THE GIZMO GIFT SHOP REVIEW
The Fugoo Tough is the top-of-the-line outdoor Bluetooth speaker that strikes a balance between portability, durability, sound quality, battery life and the price. There are so many outdoor Bluetooth Speakers in the market by the well-known manufacturers such as Beat, LG, Samsung but the Fugoo proves to be the device to beat in this category.
DROPPED AND KICKED
The device is a symbol of excellence and master craftsmanship. The Fugoo can endure a full submersion in water and if the right jacket is installed, it can as well survive being dropped and kicked around with impunity. There are six custom-designed acoustic drivers pointing to different directions that ensure the device offering a 360-degree range of great sound quality. If you are looking for a speaker that is mud-proof, shock-proof, snow-proof, and waterproof, you may have to look at this gizmo at bit closer. Let’s now unpack the Fugoo to have a feel what’s in store for you.
Design
The Fugoo Tough comes with a unique shell crafted from fiber-resin and solid aluminum to give it the much needed strong build quality. It measures 7.75 x 2.9 x 2.3 inches which is considerably smaller when compared to other outdoor speakers such as the Braven HD which measures 10 x 4.3 x 3-inch and the UE Megaboom that measures 8.9 x 3.3×3.3 inches. It weighs in at 1.4 pounds which is much lighter than the Braven HD which weighs at 4 pounds and the Megaboom weighing in at 1.9 pounds. As such, you have the Fugoo Tough as the best choice for outdoor activities including strap mount and bike mount as you listen to your music while on the move thanks to its portability.
The speakers in the Fugoo come in three different varieties including Sport, Style and Tough. The style sleeve sits well with those interested in fashion, whereas the tough sleeve matches the biker crowd. Each of the options offers a unique look, but differ mostly in how they tip the balance between form versus function. The process for installing the jacket is easy. There are a series of interlocking grooves on the bottom of the Fugoo’s core that helps each jacket stay comfortable. Inside the jacket, there are two 1.7 x 2.1-inch passive radiators, two 1.5-inch mid/woofer drivers and two 1.1-inch tweeters. The two tweeters are placed on opposite ends of the Fugoo with a mid/woofer and bass driver pairing facing both front and back. This combination makes it possible for the Fugoo to deliver sound in all directions as opposed to just forward as seen in a number of Bluetooth speakers.
The style jacket can be put by sliding the core into the jacket until you hear a snap which indicates that it has locked into place. The sport sleeve calls for some disassembly before placing the core inside and it is the most protective option. The sport jacket is good in adding more function to the Bluetooth speaker whereas the style jacket puts the focus in order. A number of optional accessories can be attached to the Fugoo when the sport jacket is equipped including strapping the speaker to a tree pole, a strap mount or bike mount. As such, the Fugoo is more versatile but then the accessories remain optional since they do not improve the experience that much.
The controls in the Tough are minimalistic with the volume up and down controls placed on the top. They surround a smaller button that comes in handy when you want to engage Google Now voice control or Siri. You can get to pause playback and then resume by pressing the circular center button. It is also to possible to skip or reverse songs in this speaker, just get to hold the middle button and tap the “+” for skipping or the “-” button for reversing. The middle button can as well get to answer or hang up phone calls.
The power and Bluetooth pairing button are situated on one end alongside the battery status light. The device supports Bluetooth 4.0 which offers up to 33 feet of distance between the audio source and the speaker. The speaker uses Qualcomm AptX Bluetooth. AptX offers reduced bit rates without affecting sound quality as a way of overcoming the inability of sending sound data via Bluetooth. There is a Micro-USB port for charging and a 3.5mm audio jack for wired output connections.
approx. $169.99
Audio Performance
When it comes to sound quality, most of the portable speakers are normally limited by their size. When it comes to the Fugoo, the speakers generate a surprisingly loud sound when connected to a tablet or smartphone. The design allows the speaker to spread the music out thereby making it a good match for those using it while gathering around the pool or campfire. The Tough delivers a good amount of bass but lacks the tactile bass thump that is associated with the UE Megaboom. The bass does not feel overblown or too underwhelming, with steady treble that holds off from distorting once the volume is cranked up. Fugoo attributes the transmission of music files through the speakers to the DSP without degradation to its core-X Technology. Other wireless speakers are said to convert to analog too early thereby allowing interference of the audio and alteration of the original file.
