Speaker Turns Shower Time into Party Time

The Tribit AquaEase speaker arrived in a 4 7/8 inches wide by 5 1/8 inches tall by 3 inches thick retail package.  The cover panel displayed the company and product name/logo along the top edge, just above the generic “Portable Wireless Speaker” label.  The showcase of the panel was the large, slightly raised, glossy image of the portable speaker/clock.  At the risk of gendering/stereotyping, my first impression of the pastel rainbow colors plus the blue or pink shell/wrist lanyard suggested young child/female. However, upon further testing, the image did not appropriately capture the quality features of the speaker.

The front panel displayed the company/product name at the top left, a speaker/USB-A icon along the top right, and three images along the bottom: 1. Have you Heard. 2. Triple infinity Y loop. 3. Tribit App Download.  The left side panel displayed the generic Portable Wireless Speaker name and listed helpful information about the speaker: Bluetooth 5.3, IPX7 Waterproof (resistance), Stereo Mode, Long Battery Life, Beat-driven light, and superior sound.  The right side panel displayed a large green/white OK sticker, a product QR code sticker, an SKU sticker, a support web address, and a short thank you statement.  The bottom panel listed the product manufacturing labels alongside the company’s US/EU/UK/JP addresses.  

I lifted the top panel and removed the 93-page multilingual instruction manual and the quick start “How to control” card.  Next, I removed the 9.2-ounce, 4 1/4 inches diameter by 1 7/8 inches tall flat/conical speaker.  From a top/down view, you will find a 2 1/4 inches wide by 2 3/16 inches tall, semicircular blue-metallic speaker with a lower Tribit logo and upper status LED indicator.  Surrounding the circular speaker, you will find six 9/16 inches wide by 3/8 inches tall buttons:  Power, Bluetooth, Play, -, +, and Light.  The speaker/buttons had a soft blue pastel color that extended to and surrounded the 1 3/32 inches wide by 9/16 inches tall LCD screen.  You will find a 5/8 inches tall white LED layer between the top buttons and the lower body/shell of the speaker. 

I liked the pastel blue-colored scheme/design and the sandwiched white LED layer.  The base provided four 3/8 inches long by 5/16 inches wide by 1/16 inches tall rubberized feet, several vent holes, a 3 7/8 inches long wrist lanyard, and a centralized 1 7/8 inches wide by 15/16 inches tall pill-shaped cutout.  The midline cutout provided the BTS11 model number, ICC/FCC ID, Battery information (3.7V/2200mAh/8.14Wh), product manufacturing labels, and contact information.  Lastly, you will find a 1 5/8 inches long by 3/8 inches tall AquaEase rubberized access port along the top of the device. If you remove the 5/16 inches-thick rubberized plug, you will find a micro-SD card slot (up to 32 GB) and a USB-C charging port.  

Power Cable:

I removed the included 20 3/8 inches long USB-A to USB-C cable and evaluated the end prongs.  The metallic USB-C prong measured 5/16 by 3/32 inches by 5/16 inches tall and attached to an oval-shaped 7/16 inches by 1/4 inches by 11/16 inches tall black body segment.  The 1/4 inches tall by 1/4 inches diameter neck segment then tapered to the 1/8 inch diameter round cable.  The boxy USB-A metallic prong measured 1/2 inches wide by 3/16 inches thick by 1/2 inches tall and attached to an oval-shaped 5/8 inches by 5/16 inches by 11/16 inches tall body segment.  The body attached to the 3/16 inches tall by 1/4 inches diameter neck segment, which then tapered to the 1/8 inch diameter round cable.  

To test the integrity of the charging cable, I evaluated each of the prongs, body, neck, and mid-cable segments.  To start, I gripped the metallic prongs and body segments. I bent each of the prongs forward/backward and side-to-side twenty-five times.  I was pleased with the design/strength and the fit within USB-C and USB-A ports.  Next, I gripped the body segment/cable and pulled it outward to attempt to remove the body.  The rigid body segments stood up to the test and protected the attachment point with the prongs.  I gripped and bent the neck segment and then the neck/cable segment without any movement or concern with the design.  The USB-A to USB-C cable should stand up to several rounds of charging and seems well-designed to reduce typical wear/tear at the neck segments. 

Speaker/Features:

I plugged a DROK USB-A multimeter into a USB-A port on a BESTEK Multihub and noted that the multimeter displayed 5.05/0.92A.  After an hour of charging, the red LED at the speaker’s top extinguished, informing me that the speaker was ready for use.  I pressed the power button and heard a jingle, a female announcer who stated, “Battery 100%,” another light jingle, and found a flashing blue LED at the top of the speaker.  I unlocked my iPhone 14 Pro Max, navigated to Settings and Bluetooth, and then selected “Tribit AquaEase” from the list. The speaker made a clicking jingle and paired with my iPhone 14 Pro Max via Bluetooth without issue.  When I pressed the light button, I was greeted with a bright rainbow illumination feature and a pleasant pulsing music-centric glow. When I pressed the button again, the light quickly extinguished.  I would have liked a dimming feature, the option to choose a specific color or a solid light option.  However, the programming only allowed the single RGB on/off mode.  Additionally, even though I loved the shape of the light, the waterproof design, the button layout, and the clock feature, I wish that there was a way to change the clock to red or to turn it off.  

Similar to the light button feature mentioned above, the volume up/down buttons and the MFB (multi-function button) allowed for quick/easy speaker adjustments.  I liked that the speaker utilized individual single-press volume up/down buttons for volume up/down and a click-hold feature.  The setup allowed for responsive, quick/efficient changes of volume/function on my iPhone and iPad. The MFB button had several helpful programming combinations.  While in listening mode, a single press allowed me to play/pause a track.  A double press allowed me to progress to the next track, while a triple press returned to a previous track.  If you press-hold the button, the speaker lights will turn on, and the Siri Voice Assistant will activate on your iPhone or iPad.  During a call, a single press will answer/end the call.  Press-hold functionality allows you to pause a call, or transfer a call.  During three-way calling, you can single-press the MFB button to transfer between the two callers, or press-hold to end the call for the caller on the other line.  Lastly, if you hold the MFB button for 5 seconds, you can adjust between 24H/12H mode, and adjust the clock.  Unfortunately, I could not find a method to change the bright blue background or light blue numbers on the screen. Even though the controls were intuitive, responsive, and well-programmed, I would have loved a programming key/legend on the underside of the device.  The manual did a great job of detailing the labeled outline, and the tables of features.  However, you may not have the manual with you when needed.  What was the transfer sequence?  What was the hold sequence?  

As a portable speaker, the AquaEase provided better-than-expected sound and convenient IPX7 waterproofing.  My family and I just returned from our first cruise aboard the Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas and enjoyed every minute of 2200 mAh battery. The 5W output power will not likely excite the audiophiles, but the ability to use the device in the shower, on the go, at the beach, and the pool creates a compelling counterargument.  My daughters enjoyed their Perfect Day on Cococay playing at the beach, and jammed to Baby Shark while in the splash park.   We enjoyed Secret Life of Pets in our stateroom and appreciated the ability to hear/enjoy movies without the need to blast the sound.  We also enjoyed pairing the device with a second AquaEase to enjoy Stereo mode.  Pairing one speaker to another proved to be just as simple as the initial pairing of a single device.  Ensure both devices are powered on; hold the Bluetooth button on speaker A, then press the Bluetooth button on Speaker B.  The announcer will vocalize “stereo mode” and the speakers will assume left (primary) and right (secondary) channels.    

To test the sound parameters of the AquaEase speaker I navigated to the audiocheck.net website for the low/high-frequency tests, channel programming, and staging. If you have read any of my speaker/earphone reviews, then you know that I start with the Low-Frequency Response and Subwoofer Audio Test (10-200 Hz).  The test begins with a male announcer vocalizing frequency changes starting at 10Hz and increasing by 10Hz levels.  Typically, high-quality speakers with optimal/full bass support should provide sound at the 20Hz level and have frequency representation through 20kHz.  When I completed the test with the AquaEase speakers, I did not hear/feel sound until 40Hz, which suggested a limited deeper bass experience.  I repeated the test at 25%, 50%, and 75% volume, finding distinct volume stages instead of a steady increase.  Despite the volume changes, the speakers did not provide frequencies below 40Hz.  I tested the bass quality with “Ring of Fire” Homefree, “Far over the Misty Mountains” Hobbit, Disturbed “Sound of Silence,” and Joker Theme “Why So Serious?” and found the bass to be acceptable.  The sound felt weak/limited beneath ~50% volume and provided average to slightly above average sound at 60-75% volume.  Interestingly, as the volume increased above 50% the speakers appeared to provide an additional kick.  However, without the lower frequencies/bass, the sound output appeared a bit brighter and less full than the JBL Go 3.  Despite the limitations, the speaker output never felt harsh, bright, or too tinny. 

For the second test, I utilized the High-Frequency Response and Hearing Audio Test (22-8 kHz).  Like the Low-Frequency test above, the announcer will start at 22kHz and will dictate each frequency change.  This time, however, he moved downward by 1 kHz instead of up by 10 Hz.  I found that I could hear the high-pitched sound at 15 kHz, which was on par with my level of hearing.  My 14-year-old son could hear at 16 kHz, while my 4-year-old daughter, 8-year-old daughter, and 11-year-old son could hear 17 kHz.  As we age and experience sound trauma/pollution, we tend to lose higher frequencies before the lower frequencies.  The Tribit speakers provided a good blend of sound, and I was pleased with the output, color, character, and staging.  I utilized the Left/Right/Center test for the third test and was pleased to find appropriately programmed channels.  For the final test, I used the Stereo Perception and Sound Localization Test and listened to the binaural knocking sounds.  The test proved to be rather neat when completed in paired stereo mode. I placed speaker A about a foot away from my left shoulder and speaker B about a foot from my right shoulder and played with the stereo features of the dual-paired Tribit AquaEase speakers.  I listened to Disturbed Sound of Silence in 8D, Pentatonic Halleluia in 8D, 8D Audio Gladiator Now We at Free, Queen Bohemian Rhapsody in 12D Audio, and Metallica Fade to Black 12D.  I loved feeling the sound rotate and shift back and forth between the ears and the sensation of staging when placed equidistant from my ears.  

My son and I tested the Bluetooth capability of the paired Stereo speakers over the last month. We loaded up our 35-pound hiking backpacks, attached a paired speaker to our chest strap via carabiner, and set out on our practice Philmont Scout Trek. We started with 3 miles and steadily increased to hiking 6 miles twice weekly. We listened to the LItRPG Level Up or Die Underworld series as we hiked. I played the Audible book through my iPhone 14 Pro Max and noted that I needed speaker A (left channel) to be closest to me while we hiked. My son could move to about 25 feet away before cracking/disruption in sound was noted through speaker B. Similarly, if we placed both paired speakers more than 30 feet away from the phone, the sound became distorted.

To finish my review, I used Amazon Prime Music, Apple Music, and YouTube to test a variety of songs.  The BT codecs allowed YouTube, Paramount+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime video, Movies Anywhere playback without lag. I listened to my typical test tracks, Bohemian Rhapsody Soundtrack, Rocketman Soundtrack, several selections from Alabama, Hotel California by the Eagles, Pentatonix and Home Free, the Beatles, and Journey.  I used YouTube to watch several music videos by Michael Jackson, Charlie Puth, Lady Gaga, Meghan Trainor, and AJR Bang!  I liked the poppy feel and felt the bass provided some depth but could have used extra support.  I liked the blend with instrumental tracks from several Sousa marches, the Far and Away Soundtrack, Robin Prince of Thieves Soundtrack, and Enya, but I missed the rumbling bass. 

The ~$39.99 price was fair when considering the BT 5.3, USB-C charge capability, 18-hour battery life, device size, and waterproof status.  However, I would have loved for a slightly improved bass and an included carabiner.  Luckily, I had several Harbor Freight carabiners, and a few suction cups for the bathroom.  The speaker will work well for a dorm, bedroom, poolside music/movie session and should fill moderate spaces with plenty of sound.  For added depth, add the second speaker for stereo mode. 

APP:

I logged into the 2.5* Tribit App, tapped the + icon at the bottom, and the Tribit AquaEase speaker immediately showed up.  I selected the speaker from the list and noted the App displayed the available battery.  I was able to turn on/off the light, adjust the speaker volume, play/pause the track, move to next/previous tracks, update the firmware (fully updated at the time of shipment), synchronize the network time (or adjust manually), factory reset the device or adjust the Equalizer modes between Music, Audiobook, Rock, Party, Classical, and Jazz. I adjusted the custom equalizer and played around with the settings, and found that the sound output could be increased slightly.  The app could allow some additional customization beyond the base settings. 

Pros:
* USB-C charging w/ USB-A to USB-C cable
* Small size
* TWS Pairing
* IPX 7 Waterproof
* Clock/lights
* Attractive appearance
* 18-hour battery life
* Single or Paired Stereo mode

Cons:
* Lacking Bass
* Inability to change clock color
* Clock is angled downward/difficult to read when hanging
* Short lanyard
* Lights turn off with no sound playing

Learn more about the Tribit AquaEase Shower Speaker and follow Tribit on Facebook.

