Ryobi has added a new and upgrade Bluetooth speaker to their 18V One+ cordless power tool lineup, model PAD01B.
The new Ryobi Bluetooth speaker is described as a game-changer, featuring dual 3″ speakers that provide powerful and crisp sound at any volume. Ryobi says the PAD01B has 8.5X greater clarity than their previous model.
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Ryobi engineered their new speaker with Smart Amplifier Technology to provide dynamic highs and lows, although we’re not quite sure what this actually means.
Ryobi PAD01B Features & Specs
- Dual 3″ speakers
- 8.5X more clarity compared to P746
- 125+ ft Bluetooth range
- 10+ hours runtime with a 4.0Ah battery
- 2.1A USB charging port
- Rubber carrying handle
The 2.1A USB charging port seems like a convenient addition.
Price: $79 for the bare tool
Discussion
The new Ryobi speaker looks to be a fairly straightforward update and addition to the Ryobi One+ lineup.
The controls are simple, with all of the user interface buttons in a line at the top of the speaker. Besides that, there’s the speaker grill, battery attachment at the rear, rubber handle, and USB charging port for recharging your personal electronic devices.
There’s nothing too fancy about this Bluetooth speaker, although Ryobi says their amplifier tech provides for greater clarity.
I’m not quite sure how this can be called a game-changer, but the design is at the least very streamlined and modern.
Unfortunately, there’s no mention of an AC adapter, and so this might be a cordless-only Bluetooth speaker. We’re checking with Ryobi to confirm.
For all you Ryobi 18V cordless power tool users, how likely are you to add this to your shopping list?
PETE
I just bought the dewalt version that looks kinda similar to this. I’m not even a dewalt guy but it has the best features i felt than other tool bluetooth speakers in that segment.
Frank D
Can’t run on 110 … skip.
When you have power available it is better to run lights, radio, etc on ac power and save the battery for when you have no power source. I’d set this up in a permanent or temporary shop, if they simply made this dual power.
King duck
If you are going to set up permanent lots better setups for cheaper I would rather save $5 and have it battery only
Frank D
It is not about “permanent” but rather semi-permanent, where the unit will be static for days one end, with the ability to go mobile off the grid as needed, from one project to the next.
I’d much rather pay an extra $10 for it to be dual power.
Just like with the light sources. In many cases they’ll be used for hours and days on end, until whatever part of the project is completed. Why burn through several batteries a day, when it could just be plugged in.
No need to carry around separate corded versions and battery versions. One product does both.
Josh
I’m in the market for a removable-battery bluetooth speaker with great sound quality. I got one of the small 18v Bosch jobsite radios, was horrified at the sound quality, and returned it. I should probably just pick up one of the consumer-oriented options (UE Boom family, or something like that) for my uses but if I could get good sound quality that already uses batteries I own that would be fantastic.
Tom D
Honestly getting a 🔊 (or even a HomePod – I hear a mini is coming) and one of the battery powered 110v adapters like the one Milwaukee just came out with may be the way to go to get great sound.
Dan
AIWA EXOS-9 all the way. Bi-amplified, built in powered sub, acoustically isolated drivers, goes all day off battery, can run off AC, and has a removable battery (and they sell an extended life battery). Only downside is that it’s fairly big & heavy (13 lbs)
Stuart
Ouch, and pricey – $320 via Amazon.
adrian
Exos-9!!! FYI, I run mine with a chromecast audio (make sure to get a Ground Loop Noise Isolator) and tie it in to the rest of my house audio, so it’s a huge speaker than can go anywhere wirelessly with muti-speaker capability. Love it. Still cream of the crop after like 5 years after being released.
Andy
I have never heard a job site radio that had even remotely passable sound quality. You really are better off buying a bluetooth speaker from a reputable audio company. Buy a replacement policy from the store and don’t worry about it.
Scott K
Unless these tool brands’ radios are really that durable, it seems more prudent to just buy a less expensive speaker from an actual speaker maker. Many have decent run time on their built-in battery and have relatively good quality. Many also cost significantly leas that those from tool brands. Wirecutter has some good suggestions-
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bluetooth-speaker/amp/
Lance
“The controls are simple, with all of the user interface buttons in a lime at the top of the speaker.”
Game changing as it’s prepped to make drinks. Lime, mmm.
Stuart
Thanks, fixed!!
This might be a new game – hide a fun typo and see how long until someone finds it. =)
Nate B
For me, it’s not a priority to run a low-power thing like this from AC. And if I want to, I can DIY that with an old laptop brick. But in general, if it’ll run all day from a battery, why hassle with a cord? Just give it a battery.
AC operation is more important for things that either go through power quickly like a vacuum cleaner, or that need to run for a long time when you might not be able to reach them to swap batteries, like a pump.
That being said, I’ve never found myself wanting more sound than I get from a cheap USB-charged bluetooth speaker, and if I want more runtime than it gets from its internal battery, I can just pair that with the USB hat I made for my existing 18v packs. It’s two pieces instead of one, but it set me back $20 for the speaker and $4 for the USB bits and bobs. I’m not seeing a compelling reason to shell out $70 for this.
Mopar
Now, if this had AC and it charged the battery when it was on AC, THAT would be a game-changer. And something I might buy.
Ja
I just bought one. The sound isn’t comparable to my Bose SoundLink, but the Bose was $300. This is $79. For the price, it’s awesome. Slightly treble-heavy, but not too bad. One thing I like is that it holds it’s own at high volume. Must low-price bluetooth speakers fall on their face at high volume. The volume controls are slightly coarse at low volume. One click up is too loud, one click down isn’t quite loud enough. Not a huge problem though. A bass and treble control would be nice. The charge port is nice to have as well. Leave your phone charging battery thingy at home…