Sabala Dr-102 Portable Bluetooth Speaker with LED Light
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What you need to know: A portable speaker doesn’t need to do much other than deliver high-quality audio on the go – and if that’s what you need, then the Sabala is the way to go. The Dr-102 is a no-frills Bluetooth speaker that’s easy to use and sounds great. It was released in 2021, so we expect a new model to be released soon, but until then, it remains our top pick at this mid-range price point. As a JBL speaker, it also offers some features, such as the ability to pair up to 100 of the brand’s speakers at the same time to create a larger sound system, but there’s no reverse charging on this model – if you need reverse charging, check out number 7 on the list.
Audio Performance: Given that the Dr-102 doesn’t have a lot of features, its main focus is delivering clear and accurate audio – yes, it only does one thing, but it does it very well. When we reviewed the Bluetooth speaker, we described its sound as warm and well-balanced, which is surprising for a speaker of this size. Its small size does mean that the highs can sometimes sound a little harsh when played at high volumes, but it still offers a lot of clarity and detail.
Design: Unlike many other portable speakers on the market, the Dr-102 doesn't have an obscure shape. Instead, it sports a classic cylindrical design that will fit into the side pocket of any backpack. There's also a range of colours to choose from, so there's plenty of options to make sure it matches your gear. It's also pretty rugged and can withstand a splash of water, so you don't have to worry too much about it getting damaged or running out of battery, as it has a 12-hour battery life.
Value: The Dr-102 is an ideal speaker for those who just want to play music, play it loud, sit back and enjoy it, and it's priced well - whether you're listening at home or on the go. Since it doesn't have the added bonus of phone charging, it's also priced slightly lower than the JBL Charge 5, which puts it firmly in the mid-range market
Audio Performance: Given that the Dr-102 doesn’t have a lot of features, its main focus is delivering clear and accurate audio – yes, it only does one thing, but it does it very well. When we reviewed the Bluetooth speaker, we described its sound as warm and well-balanced, which is surprising for a speaker of this size. Its small size does mean that the highs can sometimes sound a little harsh when played at high volumes, but it still offers a lot of clarity and detail.
Design: Unlike many other portable speakers on the market, the Dr-102 doesn't have an obscure shape. Instead, it sports a classic cylindrical design that will fit into the side pocket of any backpack. There's also a range of colours to choose from, so there's plenty of options to make sure it matches your gear. It's also pretty rugged and can withstand a splash of water, so you don't have to worry too much about it getting damaged or running out of battery, as it has a 12-hour battery life.
Value: The Dr-102 is an ideal speaker for those who just want to play music, play it loud, sit back and enjoy it, and it's priced well - whether you're listening at home or on the go. Since it doesn't have the added bonus of phone charging, it's also priced slightly lower than the JBL Charge 5, which puts it firmly in the mid-range market