Sharp GX-BT60 review

You’ll be able to fork out a very good sum of money for a conveyable Bluetooth speaker. Nevertheless, if you’re strapped for money and need one thing that produces highly effective sound and is straightforward to take round with you, then it’s best to take into account the Sharp GX-BT60. 

Sharp provides a number of Bluetooth audio system in its audio line-up, and the GX-BT60 is the smallest and least expensive of the bunch. I’ve spent a while with it to see the way it holds up day-to-day. 

Design & Construct 

• Small construct that may slot in a pocket
• IP67 score

You may get the GX-BT60 in considered one of three colors: black, gray and blue. I examined out the latter, which is a daring and enjoyable shade that may go well with customers preferring their tech to be extra exterior of the field.  

The speaker itself measures 100 x 100 x 40mm and weighs 230g. This implies it might probably simply slot in one hand and is straightforward to port round in a small bag, and even a big pocket due to its sq. form just like the Tribit StormBox Micro. It additionally comes with a wrist strap which I used each for carrying it round and for securing it to issues.  

On the entrance aspect of the gadget, there are quantity controls and a play button. The quantity controls will also be used to skip ahead and backwards on tracks should you maintain them down, and the playback button will also be used to activate the voice assistant or take calls utilizing the built-in microphone. 

The facility button is situated on the right-hand aspect of the gadget, together with a lined micro-USB port which can be utilized for charging. There may be additionally a 3.5mm aux-in port subsequent to this, must you desire a wired connection out of your gadget. Each cables come included within the field.  

The GX-BT60 comes with an IP67 score, that means that it’s immune to mud and water. You need to subsequently have the ability to take this by the pool or out on a wet day with no worries about it getting broken.  

Sound High quality  

• Loud sound with respectable bass
• Some particulars misplaced in highs and mids
• No assist for aptX or AAC codecs

Connectivity-wise, the Sharp GX-BT60 comes outfitted with Bluetooth 5.0, and assist for each Siri and Google Assistant. Pairing the speaker is extraordinarily fast and simple – it robotically goes into pairing mode if it’s not linked to a tool. As well as, you possibly can take your telephone to a special storey in your own home while nonetheless having fun with your music. 

While the Sharp GX-BT60 solely has a 45mm driver and a 6W output, it nonetheless packs a punch, with a powerful bass and an honest quantity output. I personally most popular utilizing this speaker for chilled out music, streams and the occasional large rock track to essentially push that bass to the restrict.  

Nevertheless, these large bass tones find yourself overshadowing a few of the mids. For instance, when listening to Sebastian Bohm’s cowl of Name Me by Blondie, the low tones had been thumping all through, however the backing operatic vocals had been barely noticeable over the remainder of the tune. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

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Highs are clearer, however should you crank the amount all the best way up then they will sound spiky and sharp. Podcasts and YouTube movies are enough, however don’t count on any majorly vibrant or detailed audio that you’d discover on dearer audio system. 

Sound is principally directed from the centre of the speaker, and can fill a room should you place it within the center. Nevertheless, you received’t need to place it face down, in any other case the audio will grow to be fairly muffled.

While I’ve not personally had the chance to check it, you too can hyperlink up two GX-BT60 audio system for a extra stereo expertise, or to spice up these quantity ranges if you’re utilizing them at a celebration.  

Sadly, there is no such thing as a assist for aptX or AAC codecs – however that’s fairly widespread on Bluetooth audio system on this worth vary.  

Battery Life 

• As much as 13 hours of battery life
• Micro-USB charging

Sharp claims that the GX-BT60 has as much as 13 hours of battery life. Nevertheless, if you’re taking part in the speaker at full blast, you’re going to get lower than this. Regardless, the speaker ought to final you the day should you take it out on a visit.  

The GX-BT60 makes use of micro-USB charging slightly than the extra commonplace and fashionable USB-C. That is barely annoying and outdated, however you do get a cable supplied within the field. It roughly takes round three hours to cost the speaker from flat to full so it’s not quick.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Worth & Availability  

The Sharp GX-BT60 Bluetooth Speaker prices £29.99 within the UK, and you’ll presently get it from Amazon and Currys. The GX-BT60 is just not accessible to buy within the US.  

Contemplating the respectable battery life, the waterproofing and robust audio, it is a aggressive worth for a Bluetooth speaker and undercuts rivals which supply the same audio expertise. 

Our top-rated low cost Bluetooth speaker is the EarFun Uboom, which retails for round £50. This comes with totally different audio modes, together with a devoted out of doors mode. For the same worth to the Sharp mannequin, I’d additionally suggest the Tribit StormBox Micro – which additionally boasts the identical compact sq. design however has higher audio high quality total.  

You’ll be able to try additional choices in our chart of the very best low cost Bluetooth audio system, in addition to the very best Bluetooth audio system total which incorporates some extra premium choices.  

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Verdict

If you don’t want to fork out numerous cash for a Bluetooth speaker, then the Sharp GX-BT60 speaker matches the invoice. With a compact, waterproof design, all-day battery life and respectable bass tones, there’s a lot going for it.  

Nevertheless, the audio high quality doesn’t fairly match up with what rivals can produce – with mid tones like vocals drowned out by the lows and highs sounding sharp when cranked up. If you’re not too fussy concerning the audio high quality although, then it’s nonetheless a viable choice for listening to music on the go.  

Specs

• Three colors: Blue, black and gray
• 100 x 100 x 40mm
• 230g
• Micro-USB port
• 3.5mm aux-in port
• IP67 score
• Playback and quantity controls
• Siri/Google Assistant assist
• 45mm driver
• 6W output
• Hand strap included