Back in February, I spotted a Bosch Power Box 360 radio on Arrow. At the time, I asked Bosch about it and whether a new Power Box radio was coming out, and they basically said no. Well… that has changed. A reader sent in info that there’s a new Bosch Power Box 360C, with Bluetooth, that’s coming out just now.
I reviewed the Bosch Power Box 360 when it was first released, and really liked it. It’s a beast of a jobsite radio, and it can charge Bosch 18V Li-ion battery packs, and it has 2 covered outlet ports. Although a somewhat large and heavy radio, it delivery clear sound and the added functionality makes it so much more than just a jobsite radio or speaker.
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From the specs and looks of it, the new Bosch 360C isn’t much different from the 360S or discontinued 360D. One thing to note is that, in addition to the Bluetooth connectivity, it is said to work with a free Bosch PowerBox app.
I’m guessing (and hoping) that the PowerBox app will allow for greater control than what you get with typical Bluetooth radios and speakers. Generally, with a Bluetooth speaker, you only get some level of volume adjustment.
Maybe the PowerBox app will allow for changing the radio station from your smartphone, checking as to whether a battery is fully charged, and things like that.
There’s no word as to how much it’ll cost. The Power Box 360 is currently selling for $190 at Amazon, and so I would expect for the Bluetooth 360C to be priced over $200.
Price: $199
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Compare(360S via Amazon)
Thanks to Steve for the heads-up!
Check out more of our jobsite radio previews and reviews!
Full Features and Specs
- Bluetooth connectivity with 150-ft range
- 4-way speakers and a subwoofer project 360° sound
- Protective aluminum and rubber roll cage
- 4-way power outlets
- Runs on Bosch 18V Li-ion batteries or plugged into a 120V outlet
- Free Bosch PowerBox app
- AM/FM radio with 20 FM and 10 AM presets
- Digital tuning
- Built-in battery charger
- Powered USB charging port
- Bass and treble controls
- 4-preset equalizer setting plus customization
- Auxiliary input port
- Digital media bay for secure storage of portable devices
- Weather- and dust-resistant
- Illuminated front control panel
- 14.5″ x 14″ x 13.5″
- Comes with a 6-inch aux cable and (2) AA batteries (which are usually for saving time and preset settings)
pete
Actually looks pretty cool. Best part is the 150′ connectivity range. Also the 4 built in outlets are nice and it just looks cool. It would be cool if you could attach it to something that rolls because it looks heavy. If it could attach to the L system base or something again I dunno it just looks beastly which is good but heavy lol
Patrick
It does have some weight to it but I find my 360C is more awkward to carry than it is heavy. Any weight is worth it to me given the build quality, amount of audio options (the ‘Line Out’ port is a great option to have), battery charging and 360 degrees of sound.
Nathan
lol – 2 AA batteries to keep settings – as opposed to a tried and true LR2032
seems like a great device for people that need tunes somewhere remote, not for me.
Jason
Its nice to see Bosch update their radio. I have the Milwaukee M18 Bluetooth and really like it, but I’m curious to see what the PowerBox app is all about. The one thing I don’t like about the Milwaukee radio is no additional outlets like Bosch and Dewalt. I would rather have the outlets than the bottle opener. The PB360D model is pretty desirable if you can find one. Bosch didn’t keep that model around for long. It was pretty expensive, but had bigger speakers and more features. I wonder if the new radio will have some higher wattage speakers with this version.
Martin
I also hope they did some more updrades, as in:
MP3, only plays 999 tracks and random only 250, no folders or filenames
When charging with low volume some static noise is present
On battery some drain current, my 18V 4 amp battery pack is empty in 4-5 days, probably due to the IR-receiver which is always on.
IR receiver only some meters in sunlight, hopefully solved with the bluetooth app.
The 2 AA batteries are indeed for the memory of the time, mine were empty after about 2,5years, with a CR2032 cell it would have been some months. and AA’s can be found in more homes and stores.
Nathan
CR2032’s hold BIOS info on pretty much every computer made since the mid 80’s and often last years. hell the ones on my main computer at home is 5 years old. there’s not that much power needed to keep memory persistent – and they can be trickle recharged safety.
regardless – do people actually use these things other than worksite. I mean for my garage I use some panasonic boombox with separable speakers from 2002.
Do you use it in the garage – they seem expensive for what they do. I do like the battery recharge features on some. Out away from whatever – I can see the apeal I guess – but then I also like my sealed ear buds for dual duty.
Side note – surprised none of these have ever partnered with some audio company for the sound quality aspect. I know it’s of secondary importance but I can just see the new Milwaukee Beats Audio . . . . . . . Bluetooth, worksite blastermaster.
Patrick
“regardless – do people actually use these things other than worksite. I mean for my garage I use some panasonic boombox with separable speakers from 2002”
I’ve used this at work a number of times including multimedia shows that I put together… at home in rooms that I’m renovating… backyard barbecues (middle of the yard, 360 degrees of music)… a musical extension/power bar for an electric lawnmower or other outdoor tools… have also run a few power tools off of the AC ports when I wanted music and only have 1 available power source. Got a great deal through Amazon Canada last year otherwise it would have been slightly too expensive.
Josh
Glad to see they’re updating it. I tried out the PB180 and was extremely disappointed.
Martin
@ Josh, I also have the 2 speaker P180, good enough for kitchen or mobility purpose, but is only 2x3Watt, the 360 is 2x12W (4x6W) and a 26W subwoofer, not HiFi quality like Harmon-Kardon or Bose… It’s main selling poit is the ruggedness, I proved it to some friends who build their own radio with a car stereo and lead-acid batteries and dropped it 2 meters on concrete, sprayed it with a garden hose, challenged them to do the same, nobody dared… I have to admit, their radio’s have more punch…
Josh
The one I tried had terrible sound quality to my ears. I was hoping for an inexpensive alternative to something like a UE Boom (which is also remarkably durable) and what I got sounded worse, and wasn’t much louder than just using the speakers on my iPhone
Lenny
How does this compare to the new radio you saw from Dewalt and when is that supposed to be on the market?
Patrick
I would be curious as to the sound quality of the new DeWalt as well since I’m more invested the their 20 volt line than Bosch 18 but found the sound quality of their previous two radios dull and lacking depth
Stevo
Does any one know when the the 360c will be available in the UK?