The SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) Grills

article.subHeader SOUNDBOKS, starring Alfred - Head Designer at SOUNDBOKS

New SOUNDBOKS with orange black and white grills

Over the years we have seen a lot of people experimenting with painting and upgrading their speaker grills. While we love promoting the DIY spirit in our community, we thought it could be cool to provide an alternative - something for those of you who don’t have the tools or the time to do something yourselves or who are looking for a more robust solution. From experience, we know that with DIY solutions it’s hard to get a smooth and durable finish that will withstand the tough conditions that a SOUNDBOKS is often exposed to - long, intense sun exposure, rainy, muddy festivals, and maybe even a dash of saltwater here and there. So we have created a collection of stylish grills for the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3), formerly The New SOUNDBOKS, that have the same high quality as our original black ones.

“The orange works so well in the sun and it adds a lot more personality to the speaker.”

-Alfred Müller, SOUNDBOKS Design Specialist

The range.

Instead of overwhelming the community and releasing 20 different colors in one go, we settled on the three that made the most sense to us. There’s the classic black , which gives the speaker a nice monochrome look without being boring and it can work great as a backup for an already customized grill. Then there’s the white, which works really well inside especially in winter, and gives the speaker a more design-y look and feel. And finally, there’s the orange which as our Head Designer Alfred said, is “a whole story in itself”. The short version is that it’s a nudge to our roots and the orange canopy we used to pitch at the Roskilde festival. Three stylish, for us very classic colors, that can still completely transform the look of your speaker.

So what actually is the difference between an original SOUNDBOKS grill and a funky DIY version? It all starts with two powerful, magic words - powder coating!

Powder coating?

Without diving too deep into the technicality of it all, here’s a quick rundown of what powder coating is and why it is stronger and longer-lasting than any other coating techniques on the market - including DIY spray paint jobs.

In the powder coating process, dry powder is shot through an electrostatic gun onto a metal object (in this case the speaker grill). The powder is added in layers until the desired thickness is reached and the coated object (again the grill) is put into a curing oven. Curing turns the powder into a gel, which spreads the coating evenly across the surface of the object (grill). The end result is a super-smooth, super hard finish that is not only scratch and chip resistant but has awesome color retention.

There are several ways in which powder coating is better than wet paint coating. The three most important aspects for us are:

1. Performance- Powder coating is more durable and more resistant to weather impact and corrosion than liquid (i.e paint) coating. Powders create a more uniform coating by eliminating running or dripping, and the color tends to stay bright and shiny for longer.

2. Safety- Powder coatings are generally VOC-free and contain no solvent or any other harmful compounds. That means that they do not release any potentially harmful chemicals into the air, as you would typically find with wet paint.

3. Impact on the environment- Powder coatings are generally more environmentally friendly since they don’t contain solvents or emit any polluting VOC’s into the atmosphere. Additionally, powder coating overspray can be collected and reused, it’s considered a non-hazardous material and it meets all Environmental Protection Agency requirements for air and water pollution control.

“There are multiple advantages to powder coating, but the most important for us is durability.”

-Alfred Müller, SOUNDBOKS Design Specialist

We have high durability requirements on our products, especially the grill since it works as a first defense against potential outside harm. To make sure that not only the coating we use can stand the test of time, but the grill itself, we need the right raw materials. When creating the grills, we looked for steel that was flexible enough to cleanly fit the speaker, but that was strong enough to hold up against any impact. In the end, we settled on 1.5 mm thick SPCC cold rolled steel. Stable, durable steel that will take on anything that is thrown at it - something that is in every way perfect for our needs.

Putting our money where our mouth is...

Just like we do vigorous testing for all the other parts of the SOUNDBOKS, we of course had to put the new grills through the wringer. We want the grills to be both sun and weatherproof, and the coating to hold its own against the elements. We did 24 hours of UV ray exposure testing (2 x 6 hours of UVA and 2 x 6 hours of UVB) and saw no change in color, surface, or mechanical properties. We also did 24 hours of weather testing using saltwater. It is more corrosive than tap or rainwater and ultimately the harder test to beat. For a period of 24 hours, we alternated between 1 hour of saltwater exposure and a 1-hour drying off period. We found no evidence of corrosion, surface defects, or altered mechanical properties. A very good sign on both accounts.

