The New King of Jobsite Audio? Milwaukee PACKOUT Radio Gen 2 (2956-20) vs. Gen 1 (2950-20)
For years, the Milwaukee M18 PACKOUT Radio (2950-20) has been the undisputed heavyweight champion of the jobsite. It was loud, it was rugged, and it locked right into our stacks. But it wasn’t perfectāit was heavy, the Bluetooth range was “meh,” and letās be honest, the charging was slow.
Enter the Gen 2 (2956-20). Itās lighter, sleeker, and promises better tech. But does it actually sound better? In our latest video, we put them side-by-side for a decibel-shredding showdown.
The Evolution: Whatās New?
The Gen 2 isn’t just a facelift; itās a complete internal overhaul. Milwaukee leaned into modern connectivity and weight reduction without sacrificing the “Packout” DNA.
| Feature | Gen 1 (2950-20) | Gen 2 (2956-20) |
| Weight | 23.0 lbs (The “Chonk”) | 17.8 lbs (Much easier on the back) |
| Bluetooth | Version 4.2 (100 ft range) | Version 5.3 (200 ft range) |
| Charging Port | USB-A (2.1A) | USB-C (3.0A Fast Charging) |
| Speaker Setup | 10-Speaker 360Ā° System | 4-Speaker High-Output System |
| Multi-Link | None | Audio-Link (Connect 200+ units) |
Sound Quality: 10 Speakers vs. 4?
You might look at the specs and think, “Wait, the old one had 10 speakers and the new one only has 4?” It sounds like a downgrade, but hereās the reality:
The Gen 2 (2956-20) utilizes (2) 4.48ā woofers and (2) 1.21ā high-frequency tweeters. In our testing, this creates a much more “punchy” and bass-forward profile. While the Gen 1 excelled at 360Ā° coverage (great for the middle of a room), the Gen 2 feels more directional but carries significantly more “thump” and clarity at high volumes.
The Game Changer: Audio-Link
The biggest reason to upgrade might be Audio-Link. If your crew has multiple Milwaukee speakers (like the M12 2955 or the M18 2954), you can now link them all together wirelessly. You can effectively turn the entire jobsite into a surround-sound concert, all controlled from one phone.
The Verdict on Charging: Both units feature a built-in M18 battery charger when plugged into AC power. However, the Gen 2’s upgrade to USB-C 3.0A means your phone actually charges while youāre streaming, rather than just “maintaining” the battery like the old USB-A port did.
Is It Actually Better?
Yesāif you value portability and tech.
The Gen 2 is nearly 6 pounds lighter, which is a massive difference when youāre hauling a stack up three flights of stairs. The improved Bluetooth 5.3 range means you won’t lose your music just because you walked to the truck to grab a tool.
Stick with Gen 1 if: You already own it and primarily use it in the center of a large open shop where the 360Ā° sound shines.
Watch the Sound Test
Words don’t do the bass justice. Watch our full comparison video to hear the Gen 2 pushed to 100% volume against the original beast.
