HUAWEI MatePad 12 X (2026) Review
Portable speakers mean different things to different people. Well, for some, it’s about bringing background music to let’s say a picnic or the beach.
But for most Filipinos, “portable speaker” almost always translates to no other than as a karaoke machine.
We’re not just talking about listening to music; we’re talking about singing, gatherings, community events, and that one relative who won’t put the mic down until sunrise (ahem!).
That’s the space where the Techno Tamashi TTS-288 Soul comes in. This is not your typical Bluetooth speaker.
It’s an 8-inch portable party system with karaoke-ready features, bundled wireless microphone, RGB lights, FM radio, USB playback, and even a USB port that doubles as a power bank.
All of this comes in at just ₱3,000, which makes it one of the most accessible all-in-one party speakers in the market today.
But with so many speakers already out there, some with apps and fancy “smart” features, can something this straightforward still compete?
I spent some time with the TTS-288 Soul to see what it offers, who it’s for, and whether it deserves a spot in your next family gathering.
At first glance, the TTS-288 Soul doesn’t try to do anything radical. It sticks to a modern rectangular tower design, softened by beveled corners that keep it from looking too industrial. The body is made of matte ABS plastic, which feels durable enough for everyday use while being resistant to fingerprints and scratches.
While the front is dominated by the 8-inch driver, hidden behind a metal grille with a square-patterned design. This grille not only adds a bit of style (where the RGB Lights sits on) but also serves the practical purpose of protecting the driver.
Below it, there’s a section that might trick you into thinking it’s a subwoofer, but it’s actually just an aesthetic feature. It’s framed by two screws on either side, more of a design choice than an acoustic one.
On the bottom, you’ll find four rubber feet that keep the unit stable and reduce vibrations when the volume is pushed higher. The rest of the frame is clean, with all screws hidden behind tab covers to maintain a seamless appearance which is a big plus.
Portability is one of the TTS-288 Soul’s strengths. At just 2.4kg, it’s surprisingly lightweight for an 8-inch speaker. There’s a handlebar at the back that makes it easy to carry around.
This is the kind of detail that matters in real-world use, because let’s be honest: this is not a speaker that stays in one place.
It’s meant to move with you, from the sala to the garage, to the terrace, and even to the barangay hall if needed.
But one of the most practical design choices is the smartphone/tablet slot on top. It’s a small groove, but it completely changes the way you use the speaker.
Instead of propping your phone against random objects while streaming YouTube karaoke tracks (We all do this right!), you just slot it in securely on top of the unit. It’s such a simple feature, but one that makes a huge difference.
Now the top panel houses all the essential controls. The TTS-288 Soul uses rubber capacitive buttons that actually sink slightly when pressed. That means you get tactile feedback every time you adjust something, and in my opinion, that’s a lot better than touch panels that sometimes misread inputs.
The layout includes:
The LED display is small but very functional. It gives you real-time feedback on volume, EQ settings, DBB and TWS status.
The RGB lights themselves are practical and low powered. They don’t generate any heat, even after hours of being on, and they don’t noticeably affect battery life.
That means you can leave them on during parties without worrying about overheating or draining your charge too quickly.
Under a rubber flap, you’ll find the ports:
That USB port doubling as a power bank is one of the most underrated features here. Not only can you load music directly from a USB stick, but you can also charge your smartphone or another small device while using the speaker. and oh! you can also charge this speaker using just a powerbank.
Inside the package, you’ll find everything you need to get started:
It’s a complete setup right out of the box, and having both a mic and remote included means you don’t need to buy any extras just to start a karaoke session.
The bundled wireless mic is better than expected at this price point. It has a matte finish and includes a small LED display showing frequency and battery level. It’s powered by two AA batteries and comes with a dedicated power button. The build is ok but not too premium but for its price the sound quality is by far better compared with other similar categories. Again, for a 3,000 device what can you ask for?
In use, the mic delivers clear vocals, and when paired with the speaker’s echo and mic volume adjustments, it becomes a capable karaoke setup. What makes it even more flexible is that you can plug in a second wired microphone via the MIC input, allowing duets or back-and-forth hosting during events.
The included remote extends functionality beyond what the top panel offers. It covers volume and playback, and adds:
Powered by two AAA batteries, the remote is handy when you want to adjust settings from across the room without getting up.
The RGB lighting comes with 14 modes ranging from static colors to dynamic pulsing and music-synced (kinda) effects. Some competitors let you control lights via smartphone apps, but here it’s all built-in. Just press a button and you’re done.
And honestly, that’s the philosophy of this speaker: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. By keeping it simple and hardware-based, the TTS-288 Soul avoids the extra cost of app development and connectivity. If they had gone down the app-control route, this unit would probably cost closer to ₱5,000 or even more instead of ₱3,000.
To be honest, the RGB block display is so hypnotizing that you can stare at it all day long, and it feels like the effects are unlimited.