Speakers produce premium sound at a cost-effective price.

One of the most essential parts of my desk is the speakers. Even though I frequently use my headphones when I’m working, having powered Bluetooth speakers connected to my computer is very convenient for listening to music or watching videos. With so many different types of speakers available, why choose powered Bluetooth speakers?

Well, powered Bluetooth shelf speakers provide a convenient way to enjoy high-quality audio without having to deal with the hassle of separate amplifiers and cabling. In many cases, there is still a single speaker wire that connects the two satellite speakers, but aside from that, the only required cable is the one that provides power.

I personally love the convenience of having speakers that can either be connected with cables or wirelessly. The only issue ends up being the expense of them. The current set I have installed retails for $450. That can be very cost-prohibitive for many people and that’s why I’m glad that Monoprice released the DT3BT Multimedia Bluetooth Speakers. They provide a premium sound for a fraction of the cost of other comparable systems.

About

The Monoprice DT3BT Speakers are designed to provide superior sound from a more compact form factor than other shelf speakers. They feature 50 watts of Class AB amplification driving 3.5″ polypropylene woofers and 0.75″ silk dome tweeters, providing superior sound quality for near-field listening. The speakers also offer Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity as well as three wired options for connecting to a variety of sources. This makes them perfect for home, office, gaming, or entertainment setups.

Main Features

• Premium Drivers and Build → The speakers feature 3.5″ polypropylene woofers, 3/4″ silk dome tweeters, and 40 watts of Class AB amplification, all housed in custom-tuned, rounded, and ported MDF cabinets for superior near-field frequency response and sonic performance.
• Advanced Wired Connectivity → A variety of connectivity options are available, including a 3.5mm unbalanced TRS jack, unbalanced stereo RCA pair, and balanced 1/4″ stereo pair, and come with 3.5mm and RCA stereo audio cables and speaker wire for connecting the two speakers.
• Bluetooth 5.0 → Come with built-in Bluetooth so that you can wirelessly connect to stream audio from your favorite devices.
• Front Headphone Connection → The 3.5mm headphone jack on the front of the main speaker makes it easy to connect headphones at a moment’s notice.

Specs

• Frequency Response: 75Hz ~ 20kHz
• Woofer Driver (each): 3″ polypropylene cone
• Tweeter Driver (each): 3/4″ silk dome
• Amplifier Type: Class AB amplifier
• Woofer Amplifier Power (each): 12 watts
• Tweeter Amplifier Power (each): 8 watts
• Inputs: Unbalanced stereo 3.5mm TRS, unbalanced stereo RCA pair, balanced stereo 1/4″ TRS pair, Bluetooth®
• Output: Stereo 3.5mm TRS headphone
• Bluetooth® Version: 5
• Bluetooth Range: Up to 32 feet (10 meters)
• Bluetooth Operating Frequency: 2402 ~ 2480 MHz
• Bluetooth Maximum RF Power: 0.11dBm
• Dimensions (each): 5.5″ x 8.0″ x 5.9″ (140 x 204 x 150 mm)
• Weight (each): 3.5 lbs. (1.6 kg)

Pricing & Availability

The list price for the Monoprice DT3BT Multimedia Bluetooth Speakers is $99.99 and they can be purchased directly from Monoprice.com or Amazon. Monoprice currently has the speakers listed for $87.99 (at the time of publishing).

User Experience

The Monoprice DT3BT speakers come in a very simple box. It’s just a plain brown cardboard box with the name of the product on the outside. The Monoprice logo is stamped on the box along with the product name, but that’s about it. When you open the box, you’ll find the two speakers wrapped in plastic and surrounded by styrofoam. A user manual is also included, which was very helpful. Monoprice also has an electronic version on the product page of monoprice.com as a backup for users.

I love testing products like these speakers because there is very little required in the way of setup. I connected the two speakers using the provided speaker wire and plugged them into power. Then I flipped the power switch on the back of the main speaker and turned the knob on the front until it clicked indicating that they were ‘on’. There are two indicator lights on the front of the main speaker — one power indicator and one Bluetooth indicator. The Bluetooth indicator flashes when it is in the pairing process and then turns to solid blue when a device is paired.

I tested these speakers in two ways. First, I connected them to my computer using the 3.5mm stereo audio cable that was provided. I actually have my computer (an M1 MacBook Air) connected to my external monitor and speaker through a docking station. I have been having some issues lately with my current speakers connecting properly through this same connection, but when I plugged the DT3BT speakers into the port on the dock, I heard sound flowing through them immediately.

The second way I tested them was to pair my iPhone 14 Pro to them via Bluetooth and stream audio to them. I have to say that I found the streaming quality to be as good as if not better than the wired audio connection to my computer. I didn’t notice any issues with lag or syncing when I was watching videos and the connection never dropped.

I was also impressed with how effortlessly the speakers switched between devices. I was in mid-song on my computer when I started one on my iPhone. The computer paused and the audio from the iPhone started playing through the speakers.

I ended up turning the speaker volume up to 50% and tried to play music at around the same level on my connected devices. When it came to video, I ended up turning the volume on my device up to around 80% at times but I didn’t notice any audio breaking up or sounding muddied at all. I have included the playlists and videos that I played as my test soundtrack below.

Audio Testing Playlist

• Brother of Mine | Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe
• No Diggity (feat. Dr. Dre & Queen Pen) | Blackstreet
• World Championship Finale 2 | The Barden Bellas (Pitch Perfect 2)
• A Thousand Miles | Vanessa Carlton
• Duel of the Fates | John Williams & London Symphony Orchestra (Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace)

Videos

• Hamilton — Opening sequence and the first song. Streamed using Disney+
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 — The opening scene and credits sequence. Streamed using Disney+
• The Lion King (animated version) — The Circle of Life and Scar’s first scene Streamed using Disney+
• Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace — The main battle scene at the end (”Duel of the Fates”) Streamed using Disney+

I’ve been incredibly impressed with these speakers. In fact, I swapped out my $450 speakers for these $99 ones. All the connections worked as they should and they were very easy to set up. I really like that they were packaged with all the required and optional cabling as well as the user manual. I also really love that they produce sound quality that I’m used to hearing from a much more expensive brand.

The only thing I’m not a fan of is that there is no Bluetooth pairing button on the front of the speaker. You have to reach around the backside of the main speaker to press it, which can be a little bothersome if you end up having to do it often. But that is really the only thing I would change about these cost-effective, premium-sounding shelf speakers.

Conclusion

With the Monoprice DT3BT Multimedia Bluetooth Speakers, you get the convenience and portability of a wireless speaker system, with the added benefit of integrated amplification. This makes it easy to set up a full-fledged sound system in any room, without needing to invest in bulky and expensive equipment. Plus, you can enjoy the flexibility of streaming audio directly from your smartphone or tablet without the need for any extra hardware. With the Monoprice DT3BT Multimedia Bluetooth Speakers, you can enjoy a truly immersive and powerful audio experience at home.

For more information, visit monoprice.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

Speaker system expands your computer setup with the BassPulse 2.1 channel wired subwoofer and satellites.

The Enhance SB2.1 speaker system arrived in a sleek 15 1/4 inches wide by 11 3/4 inches tall by 5 3/4 inches thick retail package.   Instead of using a typical white background, the company utilized a tacticool black base.  The Enhance name was centered on the top panel and along the top left of the cover panel.  The bold white font of the name/logo visually popped against the dark background.  

Beneath the product name, you will find seven neon-blue colored product-defining icons: 2.1 channel, computer, LED, AC, 3.5mm, 3-year limited warranty, and Bass Pulse technology.  The main showcase of the cover panel was the large central speaker and dual side speakers.  Each of the slightly raised, glossy images had a blue flame surround effect and dark blue under-lighting effects. 

The lower edge of the panel listed the ENHANCE SB2.1 name in blue/white font (2.1 High excursion speaker system).  Even though the cover panel felt a bit dark. the neon blue flames dramatically enhanced the allure and shape of the speakers.  

The right side panel reproduced the name/logo seen on the bottom edge of the cover panel and provided little expansion about the product.  I felt the panel was wasted and could have used some additional information about the product.  The blue-colored left side panel provided the Enhance logo, displayed images for YouTube/Facebook/Instagram, and then listed the product specifications ( Power 2.5W x 2 +10W, 15W RMS, 30W peak, 50mm driver, 101mm woofer, 4 ohm x 2 drivers and 6-ohm woofer impedance, 90 dB sensitivity, 80Hz-20KHz frequency response, S/N ratio 70 dB, 3.5mm audio input, 11V/1.5A power input, dimensions [4.75 x 4 x 3.87 inches satellite, 11 x 9.25x 4.5 woofer], 5.46-pound weight). 

The black-colored rear panel provided the view that I had hoped for.  The panel provided a frontal image of the dual side speakers, woofer, and also listed the features of the speakers: 1. “High excursion drivers for powerful, immersive sound.” 2. Illuminated LED accents. 3. Side-firing subwoofer for deep bass. 4. Integrated Volume and Bass controls. 

Like the cover panel, the dark blue accents and white font enhanced the contrast between the dark speaker upon dark background.  Unlike the cover, however, the back panel lacked neon flame enhancement.  I would have liked a bit of color along the top edges of the panel and felt it would have added a bit of life to a flat image. Lastly, the bottom panel provided an Accessory Power SKU barcode, and provided some details about the copyright/legal information. 

Specifications/Installation:

I removed the two tabs from the top panel of the box, lifted the lid, and removed the internal contents. The large subwoofer and dual-side peripheral speakers were oriented within three large white foam blocks.  The  4 1/2 inches wide by 9 1/8 inches tall by 10 3/4 inches long subwoofer was sandwiched between two of the large panels, while the dual smaller 4 3/4 inches wide by 3 7/8 inches thick by 4 inches tall speakers with attached 59-inch long 3.5mm cables, AC adapter with 59 1/4 inches long cable, and 60 inches long green/black 3.5mm to 3.55mm cable were sandwiched on the other side. 

The 3 pounds 10.4-ounce subwoofer displayed the ENHANCE name along the lower edge of the front panel and had two 5/8 inches diameter by 1/2 inches long knobs for volume and bass plus a 5/8 inches wide by 3/8 inches tall LED on/off button.  The front panel provided a large clear plastic face for the LED and an upper 1 1/4 inches wide by 1 3/8 inches tall cutout.  The left side panel housed the 6 inches diameter subwoofer speaker, while the rear panel provided a 2 1/8 inches wide by 3 15/16 inches tall input panel: 1. Dual speaker out 3.5mm ports. 2. 3.5mm green audio in port. 3. AC adapter input port. 4. LED indicator. 5. On/off toggle switch.  The bottom panel of the subwoofer had four 13/16 inch diameter rubber feet for added upright stability.

Each of the 10.2-ounce side speakers had an M-shaped metallic mesh front panel and a black robot-helmet-like shell.  The lower panel housed a large speaker and dual arcuate 5/8 inches tall elevated feet.  I set the subwoofer with the right side panel against the back of my computer desk, oriented the speaker outward, placed my dual speakers on my desk, and then ran the 3.5mm cables behind the desk to the subwoofer. 

I used the included twist ties for added cable management and then plugged the 3.5mm cables into the speaker output ports on the subwoofer.  I then plugged the green 3.5mm speaker input cable between the subwoofer and my computer.  Thanks to the length of the included 3.5mm cable, I was also able to run the subwoofer to my desk to use with my MacBook Pro.  

Sound/Features:

To test the sound output, I navigated to the audiocheck.net website and ran through my typical battery of headphone tests.  I started with the Low-Frequency Response and Subwoofer Audio Test (10-200 Hz) and listened as the announcer progressed upward from 10Hz. I was able to hear a mild rumbling around 20 Hz (with bass knob fully turned up) but found the speaker hit its stride around 40-50Hz. I tested the speaker with the bass knob at various positions and disliked that there was no fine-tune adjustment. 

I used the subwoofer Kick Drum test and found each kick provided the same volume but at a different depth.  I turned the bass knob all the way counterclockwise and then gripped the knob at the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions.  I turned the knob 1/4 turn and experienced very little bass.  At another 1/4 turn of the bass knob, the bass ramped up quickly.  It still had another ~1/4 turn before reaching maximum bass. 

I found the best sound output was present between 1/2 turn and the 3/4 turn mark, while my computer was set to ~90% volume.  Even though the balance did not seem to suffer when turned to full bass, the setup still favored a more pop-centered range.  Simply stated, I wanted more bass. 

For the next test, I navigated to the High-Frequency Response and Hearing Audio Test (22-8 kHz) and listened as the announcer moved downward from 22 kHz.  Even though the typical range for human hearing is listed between 20kHz to 20Hz, we quickly lose the higher frequency sounds with age and sound trauma/pollution.  As an example, as a 40’s male, I am able to hear the buzzing sound at 15 kHz. 

