We have a new Bluetooth speaker in town from TOZO called the TOZO PA 2. After using the review unit for more than two weeks, I can confidently say it is probably one of the best-tuned Bluetooth speakers in its price range of ₹3,500 (Approx $35 USD). But before diving into the full review, let me share my first impressions of this Bluetooth speaker.
First Impressions
As usual, the packaging was neat and arrived in a white box. It included a USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable and a rope to tie to the speaker. The unit I received was red with a metal grill finish, and the speaker ends on both sides have soft rubber. While the front displays the logo, you’ll find all the controls on the back.
The rope allows you to hook the speaker up. The sound is definitely adequate for a 16W speaker. Despite its compact size, it offers impressive performance. The mobile app also provides additional equalizer settings to customize the sound.
These are my first impressions, and I will discuss this in more detail below.
Design and Connectivity
The design is sleek as well as compact, with dimensions of 180mm x 70mm x 76mm, and it is slightly heavy, weighing about 540 grams. It definitely felt premium when I held it for the first time. The appearance resembles JBL Bluetooth speakers. The back has six buttons: Power, Bluetooth, Pause and Play, Volume Up and Down, Equalizer, and a USB Type-C slot for charging. This means you can also change the EQ settings from the speaker itself without needing to use the app. The power button and the Bluetooth button both have LED lighting. When the speaker disconnects and enters pairing mode, the Bluetooth light will flicker continuously.
The back controls are self-explanatory, and I didn’t encounter any issues while using them. It comes with Bluetooth version 5.3 and offers dual pairing. Don’t confuse dual pairing with dual connectivity; in this context, it means you can connect another speaker to create stereo sound. However, you will need another TOZO Bluetooth speaker for this feature, as it didn’t work when I tried to connect it with another Bluetooth speaker. For reference, I used a Boat Stone 193 for testing.
I was able to switch between both of my smartphones quite easily. The speaker will automatically connect to the last paired device, but when I double-tapped on the Bluetooth icon on the speaker, it disconnected from the main device, allowing me to connect to the device I wanted.
The range of the speakers is also good. TOZO claims it to be 10 meters, and in my testing, this appeared to be accurate. Connecting through the mobile app is also a breeze, which I will discuss in more depth below.
Sound and Performance
Featuring two 8W, 1.7-inch speakers and two 44 x 49 mm passive radiators with a frequency range of 60Hz – 20KHz, these speakers are definitely loud. We reviewed another 16W speaker, and this one seems to overpower it. Furthermore, the TOZO PA 2 supports AAC/SBC codecs. During sound output testing, the speakers reached an 87 dB sound rating, which is quite impressive for a compact speaker like this.
I played my old classic, “Beautiful Liar” by Beyoncé and Shakira, and the sound took me back to that time. However, don’t expect too much bass from these speakers. Considering they are just 16W, I am satisfied with the performance, and they are probably one of the best in their segment and price range.
You can also answer or reject calls from this speaker. Further testing revealed that the voice was crisp, and the other person was able to hear me clearly. I also noticed that even from a distance of 5-6 feet, the person could hear me without any issues.
The gaming experience was okay, but as a bass enthusiast, I felt it was lacking in that area. Nevertheless, the performance was still impressive, especially considering its price range. Of course, it doesn’t compare to a $200 soundbar, but there was no lag in the sound relay.
Mobile App
While using the mobile app, you can choose from several presets available for the EQ settings. Additionally, you can customize the existing EQ settings and save your preferences. You will receive regular updates from TOZO. In fact, just when I started using it, I got an update and noticed that the sound output became smoother.
Battery and charging
It packs a 2000mAh/7.4V battery, and according to TOZO, the charging time is less than 3 hours. In my testing, I drained the battery twice and was able to get a complete charge in less than 1.5 hours. TOZO claims a playback time of 25 hours if used at 50% volume, but I got around 10-12 hours of playback time, which is still sufficient for me. When the battery was at 20%, the speaker made a humming sound as a reminder. Additionally, while charging, a red LED light next to the EQ button lights up, and it turns off once the charge is complete. This feature is beneficial as it helps prevent overcharging.
Water Test
TOZO claims it is IPX8 certified, so I decided to put it to the test. It definitely proved to be a durable speaker. I poured a glass of water onto it, and as you can see in the video below, there was no issue with the sound quality.
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Final Verdict
Based on my usage, I feel these are definitely compact yet powerful speakers in their price segment. Based on my experience, I have listed the pros and cons of this Bluetooth speaker to help you make up your mind.
Pros:
- Affordable Price: Excellent value at ₹3,500 (approximately $35 USD).
- Compact and Sleek Design: Easy to carry and aesthetically pleasing.
- Impressive Sound Quality: Loud and clear with a frequency range of 60Hz – 20KHz and an 87 dB sound rating.
- Durability: IP68 certified, making it water-resistant and durable.
- User-Friendly Controls: Simple controls and customizable EQ settings via the mobile app.
- Good Battery Performance: Quick charging time and decent playback duration.
Cons:
- Bass Performance: May not satisfy bass enthusiasts.
- Dual Pairing Limitation: Only works with another TOZO PA 2 speaker, not with different brands.
- Playback Time: Falls short of the claimed 25 hours at 50% volume, delivering around 10-12 hours instead.
Overall, the TOZO PA 2 stands out as a well-rounded, affordable Bluetooth speaker that excels in design, connectivity, and performance, making it a top choice in its segment.
