Technology

Polk Boom Swimmer Duo Review: A Rugged Little Speaker

polk-boom-swimmer-duo-review-a-rugged-little-speaker

Design and Durability

The Polk Boom Swimmer Duo is a rugged little speaker that is built to withstand various outdoor adventures. Its compact size and unique design make it highly portable and versatile. The speaker is encased in a durable rubberized housing, which not only provides protection against accidental drops but also enhances its overall durability.

The speaker features an IPX7 rating, which means it is waterproof up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes. This makes it perfect for poolside parties or beach outings without worrying about water damage. Additionally, it is also dustproof, making it suitable for dusty environments or camping trips.

The Swimmer Duo comes in attractive color options and has a sleek and modern design. It features an innovative flexible tail that allows you to wrap or hang the speaker wherever you want. Whether it’s hanging from a showerhead, wrapped around a beach umbrella, or hooked onto a backpack, you can easily position the speaker to deliver optimal sound.

Furthermore, the speaker comes with a detachable suction cup that can be used to attach it to smooth surfaces, such as bathroom tiles or the windshield of a car. This provides added convenience and flexibility for enjoying your favorite tunes wherever you go.

Despite its compact size, the Swimmer Duo delivers a robust sound output. The passive radiator design ensures enhanced bass response, allowing you to enjoy rich and immersive audio. The speaker features a 2-inch full-range driver, which produces clear and crisp vocals, while the built-in microphone ensures hands-free calling capability.

The Swimmer Duo offers easy connectivity options. It can be paired with your device via Bluetooth, allowing seamless wireless music streaming. The speaker also has a built-in 3.5mm auxiliary input, allowing you to connect non-Bluetooth devices for playback. Additionally, it supports speaker pairing, enabling you to connect two Swimmer Duo speakers for a stereo sound experience.

Sound Quality

Despite its small size, the Polk Boom Swimmer Duo delivers impressive sound quality. The combination of its 2-inch full-range driver and passive radiator design ensures a punchy and well-balanced audio experience. Whether you’re listening to your favorite tracks or enjoying a podcast, the Swimmer Duo delivers clear and detailed sound reproduction.

The speaker’s compact design doesn’t compromise on audio performance. The passive radiator technology enhances the bass response, resulting in deep and impactful lows. You can feel the thump of the basslines and enjoy a satisfyingly rich listening experience.

The Swimmer Duo also excels in reproducing vocals and mid-range frequencies. The full-range driver accurately reproduces the nuances of the human voice, making it ideal for conference calls or hands-free conversations. Whether you’re using it outdoors or indoors, the speaker ensures clear and natural-sounding vocals without any distortion.

Furthermore, the Swimmer Duo offers a wide soundstage, providing an immersive listening experience. Whether you’re sitting close to the speaker or a few feet away, the sound projection remains consistent and fills the room with rich audio. This makes it perfect for small gatherings or enjoying music while working around the house.

When paired with another Swimmer Duo speaker, you can create a stereo sound experience by utilizing the speaker pairing feature. By placing one speaker on either side, you can enjoy a more expansive and enveloping soundstage, further enhancing the listening experience.

Overall, the Polk Boom Swimmer Duo ensures impressive sound quality that surpasses expectations for its size. Whether you’re a music enthusiast or someone who enjoys good audio, the speaker delivers a powerful and well-balanced sound signature that will satisfy your ears.

Speaker Pairing and Connectivity

The Polk Boom Swimmer Duo offers convenient and versatile connectivity options, allowing you to pair it with your devices effortlessly. The speaker utilizes Bluetooth technology, enabling wireless connection to your smartphone, tablet, or any other Bluetooth-enabled device.

Pairing the Swimmer Duo with your device is a breeze. Simply activate the Bluetooth mode on the speaker and search for it on your device’s Bluetooth settings. Once paired, you can enjoy seamless wireless music streaming and control playback directly from your device.

In addition to Bluetooth connectivity, the Swimmer Duo also features a built-in 3.5mm auxiliary input. This allows you to connect non-Bluetooth devices, such as MP3 players or laptops, directly to the speaker for playback. This versatility ensures that you can enjoy your music no matter what type of device you have.

One standout feature of the Swimmer Duo is its speaker pairing capability. You can connect two Swimmer Duo speakers together to create a stereo sound experience. This is achieved by pairing one speaker as the left channel and the other as the right channel. By doing so, you can enjoy a more immersive and dynamic audio performance.