My 11-year-old son can hear the sounds at 18 kHz while my 7-year-old daughter with frequent ear infections/ear tubes can only hear at 15 kHz like me.  I have worked to protect my hearing and luckily I still have quite a bit of range.  The Enhance SB2.1 seemed to excel with upper/mids sounds and never felt tinny or harsh.  With the MacBook Pro volume at ~90% max, I set the speaker to 1/4 turn volume and enjoyed several acapella songs from Home Free (Wagon Wheel, Ring of Fire, Sea Shanty Medley). 

I liked the blend and staging of the speaker and found the speaker did a good job at demonstrating the songs.   For the third and final test, I tested the channel programming with the Left/Right/Center test.  The top 3.5mm port directed signal to the left speaker, while the lower port directed the signal to the right speaker.  I tested the stereo nature of the speakers with Queen Bohemian Rhapsody and Sound of Silence 8D, Pentatonic “Hallelujah” 8D, and Enya “Only Time 8D.”  The experience did not provide the same feeling as with headphones/earbuds but still provided stereo sound.  

The Enhance SB2.1 speaker expanded my music/video experience beyond the base Bluedee computer soundbar setup and well past the generic speakers that are typically used.  The speaker will not provide surround sound, nor many of the features of audiophile-grade systems.    I loved the ability to turn on/off the LED but did not like that I could not adjust the strength of the light or the color of the light. 

With many modern computer lighting effects, the locked-in blue color may clash with several setups and may dissuade purchase.  I liked the subwoofer shape, the design/layout, the dual satellite speakers, and the sound, but felt the device missed a headphone output port on the front panel.  Some setups may be limited by the wired setup of the speakers and the length of the power cable/3.5mm cables.  For the ~$80 price, I was surprised that the system lacked RCA or Optical connectivity, lacked the ability to change the color or intensity of the LED, and lacked Bluetooth. 

Experience:

I listened to several of my favorite songs and felt that I was missing some of the warmth/fullness and oomph that I get with AirPods Pro Gen 2, or with my 1More over-ear headphones.  Despite the criticisms, I did have a little fun with the speakers when my father recently traveled for a visit to celebrate my birthday and to spend some time with my children.  He brought his Xbox Series X so that we could group up to play Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. 

I gifted him access to my main 65-inch television, while I paired my Xbox Series X with my computer monitor plus the Enhance SB 2.1 speaker setup.  I was pleased with the overall sounds, the bass support, and with the quality of the smaller speakers.  I found the LED to be distracting and I preferred to leave the main feature turned off.  I think the speaker setup would be a good option for those looking in the $50-60 range but seems to lack features of other $80-100 setups. 

Namely, the wired limitations and lack of a front-facing Aux port felt like I was missing something.  The bass sound/support provided adequate sound and was a significant upgrade to standard USB-powered computer speakers.  However, I would have preferred the option for a wired or wireless setup

Learn More About the Enhance SB2.1 Speaker System.
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MR4 speakers are an affordable, quality option for standard use.

There are a few reasons why someone might want to invest in a pair of studio monitor speakers. Firstly, studio monitors are designed to produce a very accurate sound reproduction, which is essential for mixing and mastering music. Secondly, they are typically much more powerful than regular home speakers, so they can create a louder, more immersive listening experience. Finally, studio monitor speakers usually come with a variety of input and output options, making them very versatile and easy to integrate into any audio setup.

Even though I will often use headphones as my main source of audio output, I do like to invest in a good set of external speakers for my workstation. Over the years, I’ve gone through several different sets of speakers and have found that mid-size shelf speakers — like the Edifier MR4 Powered Studio Monitors — are the ideal option for me. I’ve tried the base model computer speakers that are honestly just a step above built-in speakers and given the size of my workspace and my personal/professional needs, smaller studio monitors work best for me. The Edifier MR4 Powered Studio Monitor speakers are very affordable and incredibly easy to set up.

About MR4 Powered Studio Monitor

The MR4 Powered Studio Monitors are designed to be integrated into a workstation and used for professional audio production. The speakers have a 4-inch woofer and a Class-D amplifier. There are trimmer knobs on the back of the right speaker that allows users to control the low and high frequencies. These monitors have built-in 6.35mm TRS balanced input jacks for direct connection to consoles, mixers, or other equipment.

According to the information on the product found on edifier.com, “the MR4 adopts TI high-quality ADC (analog-to-digital converter) chipset, SNR up to 99dB, with TI digital power amplifier TAS5713, and the use of its built-in DSP to complete sound adjustment, to ensure excellent performance under dual mode.” The materials used to build the speaker boxes (MDF) help to reduce resonance and rendering effects so that what you hear is a more natural tone.

Main Features

• Smooth frequency response for great audio reference
• 1-inch silk dome tweeter and 4-inch diaphragm woofers deliver pure sound
• MDF wooden cabinets minimize acoustic resonance
• Simple connection to mixers, audio interfaces, computers, or media players
• Front-mounted headphone output and AUX input for convenience
• Multi-functional knob for power, volume, and sound effects toggle
• Monitor and music modes to fit various scenarios
• Available in Black or White

Specs

• Power output (RMS): 21W+21W
• Frequency response: 60Hz-20kHz
• Audio inputs: TRS balanced input, RCA unbalanced input, AUX unbalanced input
• Input sensitivity: TRS balanced input: +4dBu, RCA/AUX unbalanced input:-10dBV
• Signal-noise ratio: ≥85dB(A)
• THD+N(%): ≤0.2%

Pricing & Availability

The Edifier MR4 Powered Studio Monitor Speakers have a list price of $129.99 and are available from edifier-online.com and other authorized retailers such as Amazon.

User Experience

The Edifier MR4 Powered Studio Monitor speakers come in a brown cardboard box. The name of the product is included, but it’s not really a retail shelf-style box. It’s more of what I would call a ‘warehouse’ box. The speakers are wrapped in plastic and housed inside some styrofoam inserts for safety. The speakers are packaged with a speaker cable that connects the two monitors together, a 3.5mm RCA audio cable, a 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable, and a user manual. The power cable is built-in to the right speaker, which is also where all the other ports are located.

The speakers are built well. They have a simple, clean style to them. The controls are on the right speaker along with all the input/output ports. There is a volume/power button knob on the speaker, which I usually keep around 50%. There is also an Aux port and headphone port on the front of the right speaker. This makes it very easy to connect external devices to the speakers. You do have the option of plugging professional audio equipment into the speakers, as well. In my use case, I just had the speakers connected to my computer using the Aux port.

The MR4 Powered Studio Monitor speakers are very easy to set up. You plug them into power, connect the speaker wire between the two speakers, and then connect your input source. That’s it. These speakers do not have built-in wireless compatibility, which is a downside to me since I like to connect my phone and iPad to my workstation speakers. That said, if someone planned on these for only hardwired purposes, then you can do without the wireless connectivity.

How do they sound?

I would rate the sound quality around 7.5/10. The quality of the sound is clear and crisp. I try to keep the volume setting at a moderate level. As I mentioned, the volume knob on the speakers is set to 50%. I also have my computer set to 50% and the Music app on my MacBook Air set to 50%. This provides a moderate level volume-wise and allows music to be heard at a comfortable level. I never noticed audio breaking up at that level. I do want to state here that I have experience as a professional audio/video editor and I would use these for most tasks but probably not for audio mixing — especially when there are several audio layers.

When I really got into testing the speakers, I did turn the volume knob up to 100% and noticed a fair amount of static/white noise coming through them when no music was playing, but the audio that was playing did not suffer any quality loss that I could tell. I’m not sure if I would consider these speakers full-fledged studio monitors, but they would be good for home studio setups and they are definitely a step up from standard computer speakers. For the $130 list price they are currently sold for (as of publishing this article), these speakers provide a good option for users to add a clean sound to their workstations.

In addition to music, I also watched some videos with dialogue mixed with music. Most movie and TV soundtracks end up sounding flattened rather than maintaining their complex layers of sound effects, music, and dialogue. One movie I always have trouble with is Sex in the City: The Movie. The opening credits sequence plays over the top of a loud music track and it always tends to overtake the dialogue. Listening to the movie through the MR4s was actually pretty refreshing because I could hear the dialogue much better than I typically can. The speakers handled directional audio well, too.

Another movie I tested the speakers with was Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 2. The opening sequence of that movie is incredibly complex. Again, the surround sound directional audio was handled well and none of the audio seemed muddied. I will say that you lose some of the ‘boom’ that you might get from a subwoofer, but that wasn’t an issue exclusive to this movie test. I felt that bass depth was missing with all audio played through these speakers.

Conclusion

The Edifier MR4 speakers offer users a premium audio experience at an affordable price. They are easy to use and provide great value. The speakers have a classic style that works with any decor and because they come in white or black finishes they will fit with any workspace.

For more information, visit edifer.com, Facebook, or Twitter.

Speaker provides floatable, portable, lightweight sound in the palm of your hand

Portable sound has progressed drastically from the inception of the headphones in 1891 by Ernest Mercadier, the first true headphones in 1910 by engineer Nathaniel Baldwin for the US Navy, from the walkman of the late 1970s, to the iPod generation of the early 2000’s. With the introduction of Bluetooth technology in the 1990’s, and the improvement of codecs and drivers, portable speakers, in-ear earphones, over-ear headphones, and on-ear headphones have steadily gained function. With improved battery life, waterproofing, solar charging, quick charging, and many other features, users should have no problem enjoying portable entertainment.

UNBOXING

The Sunfox speaker arrived in a 5 1/8 inches long by 4 1/8 inches wide by 2 inches tall retail package.  The cover panel displayed the sunfox name/logo along the middle of the panel, just above the generic “Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker Solar & USB Rechargeable” product name.  The lower segment of the panel displayed six labeled icons for the beach, pool, camping, boating, biking, and patio. The front panel displayed six additional labeled icons regarding the 20-hour runtime, solar charging, hands-free calling, waterproof nature, shockproof nature, and sand-proof nature. 

The top panel listed the product manufacturing labels, product name, and contact email (questions@luminaid.com).  Lastly, the rear panel displayed the sunfox name, the luminaid.com web address, three product defining sentences (16-18 hour solar recharge, 1-2 hour micro-USB recharge, 15-20 hours variable playback, IPX6 waterproofing), a product SKU barcode, information about Bluetooth 4.2/10-meter connection, and information about the frequency/built-in rechargeable Li-Po battery. 

After reviewing the outer packaging, I was pleased with their presentation.  I appreciated the clean white slipcover, the use of the black-on-white theme, and their little fox icon.  The inclusion of the product-defining icons likely provided the most useful information for the customer.  I removed the slipcover from the inner tan box, opened the lid, and then removed the 8.7-ounce blue speaker, black accessory box, and instruction manual. 

The accessory box contained a very short 12 1/2 inches long USB-A to micro charging cable, 20 inches long 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable, and a 3 5/8 inches long by 1/4 inches long wrist lanyard.  I removed the thin plastic wrap from around the 3 5/8 inches wide by 3 5/8 inches tall by 1 3/4 inches tall blue speaker and evaluated the features.  The main panel had a 3-inch diameter speaker with white solar/power icon printed onto the surface. The blue plastic shell had an interesting wrinkled-fabric design at each of the corners and led into a hex screw.  

The top/front of the speaker had a rubberized 2 inches wide by 9/16 inches tall button segment with 9/32 inches-wide by 1/4 inches tall buttons for power, phone, “+,” and “-”.  The bottom panel provided the sunfox by LuminAID name and a standard 1/4 inch screw mount.  One of the side panels had a 1 1/2 inches long by 5/16 inches thick by 1/8 inches tall black-colored lanyard port, while the opposite side panel had a 1 7/16 inches by 1/2 inches wide rubberized access port for the USB-micro and 3.5mm ports.

The panel opposite the speaker port provided a 3 inches diameter solar panel with an array of dark silver lines upon the black textured backing.  I removed the access port plug, inserted the micro-USB cable, and then charged the speaker with a standard 5V/2A port.  The LED along the 2 o’clock position changed from blue to red and conveniently demonstrated the charging status of the speaker.  

TESTING/SOUND

Once the device was connected to power and actively charging, I installed the wrist lanyard and perused the instruction manual.  The eight-panel manual provided a helpful product information segment, which detailed the “Bluetooth Module, HiFi speaker, audio amplifier, vigorous bass, and loud treble for “high quality” on-the-go music. 

The manual promised continual solar charging/playback with a 1:1 power-to-playback time ratio (30 minutes solar charge=30 minutes playback), 20-hour total battery storage, and IPX6 water resistance.  Unfortunately, many companies use the idea of IPX6 as waterproof when it only resists splash/rain/shower/jet pressure from any direction but does not protect from any submersion in water (requires IPX7 or IPX8 ratings).  Interestingly, the manual details a dustproof case but did not provide a dustproof rating (x).  