During our audio test, I first used Michael Jackson’s “You Are Not Alone”, which has a strong bass presence in the intro (No! It’s not just a meme here in the Philippines but literally best way to test the bass of speakers). We also tried other EDM music, Daft Punk and Weeknd soundtracks to test the power of the bass and audio clarity.
The TTS-288 Soul reproduced the bass, but not at earth-shaking levels. Instead, its tuning favors clarity and vocals — which makes sense, since this is primarily a party / karaoke speaker.
Vocals are crisp and forward, treble is clean though slightly limited, and bass is present but restrained. Echo effects are adjustable up to 16 levels, which adds flexibility for karaoke.
For spoken audio, such as podcasts or YouTube videos, the speaker performs well. The audio is almost in perfect sync with the narration, so you don’t get that distracting lag that some Bluetooth speakers struggle with.
In short:
To be clear, this is not a speaker designed for bass-heavy EDM sessions. It’s tuned for practical entertainment use: karaoke, voice clarity, podcasts, and casual music.
Charging based on its manual takes about 6–7 hours, and with no listed mAh capacity in the manual. Runtime depends on volume and RGB use, but in practice, it’s enough for a full evening of karaoke or a small party.
The ability to charge devices via the USB port gives it extra practicality, especially in areas where power outlets aren’t always available. and you can even charge the speaker using just a powerbank.
At ₱3,399, the TTS-288 Soul lands in the budget-friendly segment. Competitors at higher price points often come with smartphone app integration for controlling EQ, lights, and settings.
This one doesn’t — but that’s intentional.
By keeping everything built-in and button-based, it avoids unnecessary complexity and cost. That makes it a better fit for its target audience: people who want straightforward functionality without needing to rely on apps or Wi-Fi.
Another important detail is USB playback. In the provinces here in the Philippines, not everyone uses Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube for their music. Many most of them still rely on USB drives loaded with MP3 files.
Being able to just plug in a USB and play music directly makes this speaker more versatile in those settings.
And then there’s FM radio, which most modern portable speakers have completely abandoned.
In urban areas, that might not matter. But in provincial contexts, FM is still a vital feature — whether for music, news, or entertainment.
Taken together, these choices make it clear that Techno Tamashi is aiming the TTS-288 Soul at practical markets. It’s a budget-friendly, straightforward device that delivers the features people actually use.
Living with the TTS-288 Soul is straightforward. The rubber buttons are responsive and easy to use, the LED display is bright enough to see clearly, and the voice prompts eliminate confusion when switching modes.
The phone/tablet slot is a small but game-changing feature. The RGB lighting is fun without adding heat or excessive drain. And the dual handles with lightweight build make it easy to carry anywhere.
Its limitations are expected at this price point — long charging time, limited bass and treble range — but they don’t take away from the fact that this is a well-balanced karaoke-focused speaker.
The Techno Tamashi TTS-288 Soul Isn’t trying to be the smartest or most high-tech speaker on the market. It’s not app-controlled, it doesn’t have cloud features, and it won’t integrate with your smart home. But at ₱3,000, it delivers exactly what its audience needs: a lightweight, portable karaoke speaker with clear vocals, bundled microphone, RGB lighting, USB playback, FM radio, and even power bank functionality.
It’s simple, practical, and designed with the Filipino market in mind — especially for households that want a reliable, budget-friendly party speaker without unnecessary frills.
If you are interested check it out (Lazada 48 and Tiktok 16).
What We Liked:
Lightweight (2.4kg) and portable with dual handles
Clear vocal output, excellent for karaoke and spoken audio
Smartphone/Tablet holder slot
USB port doubles as a power bank
Wireless microphone included, with option for a second wired mic
RGB lighting modes with no heat or battery issues
Rubber capacitive buttons with tactile feedback
FM radio and USB playback support
What We Didn’t Like:
Bass and treble limited compared to music-focused speakers
TWS only works with identical units
No smartphone app control (though this is partly why it’s affordable)
Apple, Asus, Cherry Mobile, Huawei, LG, Nokia, Oppo, Samsung, Sony, Vivo, Xiaomi, Lenovo, Infinix Mobile, Pocophone, Honor, iPhone, OnePlus, Tecno, Realme, HTC, Gionee, Kata, IQ00, Redmi, Razer, CloudFone, Motorola, Panasonic, TCL, Wiko
Best Android smartphones between PHP 20,000 - 25,000
Smartphones under PHP 10,000 in the Philippines
Smartphones under PHP 12K Philippines
Best smartphones for kids under PHP 7,000
Smartphones under PHP 15,000 in the Philippines
Best Android smartphones between PHP 15,000 - 20,000
Smartphones under PHP 20,000 in the Philippines
Most affordable 5G phones in the Philippines under PHP 20K
5G smartphones in the Philippines under PHP 16K
