I know it’s a taboo subject for some golfers, but I’m in the camp that music is good for the soul, and yes, that means on the golf course too. As the game gets younger, music becomes more and more prevalent on the course.
That is why I’m always eager to try new speakers out on the course, but I’ll admit, when the “Barnacle Pro” from Speaqua came to me from THP HQ for review, I rolled my eyes.
That was a mistake.
Quick Take
This little guy packs a punch. Compact and versatile with the different mounting apparatus options included, it is also crystal clear and possesses an impressive range of volume. Not to mention, the fact that it has 8GB of internal memory and can be completely submerged and still play is beyond impressive. The “Golf” aesthetic is a little hokey, but fortunately there are ten other options available.
The Barnacle Pro from Speaqua
Yes, naming your product “barnacle” is going to lead to some interesting reactions, but then when you unpack the speaker and attach it to something, it makes total sense and is worth a chuckle or three. The Barnacle Pro is definitely a compact speaker, in a good way, the 2.5” x 2.5” x 3.3” size profile is perfect for use pretty much anywhere, including the golf course. Actually, that may be the most interesting part of the story here as it was designed for super active lifestyles, but the realization came that it could be excellent for golf as well.
Aesthetically, the round look is abstract but efficient. Naturally, I got the “golf” color option in for this review and while the dimples on the speaker to make it look like a golf ball make sense, it does come off a little kitschy. Honestly, I think simply pushing the other ten color options as being golf friendly may draw more interest from this segment, but I’m also not paid to make those decisions.
Beyond the look, the speaker packs a big sound. Whether you want your music on the course as background noise or to be the heartbeat of a good time, I tested the Barnacle Pro extensively at all levels and it flat out shocked my high school golfers and myself. Add in that you can pair two of these together and you won’t be left wanting in any area unless you just want a ton of bass.
The standouts here are what I initially rolled my eyes about when I found out I’d be reviewing the Barnacle Pro, the fastening mechanism. The base option is a suction cup, which I laughed about but this thing holds on to any flat surface. I tested it everywhere on a golf cart from the windshield to the roof and it hung tight no matter how hard I tried to Evel Knievel the cart to make it fall. It impressed me so much, I tried it all sorts of places, even in the shower on the tile, and it remained fantastic on every surface. If that wasn’t enough, it unscrews and can be replaced with a carabiner or GoPro mount for a ton of versatility.
If the simple effectiveness isn’t enough, it also has 8GB of internal storage for m4a files to go along with the Bluetooth connectivity (which never had anyissues by the way). Why is that cool? Well, because the Barnacle Pro is also IP68 rated 100% waterproof, and when you use the internal memory, your music will never be interrupted even when the speaker is submerged…and of course I tried it. Plus, it floats.
Look, I have no problem admitting when my initial reactions are wrong, and I was dead wrong about this one. That said, I think its because I came in viewing it as a golf speaker and not what it actually is, an active lifestyle speaker that can also be used for golf. If you are looking for something versatile and compact, the Barnacle Pro absolutely deserves to be on your short list.
The Details
Availability: Now – Various Retailers
Price: $64.99
Options: Eleven Color Options
I’m happily eating crow still from my initial reaction on it during unboxing.
I do still think the golf ball aesthetic is a little hokey and would prefer one of their many standard color options, but the speaker performs.
Nice price point for just a basic speaker. Does it come with the carabineer clip or is that a separate purchase?
I mentioned it in the article but it’s a speaker built for action sports and the company realized it could have golf applications. There’s no GPS or anything, but it’s an easy to travel speaker which a lot of people in the pro music camp could enjoy I think. Definitely showed me again sometimes less is more.
Carabiner pictured in the article is actually permanent on the speaker which is nice, but it lays flat and hidden for when you want to use the screw in mounts.
I would agree, the looks of the "golfball" are a little cheesy, but it sounds like this thing is great and small, which is nice. I use my old motorcycle speaker which usually sits upright in a cupholder (which is annoying the space has to be taken up), or in the basket in the back of the car (which I don’t prefer because I have almost left it a lot, lol), so this is a great option, along with not so bad price. I would really like to hear the sound from this, particularly the bass because my current speaker has a good amount of bass. I’m not looking for a subwoofer on the course, but when the bass hits, I like to hear it, lol. To be fair, you can hear my speaker at speeds up to 60-70 mph with no windshield on the motorcycle, so can’t really compare them in that terms, but I might look into this if my speaker bites the dust.
