We have learned that Dewalt is coming out with a new cordless Bluetooth-connected music player, the ToughSystem Music 2.0, DWST08820.
The Dewalt ToughSystem Music Bluetooth radio and speaker came out a few years ago, and the Tstak Connect radio came out last year. Both speakers, which also have radios and feature a built-in charger, sound very good. The ToughSystem Music 2.0 is the next iteration in this series, and will likely replace the ToughSystem Music as their premium ToughSystem modular toolbox-compatible jobsite radio.
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Milwaukee recently showed off a new M18 Packout jobsite radio at NPS19, and it sounded amazing. The unofficial emergence of the ToughSystem Music 2.0 seems to be purely coincidental, but nevertheless sets the stage for strong competition between the two brands.
We don’t know a lot about the new Dewalt ToughSystem Music 2.0 so far, but enough to start drooling over it. Dewalt was not able to share any additional details with us, or an ETA. If I had to guess, I’d say that we can expect to see it in stores in a couple of months, by Fall 2019, just ahead of the winter holiday shopping season. We know that the Milwaukee Packout radio is due to be released in November. These are the types of products brands, retailers, and users want to see launched by Thanksgiving.
Like its predecessor, the Dewalt ToughSystem Music 2.0 features Bluetooth connectivity and a built-in charger. It can stream music wirelessly at up to 100 feet. The ToughSystem Music 2.0 also features a built-in radio and an auxiliary port for connecting any audio device with a headphone-out jack.
It has a 55W RMS amp and delivers your tunes through 4 full-range speakers, an active subwoofer, and an assisted bass resonator.
A large compartment stores your mobile device, and you can also recharge your gear through the ToughSystem Music 2.0’s USB port, which can provide up to 2.1A.
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Additional features include a color LCD display with touchscreen capability, and IP54 protection against dust and water ingress.
The Dewalt ToughSystem Music 2.0 speaker/radio/charger can work with 12V Max, 20V Max, or FlexVolt Li-ion batteries. I would presume that its internal compartment is therefore large enough to include even Dewalt’s 12.0Ah battery.
The product listing says it measures 22.23″ long x 14.43″ wide x 6.63″ tall.
Lastly, as you might have guessed from the name, it’s compatible with Dewalt’s line of ToughSystem modular tool boxes and accessories, with mounting points on both the top and bottom.
Price: $229
Coming Soon(via Home Depot) – Page is down as of the time of this posting
Compare(Original via Amazon)
Compare(Original via Acme Tools)
Compare(Tstak Radio via Acme Tools)
Discussion
The new Dewalt ToughSystem Music 2.0 looks similar to the original, but with noticeably updated styling and a new user interface.
The 2.0 also looks to have a new larger battery compartment.
Some of the ToughSystem Music 2.0 feature updates seem to have come from Dewalt’s newer Tstak-sized music player, such as the large singular internal battery and device bay.
We’re eager for more details, and of course a listen, but the Dewalt ToughSystem Music 2.0 looks great, and if it sounds as good as its predecessor, it’ll be sure to gain favor with users.
Who’s looking forward to Dewalt’s newest Bluetooth music player?
Philip Proctor
I’ll probably get this since it looks like it’ll work with the bigger Flexvolt batteries. The fact the version 1.0 wouldn’t is why I haven’t bought it.
Tooljunkie
I had the 1.0 and took it back. It sounded good; however, I couldn’t get past the AC/DC converter cord (very thin wire) for a “tough” radio (why not put the 12v adapter as a built-in, so that you can run a heavy duty 14/3 plug & some power jack’s). The other problem was that I couldn’t put my Note 4 into a sealed compartment for charging or the speaker jack).
I got the job site radio that came out about 3 months later.
Chris
Note 4?!?!
Holy smokes bro. That is the greatest phone I have ever had. Can’t believe you still rock that.
Chris
Am I ready this right….. NEXT fall?!?
Stuart
Since it’s currently spring, with summer in between, I think it’s more correct to talk about September thru November predictions as “next” Fall. Once it’s summer, “this” Fall seems more fitting. I suppose I could say “this” or “next” Fall with both referring to Fall 2019. Keep in mind that until we get official word from Dewalt, it’s still a prediction.
(Am I right in assuming your shock is based on the interpretation that by “next” Fall I might mean Fall of 2020 instead of Fall of 2019?)
I tweaked things for greater clarity, thanks!
Chris
Semantics, my man! Yeah, I was assuming you were talking about 2020, which would be an insane product announcement for something like tech which revolutionizes itself every 8 weeks. Whatever they built it with now would be redundant and outdated by Fall 2020.
I just have a home garage and need to have some sort of audio system while working in there. A FlexVolt options would be t!ts
Stuart
“This” vs. “next” is an argument I’ve been having with my wife for a few years, and so I knew exactly what you were getting at. =)
Johnny4
When stackable containers came to the market I figured every tool company would be in a big hurry to produce a radio/bluetooth/12v/18v combi charger/2.1 amp USB charger which integrated to their stackable container system. Turns out I was wrong, 4-5 years later and there is still very little on the market. I wonder if there are some absurd patent issues holding the innovation pack. I feel like Dewalt and Bosch had tiff when the Job box came to market.
