In today’s mobile driven world, everyone needs a good, portable Bluetooth speaker. With so many on the market, there’s a lot to choose from but hopefully reviews like this one will help steer you in the right direction. I’m reviewing the Monster DNA One and the DNA Max speakers. These are similar speakers with the Max being the larger of the two. With a Qi Certified wireless charging pad, omnidirectional sound, and built-in speakerphone, do these speakers stand out from the competition? Let’s find out.
Design of the Monster DNA One and DNA Max
The Monster DNA One and DNA Max speakers have sleek, modern, and rugged designs. The DNA One measures 4” x 6” x 3” (WHD) and weighs 3.61 lbs. Conversely, the larger DNA Max measures 4” x 8.5” x 3” (WHD) and weighs 4.69 lbs. Both have IP67 water resistance ratings making them safe to use around pools and other bodies of water. They are constructed from rugged speaker fabric with a plastic body around the top and sides. The Monster logo is on the front and on the side.
On the top of each speaker, you’ll find the controls. There are four buttons: volume up, down, power, and the Monster button. This button can be used to pair the speaker with another Monster speaker. There’s a little red hook to attach the included wrist strap and a USB-C port to charge portable devices. Both speakers can sit upright or horizontally.
Charging the Monster DNA One and DNA Max
These speakers come with a 10W Qi Certified charging pad each. The battery life for the DNA One is 13 hours and the DNA Max is 20 hours. To charge the speaker, you simply place the its base onto the pad. While designed to perfectly fit the speaker, the pads can charge other wireless devices, like smartphones and wireless earbuds, too! The pad comes with a sixe-foot nylon charging cable and wall adapter. The cable is equipped with a patented strain relief technology that lasts 3x longer than standard cables.
Using the Monster DNA One and DNA Max
I tested both speakers in my backyard. For the review, I connected them to my Android tablet and played some music that I composed myself. I did this for two reasons. One, it allows me to use that music in my YouTube video review. Second, since I mixed that music myself, I know what to look for during the listening session. The first thing that I noticed was the superb low end. For its smaller size, the DNA One packs a lot of bass. Even outdoors, the bass was thumping. Switching to the DNA Max, I could hear even more bass. The overall sound is identical to the DNA One, except it’s considerably louder.
Both speakers have impressive mids and highs for a comprehensive soundscape. I’ve reviewed a lot of Bluetooth speakers and these are among my favourites. I’m a huge fan of the omnidirectional sound. From the front or the back, the music sounds the same around the DNA One and DNA Max. You don’t have to worry about speaker placement. It fills any space—indoors or outdoors—with immersive sound.
Connecting the Monster DNA One and DNA Max together
Both speakers support Monster DNA Share. This lets you wirelessly pair up to 99 other Monster speakers together. First, I had to set one speaker as the main speaker by pressing and holding down the Monster button. The top LED Ring then flashes purple to show that it is ready to connect. Next, I press the Monster button on the second speaker. Both speakers were then connected and played the same music.
Next, I tested the range between the two Monster speakers. I placed one speaker on the grass and the other about 25 feet away. The music still played on both speakers without any interruptions or latency. This surprised me because I’ve had issues with other brands. I also like the fact that I didn’t have to use an app to connect both speakers together.
What I like
This is the first time I’ve reviewed Monster Bluetooth speakers and I was thoroughly impressed. First, the sound quality is fantastic, with a good blend of low-mids, and highs. Even at max volume, I didn’t hear any distortion. Second, I love the wireless charging design. You don’t just get a Bluetooth speaker, you also get a wireless Qi charging pad for other devices. Third, I love how easy it is to connect two or more Monster speakers together. In a party atmosphere, you want the ability to quickly connect multiple speakers together. Plus, the wireless connection between these speakers was secure. I didn’t hear any latency or lag even when I moved the speakers around.
What could be improved
The one issue I have with these speakers is portability. While they do come with wrist straps, I wish there was a better way to carry them. For example, the red bar where the wrist strap connects could be larger. I would also like the ability to connect a carabiner to the speaker. That way, I could hang it or clip it to a backpack because it’s not the easiest thing to carry in the hand for an extended time. The inclusion of a small handle or a hook for a carabiner would be a great design addition.
Final thoughts
The Monster DNA One and DNA Max are entering a crowded portable audio market. As consumers, we have a lot of choice so brands have to figure out what we want. I think Monster got a lot of things right with the DNA series. The sound quality is superb, and the omnidirectional sound fills up any space. A dedicated wireless charging pad ensures it has a dedicated spot in the home. Pick it up anytime and take it with you wherever you go. At the end of the day, place it back on the wireless charging pad to charge. It’s that simple.
If you’re in the market for a Bluetooth speaker, I highly recommend you check out the Monster DNA One and DNA Max speakers.
