Since the MarsBox is fairly compact in size, you can rock this wireless speaker just about anywhere you see fit. It measures approximately 7.25 x 2.37 x 3-inches and is coated with a soft matte finish that's easy to grip. The front grille is as solid as the rest of the chassis, painted in red to compliment the black behind it. There are 2 anti-skid feet on the bottom that do an excellent job of keeping the speaker in one place as well. The slightly angled top panel adds to its unique design, and is also where you'll find the main buttons for operation. Surrounding the volume buttons are your play/pause and multifunction buttons — all made of a bright red rubber that's easy to press.
On the back of the MarsBox is the power button, microUSB charging input, auxiliary input, and reset/power status LED button. Bundled with the Bluetooth speaker is a 4ft microUSB charging cable and matching 3.5mm cable for a direct connection to your mobile device. The cables are braided with tidy velcro straps to control any excess length — also great for storing when not in use. Powering the MarsBox is a 10W amplifier with dual 8W drivers pushing a frequency of 2402-2480MHz. Its rechargeable 2,200mAh battery provides 10-15 hours of playback on a full charge.
To pair using Bluetooth, simply press and hold the power button a few seconds to make it discoverable to your mobile devices. The multifunction button on top switches between an FM radio — which didn't provide a very sound experience for me — and taking calls over the speaker using the built-in high sensitivity microphone. The volume buttons also work for skipping tracks when pressed quickly.
Pros
- Great grip
- Good sound quality
- Cool design
Cons
- Fingerprint magnet
- Lackluster FM radio
- Bass not very thick
The verdict
The Inateck MarsBox Bluetooth Speaker provides acceptable sound quality for its $59.99 price tag, adding style anywhere it goes. Although the FM radio wasn't a great experience, it's not a feature I would have utilized anyhow. If you're after a basic speaker that's easy to function and stands out in design, consider giving this one a go.
