If you own a smartphone there’s a good chance you’ve browsed and shopped for a wireless speaker. Podcasts, music, TV shows and movies go hand in hand with smartphones but the tiny sound always leaves you wanting more. Bluetooth speakers don’t have to cost a lot these days and the 808 HEX TLS is a great example of quality, portability, big sound and durability that will satisfy most, especially when it comes to price.
Let’s check it out.
808 HEX TLS Specs
- Bluetooth and auxiliary input
- EQ bass boost
- 8-hour rechargeable battery
- Micro USB
- Dual speakers with passive rear subwoofer
- 4.85″ wide x 6″ tall x 1.87″ deep
- Weight 1.35 pounds
- Anodized aluminum frame with rubberized buttons
Performance
I’ve listened to hundreds of speakers as a writer and reviewer of tech accessories, and the 808 HEX TLS ranks near the top of speakers when it comes to price versus performance. The 808 HEX TLS retails for $59.99 at 808 Audio but can be purchased for as low as $34.99 right now at Best Buy and Walmart (at time of writing). Even at the retail price, you’re getting a heck of a good deal. You get an extremely well-built Bluetooth speaker which is something I’ve come to expect from 808 Audio products. I’ve tested several of its speakers and they only seem to get better with each iteration. The HEX TLS is a perfect example of its reputation as a builder of quality products. The HEX TLS is housed in thick and sturdy anodized aluminum, and you can trust me that you’re not going to break this speaker unless you drive over it with a Ford F-150, and even then I have my doubts.
On the top is where you will find the controls: power, bass boost, Bluetooth pairing, volume and track control. The buttons are covered with a silicone-like material that’s tactile and durable. They can resist light splashing and are easy to control without having to look at them. It’s a quality speaker that’s about the height of my iPhone X – it’s portable enough to throw in a backpack, but not a pocket or a small purse.
The HEX TLS has a bit of heft to it at 1.35 pounds, but that’s actually a good thing. Weight in portable speakers usually is due to powerful drivers and a large battery, which is certainly the case in this example. There are two drivers that power the powerful sound. There’s a three-inch driver that sits below a tweeter and the bass can be turned up using the bass boost button on the top of the speaker. The bass boost has a significant impact on the output of the low-end. I tested it out with some Tupac, Notorious B. I. G. and Dre (I’m old school), and the songs don’t sound impactful without the bass boost activated. With bass boost, I find myself enjoying the songs from my college days, and it’s loud enough to vibrate whatever surface the HEX TLS is sitting on when the volume is at higher levels.
On songs that don’t want excess bass, or on podcasts, I like the option of dialing the bass back. Standard playback is great for other genres of music I listen to like pop, 80’s, classical, jazz and country. Bass Boost is usually a feature reserved for higher priced speakers.
It’s a bit surprising 808 Audio managed to squeeze in a tweeter, driver and passive subwoofer into a high-quality build package of the HEX TLS. If I was tasked with guessing the price the HEX TLS based on the entire package (without knowing), I would have guessed $150-175.
Overall the sound signature is suitable for everyone, although it lacks some of the detail that speakers over $200 have. But that’s not a fair comparison since that price range is an entirely different category of speaker. When I compare the HEX TLS to budget options on Amazon, I’d happily take this over almost every speaker I’ve ever tested that wasn’t named Bose, JBL, UE or Libratone.
Summary
The 808 Audio HEX TLS is a great all around speaker that you can count on for solid battery life, high-quality sound, ultra durability and good looks. It finds the right balance of size versus loudness – it gets to volumes that are loud enough to be played outdoors, but is also small enough to travel with. The absolute best feature of the HEX TLS is its affordable price at $59.99. If you’re looking for a great all around Bluetooth speaker, don’t pass on the 808 Audio HEX TLS, especially at $34.99 at Best Buy which is a steal.
Learn more about the HEX TLS Bluetooth speaker at 808 Audio.
808 AUdio HEX TLS Bluetooth Speaker Review
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Price
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Sound
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Ease of use