I earlier reviewed the TOZO PA2 portable Bluetooth speaker and now I have got my hands on another portable speaker from TOZO called the TOZO PA1. As the name suggests, it is the predecessor of the TOZO PA2. Before explaining how well or poorly it performed in my testing, let me share my first impressions of the TOZO PA1.
First impression
My initial impression of this portable speaker is quite positive. From unboxing to the initial setup, the process was smooth. With just a few clicks, I was able to connect it to my smartphone. Additionally, I tested it with my Samsung TV, and it was fairly decent.
The box contained a USB Type-C cable, a rope, an instruction manual, and the speaker itself. This portable speaker comes in a pill-shaped design, and the best part is it has a small bump at the bottom and the back, allowing you to place it on a flat surface.
Additionally, I must say it is definitely one of the loudest speakers in its 20W category.
One thing I noticed was a slight delay when changing the EQ settings from the app or even from the speaker itself. So, this is my initial impression of the speaker; now, I will share my detailed experience with it.
Design and Durability
The front is also nicely packed with a metal-like grille featuring a large TOZO logo placed in the middle. It is only offered in a single colour option of black. The control buttons, consisting of Power, Bluetooth, Play, Volume +, Volume -, and Mode, are placed on the top. The buttons are clearly marked and self-explanatory, and I didn’t encounter any issues with them.
I also tested its durability by using my almighty fingernails and scratched it multiple times. It handled my scratch test well. Another notable feature is that it comes with IPX7 protection, meaning you can submerge it in water up to 1 meter deep, and it will still function. I tried splashing water on it, and it continued to work perfectly afterwards.
The weight is also balanced, weighing about 590 grams considering its overall design, and carries a dimension of 210×91×61mm.
Connectivity and Features
Connecting the TOZO PA1 was a breeze. As soon as you turn on the speaker, it goes into pairing mode, with the blue Bluetooth LED light next to the power button flickering until the device is connected. Once connected, you get a stable blue light. Additionally, it has a Bluetooth button which, when pressed twice, will disconnect it from the current device, allowing it to be paired with another device.
Also, it remembers the last paired device and connects to it automatically.
This portable speaker comes with three EQ presets on the device itself: Bass+, Treble+, and Standard. Additionally, there are a total of 16 EQ presets available, and you can customise and save your own EQ presets as well.
It comes with Bluetooth version 5.0, and the company claims it has a range of 10 metres.
It also offers dual pairing, but this only works if you have another TOZO PA1 speaker. When paired, both speakers connect together, providing dual-speaker sound.
Additionally, it features Bluetooth calling. I will discuss my experience with this feature later in the article.
Sound Quality
As it features 1 20W 60mm full range speaker with 2 80mm×50 passive radiators, you will get the best sound experience. It also supports AAC/SBC codecs. The vocals were clear and crisp, but at maximum volume, the bass was lacking, and the sound became a little too trebly. At mids and lows, it has a decent grip even on the bass, I would say. However, don’t expect it to deliver major bass, as it comes with 20W speakers.
The bass is decent for its size and even the Bluetooth calling experience was fine. I tested it and the other person was able to hear me without any distortion. But, since it comes with a single mic, I had to place myself closer to the speaker to utilise it completely.
I also tested it with my Samsung TV to play Battlefield 1, and I would say it didn’t give me any lag in sound. However, as a bass lover, I found it a bit lacking in this department.
TOZO Smart App
The TOZO Smart app provides a total of 16 EQ settings, and the best part is you can save presets within the app. Another feature is the ability to turn off the speaker directly from the app.
Battery
It packs a decent 4,000 mAh battery, and the company claims it has a 25-hour playback time at 50% volume. However, I got around 12 hours of playback time at 50%, while at full volume, the battery drains quickly. At full volume, I managed to get close to 5 hours of playback time.
For charging, it comes with a USB Type-A to Type-C cable, and it takes around 1.5 hours for a complete charge, even though the company claims 2.5 hours.
Verdict
Though it is priced at Rs 6,000, it can be purchased for Rs 4,200 with a discount. I would say it is a decent 20W Bluetooth speaker offering great sound at this price range. Although the price is low, the look and build quality are not. Based on my experience, I have created the pros and cons of this Bluetooth speaker. I hope this will help you make up your mind.
Pros:
- Sturdy Design: IPX7 waterproof rating and durable construction.
- Easy Connectivity: Seamless Bluetooth pairing and auto-connect feature.
- Decent Sound Quality: Clear vocals and decent bass for its size.
- Long Battery Life: Up to 12 hours at 50% volume.
- TOZO Smart App: Allows for EQ customization and preset saving.
Cons:
- Limited Bass: Bass performance may be lacking for bass enthusiasts.
- EQ Adjustment Delay: Slight delay when changing EQ settings.
- Battery Drain at High Volume: Significant reduction in playback time at full volume.
