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DOSS Touch Holds Its Own Against Much Higher-Priced Bluetooth Speakers. Or Does It?
Along with the arrival of nicer weather and sunnier days come more and more opportunities to take a break from our busy schedules and venture outside to soak up some sun and fun with friends and family. Whether it’s a day at the beach, a backyard barbeque, or that camping trip you’ve been daydreaming about since the middle of winter, the one constant of every good time is great tunes. But who wants to listen to tinny music coming out of tiny smartphone speakers? Well, thanks to a new generation of Bluetooth-capable speakers like the DOSS Touch, you don’t have to.
Ah, but there’s the problem. If you’re in the market for a great portable Bluetooth speaker—and let’s face it, that’s why you’re reading this review, right?—then you know how difficult it can be to find the right one for your needs and budget. There are so many portable speakers out there; it would take you several summers and a huge chunk of your hard-earned leisure dollars to try them all. That’s why, when a friend recommended the DOSS Touch portable speaker recently, I decided to give it a good, hard look and listen, see how it measures up to some of the top-rated Bluetooth speakers available today, and pass my experience on to you. So, let’s stop wasting sunshine and see how it did.
DOSS Touch
The DOSS Touch is a smooth and sleek, wireless Bluetooth v4.0 portable speaker that has gotten a ton of attention lately thanks to its elegant look, fancy touch button controls, and sound quality that its fans can’t stop raving about. Designed by a globe-spanning team of audio industry professionals known for developing cutting-edge technology at pain-free prices, the DOSS Touch claims to have “dramatically deeper bass”, 360-degree stereo sound, and a long-lasting battery that makes sure you can keep the party going for 12 straight hours before needing a recharge. You can see why my interest was piqued.
Add to all that, it has the ability to make and receive calls and play music from a Micro SD card. I have to admit that I was pretty excited to get my hands—and ears!—on this thing. But would my excitement for this portable speaker hold up under the harsh light of actual testing? There was only one way to find out.
Product Specs
Touch Controls
Any time you read or hear about the DOSS Touch speaker, the first thing mentioned is always how it looks. People often talk about how sleek and streamlined it is, and I’ll admit to being a little skeptical. I mean, a brick’s a brick, right? But I’m not going to lie: I totally get it now. When I first took the DOSS out of the box, the first word that jumped to my mind was “elegant.” And the reason for this sleek, streamlined elegance is simple: the Touch controls.
The Touch controls which give the DOSS Touch its name sit flush on the top surface of the speaker and take the place of the more traditional (read: ugly) buttons you’d find on most other portable speakers. This minimalist design reminded me immediately of the classic iPod and very much in a good way. With just four simple controls and a touch ring in the center, I was able to easily switch between modes (Bluetooth, Micro SD, or Aux), play, pause, or skip tracks, adjust the volume, and answer phone calls. After extensive testing (and a little dancing around my living room), I found the Touch controls to be super sensitive, super smooth, and totally intuitive. Before this test, I didn’t know I needed touch controls on my portable speaker, but the DOSS Touch definitely convinced me.
Connectivity and Pairing
Of course, before I could start down the path toward becoming a button snob, I needed to get connected, and the DOSS speaker offers multiple ways to do so, including Bluetooth, Micro SD, and an Aux-In port. Although I personally prefer going wireless whenever possible, the Touch’s aux-in is a great solution for audio devices that don’t have Bluetooth capabilities and the included 3.5mm aux cable, and male-to-male adapter are thoughtful additions to the package.
Another thoughtful addition is the Micro SD slot (card not included). Admittedly, I don’t use Micro SD cards often for playing music, but I definitely appreciate having the option for those times when I don’t have another audio device with me, can’t get any bars, or simply don’t want to drain my phone’s battery. Other than the slightly too long delay between tracks typical of playing music from an SD card, it worked beautifully, and I had no complaints. Plus, you can use the slot to easily upgrade the DOSS firmware, and that’s pretty cool.
