If what you are looking for is a speaker that can withstand any unfavorable environmental conditions, all the while giving you quality sound and at a good price range, then the Fugoo Tough Bluetooth Wireless Speaker is meant just for the likes of you.
Just as its name suggests, Fugoo Tough has indeed proven to be amongst the toughest speakers out there in the market sporting waterproof, sand and snow proof quality. This is the kind of speaker that you can take with you to the beach, camping, skiing or even to desert-like conditions. You would not have to worry about your speaker getting damaged.
Table of Contents
Portable or Bookshelf
As you might have already figured out already, the Fugoo speakers are portable. They weigh just 1.4 lbs. You will enjoy stuffing this speaker into your backpack without it competing with your books for space.
Having rugged qualities and being portable is a combination that makes the Fugoo convenient for use in just about any place. You can toss it in your camping bag along with all your other necessities, or you can even toss it in your toolbox along with your screwdrivers. Each design is stylish, and also would look swell on your bookshelf.
Power Source/battery life
Just taking an estimated 3 ½ hours for the in-built lithium-ion battery to get fully charged, it only goes to show that these are the speakers you need when on the move; say perhaps mountain climbing, or camping even.
What is the longest duration of battery life that has impressed you thus far? Is it 15 hours? 17 hours? How about if I were to tell you that the Fugoo Tough speakers can offer up to 40 hours of battery life? That’s right, 40! This stands at being by far the best in the market when compared to all other gadgets in its category.
You would be impressed to know that these are not just mere claims. When tested in actuality it does indeed show that playing at 50% volume, the battery life can roughly clock 40 hours with ease. As for connecting the speakers to a power source, there is a micro-USB port on the side of the speakers, which can be used not only for charging but also for updating the speakers’ firmware.
Wireless Standard: Bluetooth
The speakers come enabled with Bluetooth 4.0 and boasts of connectivity even 33 feet away for both indoor and outdoor spaces. For the outdoor space, this is particularly impressive and very convenient. The Bluetooth stereo sound is further made better by the aptX® codec which these speakers support.
Fugoo Tough Controls
The volume controls are found on the top side of the Fugoo speakers; and the audibility of each range is beyond impressive. There are 6 proprietary acoustic drivers that make this possible:
- Two 28 mm neodymium tweeters – for the treble
- Two 39 mm neodymium aluminum domed mid/woofers – for midrange and the bass notes
- Two 43 mm-54 mm passive radiators for additional low-end frequencies
A speaker driver is an individual transducer that converts electrical energy to sound waves, typically as part of a loudspeaker. In a multi-way loudspeaker like the Fugoo, specialized drivers are provided to produce specific frequency ranges, and the incoming signal is split by a crossover. Most loudspeakers are incapable of covering the entire audio spectrum from low to high frequencies with acceptable relative volume and absence of distortion so most hi-fi speakers use a combination of multiple speaker drivers each catering to a different frequency band. The crossovers split the audio signal into separate frequency bands that can be separately routed to the speaker (tweeter, mid range, subwoofer) optimized for those bands.
A Bass Radiator, which is a simple device that increases the low frequency response (Bass) of a speaker system. When used properly, a passive radiator can give a speaker system the comparable performance characteristics of a much larger system and that is very evident with these.
All this to deliver beautiful music in a little tough rugged wireless speaker.
Controlling Music playback
Music playback can be controlled from your paired device; or using a remote control. The remote control comes separately and it is waterproof too. This is a good thing because you do not want to bring your phone inside the pool with you.
The Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP 1.4) is what makes the playback control possible.
Speakerphone
One very impressive feature of these speakers is not only the omnidirectional microphone sporting echo cancellation, but also the digital sound processor. The advantage of it being digital rather than analogue is that background noise and wind effects are largely reduced ensuring enhanced sound quality even during phone calls.
Besides that, there is also the added advantage that Fugoo Tough speakers can be integrated with iOS’s Siri and Android’s Google Now and the speakerphone clarity works well with this feature.
Ease of Set-up
The Fugoo Tough speakers have a 3.5mm auxiliary input on the side through which you can connect your devices that are not Bluetooth enabled, or you can connect wirelessly using Bluetooth.