I pressed the power button for 2 seconds, listened to the chime, and then heard a female voice announce “Bluetooth Mode.”  I then navigated to Settings on my iPhone 13 Pro Max, to Bluetooth, and subsequently selected “Sunfox” from the list.  The speaker made a dual high-low chiming noise and quickly paired it with my iPhone 14 Pro Max.  To test the sound output, I navigated to the audiocheck.net website and ran through the audio tests. I started with the Low-Frequency Response and Subwoofer Audio Test (10-200 Hz) and heard the rumbling bass starting between 30 and 40Hz. 

This was a little underwhelming, considering our range of hearing starts at 20 Hz.  For the second test, I changed to the High-Frequency Response and Hearing Audio Test (22-8 kHz) and set the volume to 50%.  My 11-year-old son heard the high-pitched tone at 19kHz, while my 7 year-old-daughter (history of ear issues) and I heard the sound around 15kHz. As we age, or if we have had ear trauma/infection/issues, we tend to lose the ability to hear higher-frequency sounds.  Thus, many adults can hear from about 20Hz to 14-15kHz, while children can hear up to ~18-19kHz.  

Overall, I felt the device did fairly well with the above tests, especially for the size/design.  It is important to note that the device was not designed to be a bass powerhouse or an audiophile-grade speaker.  Instead, like a flashlight or camera, the best speaker is one you can have with you when you want one.  For those interested in backpacking, kayaking, beach/pool, or other outdoor activities, many of the higher-grade speakers cannot tolerate the moisture or they are just too heavy. 

The Sunfox speaker, on the other hand, was designed for portability, endurance, and thanks to the solar charge option, longevity.  We took the speaker on a recent scouting campout and enjoyed many songs during the day and most importantly for use at the campfire.  We listened to a variety of songs at ~75% volume and felt the higher frequency sounds never got tinny nor did the bass get muddy. 

I was able to move around the campsite and roamed around at 30-40 feet without cracking/splitting sounds. The sound should easily fill a dorm room, living room, bedroom, or deck/porch but will become quickly overwhelmed with too much background noise.  Additionally, the speaker provided similar sound quality at the lowest volume level.

The four front-facing speaker buttons were easy to access and were quite receptive.  I appreciated the raised, rubberized buttons, the layout, and the presence of the “+” and “-” buttons.  At first glance, it would appear that the plus/minus buttons would control the volume of the speaker.  Unfortunately, a single press of the plus button advanced the smart device to the next track, while the minus button returned to a previous track. 

To increase or decrease the sound, you will need to hold the appropriate plus/minus button.  I have seen several speakers that utilized that particular programming design and have felt disappointed each time because the volume becomes finicky and lacks control.  By the time you get to the intended volume, you will have likely overshot or undershot your desired level.  For the devices that lack single button press volume, I find superior control through the smart device volume features.     

When I test headphones, earbuds, or speakers, I like to utilize many of my favorite songs to provide a basis for comparison.  I listened to Queen’s Live Aid on Youtube, the Rocketman Soundtrack, the Star is Born Soundtrack, CCR, Alabama, Beach Boys, Home Free, and Styx.  When I listened to Home Free Ring of Fire, I missed the feel of the lower F# growl.  Similarly, when I listened to Holly Cole’s “Train Song,” the speaker failed to provide the expected bass punch.  

The speaker did an okay job with poppy songs from Meghan Trainor, Charlie Puth, with country/rock from Alabama, and “Purple Rain” from Prince.  I enjoyed the blend of the mids/upper sounds in the Far and Away and Robinhood Prince of Thieves soundtracks.  However, when I returned to the Dark Knight Soundtrack “Why So Serious, ” I had similar issues with the lack of build-up and bass support. My sons and I watched an episode of She-Hulk on Disney Plus, Homestead Rescue and Battlebots on Amazon Prime, then watched a few snippets from Vudu, Paramount+, HBOMax,  Netflix, and even YouTube. 

I was able to enjoy video/sound playback and noted a good sync between the audio/video.  To complete my review, I used the call feature and both accepted and made calls from the speaker.  The phone button will play/pause a song with a single press and will call the last number if you double-press the button.  My wife noted that the speaker sounded okay with mild distortion/background noise.

CONCLUSION

The main selling point for the SunFox speaker was the lightweight design and the long battery life.  I was able to enjoy 1-2 hours of music each evening for the past week without needing to recharge the speaker.  I left the speaker outdoors throughout the day and had full power after about two full days of charge.  I was able to keep the device nearly fully charged by charging a few hours each day.  

If I were going to optimize the device, I would change the USB-micro to USB-C, and improve the bass, while maintaining weight. To summarize the overall experience, I would give the speaker a 7/10 for sound, 9/10 for weight/portability, 10/10 for battery life, 7/10 for accessories (USB-micro should be USB-C), and 7/10 for packaging. Even though headphones are more portable/lightweight, sometimes you may want to play/enjoy music with a group, the lightweight, water-resistant, solar-charging sunfox should get the job done.

Mission

I have been a fan of the Luminaid team and mission since watching the story on Shark Tank and meeting them at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2016. The Give light program allows those in need to have an inflatable solar-powered light when they need it most. I would encourage you to peruse the website to learn more about the mission.

At the time of this review, >50,000 lights have been delivered to over 100 countries around the world through covid, natural disasters, and war. My wife took a few of them to Uganda on a mission trip and I had several friends send lights post-Katrina.

Learn more about the Sunfox Speaker.
Follow Luminaid on Facebook and Twitter.

iLive Outdoor Dual Bluetooth Speakers make any gathering fun.

As the weather cools down, it’s the perfect time to gather friends and family together for comfortable outdoor events. Those events are enhanced with the addition of music. Adding music to a family gathering can create a more festive and fun atmosphere. Music has a way of bringing people together and creating a special atmosphere. It can help set the tone for a family gathering and make it more enjoyable for everyone. But how do you do that easily outdoors?

As technology advances, so do the ways we enjoy our music. No longer are we tethered to one spot by cords and wires, we can now take our music with us wherever we go. Bluetooth speakers have made it possible to enjoy high-quality sound while we are on the go and while we are with our loved ones in outdoor settings. There are many different types of outdoor Bluetooth speakers available and iLive has a great set of dual speakers that are easy to set up and very affordable.

About iLive Outdoor Dual Bluetooth Speakers

The iLive Outdoor Dual Bluetooth Speakers are designed to provide 360º full-bodied sound. They can be used indoors or outdoors. The speakers can be mounted on removable stakes so they can be placed wherever you want to enjoy your music. The speakers can be used individually or as a paired set.

They are waterproof and solar-powered so they can be available as long as your outdoor gathering continues. In addition to connecting via Bluetooth, users can also connect to the speakers using the built-in aux ports. The speakers are also compatible with Micro SD cards and FM radio. The package includes two Bluetooth speakers, 2 removable stakes, a warranty, a user guide, and cables.

Main Features

• Special party pack: includes 2 speakers & stakes
• Supports Bluetooth v5
• Wireless Speakers
• Water-resistant
• Dual speaker drivers for 360° sound
• Built-in solar panel battery slow charger
• FM Radio, Aux In, and MicroSD
• Pairs both speakers with ease
• Rubberized coating – improved rugged feel
• Voice prompts announce speaker functions and make Bluetooth pairing easier
• Battery life: ~20 hours at 50% volume
• Wireless range: 33 feet
• DC battery power: built-in rechargeable battery
• Dimensions: 3.03 x 3.03 x 6.57 (single speaker)
• Dimensions: 3.03 x 3.03 x 15.68 (single speaker with stake)

Pricing & Availability

The iLive Outdoor Dual Bluetooth Speakers have a list price of $69.99 from iLiveElectronics.com. They are also available through Amazon.

User Experience

The iLive Outdoor Dual Bluetooth Speakers are shipped in a retail-friendly box. There is an image of the product on the front with a colorful background showing the speakers in an outdoor setting. There are other images on the sides of the box that show the different ways the speakers might be used along with some details and features of the product.

Inside the box, you’ll find the speakers wrapped in a plastic insert. The cables are set in a small channel of that insert and the stakes are included there as well. There are a few pieces of paper that come with the speakers including the user guide.

The speakers are very easy to install outdoors and I want to point out though, that they can also be used indoors without the stakes. The base of the speakers is flat and can sit on a flat surface easily. The stakes are a heavier plastic that is easy to push into the ground — provided the ground is mainly soil.

The speakers have solar panels built-in on the top of their bodies. These solar panels provide a supplemental charge and are nice as a continuous power source, but it is a ‘slow charge’ option. It’s recommended that users should charge the speakers periodically using the provided USB-C charging cable.

One of the features I like about these speakers is that they do not require the use of an app. While it can be convenient for fine-tuning speakers, I feel as though apps can get in the way sometimes. These speakers are designed to be quick and easy to use. You simply connect to them from your smartphone (or another Bluetooth-connected device) and play music from that device.

The stereo pairing process was surprisingly easy. You utilize the controls on the side to put the speakers into ‘party’ mode. The two speakers pair together and then you can use your Bluetooth menu to find the main speaker’s signal. Music will play through both simultaneously. This is a great benefit for those outdoor gatherings. You can place the speakers apart from each other (not too far — recommended 33 feet or less) and enjoy music in your entire gathering area.

I really like the style of these speakers. They are modern but not flashy so they blend in well with any decor. The controls on the speakers is also very helpful. You don’t have to hunt for buttons because they are front and center on the speakers.

Naturally, there is always room for improvement. The sound quality of these speakers is good but not great. That said, their intended use is really just to provide ambient music and not for the discerning ear to pick out the specific pitches of a song. The average sound quality is fine for their intended purpose and these are not recommended for audiophiles.

It would also be great if some sort of carrying case was included with this set-up. Since the speakers are meant to be mobile and moved place-to-place, it would be great if a small bag or case was included to keep the cables, stakes, and speakers altogether. There are options through Amazon, but it would be great if something were included.

It would also be preferred if the ports were more easily accessible. There is a small silicon flap that covers them to ensure the speakers are weather/water resistant/proof but it’s a little difficult to open. A small tab on this flap would alleviate that issue.

Conclusion

iLive Outdoor Dual Bluetooth Speakers are good speakers for those who want something affordable and cheerful to listen to music with. It is not the best option for audiophiles who are looking for excellent sound quality. However, it is a nice speaker to have at parties or family gatherings where you want audio throughout your event space.

For more information, visit iliveelectronics.com.

Though once considered a luxury, Bluetooth speakers have become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to a combination of declining prices and improved functionality. Whether you’re looking for a speaker to take to the beach or one to use in your home office, there are now many different models available to choose from. Harmony Capsule 200 Portable Bluetooth Speaker from Monoprice is a fantastic budget-friendly option for everyday use.

About Harmony Capsule 200 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

The Monoprice Harmony Capsule 200 Portable Bluetooth Speaker is designed to be used in all types of circumstances including at home, at the office, or on the go. The speaker features Bluetooth 5.0 technology and high-quality digital amplification with two 52mm and one 66mm speaker driver. The speaker is IPX7 all-weather certified and it can be immersed in up to 3 feet of water. The 2500mAh Lithium-ion battery provides up to 10 hours of playback. The speaker is compatible with digital voice assistants such as Siri and its built-in microphone makes the Harmony a suitable option for hands-free phone calls.

Main Features

• Large dual 52mm and single 66mm speaker drivers
• EQ tuned for high quality, high volume playback
• Bluetooth® 5.0 connectivity with Qualcomm® TrueWireless™ Stereo
• IPx7 all-weather certified
• Large Lithium‑ion rechargeable battery for all-day playback
• Microphone for voice assistant phone control (Siri®/Celia)
• Auxiliary and microSD™ card inputs for additional audio sources
• USB‑C® charging input

SPECS

User Experience

Getting started with the Harmony Bluetooth Speaker was pretty easy. Being that I’ve used many Bluetooth speakers that have similar functions, I glanced at the instructions and started using them. Out of the box, the speaker did have some battery power. There are four white LED indicators for the battery level and only one was lit up. It would have been great to see the LEDs have different colors with battery levels.

I put it on charge for a bit, but by the time I was done testing the speaker (around 90 minutes) I was getting an auditory warning from the speaker that the battery was near 0%. The manual does not indicate exactly what percentage of the battery is left at the point that happens, but I would guess around 10% based on my experience with other Bluetooth speakers.

On its first power-up, the speaker will enter pairing mode. This is indicated by the single LED light above the Bluetooth button on the front of the speaker. If it is blinking, the speaker is in pairing mode. The speaker makes a standard digital tritone when it powers on and there is an audio prompt tone when it connects to a device. I also noticed a high-pitched warning tone when you reach the 100% level on the volume.

The speaker showed up as “MP43262” in my iPad’s Bluetooth menu. It connected right away and remained connected until the iPad went to sleep. At that point, the speaker also went into standby mode. I powered the speaker back on and it automatically reconnected to my iPad and audio started streaming through it. I did notice that there is a little bit of a volume lag when the audio output device switches over.