Corey Moore
But…is it brushless? Lol
mike
your introduction was a bit unclear
we have learned that Dewalt is also coming out with a brand new cordless Bluetooth-connected music player.
hence 2.0 toughsystem radio-charger coming sometime in fall 2019
tstak radio-charger available
AND now you also speak of Bluetooth-connected music player
so what have you learned as stated, details please
or did u mean the 2.0 toughsystem
cheers
Stuart
Sorry, ToughSystem Music 2.0 is the upcoming Bluetooth-connected speaker/radio/charger. Due to lower costs, improved quality, and users’ modern expectations, pretty much every new jobsite music player or radio will feature Bluetooth connectivity.
The ToughSystem Music 2.0 is the third in their toolbox-system line, following the ToughSystem Music and Tstak Connect.
Altan
I had one DeWALT Cordless Radio/Music/Charger which was twice more expensive than the Radio/Music version of it (they were both exactly the same except one was not charger) and the charger started to not work after one and half years and since it had a charger it had only one year warranty but the other one which was half cheaper had three years warranty, after that I have decided to not buy a tool which has a built in charger unless they give three years warranty for that also.
Cody
I think are confused. Dewalt does NOT have a radio with two different versions (with charger or without) ALL their “radios” have built in chargers and then they have a couple Bluetooth “speakers” that are just that, speakers. But none of them have an option to come with charger or without.
Kirk
DCR015 does not charge, DCR025 does, both have a battery port
Nils
I’ve got a job site radio… but now just use AirPods (upside down and backwards so they fit) under some heavy earmuffs. Need ear protection anyway and neighbors hate listening to the Frozen soundtrack over and over. (Am I kidding? You decide)
The What?
They’re getting a little carried away with these things don’t you think? First of all, you shouldn’t have time to look up & stream music while you’re working. Period end of story. There’s more constructive things that you should be doing like your job & staying busy (or at least look like you’re busy). Secondly what’s the point of having a premium sound radio on the job when there’s a shitload of noise going on like people yelling, air compressors charging, hammering, saws cutting, etc? A construction site isn’t the place for some high end radio with surround sound. It’s a job site, not your car or your home entertainment center. Plus you wouldn’t be too happy if someone was doing some demolition or whatever and something like a door header or a piece of plaster or a brick fell off and landed on top of your $250 radio and busted it all to hell.
Robert
Not sure what kind of communist company you work for, but my guys and I all enjoy having some music. ?
In fact, I’ve never been on a jobsite or in a factory that didn’t have some music blearing.
Yeah, there’s noise, but whether you’re demoing a wall, installing cabinets, painting, drywalling, sheathing or framing, music is a nice addition.
And, to further infuriate your sensibilities, I wear a watch that’s tethered to my phone and with a simple tap of a button I can pause the music instantaneously so the homeowner/business owner knows they have my full attention (they ALWAYS think that’s pretty cool).
Some tools don’t help you work faster, they just make your life a little more enjoyable.
Todd
Not that hard to turn on a radio station 5 minutes before your shift and turn it off as you are leaving. If it’s noisey 24/7 where you can’t hear a radio once that’s not a job for most people. Also your opening argument has got to be the worst
Altan
I completely agree with you, work site is a work site, not a disco. plus DeWALT should make a cordless 20V Biscuit Joiner instead of making a new version of cordless radio.
Dominic S
Who doesn’t enjoy listening to tunes while working? Not sure what the problem is here.
Altan
The problem is what the priority is/should be in making new tools.
I think to have a new cordless planer which could be smaller than the current one is better than a new version of cordless radio.
A lot of guys keep the sound level very high at work sites and it becomes difficult to hear each other or to hear someone is in trouble shouting for help. We are not living in 19th century that there was no power tools.
Benjamen
You realize that there are such things as playlists and curated “radio stations” on music services right. With playlists, you can set them up on your own time and then just set them playing when you turn on the radio for the day. Curated radio stations are based on a certain type of music, band, or song. You can also just set it playing.
For instance on Amazon Music, I just set it to the Pretty Reckless “station” when I turn on whichever Bluetooth speaker I’m using and let it play. I also have a few playlists that I’ve created, but those can get stale.
Corey Moore
Not to play devil’s advocate for @TheWhat, but music is actually prohibited at a lot of commercial/industrial sites on grounds of safety/distraction. It was almost a non issue when I returned to the industry after a couple years in residential framing/concrete where we often had a radio in each house going up on the block, or one in each apparent floor lol but the main reason I’ve never added the tough system radio to all my other boxes, is because I wouldn’t be permitted to use it at work anyways.
Altan
Good to know this information, thanks.
Joel
Who says it needs to be used on a job site. I bring mine every where I go. What if I’m working on my house where it’s not loud. What if I’m doing a solo painting job and want to pass time by with some loud music. Not every job is noisy.
jkjk
You sound like a joy to work with /s
Scientific literature actually indicates that listening to music while working can be beneficial and improve productivity. Obviously, it depends on the individual person and the type of music being listened to. It’s the same with doodling. A lot of people think doodling indicates a lack of attention, but studies have repeatedly shown that doodling can help improve concentration and focus.
