DOSS SoundBox Plus  Speaker Review

Reviewed Jan 27, 2021 at 08:00am
Tested using Methodology v0.8 
DOSS SoundBox Plus

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  1. Recommended in:
  2. Budget And Cheap
  3. Under $50

The DOSS SoundBox Plus is a portable Bluetooth speaker that comes with customizable RGB lights. Like many small speakers, it struggles to reproduce low-bass, but its balanced mid-range can reproduce vocals and lead instruments clearly. It's lightweight and portable, and it even has an IPX4 rating for water resistance, though we don't currently test for this. It doesn't get very loud, but at least audio is reproduced clearly and without a lot of compression when you play it at max volume.

Our Verdict

0.0
Music 

The DOSS SoundBox Plus is middling for music. It lacks low-bass, so you don't feel the thump and punch in bass-heavy genres like EDM. Vocals and lead instruments are reproduced clearly, though sibilants like S and T sounds can be piercing. Unfortunately, it doesn't get very loud, and its soundstage isn't very open or spacious. It also doesn't have any sound customization features.

Pros
  • Not a lot of compression at max volume.
Cons
  • Doesn't get very loud.
  • Lacks low-bass.
0.0
Videos/Movies 

The DOSS SoundBox Plus is inadequate for videos and movies. It lacks low-bass, so you don't feel the deep thump and rumble in action-packed scenes. Also, it doesn't get very loud, and it has a narrow, directional soundstage. On the upside, it can reproduce dialogue clearly and accurately. Via Bluetooth, its latency with iOS devices is likely too high to be suitable for watching videos, but it performs better with Android devices.

Pros
  • Not a lot of compression at max volume.
Cons
  • Doesn't get very loud.
  • Lacks low-bass.
0.0
Podcasts 

The DOSS SoundBox Plus is fair for podcasts. Its balanced mid-range can reproduce dialogue clearly and accurately, which is nice. It's Bluetooth-compatible, so you can pair it with your wireless devices to play podcasts wirelessly, and it has a very portable design. However, it doesn't get very loud, which can be disappointing.

Pros
  • Not a lot of compression at max volume.
Cons
  • Doesn't get very loud.
0.0
Voice Assistant 

The DOSS SoundBox Plus is disappointing for voice assistants. It uses the voice assistant from your paired smartphone, but it doesn't have any built-in features. Though we don't test for it, you can also pair it to an Amazon Echo device for Alexa voice assistant capabilities. While it can understand you even if you aren't close to the speaker, it has some trouble understanding you in noisy environments.

Pros
None
Cons
  • Poor ambient noise performance.
0.0
Outdoors 

The DOSS SoundBox Plus is passable for outdoor use. It has a portable, lightweight design, and you don't have to plug it into an outlet to use it. With a battery life of over ten hours, it's suitable for long days outdoors. Also, it has an IPX4 rating for water resistance, though we don't currently test for this. That said, it doesn't get very loud, and its soundstage isn't very immersive or open-sounding.

Pros
  • Not a lot of compression at max volume.
  • IPX4 rating for water resistance.
Cons
  • Doesn't get very loud.
  • Poor directivity.
  • 0.0
    Music
  • 0.0
    Videos/Movies
  • 0.0
    Podcasts
  • 0.0
    Voice Assistant
  • 0.0
    Outdoors
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Jan 27, 2021: Review published.
    2.  Updated Jan 22, 2021: Early access published.
    3.  Updated Jan 13, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
    4.  Updated Jan 11, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.

    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    The DOSS SoundBox Plus comes in several different color variants: 'Black', 'Navy Blue', 'Aquamarine', 'Pink', and 'White'. We tested the 'Black' variant, and you can see the label for the model we tested here. However, we expect the other colors to perform similarly.

    The DOSS SoundBox Plus is an upgraded version of the DOSS SoundBox, and it's slightly bigger, with beat-synced lights and different drivers. There are also several different DOSS SoundBox speakers on the market, and you can see their advertised differences below:

      DOSS SoundBox DOSS SoundBox Plus DOSS SoundBox Pro DOSS SoundBox Pro+ DOSS SoundBox XL
    Sound Driver 2*6W High-performance drivers 2*8W High-performance drivers 2*10W High-performance drivers 2*12W High-performance drivers 32W High-performance drivers
    Waterproof IPX4 IPX4 IPX5 IPX5 IPX4
    Bluetooth Version Bluetooth 4.0 + EDR Bluetooth 4.2 + EDR Bluetooth 4.2 + EDR Bluetooth 4.2 + EDR Bluetooth 4.0 + EDR
    Feature Touch Control Touch Control + Beat-Synched Lights Stereo Pairing + Acting Bass + Light Show Stereo Pairing + Booming Bass + Mixed Colors Lights Enhanced Bass
    Advertised Playtime (50% Volume) 20 Hours 20 Hours (Lights Off) 20 Hours (Lights and Extra Bass off) 15 Hours (Lights and Extra Bass off) 10 Hours
    TWS Pairing No Yes Yes Yes  Yes

    Note that since we haven't tested all of these speaker variants, so we can't confirm their performance.