Since the speaker is can shaped, you can stand it up on its end or on its side. I found that the best sound quality came out of the speaker when I laid it on its side. Both the diaphragms are unobstructed that way and nothing sounds muted.

I also found that I enjoyed the speaker the best when it was sitting right in front of me rather than off to the side. This was a little strange when I was watching a video because my iPad sits off to the side of my computer monitor and the speaker was playing the audio in front of me. I never noticed that the audio was out of sync in any way, but it seemed odd that the video was playing on a screen so far away from the audio.

I like that the controls are located on the front of the speaker where they are easily accessible. Even though some of the controls have dual purposes (i.e the volume buttons control both the volume and the advance track controls), the major control functions for media and phone calls are represented. The speaker charges using a USB-C connection and a charging cable (USB-C to USB-A) is included.

The charging port is, however, included in the concealed back panel, which means that you can’t charge and have the speaker on its side at the same time. This is one of the things about the design I would change. The other features included in the back panel are the 3.5mm stereo headphone jack and the Micro SD card reader. In order to switch between listening modes, the user presses the Bluetooth button to change modes.

The other thing I would change about the design would be to make the volume button easier to press. They are flat on the speaker can and even though the large plus and minus signs make it easy to find the areas even when you aren’t looking, I found myself having to press very hard to get my input to register with the speaker.

Sound Quality

Overall, I’ve been impressed with the sound quality of the Harmony Capsule speaker. It’s definitely a step up from the built-in speakers of my iPad, but not quite as great of a listening experience as my Audioengine HD4 Shelf Speakers. And honestly, that is where I would expect a Bluetooth speaker of this size and quality to land.

I listened to both music and videos through the speaker while it was connected to my iPad. I had a lot of fun testing out the sound quality because I bounced around a lot. When I started listening to audio through the speaker, I was watching a movie – Bridget Jones’s Diary. I found that I had to turn the volume up quite a lot once the speaker was connected. I didn’t have to do that when I was only listening through the iPad.

That movie is primarily driven by vocals, there is some music within the context of the movie. I would classify this as a ‘rich’ movie soundtrack, but there is a variety in the sound mix. I didn’t have any problems understanding the characters as they spoke and found the other elements of the movie’s sound mix to be mixed well and not muddied at all.

The next thing I did was switch over to Apple Music and listen to some tracks featured on Apple’s Made for Spatial Audio playlist. This is a specially curated playlist that has very high-quality, remastered tracks included. I played through several tracks including Born This Way by Lady Gaga, Even Flow by Pearl Jam, and Blinding Lights by The Weekend. All of the tracks had a rich, full sound. This speaker doesn’t provide a spatial audio listening experience but the quality was clear, crisp, and full.

I switched over to Disney+ after listening to the tracks in Apple Music and watched a few video clips from movies I knew had heavy soundtracks and audio mixes. My selections included Hamilton (Beginning through “My Shot”), Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (Opening Credits and Duel of the Fates scenes), and The Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol II(Beginning through the Opening Credits).

One thing I noticed immediately was that when I jumped between streaming platforms, the volume level jumped around quite a bit. I’ve never noticed this without the Bluetooth speaker connected — at least not to the extent I did with the Harmony Bluetooth Speaker. The Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol II was the first title I pulled up and I had to turn the volume up to 100% in order for it to be a decent level.

Without changing the volume, I started Star Wars and found that title to be much louder. Now, I know there is a big part of this that has to do with the movies’ mixes and not the streaming platform or the speaker hardware, but I’ve never noticed that large of a volume discrepancy before when I’m just listening through my iPad speakers.

Hamilton was an interesting selection for this test because even though it’s a musical, there is a lot of vocal work involved and I was concerned that it would get lost in the mix. The Harmony speaker played the movie’s audio clearly.

Features vs. Competitors

When I first took the speaker out of the box, it reminded me a lot of the Megaboom Bluetooth Speaker from Ultimate Ears. I was provided the opportunity to review that speaker about six years ago. The shape and size were very similar to the Monoprice Harmony Speaker and that’s why I thought of it.

With that in mind, I decided to look at some competitors of the Harmony speaker on Amazon to see how it measured up. I narrowed down the choices to Bluetooth speakers that were a ‘can’ shape and priced between $25-$50. I ended up looking at two speakers — the Ortizan Portable Bluetooth Speaker and the Tribit XSound Go Speaker.

I looked at the following features on all three speakers and indicated the differences between the different devices. Part of the reason I did this was to assess the value of the Harmony speaker weighed against other similar speakers. Even though this chart shows some differences, I feel that the Harmony speaker is a good value. Even though its battery life is nowhere near what many of its competitors provide, it has a stronger amp power and provides multiple options for audio input.

Conclusion

The Harmony Capsule 200 Portable Bluetooth Speaker has a lot going for it. It produces powerful, high-quality sound and connects to devices easily. I wish the battery life was better and colored status LEDs would be appreciated but for the list price of $34.99, users get a lot of value with this speaker.

For more information, visit monoprice.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

The StormBox gives users inexpensive sound in the palm of your hand

With on-the-go tech increasing in popularity, many rely upon iPads, iPhones, Slates, tablets, or Android phones for entertainment.  Some may utilize onboard sound, while others prefer to employ headphones, earbuds, or stand-alone speakers for music, movies, and mobile gaming.  When not using my AirPods Pro, I may use several portable Bluetooth speakers for a family dance party, a quick streaming session, or some easy listening. 

Over the past few years, I have grown to appreciate Tribit products’ quality of sound, durable, water-resistant shells, and budget prices. So when I heard about the StormBox Micro 2, I was excited to compare it to its predecessors.  

The StormBox Micro 2 speaker arrived in a 5 1/8 inches square by 2 5/8 inches thick retail box.  The emergency-cone orange-colored company name and slogan were displayed along the top left corner of the cover panel, while “Portable Wireless Speaker Micro In Size, Macro in Sound” was displayed along the bottom left.  The bold StormBox Micro 2 name was listed just beneath the company name in a vivid, bold, black font. 

The orange and black accents contrasted nicely against the clean white background, as did the slightly raised, glossy, photo-quality image of the Tribit StormBox Micro 2 device. The front panel displayed five product-defining features: 1. IP67 Waterproof. 2. Bluetooth 5.3. 3. Long Battery Life. 4. Superior Sound. 5. Stereo/Party mode.  The top panel and right side panels displayed the product name, while the left panel showed logos for the Tribit App on the Apple App and Google Play stores. 

The orange rear panel provided the company name, product name, generic portable wireless speaker information, and ink outlines for the speaker and charging cable at the top.  The mid section listed the BTS12 model, SKU, IC, FCC ID, Made in China Information, a brief thanks to the buyer, and the support@tribit.com address.  The lower segment of the panel provided product manufacturing labels, an SKU barcode, US/EU/UK/JP addresses, and a generic compatibility image.

I lifted the top panel, removed the 80-page multilingual instruction manual, and then the 10.9-ounces Tribit speaker from the plastic wrap.  Before you dispose of the outer packaging, remove the 24 5/8 inches long black, round, USB-C to USB-C charging cable from the lower cutout.

The attractive Tribit StormBox Micro2 speaker measured 4 inches square by 1 1/2 inches tall and had a thatched black/silver tweed-like surface.  The Tribit logo was placed at the center of the panel upon a 1 inches wide by 3/8 inches tall plaque.  I like the chrome letters upon the grey base and the contrast with the black/dark-grey thatched background. 

The bottom surface of the main panel provided three grey-colored 3/8 inches long buttons: “-”, a circular MFB button, and a “+” button.   The front panel had a 3/8 inches tall by 3/8 inches wide hexagonal power button, a blue led power indicator, five white LED power indicators and a 3/8 inches tall by 3/8 inches wide Bluetooth connection button.  The USB-C charging port was present on the left side panel. 

When I placed the StormBox speaker face down, I evaluated the 2 1/2  inches x 2 1/2 inches hexagonal heat sync/bass cutout and the central informational segment.  The panel provided similar information to that found on the back of the packaging.  You will discover hexagonal, raised, rubberized feet at each corner of the hexagonal region. Lastly, you will also find a 7/8 inches wide rubber strap attached to the front of the speaker, just beneath the LED indicators. 

The heptalingual instruction manual was arranged into English (1-13), German (14-24), French (25-35), Spanish (36-46), Italian (47-57), Japanese (58-68), and Chinese (69-80) sections. Interestingly, the page numbers reported within the table of contents did not link to the appropriate sections within the manual.

The manual provided ink outline drawings of the speaker, charging cable, user manual, and detailed each button (-,0,+, power, status indicator, Bluetooth pairing button), and the charging port.  The third and fourth panels detailed the 5V charging ability of the speaker, the ability to charge other devices via USB-C, and the battery indicator status. 

The convenient bank of five LED lights showed full charge when all lights were extinguished, 80-100% with four illuminated and one flashing, 70-80% with three illuminated and one flashing, 50-70% with two illuminated and one flashing, 30-50% with one illuminated and one flashing, and 0-30% power when 1 LED flashed. I liked the display method and found the battery life quite generous. 

The fifth and sixth pages detailed the power on/off function, the ability to reset, the blue-colored Bluetooth indicator (flashing=pairing, solid=connected), and the ability to reset the speaker to factory default. The panels also detailed the ability to pair with the most recently paired devices or to switch between paired devices. 

This feature allowed me to pair to my iPad and iPhone and allowed me to play/pause and then resume on another machine as desired.  Pages seven and eight detailed the button functions (below), while pages nine and ten detailed the party mode, stereo mode, and the ability to switch between the two modes.  Unfortunately, with only a single speaker, I was unable to test the paired/TWS features. 

The last few pages detailed the product specifications (BT version 5.3, 10W output, 70Hz-20KHz, 3.6V/4700mAh battery, dimensions, IP67 waterproof rating, 2.402GHz-2.480Ghz frequency band), FCC statements, and IC caution.  

The pairing process could not have been easier.  When you press the power button, the speaker will play a jingle to alert the user to the powered-on status.  Press the hexagonal Bluetooth button, then navigate to Settings on your smart device, select Bluetooth, and then select the Tribit StormBox Micro 2 from the list. 

To adjust the volume, you can short press the volume down/up buttons to gain an incremental change or press the button continuously to change the volume.  Additionally, you can press the volume up/down on your phone to affect the speaker output.  You can press the MFB button to play/pause a track or answer/end a call. 

I loved that the button/feature proved to be sensitive and quick to respond.  While in music mode, you can double press the button to proceed to the next track, triple press to return to the previous track, or press and hold to activate Siri. While in phone mode, you can press and hold the MFB button to reject a call, short press the button to pause the call and answer another, or switch between calls. 

To test the charging output, I plugged a Klein Tools Multimeter into the USB-C port and then a USB-C to Lightning cable between the multimeter and my iPhone 13 Pro Max.  The multimeter displayed 4.56V/1.29A while my iPhone displayed 53% power at 8:33 PM. During this test, the Tribit speaker had 4 LEDs illuminated, suggesting 70-80% power available. 

After about fifteen seconds, the screen on my iPhone illuminated, the lightning bolt went away, and the multimeter turned off.  I plugged the multimeter back into the speaker and found that the speaker would not charge the iPhone.  I removed the multimeter from the link and plugged the USB-C to lighting cable directly between the speaker and iPhone.  Like the previous step, the phone would not charge. 

I tried turning the StormBox speaker/battery off and on again and then tried three other USB-C to Lightning cables.  The speaker would not charge my iPhone again.  I made sure that this was not a fault of the iPhone by plugging a USB-C to Lightning cable into a Joto hub and found the iPhone charged easily.  Next, I plugged a USB-C to USB-C cable between the speaker and my iPad Pro 12.9” (gen 5). 

Again, I found it charged for about ten seconds before the lightning icon turned off.  I plugged the Multimeter back into the link, and the setup would not turn on.  I tried to charge my son’s iPhone 11 and found the same result as those mentioned above; the phone charged momentarily before failing.  I was impressed/excited by the idea but found the product did not meet the expectations or promise.

When it comes to Bluetooth headphones, earbuds, and speakers, quality sound and output must be one of the main goals for a manufacturer.  I can understand that fit and comfort may edge out sound quality for some of the in-ear options, but a stand-alone speaker must provide high-quality, full-spectrum, rich sound.  I loved the IP67 nature of the speaker and found it to be a reasonable companion for a jacuzzi, bath, shower, or pool. 

The posterior retention strap will allow you to attach the StormBox speaker to a chain-link fence or a shower line.  The rubber clip attached to my son’s bicycle handlebars but proved insufficient for the wider handlebars on my mountain bike.  Essentially, the strap should easily attach to anything about the size of an average thumb.  For fun, we attached the Micro 2 speaker to a small branch on a nearby tree, stuck a stick into the ground and attached the speaker to the pole, and found several other options including a loop of paracord lashed to a larger branch. 