All in all, we feel confident that the grills will live up to their end of the bargain - sturdy, resilient, and good looking grills that will handle anything you throw at them (although not literally - even if you might enjoy delicious a breakfast smoothie, we are pretty sure your SOUNDBOKS won’t.)

We’ve had great feedback on the grills so far with lots of requests for new colorways. While we cannot give anything away just yet, what we can say is that these two new colors certainly won't be the last.

article.authorProfile.title

Alfred is 23 years old and heads up the design team at SOUNDBOKS. Unlike most kids, or so he later found out, Alfred grew up with a workshop in the basement. A place where he could fix, create or build anything he wanted - not all that different from what he is doing now. For Alfred, the best part about working at SOUNDBOKS is that it doesn’t feel like work. “I get to do something I enjoy almost every day. There is a lot of freedom and I can create my own structure.”

article.relatedPosts.title.morePostsIn

global.productCategory.title

Cleaning the SOUNDBOKS Bluetooth Speaker

We’ve written up some SOUNDBOKS-approved ways to clean your Bluetooth speaker.

author

SOUNDBOKS

The Best Bluetooth speakers of 2021

The list is here—we’ve mapped out the most durable, loudest and best Bluetooth speakers in 2021.

author

SOUNDBOKS

SOUNDBOKS × ZACK ROSEBRUGH GRILL

We have a brand new US limited Artist Edition grill dropping on June 1st for you to upgrade the design of your SOUNDBOKS.

author

SOUNDBOKS

The secret to SOUNDBOKS Sound Quality

SOUNDBOKS is more than just a loud speaker. Read everything about the SOUNDBOKS sound quality.

author

SOUNDBOKS

What is the SOUNDBOKS made of?

Digging into the details of how the speaker is constructed and where it is produced.

author

SOUNDBOKS

Is the SOUNDBOKS waterproof?

A common question that comes our way is whether or not the SOUNDBOKS is a waterproof Bluetooth speaker. Let's get into it.

author

SOUNDBOKS

Same same but ever so slightly different

We will slowly be fading out our old product names and introducing new names throughout the spring.

author

SOUNDBOKS

(DE)SOUNDBOKS Lautstärke-Watt vs Dezibel

Zwei der am häufigsten gestellten Fragen sind, warum die SOUNDBOKS so wenig Watt hat & warum wir in Dezibel statt in Watt messen.

author

SOUNDBOKS

SOUNDBOKS volume - Watts vs Decibels

Why the SOUNDBOKS has such low watts and why we measure in decibels instead of in watts

author

SOUNDBOKS

SOUNDBOKS × GEORGE F. BAKER III

American illustrator and muralist George F. Baker III’s work is as colorful as it is joyous.

author

SOUNDBOKS

SOUNDBOKS APP - CUSTOM EQ MODES

The SOUNDBOKS Custom EQ is a six-band EQ and the app allows you to tweak these bands in order to change the frequency response.

author

SOUNDBOKS

Under the Hood of the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3)

Looking at the SOUNDBOKS, the sleek exterior might fool you into thinking there isn’t much going on underneath. But you’d be wrong

author

SOUNDBOKS

(DE) Hol’ mehr aus Deiner SOUNDBOKS

Hast Du Dir jemals mehr von Deinem Bluetooth-Lautsprecher gewünscht? Dann haben wir die richtige App für Dich.

author

SOUNDBOKS

(DE) SOUNDBOKS vs Teufel Rockster Air

Es ist Zeit herauszufinden, was diese beiden außergewöhnlichen Lautsprecher voneinander unterscheidet.

author

SOUNDBOKS

(DE) SOUNDBOKS vs Teufel Rockster

Wir werfen einen Blick darauf, wie die SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) im Vergleich zum Teufel Rockster dasteht.

author

SOUNDBOKS

SOUNDBOKS vs Teufel

Check out how the SOUNDBOKS compares with the Teufel Rockster and Rockster Air

author

SOUNDBOKS

Welcome to the SOUNDKLUB

So, what’s in it for you?

author

SOUNDBOKS

From App to Z

We have checked in with the Development team to show you how we turn crazy ideas into functional features

author

SOUNDBOKS

SOUNDBOKS as a portable DJ setup

Some tips on how to make your SOUNDBOKS even more versatile

author

SOUNDBOKS

SOUNDBOKS Performance Bundles

Get the most out of your SOUNDBOKS

author

SOUNDBOKS

Orange, White & Black Friday

We are giving you a whole week of savings, extras, and fun all around.

author

SOUNDBOKS

The Most SOUNDBOKS to Ever SOUNDBOKS?

