Somebody really had their head on straight when they designed the Bosch GPB18V-15CN jobsite radio. This iteration on earlier Bosch PowerBox radios maintains many of the features I love. That includes excellent sound quality and four handy 110V outlets. It removes Bosch battery charging, however, pulling one of its top features. This radio takes into account the fact that not everyone is going to be working directly in front of the radio. Having compared this radio against nearly a dozen other models, I set out to detail what it’s like to own this radio and whether or not I think it’s a great pick.
Pros
- Very wide soundstage
- Excellent area coverage
- Lots of features
- 4 GFCI 120V outlets
- Accommodates larger Bosch batteries
Cons
- Heavy
- No battery charging!
Editor’s Note: Check out our best jobsite radio article for our top picks.
Bosch GPB18V-15CN Jobsite Radio Features
Instead of the traditional front-facing stereo speakers, the Bosch GPB18V-15CN features an array of four 1-3/4″ drivers. These fire up and outward in all directions at once. Bosch also alternates the left/right speakers so you get stereo sound regardless of which side of the radio you’re on. A 4-1/2″ flush-mounted woofer fires downward to provide additional bass. Put this in the middle of your jobsite, and everyone can hear your tunes.
Measured from 25 feet away, the Bosch GPB18V-15CN radio outputs 71 dB SPL from each side. It’s not the loudest radio we tested from the front, but it certainly puts out more sound if you factor in how it fares when listened to from the sides or behind. In that way, it’s a truly “social” radio that cares about everyone in the area, regardless of where they work. Now you just have to get your crew to agree on the music!
Easy-to-Press Buttons
All of the buttons are rubberized and easy to use with gloves on. Plus, they’re backlit, so you can see what you’re doing when the lighting isn’t so hot. The Tune and Volume knobs are simple to spin. You can store your favorite stations into one of the 4 AM and FM presets to avoid having to slow tune or seek from one extreme of the dial to the other.
Inputs, Outputs, and Power
There is so much going on with the Bosch jobsite radio that each side almost needs its own description in order to take it all in. The left side features a hinged compartment that houses a smartphone bay along with a 2.1A USB port and Aux input.
On the right side, you have four covered 110V 10A outlets and an integrated power cord with cord wrap. This lets the radio double as a power distribution center for all but the most current-hungry power tools.
The back features a sealed, gasketed battery compartment as well as an FM antenna. The AA batteries also live within this compartment and power the clock and other settings when you unplug the radio or remove the battery.
The top of the Bosch Power Box has a handy carry handle, and the entire system is surrounded by a protective roll cage.
Bosch GPB18V-15CN Listening Tests
I really liked the sound of the Bosch radio. It plays loud and clean, with more real bass than most other systems out there. The multi-directional speakers are a great concept, and the entire design of the radio makes it incredibly durable because it truly isolates the central radio from the surrounding roll cage.
Bosch gave the GPB18V-15CN a really wide soundstage compared to most jobsite radios you’ll listen to. It also has excellent midrange fidelity—for example, the Hammond B3 in Steve Miller Band’s Fly Like an Eagle really punched through the mix and sounded phenomenal.
For EQ, Bosch gives you Jazz, Rock, Pop, Classic, and Custom modes (in addition to off/flat). Rock is the typical “smiley face” that significantly boosts both treble and bass while the others are a combination of elevating one or both to a lesser degree. Flat is your best option for fidelity, in my opinion. However, for the best outdoor performance, the Rock EQ setting offers a very pleasing effect and carries more volume. The inclusion of a 4.5-inch ported subwoofer only adds to the mix.
Testing Results
| Score | Ranking | |
|---|---|---|
| Volume Output | 5.0/5.0 | 1st |
| Soundstage | 5.0/5.0 | 1st (tied) |
| Bass Performance | 5.0/5.0 | 1st |
| Protection | 5.0/5.0 | 1st |
| Features | 19/20 | 2nd (tied) |
| 350-ft Bluetooth Test | Pass | – – |
| Value | 39.0/39.0 | 1st |
Pricing
At around $199, this is easily my top pick for the best radio on the market and certainly your best option for a loud, full-featured jobsite solution.
Final Thoughts
The only downside of the Bosch GPB18V-15CN Power Box jobsite radio is that it weighs over 25 pounds with a battery inserted. That’s not as heavy as the Milwaukee Packout Radio. However, you have to carry this one by the handle and can’t wheel it in on a rolling cart. If you can afford it, the GPB18V-15CN is a feature-rich model that will take a beating and provide music to an entire jobsite.
