Makita has come out with a new Bluetooth jobsite radio, model XRM09B.
The new Makita music player features 18V, 14.4V, and 12V CXT compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity, an AM/FM radio tuner, auxiliary port, backlit LCD display, and a USB port for charging your devices.
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It’s dust and water-resistant with an IP65 rating, and also has elastomer bumpers and diecast aluminum guarding for durability.
The radio weighs 12 lbs with battery (not included). It measures 10-1/2″ long x 6-1/2″ wide x 11-5/8″ tall. There’s a folding top handle for easy portability.
The Makita XRM09B radio has two 3.5″ side-firing speakers and a single 4″ subwoofer.
It comes with an AC adapter. When paired with Makita’s cordless power tool batteries, it can run for up to 18 hours on an 18V 5.0Ah battery, or 7.5 hours with an 18V 2.0Ah battery.
Makita also says that it has seven selectable sound modes for different genres of music. The lighted dial can change color depending on the selected sound mode.
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Compare(Makita XRM06B via Amazon) – older/other model
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Discussion
Curiously, there seem to be other differences compared to previous models aside from just aesthetics. The Makita XRM06B is said to have runtime of up to 35 hours or 14 hours with 18V 5.0Ah or 2.0Ah batteries, respectively. This new XRM09B has runtimes of up to 18 hours or 7.5 hours with the same batteries. The new jobsite radio is also a little heavier – 12 lbs with battery compared to 10.8 lbs, without much difference in dimensions.
Is the subwoofer new? Makita USA doesn’t specify. But something must different for the runtime specs to be so different.
At the time of this posting, Amazon has the new jobsite ratio available for $214.50, with a 1-3 month ETA.
Personally, I don’t think Makita needed to update the look of their jobsite radio. I don’t not like the new look, but I think I prefer the previous styling better. The new Makita jobsite radio has a negative-contrast LCD display, which *might* help with readability.
Makita USA lists some of the equalizer settings: My EQ (perhaps a customizable setting), news, pop, classic, rock, jazz, each with its own control dial LED color-coding.
Rob
Judging by the larger heatsink, I’d guess the run time difference is due to a much stronger amplifier than the old version: https://fccid.io/BYG-XRM09/Internal-Photos/Internal-Photos-rev-4248791
Stuart
Is it that much bigger?
They don’t show all the components, but I don’t see a bottom-throwing woofer in the older model – https://fccid.io/BYG-XRM06A/Internal-Photos/Intetnal-Photos-3426417 .
If the 4″ woofer is a new addition, that could also justify the need for a different amp.
Rob
I believe the 4″ bass speaker is new on this model. So the amp chip needs at least one more “channel” and most companies will bridge a subwoofer speaker, so two more amp channels with one phase inverted. This setup yields quite a bit more punch/power.
Rob
Confirmed the 4″ bass speaker is bridged…new radio total power at 18V = 35 watts…old radio total power at 18V = 7 watts. Quite a difference!
Nate
The subwoofer is new.
Evadman
Why did makita use porter cable colors? Seems like a strange design choice.
Perry
Black and silver/grey matched their subcompact line
Perry
I have the older version and the screws keep working loose and falling out. I need to add a dab of CA glue to hold them in place.
The sound is good, but can be a little bass heavy at times which makes the EQ seem like a good addition.
Overall though, I don’t understand why all the tool companies charge so much for jobsite radios, other than just because they want to.
Thom
No Teal, no deal!
Seriously the silver is ugly
Andrew
Preference. I have a lot of makita and always found them the ugliest of all the tools (maybe PC but thats design not color). But I like the tools and im ugly too so no problem.
Frank D
Great to see compatibility with multiple batteries, but it should have had a straight up 3 prong female 110v cord plug, so you can just plug any extension cord to it … instead of requiring an adapter for 110v use. Those thin cords never last.
Having listened a fair bit to a couple of them in the workplace, I always found them to bass heavy so a few eq settings are welcome.
Should be makita teal in color. Black and chrome should be for knockoffs …
simon hoskins
Not a dab radio,pointless
H. Falcon
Most of us live in the States, so really it’s dab that’s pointless.
Rory
Yes the sub is new!