One shortcoming of the Fugoo speakers could be that it does not utilize the near-field communication (NFC) property, which enables connection by a mere tap. But this is no worry as discovery can easily be switched on using the Bluetooth button and connectivity to both iOS and Android devices is a no-brainer
Stereo Separation
With a 3600 sweet spot and superior sound quality created intricately by the 6 drivers, the Fugoo Tough speakers make you realize one thing: “Who would need stereo separation?”
Wireless Range
As previously mentioned, the wireless range is about 33 feet; and unlike most devices that boast of an impressive range then break off at about 15 feet, the Fugoo stands true to its claim and adequately handles the entire 33 feet.
Click to get pricing for the Fugoo Style
Fugoo Tough Design
Built from fiber-reinforced resin and solid aluminum, the Fugoo Tough is tough as nails thus its resilience to many environmental extremities. The resilient end caps offer protection against knocks and drops and the steel mesh protects the drivers.
As mentioned you can get this sound machine covered by the Fungoo Tough cover, or in the styles above, The Fungoo Style on the top and The Fungoo Sport below.
Also part of the design is a mounting socket, which you can use to perch your speakers atop a bicycle handle or even on a carabiner.
Heck with a name like Fugoo Tough….you almost just know this speaker is going to deliver!
Sound Quality
The sound pressure level of the Fugoo Tough is 95dB @ 0.5m and the speakers also sport a full-range frequency response of 60 Hz – 20 kHz.
The 3600 sound quality enhanced by the 8-degree upward tilt at which the drivers lie is definitely to die for. This increases dispersion meaning that no matter where you are seated, you can hear the music loud and clear. Isn’t this a welcome change from having to cram up in front of the speakers so as to hear the audio content; as is the case with other Bluetooth wireless speakers?
Dimensions
Size: 2.4” x 7.8” x 2.9”
Weight: 1.4 lbs (643g) – quite light…small, but huge sound!
Features
- Up to 40hours battery life at 50% volume
- Hardy exterior; almost indestructible
- 3600 sweet spot enhanced by 6 drivers
- 95dB SPL-A volume
- Digital Core-X technology
- IPX rating of 67
Accessories
Jacket
The Fugoo Tough Speakers come with 3 jacket designs from which you can choose: style, sport or tough to match up to your needs be they style, capability or durability, respectively.
Mounts
If you feel the need to have your speakers mounted somewhere rather than lying on a surface, you could purchase mounts to facilitate these. Your options are: bike mounts, strap mounts or the multi mounts.
User manual
Micro-USB cable for charging
Bluetooth remote
With a convenient remote that can be worn on your wrist and can also open bottles; it just goes to show that the Fugoo Tough is meant for all those who enjoy the finer things in life, coupled with fun and convenience.
Environmental Tolerance
- Operating temperature: -100 – 550C (140 – 1310F)
- Storage temperature: -400 – 700C (-400 – 1580F)
- Dustproof
- Waterproof to 3 feet for 30 minutes
Cleaning
You might be wondering just how to clean the Fugoo Tough speakers after a day of rolling in the sand at the beach or even taking a dip in the mud. Well, these speakers are completely detachable meaning you can take the whole ensemble apart for cleaning then easily reassemble it when you are done. Of course, cleaning can very easily be done with water seeing as the speakers are waterproof.
Pros
- Super extended battery life 40 hours…best battery life available perhaps
- Toughness; including water resistance to 1 meter for 30 minutes
- Great audio quality
- Good wireless range
- Durability
- Portable size and weight
- Firmware upgradability
- Look can be changed by choosing, “sport, style or tough”
Cons
- No visual cues about its status – that is, connection status and battery-life level
- Very loud voice guidance level, which cannot be toned down; only switched off completely
Fugoo Tough Consumer Reviews
Going by public opinion, this nifty little gadget would clock well above four, on a scale of 1-5. It is the one gadget that seems not to compromise quality for convenience; as so many in its class do. We liked the sound quality very much, the battery life is stellar, the design futuristic and stylish, we gave it a solid 4.7
Price
Considering the battery life, the audio quality, the rugged features and the convenience offered by the Fugoo Tough speakers, it is agreed that the price at which it comes is more than fair. Beyond impressive, we think!