But let’s get real: If you’re like most people, the reason you want a wireless Bluetooth speaker is so you can connect your smartphone, tablet, or another audio device wirelessly over a Bluetooth connection and I’m happy to report that DOSS makes it quick and easy. With your device’s Bluetooth turned on and enabled, pairing it with the Touch is as simple as pushing and holding the speaker’s play button until it blinks colors at you and then selecting “DOSS Soundbox” from your device’s list of available connections. It honestly couldn’t get much easier. I was initially a little concerned about the speaker’s connection range of 33 feet, but, to be honest, it’s rare that I need to put a speaker that far away from the source and I could easily hear my music all throughout my little house, so, ultimately, the connection range didn’t bother me at all.
The Sound
“Yeah, yeah,” you’re saying. “That’s all great, but how does it sound?” Well, let me tell you. The DOSS Touch uses two 6-watt high-performance drivers and an enhanced bass setup to power the 360-degree stereo sound, and the result is a sound quality for the price point that legitimately surprised me. The audio was crisp and clear, the volume was more than loud enough even at 50%, and I could (sort of) feel the bass in my shoes. Could you get better sound quality from an audiophile-level speaker that costs five times as much? Sure. But, for the price, the sound is amazing.
Of course, it’s not all sunshine and kittens. When cranking the speaker up to full volume, I got a bit of distortion in the mix. I’ve heard other people mention this same issue and still others say they have no distortion at all so that it may come down to your particular unit (or ears). Also, when you reach full volume, the music pauses for 2-3 seconds, and a little tune plays to let you know you’ve reached max volume. This doesn’t come up very often as people don’t constantly turn the volume up to maximum and back down again while listening to music, but it is a little annoying when it happens. Still, it’s a small price to pay for an otherwise great speaker.
Battery Life
Another important aspect of any wireless speaker is the battery life. There’s nothing worse than the awkward silence that settles around your pool party, picnic, or campsite when your portable speaker’s battery suddenly runs out of juice. Fortunately, the DOSS Touch contains a 2200 mah lithium ion battery that the manufacturer claims will give you 12 continuous hours of power. In my experience so far, I’ve actually found the 12-hour claim to be pretty realistic, though it occasionally comes in a little closer to 10 hours. Battery life is affected by a number of different factors, however, so your mileage may vary.
Fortunately, if you run the battery all the way down, recharging it is quick and easy with the help of the included micro USB cable. Just plug it in for a few hours while you sleep or run errands, and you’ll be rocking again before you know it.
One complaint I had was the weirdly obnoxious voice prompt that plays when your battery gets low. Other than when you’re pairing devices, it’s easy enough to avoid the voice prompts by keeping your DOSS charged up, but it can get a little annoying and will make you wonder why they chose it. On the bright side, you can get rid of the voice with a small firmware update via the Micro SD slot.
Pricing
Despite its impressive sound quality and sleek, high-end look, the DOSS Touch is surprisingly affordable. Though the specific price will be slightly different depending on where you shop, you can purchase a brand new one on Amazon or New Egg for around $30. No matter how you measure it, that’s a deal.
How it Compares
While I really liked the DOSS portable speaker, there are a lot of other brands on the market and your needs might differ from mine. To that end, I picked up a few similar products to see how they compare. Specifically, we’ll be looking at these three:
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JBL Flip 4
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Bose SoundLink Mini
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Amazon Tap
DOSS Touch
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[amazon_link asins=’B01CQOV3YO|B01CQOV3YO|B01CQOV3YO’ template=’ImageLink’ store=’gosoundshack_us-20|gosoundshack_ca-20|gosoundshack_uk-21′ marketplace=’US|CA|UK’]
[amazon_link asins=’B01CQOV3YO|B01CQOV3YO|B01CQOV3YO’ template=’ButtonLink’ store=’gosoundshack_us-20|gosoundshack_ca-20|gosoundshack_uk-21′ marketplace=’US|CA|UK’]
Pros
Cons
JBL Flip 4
Like the DOSS Touch, the JBL Flip 4 is a sleek, portable Bluetooth speaker that looks and sounds great. Developed by the well-known and well-loved JBL, the Flip 4 features a rubber coating that is splash-proof and, yes, washable, making it perfect for all of your outdoor activities and events, whether you’re hiking through the mud or sitting by the pool.
