We’ve reviewed a number of Scosche’s MagicMount products here at Techaeris. Last year (yes this is a review that should have been out much sooner), the company introduced a MagicMount version of their BoomBottle speaker line (of which we’ve also previously reviewed). Our Scosche BoomBottle MM review takes a look at a Bluetooth speaker that has magnetic surfaces for your phone and to mount on metal surfaces.
Specifications
The Scosche BoomBottle MM has the following features and specifications:
- Magnetically Mount Your Device to the Boombottle MM While Also Magnetically Mounting the Boombottle MM to Most Metal Surfaces
- Built-in Bottle Opener
- Built-in Microphone for Hands-free Calling
- Unique Bottle Design Fits Into Water Bottle Cages and Cup Holders
- Rechargeable Battery for up to 12 Hours of Music Playback
- Dual Pairing for True Stereo Sound
- IP67 Rated Waterproof / Dustproof Construction
- Bluetooth: BT 4.2 AWRCP, A2DP
- 30ft. Wireless Range
- 2 x 45mm Speakers
- Freq Range: 80Hz – 18Khz12W Power Output
- 4000mAh Internal Battery
- Up to 12 hour battery life
- Size: 185mm(H) x 72mm(D)
- Weight: 1.25lbs
What’s in the box
- Boombottle MM Speaker
- Carabiner Clip
- Type-C Charging Cable
- 2x MagicPlate
- Cleaning wipe
- Instruction guide
- Lifetime limited warranty
Design
The Scosche BoomBottle MM follows a similar design to the rest of their BoomBottle speaker line up. The speaker itself is long and cylindrical, about 7 1/4-inches in height and 3-inches in diameter. Just about the entire front and sides of the speaker are wrapped in a black mesh-like material.
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The top and bottom, along with the back spine, are finished in a soft-touch plastic. The SCOSCHE wordmark is debossed along the bottom of the front of the speaker while the Scosche logo is debossed in the top of the speaker.
The bottom of the speaker is flat and has a magnet in it which allows the speaker to stick to metal surfaces. In the middle of the bottom is a 1/4-inch threaded mounting hole which is compatible with popular mounting systems.
The top is angled down at about a 30-degree angle and also contains a magnet. If you have any of Scosche’s MagicMount systems, you’re already set. If not, you can use one of the included MagicPlates with your smartphone or smartphone case to “attach” your phone to the top of the speaker.
Along the spine is where you’ll find your controls and LED indicators. Near the bottom is a Bluetooth logo which lights up when powered on and connected. Above this is four LED battery indicator dots. Covering the majority of the back spine is a cover which has a -, the Scosche icon, and a + symbol for controlling playback and other functions. A small pull tab sits near the bottom right corner of this cover and when pulled, opens the cover to expose the USB Type-C (yay!) charging port, AUX input port, as well as physical buttons labelled Vol -, MFB, and Vol +. When this cover is sealed properly, the BoomBottle MM is IP67 dust and water certified, making a great little outdoor speaker.
Rounding out the back at the top is a loop which has a small metal piece in it. Yes, this speaker doubles as a bottle opener, making it perfect for camping or in the backyard by the fire pit. This loop also allows you to attach the included carabiner so you can hang the speaker if you don’t have something magnetic to stick it to.
While it has a pretty normal looking design, the Scosche BoomBottle MM definitely has a few hidden tricks up its sleeve to round out usability including the magnetic mounts, bottle opener, and carabiner clip. While it looks pretty slim, it is pretty rugged and will surely absorb the impact from being jostled around or accidentally dropped.
Our review unit is strictly black, but there are other colour options available including black, grey, black camo, and others.
Ease of Use
First and foremost, the Scosche BoomBottle MM is a Bluetooth speaker. Like most speakers of this sort, all you have to do is power it on, look for the device on your smartphone, select it, and you’ll be paired and good to go. The BoomBottle MM was no exception and paired easily to my Pixel 3.
As for controlling playback, pressing the MFB button (Scosche logo button) once will play or pause the current track. Press it twice and you’ll skip to the next track while pressing it three times will skip to the beginning of the current track or previous track. To answer or end a call, press the MFB once. Volume control is just as easy, simply press the + or – buttons to raise or lower the volume.
Should you need to pair it to a new device, press the MFB
As for the MagicPlate installation, simply place the metal plate in position inside your phone case and insert your phone back into the case. You can also attach it directly to the outside of your case if you wish by removing the adhesive backing and sticking it in place. If you don’t have a case or wish to attach it directly to your phone, use the protective film layer provided as well to prevent damage to your phone when removing the MagicPlate at a later date. Removal is pretty easy, simply use a thin plastic card to slowly lift the plates from where you mounted it. Personal, my favourite way to use this is to place them between the phone and inside of the case with the adhesive side backing still in place and towards the phone.
The speaker also comes with a circular MagicPlate which you can attach to a non-metal surface if you have a place you want to mount it that’s not metallic. Once mounted in place, you can then place your device on top of the speaker allowing for it to be firmly held in place while still allowing you to see and use the screen.
Sound Quality
Bluetooth speakers are so hit and miss. Fortunately, in this case, the sound coming out of the BoomBottle MM is not only loud but crisp and clear. The lows, mids, and highs are fairly balanced with the low bass being a bit more punchier than warm but still decent.
Regardless of music type, from rock to classic hip hop and EDM or classical, the speaker did a decent job of producing crisp, clear, balanced sound. We definitely had no complaints in this department with this speaker.
Reception/Call Quality
As far as reception is concerned, the speaker managed to keep a connection within the usual 30′ range, even around corners or through walls.
For those using Bluetooth speakers to make and take calls, the call quality was pretty decent as well. Of course, the closer you are to the speaker, the more normal you can speak to the other party on the call.
Battery Life
When using the Scosche BoomBottle MM, the LED lights on the back will indicate the amount of battery life remaining. Each dot lit represents up to 25% battery life remaining. All four indicate 75-100% remaining while one indicates 0-25% remaining. Newer Android smartphones may also display the estimated battery life under your Bluetooth icon in your notification bar.
Scosche claims up to 12 hours of battery life with the speaker and we hit that mark easily a number of times while listening to the speaker on about 25% volume, plenty loud for pleasurable listening when inside or on the back deck. Should you want to party it up and go louder, you can expect the battery life to go down but thankfully with USB-C charging, it’s pretty quick to recharge and we were able to go from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes of charging.
Price/Value
With an MSRP of US$129.99, the Scosche BoomBottle MM isn’t the cheapest Bluetooth speaker out there but is pretty much in line with other decent sounding products. On that note, if you don’t mind black, you can snag it for $79.99 on Amazon which is a great deal, while the other colour options will still run you around the $130 price point.
Wrap-up
The Scosche BoomBottle MM is not only a loud and great sounding Bluetooth speaker but the Magic Mount system allows for fun and useful mounting options. In addition, its rugged design and IP67-rating, coupled with a built-in bottle opener make this the perfect speaker for outdoor and patio life.
*We were sent a sample of the Scosche BoomBottle MM for the purposes of this review. In some of our articles and especially in our reviews, you will find Amazon or other affiliate links. Running a website does take money, along with time. Any purchases you make through these links often result in a small amount being earned for the site and/or our writers.
Last Updated on February 3, 2021.
