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For smaller gatherings, you may want to consider the smaller GX-BT280, which doesn’t attempt quite the same excessive volume, or the JBL Charge 3, which manages the balance between sound, features and price a bit more successfully. However, if you want a hefty speaker that can shake the walls – even if you lose some of the precision in the process – the GX-BT480 gets the job done. That said, the GX-BT480 does have a maximum 100-decibel audio output, and can really shake a room. Unlike the tweeters, though, the bass drivers feel like something of a blunt instrument. They add a general impact to the sound, but not precisely enough to avoid it feeling muddied. With a 64Hz-20kHz range, you’re also not getting the lowest frequencies you’d hope for with a bass-heavy speaker like the GX-BT480. The GX-BT480 comes with an IP65 ‘splash-proof’ rating, making it resistant to splashes, water from a nozzle (say a hose or water gun), or dust on a hot summer’s day. You won’t want to take it in the pool with you, but it should be well-suited to the beach or pool-side parties if that’s what you need. The main upgrade on the PS-949 (aside from its bigger sound) is the addition of app support, which comes as an alternative to the physical buttons on top of the speaker. Volume controls between the speaker and source device sync up over wireless play, as you'd expect. But connecting over the 3.5mm cable will keep them separate – and in our tests seemed to cap the volume at around half the max output. Given the noise the speaker is capable of, though, this likely won't be an issue.
Because Sharp had the three party speakers lined up in its listening room, I was able to listen to them all in succession. For this reason, I can say the PS-949 is the loudest of the three speakers. Finally, the speaker comes with a 13-hour battery for when you want to take it out and about. This also doubles as a USB charger for a phone or tablet, so you shouldn’t need to worry about your phone dying as you stream from Spotify. Sound Quality The Sharp GX-BT480 is an impressive speaker in many ways, with a rugged, splashproof design, a whopping 100db audio output, and with Sharp having the foresight to include a carrying strap and variety of plug options for taking on the move. Where on the PS-919 and PS-929 you had to manually adjust the flashing LED and strobe light buttons, you can now access these controls through an app on a smartphone or tablet.There’s also a microSD card reader on the GX-BT480’s side, allowing you to play your MP3 files that way if you wish. All the power and connection ports are hidden under a circular rubber cap to keep out dust and water; the fit feels a bit loose though, and it hangs to one side quite awkwardly when any of the ports are in use. Appearances aside, the ports and cap fulfil their function perfectly well.
In terms of sound, the Sharp is one of the best of its class, despite its competitive price. Music was reproduced with clarity in the treble region and fine dynamics, voices were even getting a hint of hi-fi feeling. Of course, the bass doesn’t reach really low and plays along rather unobtrusively than being able to unleash hard beats. But if you listen to music that is not quite as impulsives, you will surely be very pleased. With a water resistance rating of IPX4, it should be able to withstand a splash of water if you take it to the pool or spill a drink on it. This is a bit lower than the IPX5 rating on the PS-919, but still higher than the PS-929 which doesn’t have an IP rating. Wireless connections with the speaker use Bluetooth 4.2, rather than the more recent 5.0 standard, so you’re getting a small amount of sound distortion, but nothing that you’d really notice.Special features: Mic for answering phone calls, Siri or Google Assistant, stereo pairing, waterproof according to IP67 Along the top of the speaker are play/pause and volume controls, while the right side carries the power, skip, mode (Bluetooth or AUX input), and EQ controls. The EQ button jumps between Standard listening, Bass Boost, and a Movies setting for using the GX-BT480 as a soundbar, which emphasizes the dialogue and ensures the bass doesn’t overpower the voices on your TV. If you want to listen to music on the move with a certain hi-fi appeal and at a reasonable price, the Sharp GX-BT60 is the your preferred choice. Especially when you own two and use them as a stereo pair if necessary. If your desire is to have the maximum of dynamic and bass out of a mobile speaker, the Tribit Stormbox Micro would probably be the better choice. Technical specs Sharp GX-BT60: While the low end fell short compared to the rumbling bass produced by Sharp’s semi-professional Sumo Box and Sumo Box Pro speakers (which were also in the showroom) the PS-949 offers enough bass that I think it could cut through the noise of a party easily enough. However, I’d need to hear the speaker perform in this environment to determine that for sure. The smallest Sharp Bluetooth is entering a quite though competition of rounded mobile Bluetooth speakers, which are particularly popular for outdoor activities. It stands out with a particularly long battery life – the manufacturer promises 13 hours – and a housing that is just 4 centimeters high. It’s not quite as round as the competition, and it looks a bit more decent with its metal grill.
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