I liked the rubberized loop and found it was more rugged than that of the original StormBox Micro speaker.  After re-reading the original StormBox Micro speaker, it appeared that this device may suffer from a similar failure point as the original.  Even though the strap has proven to be more durable than the original, it is still not removable or replaceable.  Once the strap breaks, the defect remains permanent.  Despite the concern, the speaker may be a wonderful addition to your golf cart, bicycle, boat, etc. 

I tried to pair the device with the StormBox Micro and StormBox Pro devices and found the manual was correct, and the party mode did not work.  Unfortunately, without a second StormBox Micro 2 device, I could not test either of the TWS modes.  I tested the speaker with a variety of songs including bass-heavy Acapella favorites, Pop, Rock, R&B, Oldies, Country, and instrumental options. 

I turned the speaker down to 0 and pressed the “+” button a single time. I was pleased to find a quiet output but found the sound lacked bass support. Pressing the button again, the speaker made a noticeably large jump in sound output. Similarly, the jump between a second and third press activated significantly more bass. I repeated the test with Ring of Fire Home Free at various volume levels and found ~50% to be optimal.  At higher levels, the sound became a bit harsh, while lower levels seemed to lack bass support.  Similarly, Holly Cole’s Train Song lacked the bounding opening bass line I have come to love/enjoy.  

To test the actual output, I navigated to the audiocheck.net website and used the Audio Tests.  I started with the Low-Frequency Response and Subwoofer Audio Test (10-200 Hz) and heard the bass at about 40Hz.  Unfortunately, the lower range of human hearing will go down to about 20Hz, and the speaker did not accommodate the lowest registers.

The results were similar to those above for bass-heavy songs, which suggested a mediocre support structure.  Next, I compared my ability to hear with my 3/7/10/13-year-old children using the High-Frequency Response and Hearing Audio Test (22-8 kHz).  As we get older and experience damage to our ears, we start to experience loss of higher frequencies.  I can hear at about 15 kHz on most speakers, and this was present with the StormBox Micro 2 device. 

My ten and three-year-olds could hear the high-pitched buzzing at 18 kHz, while my other two heard sounds at 16 kHz.  We then used the mosquito sound test, and they all said that they were able to listen to it.  Unfortunately, I was not able to hear the mosquito test track. 

The StormBox speaker will likely work well for a teenager room, a dorm room, a small office, a pool house/room, a jacuzzi suite, etc. I would not rely upon the micro device for larger outdoor venues or, for times you want big, deep, bass-rich sound.  I watched several episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ms. Marvel, and The Orville, and found the speaker worked okay for my small office, bedroom, or living room. 

I would have loved a bit more bass support, but I liked the ability for quiet output without forcing headphones/earbuds.  As a bonus, my kids recently requested to camp outside with an iPad Movie.  We turned to Disney Plus and played Big Hero 6 for them.  We cranked the sound up to about 70%, placed the speaker behind the iPad, and the kids enjoyed the experience.  For a sub $60 speaker, I felt that the sound was acceptable, but the Bluetooth connection was excellent. 

The internal battery still had three stars after my above tests and an entire movie.  Thanks to the USB-C charging, the device could charge rather quickly (~1.5 hours) and provided an ~11-hour total life. This meant that my kids could enjoy the sound for a longer period of time.  Lastly, the speaker provided a 15-minute auto-off-feature that was not mentioned on the website/instruction manual.  

Summary

The Tribit StormBox Micro 2 device provided a visual upgrade to the gen 1 speaker, while also increasing from 9W to 10W, increasing total battery time, and decibel output.  It still relied on the same retention strap design, and had similar size limitations for the bass.  My wife and children care little for audiophile-grade sound and felt that the experience was good and average. 

We loved the packaging and felt that the company did a great job at presenting the product.  The button layout, function, and Bluetooth connection provided a marked upgrade to the gen 1 speaker. Similarly, the phone conversations were quite clear and easy to initiate/cancel. 

The easy-to-pair process added a great deal of goodwill to the overall review and should work very well for those who need a bit more help with tech.  I would rate the StormBox speaker at 7.5/10 for sound, 8/10 for design, 9/10 for battery life, 8/10 for accessories. Unfortunately, the packaging/ manual/website promised the ability to provide power output to my phone or tablet. 

For Power Output, I would have to rate the device at 0/10 as it did not function as a battery.  I made sure to charge the device to full before first use, and then again before testing.  I cannot recommend the device for emergency backup power when it did not charge my iPhone 13 Pro max, IPad 12.9” Pro, or my son’s iPhone 11, even after fully recharging the device.  Unfortunately, the speaker was simply not able to support this feature and my overall review was reduced. 

For more information, visit tribit.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

Feel the Experience and enjoy the sound from this wireless home speaker.

February 13, 2022, has finally arrived and with it Super Bowl LVI.  Although this event may not be that big of a deal for some, it is a rather special day for our family.  Overshadowed by COVID-19, we have not had visitors to our home, outside of our nuclear family, for the past 2 years. My 12-year-old son is turning 13 this month and wanted a few activities.  First, he wanted to watch an opening weekend viewing of “Uncharted” and he wanted a small friend get-together for the Super Bowl.   Despite an array of game-day snacks, beverages, bean bags, and our 50” living television, something was missing.  I wanted to feel the excitement and decided that we needed an upgrade to the sound output of the base television. 

The Tribit Soundbar Wireless Home Speaker arrived in classic Tribit style.  The cover panel proudly displayed the Tribit logo “Tribit Unleash the true sound”  along the top left of the main cover, within the negative space of a vibrant emergency-cone orange box.  The generic name “Sounder Speaker”  was listed just below the Tribit name, followed by “Wireless Home Speaker” in the same orange accent.  The main focal point of the cover panel was the large image of the Tribit Wireless Home Speaker and remote.  Although the orange accents and the wireless home speaker were rather visually appealing, I would have loved a more catchy name for the product like the “Tribit Occano” Wireless Speaker.”  Latin for sound, I feel that the device would have benefited greatly from a true name.  

The white front panel listed eight black-colored product-defining icons representing the key features of the wireless home speaker: Superior Sound, Bluetooth 5.0, Optical, HDMI, Movie Mode, Game Mode, Music Mode, News Mode.  Both side panels displayed the grey Tribit logo (like the cover), while the bottom white panel was left unadorned.  The rear-facing panel benefitted from the same emergency cone orange accents as the cover.  However, instead of splashes of orange, the panel utilized the orange as a base and added splashes of white font. The company and product name were provided at the top left of the panel, while I was able to see the BTS60 model number, SKU, FCC ID, ID, importer address information, product manufacturing labels, Made in China Label, a quick statement of thanks, support@tribit.com website, compatibility list (computer, tablet, phone), and an SKU barcode.   Although I appreciated the information on the back cover, I would have liked a segment devoted to product specifications (Wattage, channels, modes, package contents [Power Cable, Optical Cable, HDMI Cable, Mounting Kit], and whether batteries were included for the remote or not [not]).  When trying to make a decision to buy or not, sometimes the information can make the difference between an affirmative nod versus a credit card swipe.  

I lifted the top panel of the 42 inches long by 6 1/2 inches wide by 4 1/2 inches tall packaging and perused the contents within the box.  Before removing the main speaker/four styrofoam pads, I removed the small zip style bags that contained a 5 foot/60-inch Optical cable, 47 inches long HDMI cable, and a product accessory box (6 1/8 inches long by 2 1/8 inches wide by 4 1/8 inches tall).  The accessory box contained a variety of items.  First, I found two zip-style bags each with two 1 1/8 inches long screws and drywall mounting anchors.  Next, I removed the dual L-shaped 3 1/8 inches thick by 2 3/8 inches tall by 13/16 inches wide plastic, felt-lined, wall mounting brackets. Then, I removed the 59-inches long Type A power plug with 90 degree input adaptor, and the 59-inches long 90-degree to 90-degree 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable.  Next, I removed the 1 9/16 inches wide by 5 7/8 inches tall by 3/4 inches thick black remote.  Finally, I removed the Tribit Soundbar Speaker 2.1 Channel Soundbar user manual.

The remote had a single red 1/4 inches diameter button along the top left, then two 7/16 inches diameter buttons for “Mute” and “Source.” Beneath the dual buttons, you will find a round array of buttons measuring 1 1/4 inches in diameter.  The centralized play/pause button measured 9/16 inches diameter while the outer 5/16 inches rim contained the following buttons in clockwise layout: 1. VOL+. 2. >>. 3. VOL-. 4. <<. The lower segment contained a 1 1/8 inches long by 5/16 inches tall black oval-shaped button with labels for “MOVIE” and “GAME.”  Beneath the oval button, you will find dual 7/16 inches diameter buttons for “Music” and “News” with EQ listed between them.  The entire grouping was surrounded by a white ink-outline that resembled a console controller.  Lastly, you will find a 1/2 inch diameter Bluetooth button just beneath the EQ, and the white Tribit name along the very bottom.

Before moving to the testing phase, I turned to the multilingual instruction manual for some intel (English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese). The first two panels provided ink outline drawings of the product contents and the soundbar control buttons.  Panels three through five detailed the input functions of the wireless home speaker and provided brief descriptions about how to select the modes on your television.  The sixth panel provided an ink outline labeled drawing of the remote, while the seventh panel detailed remote battery installation. The eighth panel provided information regarding mounting techniques and a product specification table (25W+2+50W, 50Hz-20K, Bluetooth 5.0, 100-240V-50/60Hz  input, function modes, EQ modes, and product dimensions. The last two panels provided an FCC Statement and IC Caution.  I was pleased with the English section and found the translation to be very well done.  I was not able to read/understand the other languages and could not attest to the quality of the writing.  

I removed the four styrofoam pads from around the soundbar and then slid it out of the plastic wrap.  The front surface of the 37 1/4 inches long by 4 1/2 inches thick by 2 11/16 inches tall soundbar provided a silver Tribit logo at the far left edge and a centralized 3 1/2 inches wide by 1 3/8 inches tall LCD screen.  The remainder of the front panel, like the top panel, was covered in speaker mesh material.  The back panel provided a centralized cutout for the ports (HDMI, Optical, USB-A, coaxial, power toggle, and power input port) and two pre-installed mounting brackets.  The left side panel housed the six 11/16 inches wide by 3/8 inches tall rectangular function buttons, arranged in a two-by-three array: Power, VOL-, VOL+, SOURCE, EQ, BLUETOOTH.  The bottom panel provided dual 3/4 inches wide by 2 7/8 inches tall foot segments, each with two 5/8 inches square rubberized anti-slip pads.  I appreciated the visual appearance and functional layout of the wireless home speaker.  I loved the positioning of the buttons, the recessed ports, rubberized anti-slip pads, and the pre-installed mounting brackets.  

Based on the layout of my living room television/entertainment center, I chose to set the soundbar in front of the TV instead of mounting it on my wall.  I plugged the Type A power cord into my surge protector, the 90-degree power plug into the back of the wireless home speaker, and then the optical cable into the television/soundbar. I flipped the power toggle at the back of the wireless home speaker to the on position, grabbed two AAA batteries (not included) for the remote, and tested the soundbar with a variety of streaming apps (Apple TV, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Movies Anywhere, and Netflix).  I pressed the power button on the remote and noted that the wireless home speaker LCD displayed HDMI, despite an optical connection. I pressed the source button several times to cycle between BT, AUX, OPTIC, COAX1, and then back to HDMI Modes.  With my TV connected via Optical, I found the volume levels 1-3 were a bit quiet.  Interestingly, as I increased the volume on the remote, I found a prominent shift from volume three to volume four.  It seemed that the wireless home speaker hit its stride at volume level 4 and had a nonlinear, stair-stepping volume increase with each level.  The most prominent shift, however, was between volumes 3 to 4.  At sound levels greater than six, I felt the soundbar increased the volume without improving clarity/quality.

I tested the sound output with HDMI, Optical, and Bluetooth modes in each of the four EQ modes. I was pleased to find no obvious difference between the HDMI or optical modes with any of the tests and that the soundbar remembered the previously utilized mode. In addition to the Super Bowl, we watched Pacific Rim, the opening sequence to Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, and several fight scenes from Avengers Infinity War and Endgame.  The Movie mode seemed more full and colorful than the other modes and added a depth that was lacking in the news mode.  The Game Mode reduced some of the reverberations when compared to the movie mode but still had more than the news mode.  It seemed that the news mode worked decently for commentators and talkshows, and enhanced the speech without emphasizing bass or blend.  The music mode did not sound as great with movies/television programs but worked well for the intended purpose.  Ultimately, I left the EQ mode on Movie mode, unless playing the Nintendo Switch and then I turned it to Game Mode.  I found very little reason to utilize the music modes and did not favor the news mode at all. 