The latest SOUNDBOKS app gives us SOUNDKLUB–and the most SOUNDBOKS that could ever fit inside your SOUNDBOKS. Get it December 15.

author

SOUNDBOKS

SOUNDBOKS × JESS EBSWORTH GRILL

Born and raised in East London, 27-year-old illustrator Jess Ebsworth is the designer of the November Artist Edition Grill

author

SOUNDBOKS

SOUNDBOKS × PIPPA TOOLE GRILL

UK illustrator Pippa Toole has graced us with a sweet new Artist Edition grill

author

SOUNDBOKS

Limited Edition Colorway: Martian

The brand new Martian colorway was created for SOUNDBOKS lovers who want to explore new galaxies - wherever that might be.

author

SOUNDBOKS

Come and Join the SOUNDKLUB

For months, our developers have been working on a new challenge and it’s finally time for us to share the results with you.

author

SOUNDBOKS

Brand New SOUNDBOKS Accessories

We have spent the last few months working on a new range of accessories that will take your SOUNDBOKS to a whole new level.

author

SOUNDBOKS

We Built the Speaker | Pt. 6, The App

Getting the prototype app up and running was no small feat for the SOUNDBOKS (Gen.3), formerly The New SOUNDBOKS.

author

SOUNDBOKS, starring David

We Built the Speaker | Pt. 5, The Power

Loudness, battery life, and portability are what make up the heart and soul of the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3), formerly The New SOUNDBOKS.

author

SOUNDBOKS, starring Anton

People listening to music from a SOUNDBOKS by the ocean

We Built the Speaker | Pt. 4, The Sound

When we started developing the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) we knew that the sound was something that could set us apart.

author

SOUNDBOKS, starring Mehrzad

SOUNDBOKS speaker on a rock by the ocean

We Built the Speaker | Pt. 3, The Tech

To find the right balance for the SOUNDBOKS (Gen.3), we put our main focus on technology straight from the get-go.

author

SOUNDBOKS, starring Anton

We Built the Speaker | Pt. 2, The Design

How we designed the SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3), formerly The New SOUNDBOKS, and created something greater that stands the test of time.

author

SOUNDBOKS, starring Alfred

SOUNDBOKS (Gen. 3) Bluetooth Speaker in front of a mountain

We Built the Speaker | Pt. 1

The third generation of SOUNDBOKS has changed our world and taken everything we do to a whole new level.

author

SOUNDBOKS, starring Jesper & Christoffer

man sitting on a chair with a coffee cup next to a limited edition artist grill soundboks

SOUNDBOKS × DANIEL TRIENDL GRILL

Austrian multidisciplinary artist Daniel Triendl has created the next Limited Artist Edition just for you.

author

SOUNDBOKS

[In Danish] En Besked fra Politiet

Direkte fra Politiet kommer her nogle opfordringer samt seneste nye om beslaglæggelse af SOUNDBOKS og dertilhørende bøder.

author

SOUNDBOKS

[In Danish] God Privatfest, Danmark

Her kommer vores guide til en Corona-fri privatfest. Lad os, de danske unge, vise, hvordan vi tager ansvar.

author

SOUNDBOKS

Keeping Your SOUNDBOKS Safe

We’ve made a list of 5 easy and budget-friendly tricks to help keep your SOUNDBOKS from unexpectedly finding a new home.

author

SOUNDBOKS

Anna Eisenhauer surrounded by her artwork

SOUNDBOKS × ANNA T-IRON GRILL

A brand new limited Artist Edition SOUNDBOKS Grill

author

SOUNDBOKS, starring Anna T-Iron

four people in front of a van with their soundboks

[In Danish] God Fest, Danmark

Her er en guide, nogle opfordringer og et par tips, der kan hjælpe dig til god fest-karma i Danmark.

author

SOUNDBOKS

Johan Buchler with limited edition artist grill in white with red lightning bolt

SOUNDBOKS × JOHAN BÜCHLER GRILL

For the rest of the year, on the first Tuesday of every month, we will be dropping our brand new Limited Edition Artist Grills.

author

SOUNDBOKS, starring Johan Büchler