Sure there are some environments where listening to music is unsafe or inappropriate. Most people who buy jobsite speakers probably don’t work in those environments full time though. And for the times music is inappropriate, that is why the radios have a power switch.
Chris
There’s certainly a bit of irony in these devices having an aux port for a device with a headphone jack
Todd
Big question for me is does the battery power the USB port so a phone can charge without it being plugged in. That’s a feature I think they’ve only captured once.
Stuart
I would assume so, or at least that’s what I would expect as a user.
Hoser
The current radios do, so it’s safe to assume the new one will also.
Nate
I’ve got the 1.0 and while I like it, there’s some room for improvement. The sound is great, Bluetooth connectivity works perfectly and it runs forever on a 5 ah battery. It’s biggest weakness in my opinion is the top compartment, which inexplicably has four latches requires both hands to open. Inevitably one or more of the latches clogs with dust and junk and it’s very hard to get closed. Back latch also occasionally pops open and plops the battery onto the floor, especially if I use a smaller pack. Don’t think I’d upgrade for quite awhile but I like the look of the 2.0
Steve
I hope they get the tuner interface right this time. Menu access tuner on an item like this is not good.
Patrick
I’m not one who keeps a lot of music on my phone so a functional media (USB) port like the Bosch PB360 would be needed to truly entice me.
Boggsy
Wow. 2.1amp usb on a device that’s not even out yet. I get that tool companies are droopy-eyed armless children when it comes to technology… Quick Charge 3.0 has only been out for what? 3 years? Not to mention everything switching over to PD 18/30/45/60/87/100 watt. Ugh. At least put long range Bluetooth transmitters, or I’d have to burn the aux port (and find a place to cram my 256ft range one).
Lee
I’m surprised no one’s ever mentioned how when you move the 1.0 around, including placing it back in your rig, the battery jiggles loose. I own two of these, and it does it on both of them. Doesn’t matter which size battery you have in it.
Otherwise LOVE this radio.
Bremon
Yep. The current one has no battery locking mechanism, just a foam pad under the battery compartment lid. The top storage compartment is cramped and poorly laid out. The screen is garbage and the menu is awkward to navigate.
The TStak Connect rectified all of these issues, and thankfully looks like this updated version does too. I’ll be selling my first gen radio to a coworker to upgrade to this one. The existing model is the only reason I still have a battery pack with 18650 cells.
Jeff
Is there any update on this? I can’t wait. I’m wondering if it will be an 8 amp fast charger or a 2amp like the other radios that takes 4 hours to charge a flexvolt.
Stuart
Nothing yet.
I would anticipate an October or November launch if they’re to capitalize on the sales potential of the winter holiday shopping season. The ToughSystem Music 1.0 was stocked in Home Depot’s holiday deals section, and so we *might* expect to see the same with this updated version.
Brad Wilson
Oh this is a classic read! Love the: “ I think music should be banned” “it’s a distraction” “counterproductive” to the “ I walk around all day with AirPods WITH hearing protection” ? I’m dying. My two cents: I think with 200 tools and counting (4 1/2” saw????) Dewalt does plenty of tool innovation, they look to please the majority but keep the specialty tools in the mix (HEPA vac) I love the new 12v lineup. Killer power and battery life. Sparky by trade, so basically I know & do everything. Keeps us updated.
Jeff
I have been checking once or twice a week since I saw this article in June. It must be coming very soon. It is on the DeWalt website now. You click buy it now and it says we couldn’t find any sellers.
Hoser
It looks like there will be full control of the radio using the app.
Edward Hermanns
Any word on the charging speed? Would be nice if it was a fast charger as well
Hoser
If you read the article it states 2.1A.
Eddie Hermanns
Sry i meant the dewalt battery charging not the usb
Hoser
If you are referring to the battery charging output, I haven’t seen that listed anywhere yet.
Don
User manual
No touch screen
https://fccid.io/2ANWFDWST08820/Users-Manual/User-Manual-4347096
Robert
the first out tough system is awesome but lacks a good antenna and the charging port well I have other words for that but when it does work the antenna that is it’s a great sound and the bluetooth works great as well yes the upper storage area is way to small for most phones most likely designed to carry an ipod which truly is out dated but I am looking at the new 2.0 version for my cargo unit and connecting my 400watt logic tec speaker system 2 of them like I have in my rv they work great 800 watts of shear power 🙂 all through the dewalt radio 🙂
Raymond J. Wickham
Received the DeWalt toughsystem 2.0 radio and charger for Christmas. Plugged it in linked it up to my phone for the first time today February 22nd 2020. The bass speaker or the base amplifying speaker sounds terrible and vibrates with only a quarter of the volume on. And of course my wife can’t find a receipt. Does anybody know any fixes to this problem or will replace the bad speaker?
DAVID STEADMAN
Pathetic little rubber on-off switches that flat out do NOT work. And the battery comes loose without putting some kind of foam insert. The old 18 volt models were much better. Zero stars!
Cody
What planet are you living on? And “On/off switches” ? Are you sure you are talking about the right radio?