GoBoult Mustang GT40 review: Stylish design, balanced audio

Rating - 3.5/5




The budget portable Bluetooth speaker market is filled with options, making it tough for users to choose the right one. The GoBoult Mustang GT40 is one of the latest entries in the sub-Rs 5,000 speaker segment, and the speaker has been developed as part of GoBoult's collaboration with Ford Mustang. The speaker combines automotive-inspired design elements with everyday audio functionality.

Priced at Rs 3,999, the GT40 is positioned as a lifestyle-oriented portable speaker that aims to be as much a desk or living room accessory as it is an audio device. We used the speaker for music, movies, web series, and gaming sessions in both indoor and outdoor settings over several days. Here's what we think about it:

Design and build

The first thing that stands out about the Mustang GT40 is its appearance. Instead of following the typical cylindrical or rugged outdoor speaker design, the GT40 resembles a miniature guitar amplifier with clear influences from Mustang's design language.

The front grille carries the Mustang branding, while the leather-textured finish gives the body a smooth feel. We tested the all-black finish variant of the speaker. The contrast between the metallic grille and textured body helps it stand out without looking flashy.


One of the design elements we really liked was the leatherette carrying strap. It doesn't feel like an afterthought. The strap feels sturdy and comfortable while carrying the speaker from room to room. At nearly 2kg, the GT40 isn't pocketable, but it remains light enough to move around the house, office, balcony, or terrace without effort.


The top panel houses dedicated rotary knobs for volume, bass, and treble adjustment. In a world dominated by touch controls and apps, these physical knobs make the experience more enjoyable. The dials offer enough resistance and make quick sound adjustments easier than navigating through software menus.

Rubberised corner protectors and textured exterior all contribute to the rugged feel. The speaker never shifted or fell off tables, desks, or other wood surfaces throughout testing. At higher volume levels, there was no wobble or movement. The rear panel has USB-A, Type-C and TF card ports to make it more flexible for offline music playback.

Audio performance

It has dual dynamic drivers and a passive bass radiator with a rated output of 40W. During testing, the vocals were clear, and there was good separation between the background instruments.


Bollywood tracks like Tum Se Hi and Agar Tum Saath Ho sounded pleasant, with the vocals not losing out to the accompanying instruments. The mid-range frequencies were well handled, and vocal-centric tracks were engaging to listen to for long periods.


Switching to pop numbers such as The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights and Dua Lipa’s Levitating, the GT40 was strong enough to keep the beat engaging without covering up the singing. The dedicated bass knob allowed some fine-tuning depending on the genre.


For softer acoustic tracks like Perfect by Ed Sheeran and Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez, guitars and vocals retained their character without sounding overly processed.


The treble control proved particularly useful while listening to jazz and instrumental music, helping bring out finer details in cymbals and string instruments.


Bass isn't designed to shake walls, but it remains controlled and present. During casual listening sessions, it provided enough depth to make the music feel fuller without muddying it.


We also connected the speaker to a laptop for watching films. While watching Top Gun: Maverick, the dialogue remained clear throughout, and the speaker's wider soundstage helped create a sense of scale during the aircraft flyover sequences. It does not aim to replace a dedicated home theatre setup, but it offers a noticeable improvement over built-in laptop speakers.


We streamed episodes of The Night Manager. The scenes with heavy dialogue were easy to follow, and the background score was present without overpowering the conversations. This made long viewing sessions comfortable.”


Gaming performance was tested using Forza Horizon 6, which felt fitting given the Mustang branding. Engine sounds, environmental effects, and background music were reproduced with reasonable detail, adding to the overall experience. During gameplay, we did not notice any audio lag between on-screen actions and sound playback over Bluetooth. Casual gaming titles and racing games sounded good enough with GT40's sound signature.

Connectivity and battery life

The speaker supports Bluetooth 6.0 connectivity, and pairing was easy during testing. Once connected, the connection remained solid from room to room. In practical use, the speaker maintained a reliable connection at around 10-12 meters indoors, including through one interior wall. During testing, audio drop-outs were infrequent.


Switching between Bluetooth, USB, and TF card playback was simple. The speaker also supports TWS pairing for users who wish to connect two GT40 units together. Throughout the testing period, Bluetooth reconnects were quick whenever the speaker was turned back on.



GoBoult claims up to seven hours of playback on the Mustang GT40. In real-world use, battery life varied depending on volume levels. At around 60-70% volume, the speaker comfortably lasted for nearly a two-movie session or a few hours of casual gaming before it required a recharge.


The fuel gauge battery indicator on the top panel makes it easy to check remaining power. Charging is handled via USB Type-C. A full recharge took roughly 3 to 4 hours during testing using a standard charger. The speaker can also be used while connected to power, making it suitable for longer listening sessions indoors.

Verdict

The GoBoult Mustang GT40 at Rs 3,999, with Mustang-inspired styling, a leatherette carrying strap, physical tuning controls, and a sturdy build, manages to feel different from many portable speakers on the market today.


The sound signature is good for a wide range of content, such as music, movies, web series, and gaming. It offers flexibility with adjustable bass and treble knobs, allowing users to tailor the sound to what they are listening to. Battery life is enough for everyday use, Bluetooth connectivity remains reliable, and the speaker is easy enough to haul around.


For users looking for a portable speaker that combines distinctive design with balanced audio performance without breaking the bank, the GoBoult Mustang GT40 is a worthy consideration.