Sharp PS-921 Review: Budget Party Speaker with Powerful Bass and Water Resistance

Looking for a budget-friendly party speaker that packs a punch with bass and offers water protection? Sharp PS-921 might be your next go-to.

Unboxing the Sharp PS-921 Vibe

When I first laid eyes on the Sharp PS-921, I couldn’t help but chuckle — it kind of reminded me of a kitchen air fryer rather than a party speaker! But don’t let the quirky design throw you off. This device aims to claim a spot among the best budget party speakers, especially for those craving room-filling bass without emptying the wallet.

And honestly? Sharp nailed it in delivering a deep, thumping low end that really wakes up the party. The overall sound quality, while not audiophile-grade, holds its own nicely.

This isn’t a speaker designed to offer perfectly balanced sound or high-res audio clarity. Nope, it’s all about that bass boom — the heart and soul of any good party speaker.

Bass and 3D Sound Modes: The Real Game Changers

Here’s where the PS-921 shines. Fire up a track like Black Eye by Allie X, and the explosive bass intro hits you with impressive depth and clear punch. The drum machine’s deep bass might not be razor-sharp or lightning-fast, but it plays strong and clean, with barely a hint of distortion — making it a genuinely enjoyable listen.

The Sharp PS-921’s unique design with built-in bass-boosting features makes it a standout.

What really cranks up the low-frequency energy is the 3D/Bass toggle. You get four settings:

• Bass Off / 3D Off
• Bass Off / 3D On
• Bass On / 3D Off
• Bass On / 3D On

For me, the sweet spot was the third option—Bass On with 3D Off. This setup ramped up the lows enough to dominate the mix without muddling mids or drowning out the highs.

That 3D mode, which Sharp claims offers “spatial sound,” was a bit of a letdown. Sure, it slightly widens the soundstage, but the bass loses its oomph, and the overall clarity takes a hit. Listening to Adagio Per Archi E Organo In Sol Minore by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the organ sounded sharp to the point of harshness, and treble became tinny and uncomfortable.

Turn on both 3D and Bass boosts together, and you get a muddy, smeared sound that’s tough to enjoy. But since the Bass On / 3D Off mode worked so well, this wasn’t a dealbreaker for me — that’s how I mostly rolled during my testing.

Bass and 3D modes controlled via physical buttons; LED lights dance to the beat.

Not Just Bass: Mid and High Frequencies Hold Their Ground

While the bass is the star, it’s always nice when a party speaker can handle the rest of the spectrum. Throw on I Believe in a Thing Called Love by The Darkness, and the PS-921 does a respectable job conveying the layers and energy of the track. It’s no deep sonic dive, but the speaker is capable of delivering more than just boomy lows.

Testing the highs with Rains Again by Solji was a bit of a mixed bag. The rain sound effect sounded like static more than gentle drops, and the vocals, although clean enough, lacked the warmth and clarity you might hope for. Still, for a budget party speaker that costs a fraction of the top-tier models, these are forgivable foibles.

How Does It Stack Against the Competition?

I couldn't resist putting it head-to-head with one of 2024’s hottest party speakers — the Anker Soundcore Boom 2. Both emphasize bass, but Boom 2’s lows felt a tad too much at times. Its overall sound was less crisp compared to the PS-921. For instance, in Não Tem Nada Não by Marcos Valle, Boom 2’s percussion was sharp to the point of being harsh, while Sharp’s speaker handled it more naturally and controlled.

So if you're after solid sound quality paired with punchy bass on a budget, the Sharp PS-921 is surprisingly competitive.

Comparing size, design, and sound output: Sharp PS-921 vs Anker Soundcore Boom 2.

Battery Life: Room for Improvement

Here’s one spot where the PS-921 falls short: battery endurance. Sharp advertises up to 14 hours of playtime, and after seven hours of testing, the battery was around half drained — which checks out. Fourteen hours is decent enough to get you through a party, BBQ, or beach day, but it trails behind competitors like the Boom 2, which boasts 24 hours.

For a speaker this size, I was hoping for closer to 20 hours of juice.

Features and Usability: Simple but Effective

The PS-921 keeps things straightforward — no companion app here. That means no EQ tweaks or advanced lighting controls via smartphone, which might irk some sound geeks who love fine-tuning their setup.

