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At first glance, the Sharp GX-BT480 may look like a bulky speaker more interested in volume than audio detail. But the speaker is actually strongest with high frequencies, drawing out crisp and delicate audio detail beyond what we perhaps expected. It may look like a mid-range boombox for the beach, but Sharp’s speaker is just at home indoors catching the haunting notes on Radiohead’s A Moon Shaped Pool as it is blasting out club tunes in the open.
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. 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.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. The speaker comes with a number of inputs and accessories, including two guitar/mic inputs with a reverb effect and a microphone for karaoke sessions. 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.
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. 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. 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. Since a ´pair´ button is missing, you first have to consult the user manual. This is anyways required due to keys bearing multiple features and easily leading to misunderstanding. Sound quality of the Sharp GX-BT60 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.
Total max power output 130 W
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. 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 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:
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