Unlike the DOSS, the JBL Flip 4 can be paired with up to three different Bluetooth devices at once, saving you time and effort when switching between connections. Plus, you don’t have to hear the DOSS’s annoying voice prompt. In anybody’s book, that’s a bonus.
The Flip 4 also features a lithium-ion battery, only this one is 3000 mAh and only promises “up to” 10 hours of playtime. While, on average, that’s on par with the DOSS speaker, it’s a little disappointing considering the Flip’s higher price point which, at around $90, is three times as much as the DOSS Touch. Like so many other people, I love JBL, but I’m not sure if I love it enough to pay three times as much for more or less the same thing.
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[amazon_link asins=’B01NAIV5N8|B01NAIV5N8|B01NAIV5N8′ template=’ImageLink’ store=’gosoundshack_us-20|gosoundshack_ca-20|gosoundshack_uk-21′ marketplace=’US|CA|UK’]
[amazon_link asins=’B01NAIV5N8|B01NAIV5N8|B01NAIV5N8′ template=’ButtonLink’ store=’gosoundshack_us-20|gosoundshack_ca-20|gosoundshack_uk-21′ marketplace=’US|CA|UK’]
Pros
Cons
Bose SoundLink Mini
When it comes to speakers, mini or otherwise, Bose’s reputation precedes them. Known for superior sound quality and a favorite of audiophiles everywhere, expectations are high when a portable speaker carries the Bose name, and this speaker delivers. With crisp sound at high volume and the deepest, most powerful bass of any portable Bluetooth speaker on this list, you’ll never be disappointed with your purchase.
The battery life comes in at a very average 10 hours, but it has a number of charging options that make it easy to keep the party rocking and rolling. Whether you use a USB cable to charge it with your car or laptop or you simply set it in its wireless charging cradle at home, there’s no need for the music to stop playing.
On top of that, it’s a beautiful little speaker that you’d be proud to display anywhere, indoors or out. Stylish and modern, the Bose SoundLink mini comes in very fancy-sounding colors like Carbon and Pearl (black and white) and simply oozes high-end appeal. Of course, you’ll pay for all that beauty and sound quality, as the SoundLink Mini sells for anywhere between $150 and $180, depending on where you find it. Even though it’s missing a few of the modern features of wireless speakers—like waterproofing and NFC support—it’s hard not to love a Bose.
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[amazon_link asins=’B00WK47VEW|B00WK47VEW|B00WK47VEW’ template=’ImageLink’ store=’gosoundshack_us-20|gosoundshack_ca-20|gosoundshack_uk-21′ marketplace=’US|CA|UK’]
[amazon_link asins=’B00WK47VEW|B00WK47VEW|B00WK47VEW’ template=’ButtonLink’ store=’gosoundshack_us-20|gosoundshack_ca-20|gosoundshack_uk-21′ marketplace=’US|CA|UK’]
Pros
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Cons
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Amazon Tap
Like a lot of people, I was a little skeptical about the Amazon Tap, but, after giving it a go, I have to admit that it’s a pretty great little speaker. Modern, stylish, and available in 7 fun colors, this vertically-oriented portable speaker looks great in any environment. Like the DOSS Touch, the Tap features touch controls to navigate your music but, unlike the DOSS, it also offers a hands-free function that takes it to another level.
Featuring Dolby sound and dual stereo speakers, the Tap produces the high quality, 360-degree sound you’d expect from the best wireless speakers and is Alexa-enabled, meaning you can stream music from Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn. Or, if you prefer, you can ask it to read the news, order take-out, and report the weather. This is more than a speaker; it’s the future.