They will do this in teal for sure, black is likely a limited edition colour.
Hopefully they have improved the Bluetooth range as the old model is hopeless.
Julian Tracy
All Makita radios since the first teal and white models have been black and silver. Not sure where all you folks have been.
I’ve had Bosch, Milwaukee and Dewalt Radios and have had 3 versions of the Makita radio. I really appreciate the size and weight of the Makita – easy to carry, not too heavy and you can actually store a spare battery in the compartment to boot.
Who wants a radio that charges? The bosch radio made for a crappy charger and screwed up the reception. probably made it heavier too.
I welcome the subwoofer and more overall sound. Never accused the Makita’s of being bass-heavy, but then I don’t care for trebley music.
Never had any loose screws on any of my Makitas. I like the previous style better than this new one though…
Stuart
Agreed. Makita cordless speakers are teal, but this family of radios have been black and silver.
tyler178
It also looks like the radio antenna is built into the top handle (note the symbol on the handle in the picture on Amazon), instead of being a separate antenna like the previous model has.
The What?
Makita needs to pick a color and stick with it. Either teal and black or white and black. There’s no need for two sets of Makita colors. And twelve lbs is heavy for a shoebox sized radio. And why the hell does a job site radio need a subwoofer & equalizer or Bluetooth software or streaming software? It’s not a home entertainment system and it’s not a car stereo system and the job site is not the place for anyone to turn their music up loud enough to hear the subwoofer or to find the loudest eq preset. And it damn sure isn’t the place for someone to stream music on their phone while people are working. A job site isn’t the place for music entertainment at any capacity. By far the most useless product made by tool companies to be used on any job site. Worst thing is that these cost more than most tools with or without a battery and yet it serves no purpose. It doesn’t make the task at hand any easier and it doesn’t make time go by faster. And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people make costly mistakes because some asshole has the radio turned up and measurements and instructions weren’t heard correctly. Not only that but it displays a lack of etiquette towards the home owner as well as other contractors who are trying to communicate with each other. And that applies to both residential and commercial job sites.
glenn
Makita make their tools in way more than two colours. Five that I know of at least, teal, white, black, green and pink.
And why does it bother you so much what colour they choose to make them, lol.
Julian Tracy
Jeez… maybe try and get back up on the other side of the bed. I use my Makita radio every single day at home as my around the house radio.
I take it camping, to the beach and use it when we’re having a bbq in the backyard. I welcome the new subwoofer and use the Bluetooth all the time.
Occasionally I’ll use it on the jobsite, but usually use my small Bosch or Milwaukee 12volt radios onsite.
I’m glad they make them and once out for a while, they’re easily found for $150-175.
Compared to the Bosch Dewalt and Milwaukee monstrosities, I appreciate the Makita form factor and can accept a bit more weight for a more solid well rounded sound.
logan
Seconded. Our Makita radio is on for a few hours every evening in the house, is on whenever I’m outside working on something, and is taken with me when I’m at someone else’s house working on stuff.
It goes camping, and, well, almost everywhere with us. Sounds good, compact design.
The new display should definitely help with viewing in sunlight; the current one does the old “discman in direct sunlight” light everything up kinda thing
Doc John
I fail to see what the big deal is. I’m a Makita user and supporter, but except for the Bluetooth connectivity , nothing unique nor novel about this radio. Some superficial design changes( wow the color…yawn….). For such a august company, the radio should be special.
Rory
Bluetooth aint new; been around for about 4 years in Makita radios.
Eric
Make a radio that charges batteries already makita! Copy Bosch and make a radio we’ll actually buy
JDB
Dang. Peeps always gonna complain about something. You add a charger to that radio and you’re gonna add about $100 to the price tag. Then it will be just like the other over priced tool radios. So dumb.
It’s a portable radio. It should run on batteries! Not a cord. Weird. Chargers come with every kit you buy. Why the heck would I need another GD charger. SMH.
Cheers bros.
John
There are new buttons for music navigation! Mostly work with gloves and for me it`s very important.
Anthony charron
I Own both models and I can tell you one thing the model before the new 1 only runs for 20 hours and there is multiple websites that state it so. So the 2 hour difference is not that big of a deal the biggest difference is the weight and of course way better sound in the newer one.