Why You Can Trust CNET Get a G-Boom portable Bluetooth speaker for $71.99
From the Cheapskate: Normally $99.99, this lunchbox-style speaker delivers big, bass-heavy sound, the kind you don't typically get from a portable. Plus: game deals!
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As a die-hard Flight of the Conchords fan (just saw them in concert last week -- woo!) I cannot see the word "Boom" without thinking of this. If you're an HBO subscriber and you've never watched the show, do yourself a huge favor.
Right, where was I? As I've noted before, Bluetooth speakers come in all shapes and sizes. Some are designed to sit on a shelf, others can clip to your backpack or even suction to your shower. What you rarely see, however, is a speaker built for bass -- especially a portable speaker.
If you're all about that bass (sorry, had to), look no further than today's deal: For a limited time and while supplies last, Citizen Goods, an offshoot of StackSocial, has the G-Project G-Boom portable Bluetooth speaker for $71.99 shipped. That's after applying coupon code CHEAPBOOM at checkout. Update: That code is not working, but this one will: SUMMER10. In fact, that'll bring your price down to $69.99!
As you can see, this is not your typical portable. It's a big ol' lunchbox-looking thing with a heavy-duty carrying handle, the kind that makes me think of job sites and, um, lunch. No doubt the design won't appeal to everyone, but I like it.
I also like the large, clearly marked control buttons along the top of the unit. It's a minor thing, but so many speakers either dispense with controls or have tiny, hard-to-see ones. Here, it's very easy to identify and access volume, play, pairing and so on.
Not planning to pair a Bluetooth source? No problem: there's a line-in jack for connecting other devices. You'll also find a USB port on the rear, and you can use that to charge your phone from the G-Boom's battery.
Speaking of which, battery life isn't great, especially for a speaker as large as this. It's rated for 6 hours of playback (less if you do indeed charge an external device).
I haven't had any ears-on time with the G-Boom, so allow me to turn you over to David Carnoy's CNET review. Verdict: He liked the bass-heavy sound and easy portability, but not the battery life. I agree: I feel like it should be at least 8 hours, if not 10.
I might also refer you to this iLounge review, which positively gushed over the boom-for-the-buck proposition -- and that was based on the original $100 price tag. Finally, some 500 Amazon customers collectively rated it 4.4 stars out of 5.
Needless to say, people like this speaker. I think for $72 out the door, it's definitely worth a look.
Your thoughts?
Bonus deal: Game time! As a few readers pointed out yesterday, Steam just kicked off its annual Summer Sale. There are lots of new, high-profile titles on sale, but I would encourage you to look past some of the big names. For example, you can snag Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes for $9.89. It's fun and funny and one of the rare games that actually requires a group. It's available for Windows, Mac and even Oculus and Vive!