Of course, you’ll pay for all that awesomeness, because the Amazon Tap doesn’t come cheap. Coming in at between $100 and $120, it’s the price of 3 or 4 DOSS Touches, but you get a lot for the money. And Amazon is adding new features and skills all the time. So maybe you think of it as an investment?
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[amazon_link asins=’B01BH83OOM|B01BH83OOM|B01BH83OOM’ template=’ImageLink’ store=’gosoundshack_us-20|gosoundshack_ca-20|gosoundshack_uk-21′ marketplace=’US|CA|UK’]
[amazon_link asins=’B01BH83OOM|B01BH83OOM|B01BH83OOM’ template=’ButtonLink’ store=’gosoundshack_us-20|gosoundshack_ca-20|gosoundshack_uk-21′ marketplace=’US|CA|UK’]
Pros
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Cons
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[amazon_link asins=’B01CQOV3YO|B01CQOV3YO|B01CQOV3YO’ template=’ImageLink’ store=’gosoundshack_us-20|gosoundshack_ca-20|gosoundshack_uk-21′ marketplace=’US|CA|UK’] | [amazon_link asins=’B01NAIV5N8|B01NAIV5N8|B01NAIV5N8′ template=’ImageLink’ store=’gosoundshack_us-20|gosoundshack_ca-20|gosoundshack_uk-21′ marketplace=’US|CA|UK’] | [amazon_link asins=’B00WK47VEW|B00WK47VEW|B00WK47VEW’ template=’ImageLink’ store=’gosoundshack_us-20|gosoundshack_ca-20|gosoundshack_uk-21′ marketplace=’US|CA|UK’] | [amazon_link asins=’B01BH83OOM|B01BH83OOM|B01BH83OOM’ template=’ImageLink’ store=’gosoundshack_us-20|gosoundshack_ca-20|gosoundshack_uk-21′ marketplace=’US|CA|UK’] |
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| Product Title |
DOSS Touch |
JBL Flip 4 |
Bose SoundLink Mini |
Amazon Tap |
| Key Features | It is sleek and elegant, very easy to use, durable quality for a reasonable price | It features a rugged design, pairs with multiple devices simultaneously and waterproof | It features an audiophile-level sound, and wireless charging cradle | It has hands-free functionality, and features stunning, stylish colors |
| Warranty | ||||
| Pricing | [amazon_link asins=’B01CQOV3YO|B01CQOV3YO|B01CQOV3YO’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’gosoundshack_us-20|gosoundshack_ca-20|gosoundshack_uk-21′ marketplace=’US|CA|UK’] | [amazon_link asins=’B01NAIV5N8|B01NAIV5N8|B01NAIV5N8′ template=’PriceLink’ store=’gosoundshack_us-20|gosoundshack_ca-20|gosoundshack_uk-21′ marketplace=’US|CA|UK’] | [amazon_link asins=’B00WK47VEW|B00WK47VEW|B00WK47VEW’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’gosoundshack_us-20|gosoundshack_ca-20|gosoundshack_uk-21′ marketplace=’US|CA|UK’] |
[amazon_link asins=’B01BH83OOM|B01BH83OOM|B01BH83OOM’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’gosoundshack_us-20|gosoundshack_ca-20|gosoundshack_uk-21′ marketplace=’US|CA|UK’] |
Conclusion
After extensive testing and way too much jumping on my couch while playing air guitar, I have to say that the DOSS Touch is a great portable wireless Bluetooth speaker, especially for the price. Sure, you may get better sound with the Bose, fancier abilities with the Amazon Tap, and the fun of washing your JBL Flip with a garden hose, but the DOSS is both competent and comparable and will cost you a third as much, leaving you plenty of cash to make your summer incredible and fill it with epic tunes. If you don’t have money to burn and don’t need to order a pizza with a speaker that talks back to you, then the DOSS Touch may honestly be the speaker for you. As for me, I love it, and I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
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