sound quality is pretty good. Audiophiles may still want to beware, the soundstage is solid, but not studio quality – just ultra special for what it is.

It seems to perform equally well throughout all genres. The tones are clear and crisp, and the bass is strong, but not overwhelming. The bass can’t be adjusted, but it does thump enough to be noted as impressive. Impressive, not sub bass vibrating levels, but sufficient.

At higher limits, you don’t hear any distortion, perhaps because the speakers’ construction is very solid and united. It is also loud, shockingly loud, so you should not have to jack it all the way up. We do warn against sitting too close to the speaker. As with most portable speakers, the soundstage will disappear at ultra-close ranges. It can be safely said these deliver audio you might expect from a speaker twice as expensive.

How It Compares

We picked a couple of similar products available on the market to see how they compare.

• 1. JBL Flip 4 Splash Proof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

• 2. Hype Bluetooth Pod Portable Speaker

• 3. Anker SoundCore Portable Speaker

The DOSS Soundbox Touch

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Pros

• Twelve-hour battery life at higher volumes, 75 percent volume
• Relatively quick charge at only four hours or less
• High definition sound quality
• check-circleTwo 6 Watt drivers
• check-circleUnique bass setup enhanced overall bass performance
• check-circleCan be used as a speakerphone
• check-circleModern touch control functionality
• check-circleOutfitted with Bluetooth 4.0, making it compatible with almost every Bluetooth device
• check-circleMicro SD option for device-free audio play
• check-circleAux input
• check-circleLightweight and portable
• check-circleTravel Case

Cons

• Does not have bass boost
• Is not waterproof
• Lacks upgrades of more expensive models
• banThe fact it is not waterproof is a concern for outdoor use
• banThe voice prompts can be a little annoying
• banThe touch interface will likely get scratched and damaged

JBL Flip 4 Splash Proof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

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The JBL Flip 4 is a highly durable portable Bluetooth speaker with a sporty look.  Its sound is reasonably powerful considering how compact it is.   It is made of waterproof materials, making it ideal for outdoor use.  It features a 3000mAh rechargeable li-ion battery, dual external passive radiators, and JBL connect+ so you can connect it to other JBL connect+ enabled speakers.

Pros

• Water resistant
• Compact
• Unique design
• check-circleStrong sound
• check-circleDurable
• check-circle12 hours of play time
• check-circleCan connect multiple devices

Cons

• Bass is not heavy
• Loud startup
• Difficult to work with when playing instruments

Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Portable Bluetooth Wireless Speaker 

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Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Portable Bluetooth Wireless Speaker has a relatively clear high definition stereo sound for the price.  It is the least expensive comparison model on our list.  Its Bluetooth connectivity is 2.0V EDR, and it has an A2DP technology, suited for a range of only 10 meters or less.  That said the audio is reasonably clear, and it interfaces with a variety of systems.  It also features a built-in microphone, one-touch answer, 3.5 mm audio Aux-in port, soft media keys, a 500mAh rechargeable battery, and 2x 3W stereo speakers.

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Easy to transport
• Built-in microphone
• check-circleOne-touch answer
• check-circleMultiple color options

Cons

• Not durable
• Poor construction
• Only 3 hours of play time
• banLimited Bluetooth range

​Anker SoundCore Portable Speaker

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The Anker SoundCore has a solid play with less than 1% total harmonic distortion even when the speaker is at higher volumes.  It has the longest battery life on our list at an impressive 24 hours per charge.   The unit features Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, dual high-performance drivers, spiral bass port, and a built-in mic for hands-free calls.

Pros

• Almost no harmonic distortion (less than 1%)
• 24 hours of play time
• Compact

Cons

• Lacks deep bass
• Poor connectivity at longer ranges
• Auxiliary input too close to charging socket

Conclusion

Overall the DOSS Touch Wireless Bluetooth V4.0 Portable Speaker is user-friendly with a robust sound. The fact it is able to play a variety of music genres well makes it suited to almost every user. That said, we would recommend it for indoor use over outdoor and advise you to handle it carefully.  We can understand the hype around it and why it has become a favorite of music lovers. You will most likely be pleased with the device as long as you are not seeking studio-quality sound, and you definitely will get plenty for your buck.  We found the DOSS Soundbox Touch attractive, solid, efficient, and a competitive choice against speakers outside of its price range. Within its price range, it may be one of, if not the top choice available in the market today.

Quality	Usability	Support
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