Most cordless power tool brands offer radios, Bluetooth speakers, and other such jobsite music and streaming audio player.
Dewalt offers a couple of different Bluetooth speakers and radios, such as the DCF028 that launched in 2020.
But what they no longer have is any tool box-format music players.
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Dewalt launched their first tool box system-compatible jobsite radio in 2015, with the ToughSystem Music.
They launched a smaller Tstak-compatible music player in 2018.
In my opinion, the Dewalt Tstak music player was perfect. It sounded great, Bluetooth connectivity worked well, and the form factor was just right. It was a great size, even if used apart from other Tstak tool boxes.
At the time of this posting, Dewalt doesn’t show the Tstak music player as discontinued, but it’s no longer available at any authorized online retailers that I checked.
In 2019, Dewalt announced the ToughSystem Music 2.0, which also doubled as a battery charger when plugged into AC power.
In early 2020, the ToughSystem Music 2.0 Bluetooth radio had been receiving negative reviews from early adopters.
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By March 2020, Dewalt suspended the ToughSystem Music 2.0’s production, and was taking steps to understand what was causing the issues users had been experiencing. That’s the last update I received from Dewalt.
The ToughSystem Music 2.0, which was compatible with the latest generation ToughSystem 2.0 tool boxes, never returned to market.
All this is to say that, at the time of this posting, there is a tool box-sized hole in their Bluetooth radio and speaker lineup.
Dewalt had 3 models – ToughSystem Music 1.0, Tstak, and ToughSystem 2.0, and none of them are available for purchase anymore – at least not that I could easily find.
Technically, Craftsman’s VersaStack Bluetooth jobsite radio ($199 at Lowe’s) is compatible with Dewalt’s Tstak tool boxes, but not with any of Dewalt’s cordless power tool batteries.
Did Dewalt run into parts shortages that have yet to be be resolved? Are they working on the next model? Have they given up on a tool box-format music player?
Have you been waiting for a new Dewalt tool box system-compatible jobsite speaker or radio?
Ryan+H
I’ve been waiting for a new Dewalt toolbox…anything involving a battery charger. Radio would be nice.
Big Richard
You’re in luck, they released a ToughSystem charger box, DWST08050:
https://toollaunch.com/dewalt-tough-system-charger-box/amp/
alex
DeWalt had some problems all year long. The pex expansion tool couldn’t be found anywhere for the last 6 months.
At least, they just released a tstak – tough system adapter (about time) so it seems like they are planning to stick with both systems.
John
Is the adapter available yet? I have only seen teasers.
alex
Not available just announced (model number DWST08017)
Bobby
Its supposed to be coming in the next couple months, but like Stuart said, new tool launch delays are very common. There is some initial info about the adapter.
https://toollaunch.com/dewalt-toughsystem-tstak-adapter/
Stuart
New tool launch delays are more commonplace than you might think.
Tom
The toughsystem music 2.0 is good when it works, then starts going in and out and just makes weird noises. The DCR010 is a great speaker just wish it had a tuner for am/fm. Dewalt in general I feel like is slow to release new tools and accessories.
Big Richard
Try the DCR028 radio. Not much bigger than the DCR010 speaker, good sound, Bluetooth, runs on 12v or 20v, optional AC power cord. Only downside compared to the their bigger radios is it does not function as a battery charger.
Michael T
I have the tstac radio and it got great sound ,but the bluetooth function quite working. So called dewalt and all they sead it’s discontinued
Roger
SBD/DeWalt are either being very lazy, or have issues with Keter (or whatever manufacturer). Just looking at all the other current options. Even HF has there own version stacking storage now. They might, long shot, soon have a radio also. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ryobi pops up with one that “LYNK”s.
So much potential wasted.
Roger
ToughSystem and TSTAK could have been bigger.
fred
I’m guessing that SBD probably uses one of their own companies (like Zag Industries) to make their Dewalt Toolboxes. For instance, the Dewalt #17806 toolbox is made in Israel by Zag.
Franco
Interesting, Keter is also made in Israel, and I remember seeing those big PVC sheds they sell at Costco (don’t recall the brand) that was also made in Israel.
With everything being made cheapest in China and India, I wonder why the “plastics” (Keter, Zag and possibly another) all come from Israel.
Rick Firestone
Alot of companys are moving away from both countries, tariff issues and quality being the main reasons..it may cost more being made elsewhere, but in the long run we’re better off…added plus of it being made by an actual political ally
Sean
I have the craftsman versastack radio, and I love it.
I got it several years ago for $50 on clearance at Lowes!
John
The new battery charger box in interesting but I wish I was in the pack out system most days.
Gr
Dcr032 Bluetooth speaker launching mid March
Big Richard
All I’ve heard is that it will be a “smart” jobsite speaker and is $199, compared to their current $99 jobsite speaker. Do you have any other details?
