Philips TAS1209 Wireless Speakers Review: Here Comes the Extrovert

Over the years, Bluetooth speakers have bent to accommodate all kinds of consumer needs—tiny but potent for campers in the great outdoors, water-resistant for bathroom singers, some that fit into your pocket but also double up for conference calls, colorful and bedecked in LED displays for more eye-catching aesthetics.

Some portable speakers, across brands, have put audio quality a little lower down the priority list to focus on these features. They are USPs, no doubt, but at the end of the day, you just want the music coming out of these wireless speakers to sound good enough that it enhances the atmosphere.

Philips’ TAS1209—part of the 1000 Series of wireless speakers—is an offering from the electronics company that ticks a lot of boxes when it comes to decent sound quality as well as a sturdy, minimal-frills design and build. With a 5W RMS sound (and an output power of 10W max), you can crank this way up, and it can still reverberate with a warm sound that’s not too geared towards bass, as it is about richness.

Of course, there’s only so much richness that one can expect from a 5W wireless speaker, but Philips has been a reliable name for decades now. We tested out everything from the raucous post-hardcore of Underoath to the sublime synthwave of Dreamhour’s new album Memory Machine to the intricate electronic-fusion of Anhad + Tanner to see how well the TAS1209 would fare. Whether laid down or standing, the TAS1209 do a capable job of providing clear audio (at least within its feature bracket).

Holding it in your hand, you can feel that bass sound markedly, one that tells you how the regular listener loves the low-end. The Philips TAS1209 won’t shortchange you in that department either. Still, it doesn’t thankfully go over the top and make it all about highs and bass-focused sound.

If you’re sorted with that kind of sound profile, the TAS1209 is a handy, rugged beast of a speaker (with red speaker back-panel) that won’t let you down whether you’re starting a party or winding down for the day. With little notches for a tabletop mount and a largeish carry strap design to hook it to your backpack, it’s safe to say this speaker can rise to the occasion, whether you’re at home or on the move. The IPX4 water resistance also means it can handle a bit of drizzle or be fine as it takes on your poolside entertainment.

The TAS1209 can also act as a mic and speaker for calls if you’ve connected your phone. The clarity is good, but you may need it close if you intend on using the mics. Charged via USB-C cable that comes with the speakers (no adaptor), the Philips TAS1209 can last up to 12 hours. Pairing fairly quickly and effortlessly, the only design flaw here is making the buttons a dark color. Without any LED backlight and just rubber buttons, you’d better make sure you’re learning each function because you may not be able to see them that well from some distance or in low light.

There are several wireless speakers in the market and the Philips TAS1209 at its current discounted price of ₹899 on Amazon is a value buy. It’s a dependable name in electronics in India and has the sonic legacy to boot. Compared to most brands, that’s the edge it has, and with this speaker, you’ve got yourself a multi-purpose, outgoing, ready-for-action audio unit. It’s like the extrovert at a party—up for anything and not afraid to show you how it’s done.