Dewalt has come out with a new jobsite cordless Bluetooth speaker, DCR006, that works with 12V Max and 20V Max Li-ion batteries, and it also comes with a wall-wart-style AC adapter.
It’s compact (just check out the size comparison image below), and features two 2-1/2″ speakers, rubber overmolded housing, rubber feet, LED indicator, and easy-push buttons.
Advertisement
In addition to Bluetooth connectivity, the speaker also offers an auxiliary input for connection to non-Bluetooth-compatible music players, phones, and other electronic devices.
Now’s a good time to mention this: Dewalt’s Bluetooth adapter, which allows you to connect your smartphone or Bluetooth-equipped player to any jobsite radio or speaker system equipped with aux input, has started shipping.
There’s also a USB charging port.
Price: $79-$89
ETA: November 2014
Buy Now(via Home Depot) (coming soon)
Advertisement
First Thoughts
I like the small size of the speaker, that it also offers aux connectivity, and that it can run off of 12V or 20V Max batteries, as well as an included AC adapter.
2.5″ speakers are really, really small. I’m not sure how speakers of this size can pump out “full, rich sound” as Dewalt press materials claim, but maybe I’ll be surprised.
Overall, this looks to be a nice addition to Dewalt’s growing lineup of jobsite and afterhours music players.
The price is a little high – the press release says $89 and Home Depot has it listed for $79 already – but that seems to be the norm for Bluetooth-equipped jobsite radios and speaker systems. The only exception seems to be Craftsman’s Bluetooth radio, which is due to be released this month.
Mike Paprocki
Unless it’s located on the back, the design doesn’t include a carrying handle. The lack of that feaure makes me less inclined to buy it.
Stuart
The PR said “integrated handle” but I left that part out b/c I can’t see one. It is probably a hand groove at the back of the unit.
With how small this is, it probably doesn’t even need a full-size handle.
Jason
I wasn’t able to find any specifications, but there are some fairly powerful little 2.5″ full range speakers out there. I’m curious to see how much power this little bluetooth speaker has.
If sound quality and range is decent, $79 seems reasonable enough. Especially if build quality is similar to the other dewalt job-site radios I own.
Chad
like – will last a loooooooog time on the 12v or 20v battery.
dislike – the price, should be about 39 bucks.
wonder how far away you can work from it before the bluetooth cuts out ?
Joe Angello II
I like the looks of the porter cable one better than this.
Image
Adam
So based on the description – this radio does not include am or fm? If so – I’m out. I don’t have enough music to get me through a day on my phone, nor do I have unlimited data to stream music.
Love the form factor and size though – lugging a big cumbersome radio gets tiresome, especially when I can be at three/four different sites a day.
As an alternative, one of my buddies (with a gigantic music collection) has a JBL bluetooth speaker which he clips to his belt loop – it’s probably 4-5 inches in diameter. Pretty awesome sound in a very small form factor. If this Dewalt has two of those JBL type speakers installed – it will be very powerful indeed.
Stuart
That’s why this is just a speaker – it’s not a radio at all. You could always attach an inexpensive portable radio, but then the Bluetooth connectivity is a wasted feature and expense.
Jon
My JBL onstage put out amazing sound with an array of only 1″ speakers, however, I think this offering will me mediocre but worth it at the price point. Bluetooth range iirc is claimed at 33 feet, which should be ok. Coming from someone who used the 20v USB adapter earlier today to charge my iPhone, why the hell can’t the actual charger and or this radio have a 2 amp USB charging port on it!? I’ll be hard pressed to find a device that excites me the way kicking a Bosch jobsite radio down a flight of stairs to test the advertisements did, but if dewalt can step up its offerings for the 20v line, that might change.
Stuart
True. My desktop speakers have very small elements that output some fantastic sound. But there’s also a subwoofer to handle the low end.
From the price point, it’s hard to determine the quality of speakers Dewalt engineered this with.
joe
“Bluetooth range iirc is claimed at 33 feet, which should be ok. Coming from someone who used the 20v USB adapter earlier today to charge my iPhone, why the hell can’t the actual charger and or this radio have a 2 amp USB charging port on it!?”
From the specs at sears web site…
“Bluetooth 4.0 technology offers 100 ft. range of crisp sound . USB power and Auxiliary ports allows you to connect and charge your portable music device .”
joe
“2.5″ speakers are really, really small. I’m not sure how speakers of this size can pump out “full, rich sound…”
It is doable. I own a Boston Acoustics radio with a 2.5” speaker and I’m amazed how much rich and bassy sound comes out of that thing (not that dewalt focuses a lot on the box desing, just saying it is doable and it has two 2.5” speakers). Most of it has to do with the design of the box than the speaker itself. I own some home theater klipsch speakers and their attention is mostly in the box design…
At any rate, the price for this can be suitable for out-side-the-job too since a jawbone one can cost over $85 bucks (they lowered the price)…
http://www.amazon.com/Jawbone-JAMBOX-Wireless-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B004E10KI8
…of course, dewalt one does not come with a battery…but I would rather buy this one for home use than a jawbone one. The speakers on it could probably be upgraded too if you are the hacking type.
I may buy this for me as an x-mas present from my inner Santa.
firefly
I have several portable bluetooth speakers and they all sound great. I assume this one will be as well. The price seem to be just a tad high considering the fact that you have to supply your own battery.
There are so many BT speaker out there that come with their own battery and they are all rugged as well with much lower price point. Now if they make it crush proof and water proof then that is another story 🙂
Craig
It looks pretty rugged. I wonder how water resistant it is? Hopefully, at least IPX5.
Gary
This DCR006 is a fantastic little amp. I really need it to charge my 20v Max DeWalt Batteries though. That’s all it’s intention is, amp and speakers and charging your phone. It does everything I expected. The price is not too high. I use this in my woodworking shop to listen to my iPhone to sports and music. DCR006 doesn’t need a radio built into it at all. Adjust the volume on your phone along with the volume on the DCR006 and the volume will blast your ears back. This unit has a handle molded into the frame, it’s not a loose dangling handle. Just right. It’s a nice little package