I can defintely see how this product would be laughable at first. I kinda did the same thing by the pictures. The question becomes, will this become their demise? I would defintely rock this thing at home in my office as I like having golf stuff in my office. I’m sure it’d migrate to other v places too!
Funnily, the way it’s shaped and how the speaker face is angled has me using the suction cup and hanging it upside down, it’s gets use there on the cart roof because I cans angle it down and at the passengers, and it also gets similar use in the shower
There’s no reason for this dude, we all know your stance on it, but the reality is music on the course is here to stay for the majority. You can listen to music and still be considerate, this review provides yet another option for those people.
Golf should be fun, and for some, music is involved in that fun. If anything a speaker this compact should be more interesting to the anti music crowd as it brings an option of more “considerate” volumes on the course.
You brought it up. Why?
Because this is an article on a product which a company has created that can address a SIGNIFICANTLY growing segment of golfers. Plus, there are ample threads on the discussion/damnation of music on the course, or, you can always start a new one.
@Jman Have you tried the suction cup on the cart windshield?
I can defintely see how that would work! Not to mention a bit of blowing somebody’s mind while having it mounted on the roof of the cart upside down!
It’s gotten some odd looks for sure
Yessir! Works great, it’s got real staying power.
That’s not what I was addressing and I suspect that you know that. Why would you, in simply remarking about this new product, mention in your OP that music annoys others?
Don’t answer; we know why.
Now, back to the product at hand, because it’s quite cool, and I’m taking it to the golf course RIGHT NOW!
to be the absolutely worst possible person for me to have playing in my group on a golf course.
I’m sure that I could never possibly compose myself well enough to break 100 if playing with Jman..
Every time we appear on the same thread, we pitch in with totally conflicting opinions on any subject possible.
Jman is a much better player than I, and in all likelyhood, he’s a really fine young man.
Getting to know him only on THP, however, it’s evident that the cosmos never intended for us to play golf together.
Stay you, Jman. I’m just an old timer who needs to play with other grumpy old men like myself!
My club mercifully doesn’t allow the music, although I’m sure that nobody but I would complain about the hat.
Yup. Sorry, Jman.
My vote is no music on the course, but once the older members like myself die off, that could possibly change.
Well. That got interesting. Great review James, seems like that little fella can take a bit of abuse and that’s pretty useful for a speaker. Pairing up with another speaker sounds useful too, so both carts in theory could rock out to the same playlist and not have to blast it on max for all to enjoy.
In that they would be a complete b*tch to attach to a golf cart,
Barnacle seems to have something in those little things if and where allowed.
Whoo boy! Does that thing go to 11? I think I want one just because… well, because.
According to their website it’s a speaker designed by surfers… one of their action shots in a photo shows one stuck to the end of a surfboard.
Imagine 2 of these stuck to the roof of a cart. That’s entertainment right there!
I like the Orca color scheme over the golf ball one but I’d take almost any of them.
There you go spending my money again ??
Oh, and FWIW – I’m 59 and most of the guys I golf with are 65+, and we almost always have music playing on the course.
That’s my kind of group!
Speaqua The Barnacle Golf Speaker White Green One Size New 862361000316 | eBay
http://www.ebay.com
This is available for $39.99 on eBay right now.
The golf ball look may be a little cheesy for the course but it will look great in the pool (in a few months)!
The golf ball look is actually growing on me. Hopefully I’ll get to test on the course soon and will report back.
I may pick one up because I like the option of securing it to the cart windshield when I ride. Kidz Bop bumping when the girls come with me!
Yeah for $40 on eBay tough to go wrong.
They must have an updated version at $69 as the model I received doesn’t have a carabineer clip.
No big deal for me but if you want that option you’ll have to spend more.
Works on monitors too!View attachment 9057537View attachment 9057538
Music is very individual, stop the madness…. Play YOUR Music FOR YOU
I do play it for me, with a speaker, and this one remains very impressive.
What if I only play by myself?
hahaha, I love it.
I also love that every time I read the name of the thread I think of Barney Stinson.. "My barnana!"
Iike the suction, does it work over let’s say less than pampered cart paths? No problems with the bumps? Hills breaking?
It looks tiny, is it enough to carry out the tunes? Or does it need total silence to be heard? I know you said this but it’s sooo small?
How is battery life?
I worked REALLY Hard to try and knock it off, and didn’t.
Sound is quite good, don’t let the size fool you.