Review: Turtlebox Speakers

First thing I did when I took the Turtlebox Gen 3 speaker out of the box? Threw it in a puddle. It says waterproof on the box, and I had to see for myself if that was true. To no one's surprise, it lived. So too did the Ranger (which I tossed into the east Gallatin). These speakers aren't just “oops, I spilled my beer” waterproof—they're full-on river-trip, soaking-wet, gear-bag-mildew-scented, class V rapid waterproof.

We ran these things all weekend (Thursday to Sunday, of course), on the river. They were on separate boats, but we synced them together to play the same playlist. Imagine floating down the Big Hole with synchronized sound booming between boats to an audience of barefoot, sunburnt, and slightly dehydrated friends. It was magical. 

"How's the battery life?" you ask. Like the ice in a good cooler. My Gen 3 made it back all the way back from the takeout before signing off. For a burly, full-volume, dance-party-on-the-bank sound system, you're going to want the Gen 3. The Ranger is still plenty loud, but lighter, and slightly more reserved than its big brother counterpart. Both are rugged and pack premium sound that cuts through sound of wind, rushing water, and whatever your buddy's yelling from the bow.

Now, quick PSA: Don’t be that guy with a speaker in the wrong place. You know what I mean. Nobody wants to hear Skrillex on a quiet alpine lake. But when you’re lapping the Gallatin at sunset or loitering at the play wave with your crew, a Turtlebox is the only speaker for the job. It's what it was made to do.

Both the Gen 3 and the Ranger are available at turtlebox.com; $430 & $350 respectively.