Milwaukee M12 Packout Compatible Bluetooth Jobsite Speaker Review

Milwaukee M12 Packout Jobsite Radio
PTR Review
  • PTR Rating 9.3

The Milwaukee M12 Packout Jobsite Speaker delivers impressive sound quality while still maintaining a compact form factor. Its lightweight, compact design makes it easy to store, and the multiple mounting options give you a ton of versatility. While we expected it, the distortion that creeps in high volume levels does put some limitations on this range, though it fill a large space better than you might expect for a speaker this small. If you're looking for a quality compact Bluetooth speaker that can handle the rigors of a Professional jobsite and takes advantage of the M12 battery system, clip this one on top of your Packout stack and let the good times roll!

Overall Score 9.3 (out of 10)

Take Your Music Wherever You Go With The Milwaukee M12 Packout Jobsite Speaker

The perfect soundtrack can make everything better, including work. Whether you’re on the jobsite, doing some housework, or having fun outdoors, the Milwaukee M12 Packout Jobsite Speaker aims to give you the runtime and sound quality you want. We got our hands on one of these speakers to see how it sounds and give you an idea of what to expect before buying.

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Pros

  • Relatively compact
  • Packout compatible
  • Lightweight
  • Audio Link compatible
  • Impressive Bluetooth range
  • Excellent sound quality
  • Multiple mounting options
  • Adjustable EQ
  • IP64 ingress rating

Cons

  • Distortion creeps in at high volume levels

Milwaukee M12 Packout Jobsite Speaker Audio Quality and Connectivity

Milwaukee M12 Packout Jobsite Speaker
  • Bluetooth Range: 200 ft.
  • Runtime: 10 hrs. (with XC4.0Ah battery)

Sound Quality

The Milwaukee 2955 Packout Bluetooth speaker features a 3.5-inch woofer and a high-frequency tweeter, giving it a full range of sound over a variety of music genres.

At peak volume, there was definitely some noticeable distortion, especially while playing music with stronger bass tones, but playing at 75% volume or lower, there weren’t any real issues. This isn’t really a surprise, though, since smaller speakers are prone to distortion at high volume levels and don’t have the advantage of subwoofer support that larger speakers do.

The cool part for us was that this speaker had no problem filling our 1,800-sq. ft. shop with premium sound, even at half volume. So, as long as you’re not expecting concert-quality audio that covers an outdoor arena, you’re good to go.

Bluetooth Connectivity

Milwaukee M12 Packout Jobsite Speaker Controls

This speaker is equipped with Bluetooth 5.3, providing up to 200 feet of range, which is pretty impressive for a Bluetooth speaker. To test this, I set the speaker in an unobstructed area outside our shop, cued up my favorite Rock playlist, and slowly backed away until the signal broke up.

I can confidently say that the 200-foot range is absolutely accurate. I even managed to go a little further beyond 200 feet and could still connect and control the speaker from my phone. However, a clear line of sight is necessary to maintain consistent audio quality.

One feature we really love is that you can pair this speaker with over 200 other Milwaukee devices, creating a larger sound experience.

To pair the speakers, turn on the first speaker, connect your device to Bluetooth, and then press the Audio Link button. Next, turn on the second speaker and press the Audio Link button. A tone will play, and the second speaker to indicate that it successfully paired, and the light bar will display the volume level of the host speaker.

Milwaukee M12 Packout Jobsite Speaker Design Notes

Milwaukee M12 Packout Jobsite Speaker Profile
  • Model: Milwaukee 2955
  • Power Source: Milwaukee M12 battery
  • Weight: 1.9 lbs (bare tool), 2.9 lbs (with M12 XC4.0Ah battery)
  • Length: 9.8 in.

Size and Weight

The Milwaukee 2955 jobsite speaker weighs 1.9 pounds as a bare tool and 2.9 pounds with the recommended M12 XC4.0Ah battery. The body of the radio is about 4 inches wide, similar to a Yeti 30-ounce Rambler tumbler, and it stands 9.8 inches tall when placed on its end.

This relatively small profile is really nice because it doesn’t take up a lot of room and is lightweight enough to throw in a toolbox or backpack.

EQ Adjustment

This speaker features a built-in equalizer that allows you to customize the bass and treble settings. To access the EQ settings, press and hold the play/pause button until you hear a low bass tone. You can then use the volume or seek buttons to adjust the bass. Press the play/pause button again until you hear a chime, then repeat the same process to adjust the treble. Lastly, press the play/pause button one more time to exit the EQ menu.

Mounting Options

Mounting Options

Milwaukee gives you several ways to mount this speaker. Most notably, the base of this speaker is designed to nest right into Milwaukee’s Packout system. You could mount it on one of the boxes or directly onto one of their wall-mounted plates. Either way, it’s a safe and convenient way to make sure your speaker doesn’t get misplaced on the jobsite.

Other mounting options include a molded plastic nail hook, the collapsable D-ring in the base, and the removable base-plate cover, which can be screwed down in a permanent location. Milwaukee includes a small pack of screws to make this process even easier.

no-mar pads

Of course, you can always stand it up on its end, thanks to the flat base plate, or lay it on its side. Milwaukee designed this speaker with a flat area on the side so it won’t roll. Plus, there are small rubber pads so it won’t slide or mar any delicate surfaces.

Additional Features

Milwaukee M12 Packout Jobsite Speaker Price

The Milwaukee 2955 retails for $129 as a bare tool and comes with a 1-year warranty. At the moment, there aren’t any kit options available, so don’t forget to pick up a battery and charger if you’re not already on the M12 platform.

The Bottom Line

The Milwaukee M12 Packout Jobsite Speaker delivers impressive sound quality while still maintaining a compact form factor. Its lightweight, compact design makes it easy to store, and the multiple mounting options give you a ton of versatility. While we expected it, the distortion that creeps in high volume levels does put some limitations on this range, though it fill a large space better than you might expect for a speaker this small.

If you’re looking for a quality compact Bluetooth speaker that can handle the rigors of a Professional jobsite and takes advantage of the M12 battery system, clip this one on top of your Packout stack and let the good times roll!

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