The sound system offers a better stereo separation when compared to other 2-channel speakers in the market. In fact, it offers a better sound quality when compared to some computer speakers. However, Fugoo could have done better with the inclusion separate bass settings for tracks that could require a bit of an extra kick especially when it comes to electronica tracks and hip hop. The loud setting works well outdoors, but you might not want to use it indoors due to distortion. The imperfections are more audible in the indoors as compared to outdoors where the voice chatter and ambient voice might help in muffling the slight crackling. You might find the sound prompts disgusting but Fugoo has since addressed the issue by updating the firmware thereby allowing you to lower the volume or turn them off altogether.
The audio performance is customizable with the use of equalizer apps on Android and iOS for a sonic boost. You can use Google Now or Siri on the device to change tracks or ask about the weather. The Fugoo Tough fits well into the desk of any user as a speakerphone that can even be used in a conference call. Listening to “Time” by Pink Floyd on the speaker gives you all the highs of the opening bells without getting the sound harsh while the vocals remain strong.
SET UP
Pairing up the speaker with your Android or iOS devices is a walk in the park, just press the Bluetooth button until the indicator light blinks blue and red. You can now find the Fugoo speaker on the visible Bluetooth devices on your screen and connect. The device features Loud Mode which boosts the volume output but reduces the battery life. Switching to the Loud Mode you need to hold the center button while turning the speaker on. The speaker remains in the Loud Mode unless you change it back to the Normal Mode. However, Fugoo skimps with the lack of an app to help in controlling the extra features, this is something that UE knows too well as it comes with a user-friendly app for its Boom line of portables.
Weatherproofing
The Tough is touted as one of the most durable portable speakers in the market that your money can buy. This waterproof Bluetooth speaker is rated at an impressive IP67 water and dust resistance. Submerging the speaker in 3 feet of water for 30 minutes does not alter its productivity and it does not harm it. The speaker can also withstand high falls and other shocks without missing a note. The UE Megaboom also offers a similar resistance as the Fugoo but the EcoXGear Ecostone offers more shock resistance thanks to its IPX 68 rating. On the other hand, the Braven HD is only rated for water resistance hence cannot withstand drastic shocks.
Battery Life
The battery life in the Fugoo is outstanding and unmatched among its competitors. Fugoo claims that the speaker can offer up to 40 hours of battery life if you lower the volume by 50%. But if you will prefer listening to music at full blast then expect around 18 hours of battery life.
Final Word
The Fugoo Tough Bluetooth Speaker is a decent outdoor system that comes in the way of folks after a portable and high-quality Bluetooth speaker. The fact that the device comes with a protective jacket that allows it to resist water, shock, mud and snow thanks to the fiber-reinforced resin and solid aluminum construction, makes it a favorable choice for any outdoor activity. The Fugoo also offers full-range sound quality with the tilt speakers allowing it to offer a 360 degree sound. Now that it comes with built-in Bluetooth connectivity, using the device to play music from your smartphone while hiking, mountain biking or camping is much easier. The highlight point of this system remains on its powerful battery that promises to offer up to 40 hours of battery life. All said, if you are looking for a great gift, you will never go wrong with the Fugoo Tough Bluetooth Speaker as it offers much for the price, therefore, worth your consideration.
PROS:
- Solid Bluetooth integration, including Siri and Google Now
- Impressive sound quality with good balance
- Long-lasting battery
CONS:
- No mobile app
- Changing “jackets” is a hassle
- “Loud” setting not suitable for indoor use
The features in this Fugoo Tough Bluetooth Speaker is all I was looking for my outdoor activities especially mountain hiking. It seems to be the real deal but I am worried on its lack of a mobile app for seamless control while on the move. I will also love to hear your opinion on the Como Audio Duetto. Thank you