Gr
No not yet I’ve seen pictures but it was supposed to be released last year but haven’t heard any details
Gr
It is now first of June Price has went up to 309.00 for the speaker it was one a list of q2 new items at a recent show
Big Richard
Very nice, I’ll keep an eye out for it.
JoeM
To be totally honest, I’ve always thought DeWALT overdid it with Radios as a whole. Bluetooth Speakers as well. I get that something to listen to on the job can make the day easier to get through. At the same time, having a centralized sound source with only one thing playing at a time seems rather exclusionary to me. Like what gets played, or you don’t belong on the site? Is that the message we’re going with?
Bluetooth connection? Marvey… But… How many simultaneous connections? What I’d rather see, is where it is a centralized signal amplifier, with more ways to get music in. SiriusXM subscription perhaps? AM/FM/HAM capabilities? Bluetooth, sure, how about WiFI, and has a capacity to store a NAS for storing individual files for everyone to search on their own devices? Plus… We’re already on Centralized Audio, how about an all digital signal PA system, linked to Comms-Style Radios on everyone’s belt, with Earbuds or Ear Protection plugged straight in. Boss or someone is doing the lunch order? Tap a button on your radio to ask for what everyone wants, or have an all-call button on the device itself to call it out to them. And when push comes to shove, something happens, can isolate individual radios to talk direct to an individual.
That’s what I’d rather see done, is a full-featured site-wide Comms, instead of a Radio or Speaker. Massive signal booster for any source it can pick up, and through an App, or some other feature on the individual, they can tune in to what they want, and still get the communications from the whole team.
Throw in the 15 Ah FlexVOLT battery and its new design, and they were bound to do some sort of redesign to accommodate it in the models that both use, and charge, the batteries. And I think with an unreliable supply chain worldwide, the models that needed the most modification probably were the Toolbox System models. Modifications to the external models just involves changing a shape in manufacturing, it doesn’t have to be limited by the confines of the size constraints of a toolbox system. They’ll encounter a lot of the same supply chain problems, but it will be far easier to pump out one of the cheap, easy, and ubiquitous Radios or speakers.
Stuart
Dewalt isn’t going to design a Bluetooth music player around a close to $400 15Ah battery. If all you have is a 15Ah battery… buy a smaller battery for the radio.
NAS based music server? Satellite radio? Sure, connect whatever you want to the music player via Bluetooth.
JoeM
I completely agree that would be easiest. But more than just the new battery are new to the line, that was just an example.
And let’s be honest, what I would truly want from these systems is never going to happen. It’s too cold, and doesn’t consider the simplicity of a crew just jamming out all day. It’s a big, complex two-way system with all the features of a PA, as well as the features of a music server. Plus it relies on people having the equivalent compatible hearing protection to tap into it. What am I thinking, right?
I will stand and die on that hill that they’re going to update everything and release new versions though. That leaves just the supply chain issues going on worldwide as the factor stopping us from having them immediately.
Reno Paddy
I would have been happy enough if DeWalt included similar functions that the Bosch Power Box have – line in/outs and multimedia ports like a functional (other than just charging) USB port. I keep multiple USB keys with different genres of music depending on where I am and my mood. I’d rather not use my phone as a music source if I don’t have to.
Rich
I have one of the ToughSystem version 1.0 radios. I think it is 95% great. It’s water resistant, charges the batteries when plugged into AC, and sounds really good. The BT range is decent as well. The only issue I have with it is the cradle that holds the battery. If you leave the unit stationary, there are no problems. But the nature of the battery cradle design is such that if you carry it around by the handle like a suitcase and set it down, battery dislodges itself slightly. It’s more of an inconvenience than anything, because otherwise it’s a great unit.
Robbie
Totally agree. It’s nearly a perfect radio. I still love the 1.0. It’s sounds amazing. My battery will also come loose if I bang it around.
Brando
Toughsystem Music 1.0 would also charge batteries when plugged into AC. I have owned it for about 5 years. Its still a very nice radio
James Eppich
I specifically waited for 2.0 because it was BT5.0 and the flex volt batteries for inside. The problem I had is that the sub woofer blew in under a year. And I heard that from many people online. I didn’t blast it at full volume, but I do mainly list to EDM. I’m not sure if it was just a bad sourced part of poorly mounted. DeWalt replaced it with 1.0 for free. 1.0 sounds great too, but it’s not BT5.0 and doesn’t fit flex volt batteries. The sub is still great. Also, literally no battery will stay in place during travel. I always have to push the battery back in after unpacking the radio.
The thing about DeWalt is they have a lot of great tools and stuff. But I don’t think they make the majority of it. It’s all 3rd party with DeWalt stamped on it. So having the really good quality stuff can be hit and miss.
Will
I don’t know the percentage of dewalt is third party, but I’m sure it’s how you look at it. Stanley Black&Decker owns a lot of companies. Some of the stuff sold as other SBD brands are also sold as Dewalt. I don’t know of any dewalt tool that’s made by a completely separate company besides the heaters.
I figured out that their years tool attachments for the 60v power head were relabled Troy built attachments, but that’s because SBD bought Troy built.