I pressed the source button until BT was displayed on the LCD and a female announcer voiced “Pairing.”  I picked up my iPhone 13 Pro Max, navigated to Bluetooth, to Settings, and then selected Tribit Soundbar from the list.  The female voice announced the paired connection and I navigated to the audiocheck.net website to test the bass.  When I selected the Low-Frequency Response and Subwoofer Audio Test (10-200 Hz), the male announcer vocalized each 10Hz increase.  Starting at 10Hz, I heard a minor rumble at 30Hz and then a good vibration-rumble at around 40Hz.  I used my phone volume toggle to increase/decrease the sound and was pleased with the sensitivity/speed of the changes.  When I tested the High-Frequency Response and Hearing Audio Test (22-8 kHz), I was able to hear the high pitched ringing sound at 15Khz, which was on par with my ability to hear.  I listened to several songs from Queen, Lady Gaga, Elton John, and Pentatonics.  My kids liked the ability to dance to Kids Bop in the living room, while my wife liked the ability to listen to Pandora while at home during the day.  

If I had to rate the wireless home speaker against my television, I would rate the sound at 9/10.  However, there were some limitations that the soundbar had that were unexpected.  First, I loved the layout of the remote but did not like that the range seemed to drop off after about five feet.  Additionally, the line of sight seemed to be quite linear and distorted when angled to the side. Having been remote for our television growing up, this feels like a first-world problem.  However, with the advancement of modern technology, I expect more of my tech.  Next, I did not like that the soundbar struggled at lower volumes.  During the day, and when meaning to utilize plenty of sound, the wireless home speaker did succeed.  However, at night, or when trying to enjoy nonchild programming, the wireless home speaker seemed to have loud and louder as the main options.  I found that it was just as easy to turn off the wireless home speaker at night than to struggle with the sound.  Next, the bass was a bit underwhelming when compared to devices with a dedicated subwoofer.  However, at the ~$120 price point, the device was meant to output sound and it succeeded at that process.  The extra EQ modes may be useful to some, but I did not find much use for the music/news modes.  Lastly, I did not like that I was unable to dim or to turn off the front-facing LCD display. 

Summary:
The lackluster built-in TV speakers of my Sony TV were not able to provide adequate sound for my living room.  To combat the issue, I chose to add a soundbar to upgrade the output.  The single unit Tribit Soundbar thus had some pretty big shoes to fill.  Although the wireless home speaker was not as powerful as some of the multi-speaker setups that I have utilized, including soundbar/subwoofer combinations, I found the Tribit Soundbar did enhance my television and movie viewing experience without being overpowering.  The easy setup process, combined with tabletop or wall mounting modes, plus the ability to pair via HDMI, USB-A, Coaxial, Optical, and Bluetooth awarded points to the Tribit soundbar.  The soundbar lost a few points in remote sensitivity, in the limited stair-step volume increments, and the need to use the proprietary remote. The bass was full but missed out on the 20Hz-50Hz frequency range.  

Despite the semi-critical review, I loved that I was able to pair the wireless home speaker via HDMI, OPTICAL, and Bluetooth.  I liked the Movie EQ mode but wished that I had more control of the volume and the ability to use universal remote functions. Overall I would rate the sound at 8/10, connection options 9/10, packaging 9/10, remote function 8/10, and cost 9/10.  Interestingly, a quick Amazon search found an extra $30 savings as of the writing of this review.  At sub $100, my ratings would increase.  This device is perfect for a dorm room, for a kids bedroom, for a small living room/apartment, and maybe even for a kids playroom.  If you are looking for audiophile-grade output, multifunction surround, etc., a single-unit soundbar is likely not even on your radar.  As a fan of Tribit speakers, I was truly excited to test the soundbar.  There were many features to be proud about, but a few tweaks will make the device a best-in-class device. 

Learn more about the Tribit soundbar
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Forget about going to the party, become the party with this Bluetooth speaker.

I am not sure how people survived the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic without an on-demand source for music, video, and book streaming.  It seems that my interest in audiobooks has drastically expanded, as has my interest in binging episodes of new and old programs.  Despite the increased streaming, the remaining moments of my free time have been devoted to comfort tracks/albums.  Even though listening with on-ear, over-ear, or in-ear headphone systems may provide an exciting single-user experience, sometimes my family wants to join in and enjoy a jam session.  The waterproof XSound Mega Speaker from Tribit filled a much-needed family portable speaker need.  Thanks to the availability to download videos/music tracks on our smart devices, the Tribit speaker was ready for fun even when an internet connection was unavailable.  Tribit has been a genuinely fantastic companion over these last few snowy NTI days.  

The XSound Mega speaker arrived in a clean, white 10 3/4 inches long by 5 1/4 inches tall by 3 3/8 inches thick retail package.  The cover panel listed the company name atop the panel, within the negative space of an emergency cone-colored rectangle.  Beneath the company name, you will find the XSound Mega product name in bold black font.  Next, you will find another splash of orange color nestled along the lower-left corner of the panel.  The orange accent detailed the portable nature of the speaker and provided a catchy slogan, “Take Your Bass to the Max.”  Despite the attractive accents, the main focus of the cover panel was the slightly raised, glossy, photograph-quality XSound Mega picture.  The image showcased the speaker buttons, the shoulder carry strap, and a colorful rainbow ROYGBV pattern along the rim of the speaker.  The black on white color scheme combined nicely with the orange flare to provide a visually appealing cover panel.

Sticking to the black-on-white theme, you will find six black-colored product icons upon the white panel: 1. IPX7 Waterproof. 2. Bluetooth 5.0. 3. Multi-EQ Mode. 4. 20 Hours Playtime. 5. Superior Sound. 6. 100+Broadcast (Link 100+speakers). The white-colored front and right side panels listed a silver-colored Tribit “Unleash the true sound” logo, while the left panel provided the XSound Mega title.  The orange-colored rear panel listed the product name along the top left and the BTS35 Model plus SKU/FCC ID along the midsection of the panel.  You will find product manufacturing labels, compatibility icons (computer, tablet, smartphone), and a thank you paragraph along the lower section of the panel.  The rear panel successfully utilized the negative white space within the emergency cone-colored backdrop like the cover panel.  I loved the orange and white color scheme, the presentation, and that Tribit did not overburden the panels with excessive detail/verbiage.

I lifted the front panel and the internal orange flap and noted the labels on the internal orange cardboard tray: 1. USB & Aux Cable (top left). 2. Lanyard (top right). 3. User Manual (bottom right). The tray was divided into an upper 1 1/8 inches thick by 10 3 /8 inches long by 3 1/8 inches tall accessory tray and a lower 9 3/4 inches long by 3 1/4 inches wide by 3 1/8 inches tall cutout.  Within the lower tray, you will find the 2-pound 4.7-ounce speaker encased within an opaque foam bag.  Within the upper tray, you will find a 40 3/8 inches long USB-A to USB-C  cable, a 25-inches long 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable, and a 32 inches long by 1-inch wide shoulder strap with pewter buckles.  I located the pewter hooks along both sides of the 9 7/8 inches long by 3 3/4 inches thick by 3 1/4 inches tall speaker and installed the carry strap buckles.  I located the 2 1/4 inches long by 11/16 inches tall rubber access port on the back of the speaker and then lifted the rubber access port plug.  Hidden beneath the waterproof plug, you will find a 5V/2A USB-A output port, a 3.5mm port, and a USB-C input/ 5V/2A output port.  I plugged the USB-A to USB-C cable into a 5V/2A output port, and evaluated the surface of the speaker.  The top panel had a power button, a 5/8 inches diameter Bluetooth Button, a triangular play button, a “-” volume down button, a “+” volume up button, a sun-shaped light icon, and an EQ button.  Along the lower front of the top panel, you will find a red/orange sticker with details about the Xbass, Music, and Audiobook LED modes.  The microphone was placed just in front of the sun icon.  

The top and bottom panels had a rubberized cross-thatched light/dark black appearance, which provided an appealing visual and tactile experience.  The matte-black, smooth, single-segment side/back panel with rear heat/bass ports contrasted nicely against the rubberized/textured top panel.  The bottom panel provided four 5/16 inches diameter rubberized feet and a matte-black product detail plaque.  Unfortunately, the information on the bottom of the speaker was quite difficult to read, and I struggled to adjust the panel into the light.  Luckily, however, the information was mostly redundant and did not add much to the overall experience.  The only caveat was that the panel listed the battery size at 3.65V/4000mAh x2/29.2Wh.  Pleased with the look, feel, and design of the speaker, I set it down upon the four rubberized feet and allowed the speaker to charge. 

Before you toss the box into the recycling bin, make sure that you remove the multi-lingual instruction manual (English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, and Chinese) contained within the front segment of the orange tray.  The first page of the manual described basic product safety precautions, and a list of the product specifications (BT 5.0, A2DP/AVRCP/HFP/HSP support, 30W output power, 60Hz-20KHz frequency response, 3.65V/4000mAh x2/29.2Wh battery, up to 20Hr playtime, 4hour charge time, IPX7 waterproof rating, 250mm x 87mm x 80mm product dimensions and 1020g weight). The second panel provided a visual list of the package contents, while the third and fourth panels detailed the button overview.  To modify my description above, the triangle button was not solely a play button.  Rather, it served as a multi-function button.  The manual did show a small “N” (NFC) to the left of the Power button/indicator, which was somewhat hard to visualize on the speaker. Panel five detailed the rear input/output connections, while the sixth panel provided a useful step-by-step how-to connect to Bluetooth.  The seventh panel detailed the ability to connect via NFC (if available with your smart device), and the eighth panel provided information about pairing a second Tribit XSound Mega speaker.  Unfortunately, there were several typographical errors within this section of the instruction manual. 

My favorite section of the instruction manual was the button control table located on pages 9-10.  The table described activating/deactivating the Broadcast mode (pairing with another XSound Mega speaker), and provided a useful list of the button features for the MFB button.  A single press will allow you to play/pause a track or answer/end a call, a double-tap will enable you to move to the next track, a triple-tap will allow you to return to a previous track, and a two-second hold will activate the voice assistant. A single-tap of the volume buttons will either decrease or increase the sound respectively. The light button will turn on/off the lights, and the EQ mode will rotate between Music Mode, Bass Mode, and Audiobook Modes. The last sections of the manual described the indicator light statuses, how to reset the speaker, provided information about customer service (18-month limited warranty) plus support@tribit.com FAQ, and an FCC statement. I was pleased with the manual and how it provided easy-to-digest helpful information.  I cannot attest to the quality of translation for the other languages.  I would rate the English section at 9.5/10, with only a slight loss due to minor errors.

Once the red power LED extinguished (~40 minutes), I removed the USB-C cable, and reset the waterproof plug.  I pressed the power button and appreciated both a visual and auditory cue to the powered-on status; a white power LED illuminated and a three-tone ascending power-on signal followed the light cue.  Next, the Bluetooth icon began to flash.  I navigated to Settings on my iPhone 13 Pro Max, then to Bluetooth, and selected Tribit XSound Mega from the list. The pairing process with my iPhone could not have been more straightforward.  I loved that the user did not have to manually pair the device to the smartphone and that it paired automatically. Even though I do not tend to set up very many shortcuts, this speaker reminded me about the convenience of NFC communication.  I navigated to Shortcuts, selected Automation, “+”, Create Personal Automation, NFC, add Action, scripting, set playback destination (under device), set volume to 40%, and then set the command to activate amazon prime music.  Alternatively, I set Apple Music to auto-play when I tapped the NFC node atop the speaker.  The shortcut feature can be quite powerful when initiating various combinations of Apps and may enhance your enjoyment of the speaker.

To test the buttons/connectivity and sound, I started with my typical frequency tests through the audiocheck.net website.  I selected the Low-Frequency Response and Subwoofer Audio Test (10-200 Hz) from the test panel and repeated the test in XBass, Music, and Audiobook modes.  You can access these modes easily by pressing the “EQ” button at the far right of the row of buttons.  I was a bit disappointed to hear the male announcer vocalize 10Hz, 20 Hz, then 30Hz, before finally hearing sound at 40Hz.  The XBass button provided a richer, deeper, fuller sound than the other two modes, but did not improve the frequency range.  Alternatively, the music mode provided a medium bass presence, while the Audiobook mode eliminated most of the bass and favored mid sounds.  In fact, while in Audiobook mode, The sound was not heard/felt until closer to 60Hz.  For the second test, I navigated to the High-Frequency Response and Hearing Audio Test (22-8 kHz) and repeated the test with each of the modes.  In Audiobook mode and volume at 50%, I played the test track.  I heard sound at 13kHz for the Audiobook mode, and at 15kHz for both Music Mode and XBass mode.  My 10-year-old son noted he was able to hear sound at 15kHz in Audiobook mode, and 17kHz for the other two modes.  If you have read any of my previous speaker/headphone reviews, then you know that I like to utilize several of the tests through the audiocheck.net website.  As I did not have a second XMega speaker to pair, I did not have the ability to test the TWS pairing features of the speaker.  Thus, I did not use the Left/Right/Center or Stereo Perception and Sound Localization tests.  The speaker range was a bit lacking compared to other speakers including the Tribit XSound Go, which has been my go-to office speaker for the past several years.  

