Products in this test

Just a few years ago, there was a low level of interest in party speakers in Scandinavia. It was associated with beach parties around the Mediterranean, with Ibiza as a top destination. But something has happened, and every year the sales of these gaudy and somewhat vulgar speakers have actually increased here too. Perhaps it’s the legendary summer festivals around the Oslofjord and in Southern Norway that require ever higher volume and light shows to attract the best participants. An arms race in party atmosphere?

Party compromises

The most important thing for a party speaker is that it plays at a sufficient sound level to overpower all squeals and perhaps also the neighbour’s modest portable speakers. It’s about showing who’s boss. Number two on the list is a real bass rendition that feels like a fist in your solar plexus, and preferably sets off car alarms in the parking lot. The third is that it should have built-in light shows so you don’t have to bring separate lamps and Strobe lights. And to round it off, all of it must be able to run on battery power, so you can set up your own sound system anywhere. If the speakers is reasonably sturdy and can withstand being transported, and maybe even have beer spilled on it, then they get an extra bonus.

Unfortunately, this s a utopia that’s hard to achieve. Two of the speakers in the test have a decent decibel level and a powerful bass, as well as plenty of flashing lights. But they are such power guzzlers that it wasn’t possible to run them on batteries. One of them had actually succeeded by plugging in a pure nuclear power plant of a battery and could blast away, but then the light show had to be removed. And then it is less of a hit, since you have to settle for only two of the four criteria. On the other hand, it will be significantly cheaper because it is expensive to be on top.