    If you come across another version, let us know in the discussions so we can update our review.

    Popular Speaker Comparisons

    The DOSS SoundBox Plus is a budget-friendly portable Bluetooth speaker that comes with customizable colored lights. Like many small speakers, it struggles to reproduce low-bass, and it doesn't get very loud. However, it doesn't have a lot of compression when you play it at max volume, which is nice. It also has an IPX4 rating for water resistance, though we don't currently test for this. See also our recommendations for the best cheap speakers.

    Sony SRS-XB23

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    The Sony SRS-XB23 is a better speaker than the DOSS SoundBox Plus. The Sony is better-built. Its default sound profile is more neutral, and it has a better soundstage. Also, its graphic EQ allows for greater sound customization. However, the DOSS has less compression with played at max volume, and its voice assistant performance is better.

    OontZ Angle 3

    Track

    Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the OontZ Angle 3 or the DOSS SoundBox Plus. The DOSS has a better-balanced sound profile, and it supports voice assistants, unlike the OontZ. However, the OontZ is better-built, and it gets louder and has longer battery life.

    Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2

    Track

    The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 is a better speaker than the DOSS SoundBox Plus. The Ultimate Ears is better-built with longer battery life. Also, its sound profile is more neutral, and it has a better, more immersive soundstage performance. However, the DOSS supports voice assistants, unlike the Ultimate Ears.

    Sony SRS-XB01

    Track

    The DOSS SoundBox Plus and the Sony SRS-XB01 are very similar speakers, so depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the other. The Sony is better-built and much smaller, so it's easier to bring with you on-the-go. However, the DOSS has a better soundstage performance, and it gets louder. Also, it has a better voice assistant performance.

    Show more 

    Test Results

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    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    RGB LightsLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Portability
    Volume
    LockedLock in³ (Lock cm³)
    Weight
    LockedLock lbs (Lock kg)
    Power Source
    LockedLocked
    One-Hand Carry
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Build Quality
    Material Quality
    LockedLocked
    Water Resistance
    LockedLocked
    Dust Resistance
    LockedLocked
    Impact Resistance
    LockedLocked
    Floats In Water
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Controls
    Ease Of Use
    LockedLocked
    Feedback
    LockedLocked
    Music Play/Pause
    LockedLocked
    Call Answer/End
    LockedLocked
    Volume Up/Down
    LockedLocked
    Track Next/Previous
    LockedLocked
    Microphone On/Off
    LockedLocked
    Additional Controls
    LockedLocked

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    In The Box

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    Sound
    0.0
    Frequency Response Accuracy
    Slope
    LockedLock
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock Hz
    High-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock kHz

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    Raw Frequency Response
    Binaural Recording @ 1m
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    Binaural Recording @ 2m
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    0.0
    Soundstage
    Directivity Index
    LockedLock dB
    Stereo
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Dynamics
    SPL @ Max Volume
    LockedLock dB SPL
    DRC @ Max Volume
    LockedLock dB

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    Active Features
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    Battery
    Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Charge Time
    LockedLock hrs
    Power Saving
    LockedLocked
    Charging Port
    LockedLocked
    Battery Powered
    LockedYes

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    0.0
    Voice Assistant
    Alexa
    LockedLocked
    Google Assistant
    LockedLocked
    Speakerphone
    LockedYes
    Siri
    LockedLocked
    Voice Assistant
    LockedYes
    Voice Activation
    LockedLocked
    Microphone Mute
    LockedLocked
    Far-Field Performance
    LockedLocked
    Ambient Noise Performance
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    App
    App Name
    LockedLocked
    iOS
    LockedLocked
    Android
    LockedLocked
    EQ
    LockedLocked
    Stereo Pair Mode
    LockedLocked
    Party Mode
    LockedLocked
    Multi-Room
    LockedLocked

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    Connectivity
    Wired
    Aux Input
    LockedLocked
    USB Audio
    LockedLocked
    Other Ports
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth
    LockedYes
    Bluetooth Version
    LockedLocked
    Bluetooth iOS Latency
    LockedLock ms
    Bluetooth Android Latency
    LockedLock ms
    Bluetooth Range
    LockedLock ft (Lock m)
    Multi-Device Pairing
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi Version
    LockedLocked
    Wi-Fi Frequency Band
    LockedLocked
    Wi-Fi
    LockedNo
    Apple AirPlay
    LockedLocked
    AirPlay Latency
    LockedN/A
    Google Chromecast
    LockedLocked
    Chromecast Latency
    LockedN/A

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