The speaker pairing process is straightforward. Simply activate Bluetooth mode on both speakers, pair one speaker with your device, and then pair the second speaker with the first one. Once connected, you can place the speakers at a distance for a wide stereo soundstage.

The range of the Swimmer Duo’s Bluetooth connectivity is quite impressive, allowing you to have a stable connection even at a significant distance from your device. This means you can keep your device in one place while having the freedom to move around with the speaker without any audio interruptions.

Overall, the Polk Boom Swimmer Duo provides versatile and convenient connectivity options. Whether you prefer wireless music streaming or using a wired connection, the speaker ensures hassle-free pairing and reliable connectivity for a seamless audio experience.

Battery Life

The Polk Boom Swimmer Duo is equipped with a reliable and long-lasting battery that allows for extended playback time. With its built-in rechargeable battery, you can enjoy your favorite songs without interruptions, whether you’re on a day trip or a weekend getaway.

The speaker boasts an impressive battery life of up to 8 hours on a single charge. This means you can indulge in your music playlist or podcast episodes throughout the day without having to constantly worry about recharging the speaker. The extended battery life ensures that you can keep the music going all day long.

Charging the Swimmer Duo is a simple process. It comes with a micro USB cable that can be used to connect the speaker to a power source, such as a laptop or a wall adapter. Once connected, the battery will start to recharge, and a full charge can be achieved within a few hours.

Additionally, the Swimmer Duo features a useful battery indicator. It allows you to easily check the remaining battery life and know when it’s time to recharge. This ensures that you’re always aware of the battery status and can plan your usage accordingly.

The long battery life of the Swimmer Duo combined with its portable design makes it an ideal companion for outdoor activities. Whether you’re camping, hiking, or enjoying a day at the beach, you can rely on the speaker to provide continuous music playback without the need for frequent recharging.

Overall, the Polk Boom Swimmer Duo offers an impressive battery life that ensures uninterrupted audio enjoyment. With its long-lasting battery and convenient charging options, you can confidently take the speaker with you on your adventures, knowing that the music will keep playing throughout the day.

Waterproof and Dustproof Features

The Polk Boom Swimmer Duo is designed to withstand various environmental conditions, making it a reliable choice for outdoor enthusiasts. The speaker is both waterproof and dustproof, ensuring optimal performance even in challenging environments.

With its IPX7 rating, the Swimmer Duo is fully waterproof. This means it can be submerged in up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes without any damage. Whether you’re enjoying music by the pool, taking a shower, or caught in a rain shower, you can have peace of mind knowing that the speaker can handle the water without any issues.

In addition to its waterproof capabilities, the Swimmer Duo is also dustproof. The sealed construction of the speaker prevents dust, dirt, and other particles from entering the internals, ensuring reliable performance even in dusty or sandy environments. This makes it perfect for outdoor adventures, such as hiking or camping, where exposure to dust or dirt is inevitable.

The durable rubberized housing of the Swimmer Duo provides not only protection against accidental drops but also adds an extra layer of defense against water and dust. The rugged construction ensures that the speaker can withstand the occasional bumps and knocks that come with outdoor activities.

Furthermore, the Swimmer Duo’s waterproof and dustproof features make it easy to clean. If the speaker gets dirty or accumulates dust, you can simply rinse it off under running water without worrying about damaging the internals. This ensures that the Swimmer Duo maintains its performance and appearance even after extended outdoor use.

Whether you’re heading to the beach, going on a camping trip, or simply enjoying some poolside relaxation, the Polk Boom Swimmer Duo’s waterproof and dustproof features ensure that you can take your music with you without any worries. Its sturdy construction and reliable protection make it a durable and reliable choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

Portability and Mounting Options

The Polk Boom Swimmer Duo is designed for on-the-go use, offering excellent portability and various mounting options. Its compact size and lightweight design make it easy to carry around, ensuring that you can enjoy your music wherever you go.

The Swimmer Duo’s compact form factor allows it to easily fit into your backpack, beach bag, or even your pocket, making it a convenient companion for outdoor activities. Whether you’re camping, hiking, or heading to the beach, you can effortlessly bring the speaker along and have your favorite tunes accompany you on your adventures.

One of the standout features of the Swimmer Duo is its versatile mounting options. It comes with an innovative flexible tail that allows you to wrap or hang the speaker wherever you prefer. You can wrap it around a showerhead, hook it onto a backpack, or hang it from a tree branch, allowing you to position the speaker at the perfect angle to enjoy optimal sound.

