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- Gorgeous design
- Spacious, detailed sound
- Powerbank capabilities
- Not very rugged for a portable speaker
- No IP rating
- Zero customisation options
Iconic is a word thrown around far too often, but a strong case can be made that the Audio Pro Addon T3 Bluetooth speaker falls into that category.
The original Addon T3 was released in 2015 and proved such a big hit that Audio Pro shelved plans to discontinue its portable speaker range in 2019. Instead, the Swedish manufacturer redesigned the Addon T3’s bass port, fine-tuned its digital signal processing and relaunched the speaker as the Addon T3+.
Six years on, the Addon T3+ is still going strong. I’m reviewing a limited edition of the speaker, designed in collaboration with Swedish glam-rock musician and artist Mikael Jepson. It’s the most colourful iteration of the T3+ yet, but sadly, the restricted release means you don’t have long to get your hands on it.
However, under its undeniably attractive exterior, this is the same Addon T3+ that sells like hotcakes in its more austere colourways. Do I think it’s worth picking up in 2025? Read on to find out.
Audio Pro Addon T3+ Jepson review: What do you get for the money?
The Addon T3+ costs £150, regardless of whether you buy the Jepson, black, white or grey version. It’s a Bluetooth-only speaker that measures 215 x 135 x 115mm (WDH) and weighs 2.1kg. That’s pretty heavy by portable speaker standards, but a leather strap attached to the top of the T3+ makes carrying it around easy enough.
On the specifications front, the Addon T3+ is a little behind the times, which isn’t surprising given its age. It streams wirelessly over Bluetooth 4.0 and doesn’t support the LDAC or aptX Adaptive codecs, though these are rare on portable options such as this.
The speaker is battery powered, and a single charge will net you around 30 hours of audio playback at 50% volume and 12 hours if you’re pushing it to its limits. Unlike most modern portable speakers, the Addon T3+ charges via a figure-of-eight power cable rather than USB-C. Audio Pro supplies two of these cables in the box: one that terminates in a UK three-pin mains plug and the other that ends in a European two-pin plug.
Accompanying the AC input on the rear of the speaker are a USB-A port for charging external devices and an AUX port for connecting a pair of headphones or an analogue audio device. A panel housing six depressible buttons sits on the top panel of the speaker; these control power on/off, pairing, Bluetooth and AUX source switching, and volume.
The T3+ contains two forward-firing 1.9cm tweeters capable of outputting 5W each on either side of a beefy 8.9cm woofer rated at 15W. A total output of 25W isn’t measly by any means, but you’re not going to get the kind of eardrum-rattling level of noise you would with the recently launched Flip 7, which can pump out up to 35W and is tiny by comparison.
How the Addon T3+ sounds out of the box is how it will sound throughout its lifespan. Although Audio Pro has a mobile app – Audio Pro Control – compatibility is limited to the brand’s range of multi-room wireless speakers, so there’s no way to manually EQ the T3+.
Audio Pro Addon T3+ Jepson review: What did we like about it?
Mikael Jepson’s art style isn’t going to be for everyone, but I adore the design of this limited edition Addon T3+. The contrast between the white housing and the colourful grills on the front of the speaker is playful, funky and fun, while the blue leather strap adds zing.
The black, white and grey models aren’t as eye-catching but are still very nicely crafted. There’s a sturdiness and refinement to the build, and I enjoy how the striking arrangement of the drivers is reminiscent of Mickey Mouse with his ears separated from his head.
That driver arrangement results in some very enjoyable sound, too. As noted above, the output of the Addon T3+ isn’t going to blow your guests away at a house party, but during more civilised listening sessions, it’s able to project its impressive musical sensibilities very successfully.
Two small feet at the front of the speaker help direct sound upward slightly, and there’s an admirable cohesion to the efforts of the tweeters and woofer. The vocal and guitar-heavy opening to The Offspring’s Self Esteem was articulated cleanly, and mid-range and higher frequencies remained composed as I pushed the volume right up during the chorus.
The woofer and bass port, the latter of which was upgraded when Audio Pro transitioned from the T3 to the T3+, deliver in spades, too. They contribute plenty of low-end heft when required, the punchy, poppy bassline on Culture Beat’s 90s dance classic Mr Vain pumping out of the speaker without so much of a rattle or rumble from its housing.
The Addon T3+ isn’t short on spaciousness and detail, either, and the physical dimensions of the speaker and discrete left and right tweeters undoubtedly help here. There was a welcome breadth to the presentation of Limp Bizkit’s Take A Look Around, and the Addon T3+ handled the heavy-hitting sections of the song with aplomb. The combination of drums with plenty of depth and weight and a potently reproduced bass guitar had me moshing around my bedroom with abandon. The track’s dynamic transitions were smooth, and Fred Durst’s lyrics were coherent throughout.
The speaker’s ability to satisfactorily express the nuances of vocals was further evidenced when listening to A View to a Kill by Duran Duran; Simon Le Bon’s tone and range were captured incredibly well.
In the context of most portable speakers, the T3+’s 30-hour battery life is very strong. Granted, this is at 50% volume, but for general home listening, I didn’t feel the need to push the speaker much further than that. That figure will drop if you’re making use of the Addon T3+’s power bank capabilities, but it’s a worthwhile inclusion in my book. Having your speaker on hand to top up your phone while out and about is always handy, even if it does mean sacrificing a few hours of playtime.
Audio Pro Addon T3+ Jepson review: What could be improved?
The fetching design of the Addon T3+ and the materials used in its construction limit its use case somewhat. You might think that you can take this portable speaker anywhere, but it doesn’t have an IP rating, so it isn’t protected against rain or the ingress of dust. As a result, you’ll want to ensure it’s a sunny day if you plan to use it outside.
Similarly, the Addon T3+ is not constructed to withstand bumps and knocks. A lot of portable options in this category have rubberised shells to keep them safe, but should the T3+ take a tumble, it’s going to come out much the worse for wear. The textured paint on the wooden housing is easily chipped, which I discovered to my detriment when transporting it to the office in my bag.
These are tradeoffs made in the name of aesthetic appeal, and as long as you’re clear on when and where you plan on using the Addon T3+, they aren’t dealbreakers. There are a couple of things that may prove more off-putting to those in search of a do-it-all Bluetooth speaker, however.
The absence of any way to tweak your listening experience will feel pretty alien to those used to companion apps offering a range of audio presets and the option to create your own EQ. There’s little wrong with how the Addon T3+ sounds, but every so often, I found its woofer got a tad unruly and would have welcomed the ability to dial it back a notch or two. I also listen to lots of podcasts at home and would have got decent mileage out of a voice-focused setting.
With USB-C now the go-to charging standard for Bluetooth speakers, the Addon T3+ shows its age by relying on a figure-eight cable for top-ups. This isn’t that big an issue if you’re solely using it indoors at home – its most natural environment – but if you’re taking it further afield, you’ll need to remember to pack a cable.
Audio Pro Addon T3+ Jepson review: Should you buy it?
If you appreciate the aesthetic and are after a great-sounding speaker, then the answer is a strong yes, but with a couple of caveats. The Addon T3+ isn’t a Bluetooth speaker that’s well-equipped for transportation or use outdoors. Its blocky nature makes it tricky to carry in a bag, and the cabinet is vulnerable to bumps, knocks and rain.
So, while technically portable, it’s a speaker best suited for use indoors. When there, its stylish looks and crisp sound make it stand out from the crowd. Even more so when it’s decked out in a wonderfully whimsical colour palette. With just 500 having been made, the limited edition Jepson colourway won’t be around forever, though, so you’ll want to act swiftly to avoid missing out on it.
