STEREO GUIDE verdict
The review showed that the Teufel Rockster Go 2 is far more than just a new offering in the portable Bluetooth speaker segment. Compared to its predecessor, it demonstrates significant improvements in terms of balanced and natural sound tuning and functionality.
Pros
- very natural, transparent tuning with fine, clear trebles
- Excellent spaciousness for the compact class
- Can be used as a USB sound card
- Robust housing with carrying strap and IP67 protection
Cons
- Beats could use a little more punch
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Tonal balance / transparency6.9
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Bass / dynamics7.6
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Usabilty / conncetivity9.2
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Price/Performance9.6
With its angular, console-shaped housing, the mobile Teufel Rockster Go 2 remains the antithesis of many rounded mobile Bluetooth speakers. The first generation, which is identical in shape, was so convincing in our review in terms of its overall features that it made it to the top of the small Bluetooth speaker class together with international competitors.
What could the manufacturer improve in the second generation? Teufel delved into the details. The shape, size and basic features of the Teufel Rockster Go 2 remain identical. As is the list price of 150 euros. In addition to an improved battery life – 15 hours instead of the previous 12 – and the improved speaker chassis, there are above all small but important innovations. The Rockster Go New Generation now has an additional Eco mode for maximum battery life of up to 28 hours and is now dustproof and waterproof (IP67). In addition, the Dynamore surround sound function can now be deactivated. There is currently no app control, but the keypad on the top of the robust speaker housing is designed for easy operation.
Teufel Rockster Go 2 with passive power
In addition to the familiar black with red rim, there are two other color variants – all black and grey. In gray, the black printed keys embedded in the rubberized housing are perfectly visible even in very low light. The console-shaped housing is surprisingly easy to stow in backpacks and bags. Also because the Rockster Go 2 is only 6 centimeters deep. Of course, this requires proper bass support. The front aluminum passive radiator with embossed “T” logo is the only visible driver. In the new version of the Rockster Go, Teufel uses a cone with a particularly long stroke for more thrust in the lower octaves.
To the left and right, the active full range drivers – which have also been revised – are almost hidden in angled baffles with a diameter of 50 millimeters. A stereo power amplifier, the angling of the baffles plus the aforementioned Teufel Dynamore circuit, a kind of basic widening, should ensure a proper room image. As already mentioned, the stereo virtualizer can now also be switched off.
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Bluetooth complies with the latest 5.3 standard and even has the high-quality AAC codec built in, although this does not promise any real sound advantage for a mobile Bluetooth speaker with full-range speakers. This solution also favors Apple users whose iPhones and iPads usually use this format supported by Apple Music. It also has a USB-C port without a cover flap, which not only provides power, but also acts as a sound card for Windows and Mac computers. Unfortunately, the analog jack input of the previous version has been dispensed with. The elimination of the cover flap, on the other hand, is not only practical but also safer. Anyone who left them open in the past risked total damage if they came into contact with water. The new version, on the other hand, is completely sealed without a flap.
Heavy all right: 735 grams full of features
The other uniquely practical features have been retained: With a screw thread, the Rockster Go 2 can be screwed onto a photo tripod like a PA speaker.
There is a detachable, elastic fastening strap on the back, which really comes in handy in everyday outdoor life. In the outdoor test, we attached it to railings or bicycle handlebars. However, at over 700 grams, the Rockster Go 2 is a little heavy to hang on a carabiner or a backpack loop. The metal grille and the sturdy rubberized housing take their toll on the weight, as does the long-life battery. It tolerates dust just as easily as immersion in water up to 1 m deep.
Sound test: This is what the Teufel Rockster Go 2 sounds like
The Teufel Rockster Go 2 is – in keeping with our photos of the North Sea coast – a lighthouse in the surf for fresh, dynamic sound on the portable Bluetooth speaker market and stands out with its amazingly refined listening experience. The speaker impresses with exceptionally fine treble, remarkable transparency and outstanding resolution, creating a clear and lively sound performance. The bass is clean and precise, but rather restrained in terms of fullness and depth in order to counter the trend towards bass-heavy portable speakers with a balanced, natural sound profile. This design philosophy signals Teufel’s intention not to chase the boombox trend, but rather to appeal to a more discerning audience that appreciates natural sound colors and the fine details of sophisticated compositions.
In the crowded field of compact Bluetooth speakers, where many brands favor a bass-driven approach, the Rockster Go 2 stands out for its natural sound reproduction. Its bass may be more restrained compared to other speakers, but it is precisely this restraint that ensures greater transparency and richness of detail, because the mids, which are crucial for authenticity, are not overlaid by bloated beats. This speaker shines with its reproduction of natural sounds, making it the first choice for anyone who appreciates the subtle nuances of music rather than a bass-dominated soundscape.
A dream of space
An outstanding feature of the Rockster Go 2 is its remarkable spatiality, which sets new standards for portable speaker design in its class. The Rockster Go 2 delivers an open, airy sound that exceeds expectations for speakers of this size. However, it is the activation of the Dynamore technology that really amazes, transforming the compact speaker into an expansive soundstage in the mind’s eye that will astound even the most experienced audiophile reviewer’s ears. This spatial expansion, which almost amounts to auditory witchcraft, catapults the Rockster Go 2 into a league of its own, in which no current competitor can keep up with its spatial sound illusion.
The loudspeaker’s capabilities go beyond static listening situations. If you attach the Rockster Go 2 to a bicycle handlebar and take it for a spin, the spatial sound envelops the listener in an almost virtual listening experience. The effect is similar with headphones, but with the freedom and openness of listening outdoors. The result is a spatial listening experience that makes optimum use of the revised drivers and the Dynamore algorithm, which has been improved compared to its predecessor.
If you want true stereo with even clearer right-left localization, you can pair two Rockster Go 2s to create a wireless stereo system.
The devil in the detail
To summarize: The Teufel Rockster Go 2 proved in the sound test that it is not just another product on the portable Bluetooth speaker market. In terms of balanced, natural sound tuning, it has made significant progress compared to its predecessor. With its emphasis on fine treble, clear resolution and restrained bass, coupled with exceptional spatiality thanks to the Dynamore extension, the Rockster Go 2 appeals to all those looking for depth and authenticity in their sound experience. It is a testament to Teufel’s flair for heavenly sound balance and offers a balanced, spacious sound experience that redefines the possibilities of portable audio with such a narrow baffle and correspondingly small distance between the two stereo transformers.
Conclusion and alternatives to the Teufel Rockster Go 2
With its flat desk shape and many useful functions, as well as a room image that at least hints at it, the small Teufel Rockster Go Bluetooth speaker is a clear purchase tip for all mobile music listeners in its class. In terms of surround sound, resolution, balance and transparency from a small housing, it has no competition on the market. If you want slightly deeper bass, the JBL Charge 3 or Klipsch Nashville could be an alternative, but you will have to live with compromises in terms of functions and maximum level.
The question remains: The old Rockster Go Generation 1 or the Rockster Go 2? In terms of sound, it’s definitely the newer one, because it sounds finer, more resolved and more pleasant.
Teufel Rockster Go 2: Technical specifications
- Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: 150 Euro
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 21 x 11 x 6 cm
- Weight: 735 g
- Battery life up to 15 hours (up to 28 hours in eco mode)
- Special features: Water/dustproof to IP67, USB sound card function, tripod screw mount, virtual stereo, app control, party and stereo pairing
- More at: teufel.de
