JBL Xtreme 2 Bluetooth Speaker with Rechargeable Battery– Waterproof – Carry Strap included – Black

Product Information

Part of the Puma/Cobra marketing strategy revolves around making golf more fun, so it’s no surprise to see that the company has partnered with Speaqua Sound to create the PopTop Bluetooth speaker. It’s also no surprise given Cobra/Puma’s affinity for color that the PopTop is available in some exciting colorways, including a watermelon/lime green combination. But in our testing we found that this Bluetooth speaker offered more than just style. Pros: Handy charging stand; seamless Google Assistant integration; Chromecast and AirPlay 2 support; great bass

Its extra size helps with its sonic ability as well, sounding solid in the low end, expressive through the midrange and clear and open in the treble. It’s a very natural performance – one that is balanced and dynamic, but also hugely engaging.Depending on where you'll be using the speaker – around the house, in the garden, by the pool, camping, on the beach – you'll also be interested in the battery life on offer. The speakers on test range from 10 hours to over 30 hours, all pretty respectable but a considerable range if, say, you're taking one of these to a festival. Thankfully the Beolit 20 sounds fantastic, offering an enormous amount of power, detail and control for a portable speaker. The two 35W Class D amplifiers and six drivers create a True360 soundstage that works a treat. The downside to audio superiority is size, but at least it has a well-balanced picnic basket-like leather handle for you to lug it around.

Weight: 3kg | Size: 240 x 160 x 126mm | Battery life: 10 hours | Waterproof: Yes (IP56) | Total power: Undisclosed | Aux-in No At 700g, there’s a little more heft to it than you might expect, but it’s more reassuring than cumbersome. It’s made out of quality materials after all, with a metal-fronted grille and tough rubber body.Weight: 5.9kg | Size: 25.7 x 48.5 x 20.1cm | Battery life: 24 hours | Waterproof: Yes (IPX7) | Total power: 80W | Aux-in: Yes

Of course the sound on your speaker has to be good and one aspect to this is whether you go for a directional, or omni-directional model. We have found that the latter is better for golf courses because the former is more limited in terms of which direction the sound is coming from. Omni-directional models provide more consistent sound performance and we think they are more immersive, which is good when out on the golf course.Considering its size, the weight it can muster is impressive, but it’s far from the A1’s defining feature. In fact, the presentation is expertly balanced from top to bottom, with clarity, expression and detail to spare through the midrange and a crystal clear treble that handles percussion with precision, even at volume. At first glance, you might not spot the differences between this model and the previous generation. After all, it’s still a brushed aluminium circular design, with a soft-touch polymer base and waterproof leather carry strap. So far, so similar. But look a little closer and you’ll see some careful tweaks that make this second iteration a real level up. On top, B&O has just introduced a cool and refined Nordic Ice colour option for the Gen 2 – it oozes finesse and luxury. Here at Golf Monthly our rigorous testing procedureis built upon a comprehensive process combined with the knowledge and expertise of the Golf Monthly test team. Our team usually attend product launches and then when it comes to our actual testing, we test products over a period of time so that we can gauge the performance. It offers big sound, and avoids distortion even at party-inducing volumes. The phenomenal bass tops the already impressive Go 3, providing a much wider room-filling sound – compared to the JBL’s punchier and slightly less satisfying boom.

The battery life on a golf speaker can usually last for multiple rounds. Depending on the make and model, golf speakers can last up to between 10 and 12 hours. Can I wear headphones on the golf course? AudioPro might not be a brand you’ve heard a lot of, but the Scandinavian company has a 40-year heritage in hi-fi products that’s resulted in a stellar line-up of powered wireless speakers. The answer is no for the majority of Bluetooth speakers. Bluetooth speakers tend to just transmit sound from your phone or other compatible devices. For smart assistant support, you need a microphone and, either, an onboard assistant or allowing you to communicate with the assistant on your phone. The Puma PopTop Mini Bluetooth speaker is small in stature but in our testing it delivered impressive sound quality and clarity on the golf course, as well as better range than one might expect. It's also very easy to pair with a phone for use and it offers user friendly functionality. The PopTop Mini is especially great for walkers, as it can easily be hooked onto a stand bag, and its small size makes it easy to store in a golf bag.If you're the type of golfer who loves a gadget, then why not also take a look at our guides to the best golf accessories, best golf sunglasses or the best golf nets. FAQs Can I use a speaker on the golf course? The next factor to think about is connectivity because if a speaker has bad connection, the performance of the sound is meaningless. As such we have found the best models for golf have a connection that can allow you to wander, and yet maintain its connectivity despite being more than 30 yards away. From battery life to durability, there's a lot to consider when buying a Bluetooth speaker, but we're here to help. Here's what you need to know before purchasing: Waterproofing Keen golfers will know Bushnell for its top-of-the-range GPS and distance measuring devices and this bluetooth speaker combines Bushnell's expertise in on-course GPS technology with a powerful and well built speaker. As a speaker, the Bushnell Wingman excels and provides a powerful sound. There’s no Wi-Fi connectivity though which seems a shame at this price as it limits multi-room capabilities and range. There’s no AirPlay or Google Cast options either, or the possibility of streaming higher quality audio files from servers. It’s probably not going to be a deal breaker if you’re sold on the design but given the asking price and competition it should be there.