All settings, including 3D, Bass modes, and LED lights, are managed through physical buttons on the speaker. The buttons aren’t backlit though, which can be tricky to operate in the dark — not ideal for late-night outdoor jams.

Still, it does pack a few neat tricks:

• A colorful LED ring surrounds the subwoofer, with customizable lighting or complete off mode. My favorite was syncing the lights with the bass hits — it adds a fun visual punch to the sound.
• Duo Mode lets you link two PS-921 speakers for stereo sound, cranking output up to a whopping 130 watts combined — perfect for bigger gatherings.
• Multiple connection options: Bluetooth 5.0 + EDR, USB (both for playing music and charging other devices), and AUX input for wired listening.

LED lights pulse in time with the bass — party vibes on point.

Design: Practical but Polarizing

Let’s get real — the PS-921’s looks aren’t for everyone. The flashy LED lights and bold red accents scream “party speaker,” but the overall color combo can feel a bit over the top. If you’re aiming for sleek and chic, this might not be your jam.

Its shape, more reminiscent of a kitchen gadget than a sound system, adds to its odd charm. The rear handle is handy for carrying, though it lacks the boombox-style grip of some rivals like the Anker Boom 2.

On the bright side, the buttons are large and tactile, with neat white side indicators. The IPX5 water resistance rating means the PS-921 can survive splashes, light rain, or poolside fun without stress.

Who Is the Sharp PS-921 For?

If you want a straightforward party speaker with thumping bass, decent sound quality, and bright lighting effects, this is a solid pick — especially if you’re on a budget.

Students wanting a reliable room-filler for get-togethers, or anyone looking for an affordable outdoor speaker for cookouts and chill sessions, will appreciate what the PS-921 brings to the table.

It’s not a flashy gadget packed with extras, nor does it deliver audiophile-grade sound. But for $150, it’s a compelling mix of power, portability, and party-ready features.

Perfect for backyard barbecues and outdoor hangouts.

Specifications at a Glance

• Weight: 2.7 kg
• Dimensions: 220 x 226 x 220 mm
• Connections: Bluetooth 5.0 + EDR, AUX, USB
• Battery Life: Up to 14 hours
• Drivers: 2 x 2-inch tweeters, 1 x 4-inch subwoofer
• Water Resistance: IPX5

Price and Availability

Priced around $150, the Sharp PS-921 launched in April 2024. It sits comfortably in the budget category, matching competitors like the Anker Soundcore Boom 2.

While not widely available in all retail outlets, it can be sourced through international platforms or specialty audio importers.

Comparing Party Speakers: Sharp PS-921 vs Anker Soundcore Boom 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 offers a robust bass experience, thanks to its BassUp feature, and comes with a companion app to tailor sound and lighting — a noticeable perk over the PS-921. Tribit Stormbox Blast leans heavier and bigger but delivers serious sound power and quality with app control. If portability is your thing, the PS-921’s slightly chunkier design and simpler feature set might be a better fit.

Testing Methodology

• Two weeks of thorough testing
• Conducted in a dedicated listening room
• Streaming mostly via Tidal on a Fiio M11S Hi-Res player, alongside Spotify on a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
• Reference playlist combining deep bass tracks, delicate vocals, and complex mixes
• Used Anker Soundcore Boom 2 as a comparison benchmark

After hours of jams, tweaking modes, and volume experiments, the verdict feels balanced and fair.

“Sharp PS-921 delivers clean sound, powerful bass, and bright party-ready lighting—perfect for budget-conscious music lovers looking to turn up the fun.”
— Personal testing notes

FAQ

• What is the battery life of the Sharp PS-921?
  It offers up to 14 hours of playback, which is enough for most parties but less than some competitors.
• Does the PS-921 have an app for customization?
  No, all features like bass boost and lighting are controlled via physical buttons on the speaker.
• Is the speaker water-resistant?
  Yes, it has an IPX5 rating, making it splash-proof and suitable for outdoor use near water.
• Can I pair two PS-921 speakers for stereo sound?
  Absolutely! The Duo Mode lets you sync two units for a wider stereo experience.
• How does it compare to other party speakers?
  It competes well on bass and sound quality with similar-priced models like the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 but lacks app support and has shorter battery life.

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