The Kove Commuter 2 is a split portable Bluetooth speaker. You can connect both ends of the speaker horizontally, or you can use them separately as a stereo pair. It's very easy to bring on-the-go, and it even has an IPX7 rating for water resistance, though we don't currently test for this. While it can reproduce clear, detailed vocals and lead instruments, it struggles to produce the thump and punch in the bass range. Unfortunately, there aren't any sound customization features to help you switch up its sound.
Our Verdict
The Kove Commuter 2 is middling for music. This speaker struggles to reproduce a thumpy, punchy bass, so it isn't ideal for fans of bass-heavy music genres. It doesn't get very loud, either, and it lacks sound customization options so you can't tweak its sound. That said, it can still reproduce vocals and lead instruments pretty clearly, which is suitable for pop music and other vocal-centric music.
- Good soundstage performance.
- Lacks low-bass.
- Doesn't get very loud.
The Kove Commuter 2 is disappointing for videos and movies. While it can reproduce dialogue clearly, it lacks a thumpy, punchy bass, so you don't feel the deep rumble in action-packed scenes. It doesn't get very loud, and it has high latency when paired with iOS and Android devices via Bluetooth. However, some apps compensate for latency differently, so your experience may vary. Fortunately, it has a good soundstage performance, so your audio is still pretty immersive.
- Good soundstage performance.
- Lacks low-bass.
- Doesn't get very loud.
The Kove Commuter 2 is decent for podcasts. It can reproduce dialogue clearly and accurately thanks to its balanced mid-range. Also, it has a very portable design, so you can easily bring it with you from one room to the next. However, it doesn't get very loud, and you can only pair it with one device at a time, which some listeners may find a bit limiting.
- Portable design.
- Doesn't get very loud.
The Kove Commuter 2 doesn't support voice assistants.
The Kove Commuter 2 is fair for outdoor use. It's battery-powered, so you can use it outdoors without having to plug it into an outlet, and it can last for over eight hours off of a single charge. It even has an IPX7 rating for water resistance, though we don't test for this. Unfortunately, it doesn't get very loud, and its sound profile struggles to reproduce a thumpy low-bass.
- Portable design.
- IPX7 rating for water resistance.
- Lacks low-bass.
- Doesn't get very loud.
Changelog
- Updated Sep 04, 2024: We've updated the Battery scores and text, as we've reevaluated how the Battery Life, Charge Time, and Power Saving scores are weighted.
- Updated Mar 24, 2021: After reviewing our methodology, we updated the results for RGB Lights from 'No' to 'Yes'.
- Updated Feb 09, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Feb 04, 2021: Early access published.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Kove Commuter 2 comes in 'Black', and you can see the label for the model we tested here.
If you come across another version, let us know in the discussions so we can update our review.
Popular Speaker Comparisons
The Kove Commuter 2 is a portable Bluetooth speaker with a unique split design. You can use the left and right speakers separately or connect them horizontally. Like most small speakers, it struggles to reproduce low bass and doesn't get very loud. That said, it has a neutral mid-range that can reproduce voices clearly and accurately, though it lacks sound customization features.
See our recommendations for the best Bluetooth speakers, the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers, and the best Bluetooth speakers under $100.
The Kove Commuter 2 is a bit better than the DOSS SoundBox Plus for most uses. The Kove is better-built, and it has a better soundstage performance, so you feel more immersed in your audio. That said, the DOSS supports voice assistants from your smartphone, and it has longer battery life.
The Kove Commuter 2 is a better speaker for most uses than the OontZ Angle 3. The Kove's sound profile is more balanced and neutral, and it has a better soundstage performance. However, the OontZ gets slightly louder with less compression at max volume, and it has longer battery life.
The Marshall Emberton is a better speaker than the Kove Commuter 2. The Marshall has a more neutral sound profile and a better soundstage performance. Also, it has lower latency with iOS and Android devices via Bluetooth, though some apps compensate for latency differently. However, the Kove gets louder with less compression at max volume.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 is a better speaker than the Kove Commuter 2. The Ultimate Ears is better-built with longer battery life. Its sound profile is more balanced and neutral, and it offers a more open, spacious soundstage performance. However, some listeners may prefer the Kove's split design.
Test Results
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