Additionally, the Swimmer Duo includes a detachable suction cup that can be used to attach the speaker to smooth surfaces. Whether it’s in the bathroom, on a car windshield, or any other suitable surface, the suction cup provides a secure and stable mounting option. This versatility ensures that you can enjoy your music without compromising the space around you.

The speaker’s mounting options make it ideal for various scenarios. Attach it to your shower wall for a refreshing musical experience while you get ready for the day, or mount it on your bicycle handlebars to enhance your cycling sessions with your favorite tracks. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to personalize your listening experience based on your preferences.

Furthermore, the Swimmer Duo’s portability is enhanced by its wireless connectivity. With Bluetooth technology, there are no messy cables to deal with, allowing for a seamless and tangle-free experience when taking the speaker on the go. You can easily pair it with your Bluetooth-enabled device and enjoy your music wirelessly.

Overall, the Polk Boom Swimmer Duo offers excellent portability and versatile mounting options. Whether you want to hang it, wrap it, or attach it, the speaker can adapt to your needs and provide the perfect audio experience wherever you are.

Controls and Ease of Use

The Polk Boom Swimmer Duo is designed with user-friendly controls and intuitive operation, ensuring a hassle-free and enjoyable audio experience. The speaker’s simple yet efficient layout allows you to easily control various functions, making it easy to navigate and customize your listening experience.

The Swimmer Duo features a set of buttons located on the front of the speaker, providing easy access to essential playback and volume controls. The buttons are well-spaced and responsive, allowing for quick adjustments without any confusion. With a simple press of a button, you can play/pause your music, skip tracks, adjust volume levels, and even answer or end phone calls if your device is connected.

In addition to the physical controls, the Swimmer Duo also includes voice prompts that guide you through the pairing process and confirm various actions. This audio feedback ensures that you’re always aware of the speaker’s status and helps facilitate a seamless and convenient user experience.

The speaker’s Bluetooth connectivity is effortless and straightforward. It utilizes Bluetooth 4.1 technology, ensuring fast and stable connections. Pairing the Swimmer Duo with your device is as simple as activating the Bluetooth mode on the speaker and searching for it in your device’s Bluetooth settings. Once paired, subsequent connections are automatic, allowing for convenient and hassle-free playback.

Moreover, the Swimmer Duo supports speaker pairing, allowing you to connect two speakers together for a stereo sound experience. The process is easy – simply pair one speaker with your device, and then pair the second speaker with the first one. This feature enhances the audio performance and immerses you in a more expansive and enjoyable listening experience.

Overall, the Polk Boom Swimmer Duo excels in providing user-friendly controls and ease of use. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or someone who prefers simplicity, the speaker offers a user interface that is intuitive and convenient, allowing you to effortlessly navigate and enjoy your music with ease.

Pros and Cons

Like any product, the Polk Boom Swimmer Duo has its strengths and areas that could be improved. Here are some of the notable pros and cons of the speaker:

Pros:

  • The Swimmer Duo’s compact and lightweight design makes it highly portable and easy to carry around during outdoor activities.
  • It features a rugged and durable construction, with an IPX7 rating for waterproofing and dustproofing, ensuring resistance to environmental conditions.
  • The speaker offers impressive sound quality with a well-balanced audio performance, enhanced bass response, and clear vocals.
  • It supports Bluetooth connectivity, allowing for seamless wireless music streaming from various devices.
  • The Swimmer Duo’s speaker pairing feature enables a stereo sound experience by connecting two speakers together.
  • It provides versatile mounting options, including a flexible tail for wrapping or hanging, and a detachable suction cup for attaching to smooth surfaces.
  • The speaker’s battery life is commendable, offering up to 8 hours of playback on a single charge.
  • The controls are user-friendly, with intuitive buttons and voice prompts to guide the user.

Cons:

  • While the Swimmer Duo’s sound quality is impressive for its size, audiophiles may find it lacking in certain aspects.
  • The speaker’s Bluetooth range may vary depending on external factors, such as obstacles or interference.
  • Although the speaker is designed to be waterproof, caution should still be exercised to prevent damage during prolonged submersion or exposure to harsh conditions.
  • Some users may find the speaker’s battery life to be shorter than desired, especially for long trips or extended outdoor use.

It is important to consider these pros and cons when evaluating the Polk Boom Swimmer Duo. While it offers many positive features and benefits, it also has some limitations that may impact your overall satisfaction with the product. By weighing these factors against your specific needs and preferences, you can make an informed decision when choosing a portable speaker.