I’m curious what other stuff they contract out.
josh
I stuffed a big chunk of foam inside the battery door which keeps the battery tight
Franco
I have both FV and 20v tools. I bought the TStak radio a few years back. I went with it mainly because at the time the ToughSystem only charged 20v (later rectified in a newer model), while the TStak did both 20v & FV.
In all honesty, I don’t use the radio as a charger that often, but still. if I am going to have a radio that charges, I wanted one that did both.
Franco
BTW, I forgot to mention, I have many tool battery radios. This TStak easily has the best sound.
Nathan
does anyone actually use a jobsite radio these days? I’d think by now most people having to have mandatory hearing protection or such and with the common mobile phone practices. People gravitated to some form of ear plug/headphone and didn’t look back.
box charger makes goobs of sense though.
Caleb
Dewalt probably sees the writing on the wall that job site radios aren’t going to be a money maker in the future. Everyone on our sites already wants to just use their own headphones. It’s annoying right now when you want to talk to someone, but as the tech advances I can see it being the norm before to many years that everyone just has headphones with hearing protection and ambient sound input to be able to communicate.
Will
I almost bought a 2.0, but heard about the issues. I was really hoping they would release an updated toughsystem radio. I ended up getting a alternate Bluetooth speaker that had good sound, but the battery is built in. So no swapping batteries when it dies. I’ve already found this frustrating.
Dewalt is way past due to release a new integrated radio. It may happen soon, since they have been dropping all of the old ones.
Chris
I think we won’t need to wait to long, I think DeWalt has a new one on the way from what I seen on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CnW_9qKLM9s/?igshid=NDk5N2NlZjQ=
Looks like a new one is coming soon
Big Richard
Watch the whole video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXdeaOTNu-4
At :45 sec they show a couple interesting looking things. Potentially a cooler with LED display, big ole rolling tote, etc..
Will
Looks like some smaller, slimmer boxes too and it’s that a helmet bag up to?
MFC
I waited for decent drawers (any drawers) to be in stock, then I waited for them to come out with some different bags and kits that would lock into the system, then I waited for a radio that functioned. And I waited, and waited and waited and then finally moved to Milwaukee Packout. Honestly it’s been great except for all my Yellow tools feel dirty living in red boxes, lol.
DeWalt’s 60v tools are the only reason I’m still with DeWalt. Their tablesaw, miter saw, SDS Max Hammer drills, 9″ saw, etc. are so much better than the M18 counterparts that can’t handle the high amperage draw from such low voltage and constantly overheat the batteries.
But Milwaukee’s 18v lights are better because they can be plugged in and some have built in chargers. I had to sell the m18 V2 3 headed light the other day and it hurt because it was so nice…
I like both M and D for different reasons, but Packout is definitely a Milwaukee winner.
Will
Wish they would re-release the van rack. Why they discontinued that, I’ll never know. There are a lot of work vans in the world.
Ruslan C
I wonder if Dewalt sold it’s radio to craftsman. Versa stack is almost identical to the Dewalt, just a different colors.
Will
Craftsman is owned by Stanley Black & Decker, so probably more like shared in the family.
josh
I picked up a toughsystem music 1.0 about 6 months ago brand new and it is compatible with my 2.0 boxes
you just can’t put those half width boxes on top of it
also the 1.0 does have a slow 1amp hour built in charger that only fits 5.0 and 2.0 size batteries
jamie
“By March 2020, Dewalt suspended the ToughSystem Music 2.0’s production, and was taking steps to understand what was causing the issues users had been experiencing. That’s the last update I received from Dewalt.”
Dewalt is owned by black and decker. According to wikipedia Black and Decker had a revenue of 15 billion dollars.
There is no steps to take to understand the problem except read the negative reviews that came out. The majority clearly pointed to a bad speaker.
Dewalt kills me. I have tough systems and dewalt drill, recip saw, mitre saw, table saw, and about 6 batteries. I love dewalt with big box stores because I tend to find better deals when stores need to clear them out. The only reason why I buy dewalt is because of this except for the rack and pinion table saw, and the older miter saws are tanks. The new one is nice with a light, but I find the bevel switching stupid compared to past models.
Dewalts toughsystem after this many years just sucks in terms of innovation compared to the milwaukee series and that’s not even including all the funky 3d printed add-ons. It seems there latest addons are better locking systems, and the small add on boxes you need to buy an entire set of ratchets. Lame.
It’s almost like Dewalt’s design team has the opposite of people’s strengths; elderly people on computers designing products, and young people who are inexperienced with the tool industry to come up with ideas.
Look at Ryobi – really good product selection and innovation. With Dewalt, it shouldn’t even be a contest but they seem to be heading down the way as Delta and porter cable – nothing new and innovative except with the battery.
Eddie
Guess im a lucky 1. I have the toughsystem 2.0 radio and have no issues. What kind of issues were people reporting? Maybe i should sell mine for double the price lol