I listened to a new LitRPG by J. Arthur Klein “Extra Credit: A VR MMO LITRPG Adventure” and tested the sound quality between the XBass, Music, and Audiobook modes.  I found the XBass mode provided a bit too much fullness and lower range.  This did cause a mildly distorted sound that lacked the clarity needed for following audio.  I also listened to “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” by John Boyle, and “How to Win Friends & Influence People” by Dale Carnegie.  For the strictly narrative audiobooks, the Audiobook mode proved to be superior to the other two modes. The lack of high/low range sounds and the focus upon mid-range sounds provided enhanced clarity and tone to the books.  As the LitRPG, performed by Jack Douglas and Maggie Langhorne, was more of an acting performance, it actually suffered a bit by the lack of range.  The highs did not feel as high and the lows did not feel as low with the audiobook mode.  However, I found the Music mode enhanced the “Extra Credit” experience and allowed for more dynamic voice acting. 

When I tested each of the modes against my test audio tracks, I found a mixed pattern of favorite modes.  The bounding jazzy bass line present in Holy Cole’s “Train song” was enhanced by the extra boost within the bass mode. Similarly, the poppy sound of Lady Gaga in “Bad Romance” sounded better in the XBass Mode, yet did quite well in music mode.  The deep dark sounds of the Dark Knight Rises Joker Theme “Why So Serious” were less palpable with the external speaker than headphones and the experience lost a bit of the pizazz that I have come to enjoy from the song.  Additionally, the deep chanting sounds of “Far Over The Misty Mountains Cold” in The Hobbit sounded markedly better with the bass boost than with the other two modes. CeeLo Green’s “Bright Lights Bigger City,” like the experience with Lady Gaga, also sounded okay in both modes but better with the extra bass.  Each of these tests showed that the bass added a significant amount of fullness to the sound without distorting the sound or creating a muddy experience.  The Audiobook mode removed a great deal of the fullness from the music, which remained present within the music mode to a degree.  Interestingly, most of the songs that sounded okay within the music mode sounded better within the Xbass mode.  I felt that the Xbass settings were well-programmed for R+B, Rock, Country, Jazz, while the music mode seemed to allow improved clarity for heavier ensemble/instrumental sounds.

To test the mid and upper sounds, I utilized my favorite soundtracks, Far and Away, Robinhood Prince of Thieves, and Braveheart.  I next evaluated the speaker with A Capella songs from Pentatonix, Gospel Plowboys, Daves Highway, and Home Free.  I found the music mode helped to improve clarity and instrumental staging over the Xbass mode.  Unfortunately, the audiobook mode felt a bit distorted with the lack of lower support and the excitement of the upper sounds. These experiences did not matter at all to my children.  They loved to press the light button and enjoyed the vibrant LED show.  It was hard to determine if they liked the moving rainbow LED show of mode one or if they preferred the movement with mode two.  We turned the volume up to 75%, played some Wooly Bully, Imagine Dragons, Purple People Eater, and danced to Kids Bop.  Next, we watched Hotel Transylvania Transformania on our iPad and used the Tribit speaker for added support.  Each of the final tests was completed in Xbass Mode. 

The battery life proved more than sufficient for our needs.  Thanks to the IPX7 rating (make sure the back rubber port is closed), the kids were able to listen to music in the bathtub and in the shower.  They thought the added music was a fun change from a boring bath time routine.  The Bluetooth range allowed me to control the speaker functions throughout my two-story home, and the button sensitivity meant that I was able to control my phone from a distance as well. I loved the ability to activate the voice assistant and the ability to activate Alexa within the Amazon Music App.  Additionally, we loved the connection and the lack of static/interference throughout the testing/use.  Even though the lower end of the volume spectrum felt a little flatter than that above 25%, the speaker never felt dull.  However, it truly shined at 60-75% volume.  Over the past week, I have enjoyed several episodes of Money Heist on my iPhone 13 Pro Max and loved that there was no lag between the audio/visual signal.  To further test the programming, I watched a few movies on Movies Anywhere, Vudu, and a few episodes of Star Trek Discovery on Paramount Plus.  Each of the Apps provided the same experience as Netflix.  Unfortunately, the same was not found for YouTube, which had a prominent audio/visual lag.  

Even though the speaker may not be audiophile high-end, the near-indestructible waterproof shell, the colorful LED, the various sound modes, and the portable design provided significant positivity points.  The weight was slightly on the heavier end, but this supported the Xbass mode.  The sound will fill a medium to large size room and will be perfect for a dorm, apartment, office, or even a smaller outdoor gathering.  I found that the speaker gained some additional punch by placing it on a sturdy base, near a wall. With up to 20 hours of battery time, waterproofing, and a colorful LED light show, the speaker should be ever ready for your next activity.  

Learn more about the Tribit XSound Mega Speaker.
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A remarkable listening experience from a Bluetooth speaker.

One of my favorite accessories has always been Bluetooth speakers. I love listening to music wherever I go and even though I have headphones or could listen directly through the phone, I sometimes like to have extra volume and bass depth that Bluetooth speakers provide. As the summer comes to a close, I wanted to highlight one of my favorite new speakers – the Motion Boom from SoundCore. This delightful speaker has a style that is reminiscent of classic boomboxes from the 80s and 90s; plus, the sound is outstanding. So here’s a deeper look at the Motion Boom by SoundCore. 

DETAILS

The Motion Boom is designed for outdoor adventures. It has an IPX7 rating, is waterproof, and floats if it lands in the water. With a full battery charge, users should get up to 24 hours of playtime, which is great for camping trips, boat trips, and more. The speaker features 100% pure titanium diaphragms for reproducing high frequencies up to 40 kHz. This means noticeably higher clarity for your audio enjoyment. In addition to the impressive hardware, the Motion Boom also has BassUp technology included which uses an in-house tuned digital signal processor to analyze low frequencies and intensify them in real-time for bass that hits harder. Motion Boom is also compatible with the SoundCore app which gives users the option of customizing EQ modes for an even more personalized listening experience. Finally, the Motion Boom features Bluetooth 5.0 for ultra-stable connections between the speaker and its connected devices. 

KEY FEATURES

• Sound: Huge Stereo Sound Enhanced Clarity: 100% pure titanium diaphragms (up to 40kHz) BassUp Technology
• Playtime: 24 hours
• Water Resistance: IPX7
• Wireless Stereo Pairing: Yes
• USB Charge In: USB-C
• App: Yes
• Size: 13.62 x 5.83 x 7.87 in
• Weight: 4.41 lb
• Can Pair With: Motion Boom

USER EXPERIENCE

When the Motion Boom arrived at our doorstep I immediately opened its box and paired it to my phone. I’ve been a fan of SoundCore speakers for a few years now, an obsession that began with the SoundCore Flare speaker and was thrilled to have a new speaker for summertime. The set-up of the device is super simple. There is no assembly. You just take it out of the box, charge it, and connect it to your phone (or other Bluetooth devices). The speaker did have a charge out of the box and I could start using it right away. A USB-C cable is included with the speaker and so is a quick start guide. The quick start guide is completely illustrated and has very few words on it. I’m sure this was done to be accessible to people of different nationalities without needing to include multiple languages. 

When you start up the speaker, you will hear a melodic tone play, which indicates the speaker has powered on. You will then hear a tone that indicates whether or not a device connects. Once you have connected a device to the speaker, it will automatically reconnect to the speaker the next time it’s powered on. There were a few times when I hadn’t had the speaker powered on for days at a time, but sure enough, when I powered it on, my phone connected immediately. To connect Bluetooth devices, you simply press the Bluetooth button (one short press) and it goes into pairing mode. I LOVE this so much because there are so many speakers that make you go through hoops just to pair a new device. The Motion Boom is easy to interface with and control. I love being able to adjust the volume of the audio on the speaker as well as play/pause, advance tracks, or reverse tracks as needed thanks to the multifunction button on the control panel on the speaker. 

The sound quality of the speaker is great. No matter what device I had connected (usually my iPhone 12 Pro or iPad Pro) I experienced no lag between the device and speaker and I got enough amplification from the speaker. It really produces a rich, full, loud sound. The volume is only an amplification of the volume from your connected device. What I mean by that is when you are adjusting the volume on the speaker, it is just adjusting the volume on the device and not adding to the device’s volume. I’ve been very impressed with my listening experiences and I’ve taken the speaker with me just about everywhere. While I don’t have a pool at home anymore, it was certainly nice not to have to worry about the speaker getting rained on while I was working in the yard. 

CONCLUSION

The Motion Boom is a great all-around speaker that fulfills audio listening needs. It’s easy to carry around – thanks to its boombox style handle – and remarkably easy to use. The only feature that would make this speaker better is if there was a place to set your phone while you are using it. 

For more information, visit soundcore.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

From toilet paper shortages to bicycle shortages to component shortages to online product limitations to school shutdowns to a variety of mandates, there is no doubt that COVID has forced some changes upon each of us. As a family, we loved to go to movie theaters, go out to eat, jump at the local trampoline park, and window shop at the mall. Despite the limitations upon our previous family life, we have grown/expanded in our bonds and have enjoyed more family time through a variety of creative activities. Thankfully, we were lucky enough to have had a trampoline prior to the COVID shortages. We added a sprinkler feature for an enjoyable summer experience, and the children wanted a way to listen to music. The iLIVE Outdoor Solar-Powered Bluetooth Speakers allowed us to bring our indoor dance party to our trampoline. As a result, my kids were able to bring some of the magic of the trampoline park to our own backyard.

The iLIVE Outdoor Solar-Powered Bluetooth Speakers arrived in a 9 3/4 inches long by 8 1/2 inches tall by 3 1/2 inches thick retail package. The cover panel provided the iLIVE name along the top left, a solar-powered logo along the top right, a blue triangle with “Ground Stake Kit Included x2” along the bottom right, a large blue circle with “2 pack speakers and stakes,” and four green product descriptors along the middle of the panel: 360 sound, Party Plus Pairs Both Speakers With Ease, 20 hr Extended Playtime.  Despite the vivid, colorful accents, the main focal point was the dual black speakers upon the grassy yard.  Each of the glossy-black speakers contrasted nicely against the grass, the background plants, and bricks.  Interestingly though, the image of the right speaker lacked the ground stake and appeared to be floating in the air like a juggler’s torch instead of appearing to be staked into the ground.  I liked that the left speaker was closer than the right speaker and that it added scale and depth to the overall scene.  

The grey-colored right and left side panels provided the iLIVE icon along the top of the panel and three photo-quality images depicting a home table scene “Perfectly Portable,” an outdoor family hula hoop party, “Backyard Fun,” and a friendly outdoor beach volleyball game “Ready for Adventure.”  At the risk of sounding cliché, these pictures were worth a thousand words.  I loved the diversity, colors, and ideas presented on each of the panels. The company provided a Bluetooth 5.0 logo and ink outline images of a phone, computer, and tablet just beneath the lower image.  Like the cover/side panels, the top panel successfully utilized a colorful scene to provide additional ideas for the user.  The solar-powered logo was present along the top left, “2Pack Speakers & Stakes” logo along the bottom right, and along the center of the image, you will find a fun picnic scene.

The rear panel provided the iLIVE logo along the top left, the Solar Powered logo along the top right, dual side-by-side images of the speakers along the left, and product details along the right side of the panel.  You will find a paragraph that described the 360 degrees sound, removable stakes, portability, water resistance, and the ability to bring the party with you.  The product specifications were displayed just beneath the descriptive paragraph: Special Party Pack: Includes two speakers & stakes, Bluetooth Wireless 5.0, Dual Speaker Drivers for 360 degrees sound, 20 hours extended playtime, Solar Power, IPX5 waterproof design, Party Plus: pair two speakers with ease, Aux-In (3.5mm), Micro SD slot, Handsfree Speakerphone, ON-Speaker controls, Rechargeable Battery, Includes 2 removable ground stakes, USB charging cables.  The bottom panel provided a California warning, product SKU barcode, address, FCC warning, and a Made Green Logo. The company did a great job with the product presentation and overall design. I liked the colorful artwork and the promise of a touch of normalcy.

I removed the tape, lifted the top panel, removed the small grey/orange enter to win review card and the white pairing instruction notice; you must connect the speakers together before pairing them with your smartphone/tablet).   I slid the large clear plastic tray out from the main compartment and then the iLIVE instruction manual.  Within the plastic tray, you will find two plastic-wrapped 12.9-ounce, 6 1/2 inches tall by 3 inches diameter black speakers within individual cutouts.  Each speaker had a glossy 1 5/16 inches wide by 1 1/2 inches tall solar cell along the top, a 7/8 inches tall plastic section, a 2 5/16 inches tall felty material that covered the speakers, and a lower matte black plastic section.  Along the middle of the lower section, you will find the iLIVE logo, an M “Connect Speakers” button, a “+” button, a “-“ button, a Bluetooth button, and a power button (call, play/pause).  Just to the left of the vertically stacked buttons, you will find a column of three LEDs.  Along the back of the cylindrical speaker, you will find the rubberized 11/16 inches wide by 1 1/4 inches tall input/out port cover.  I did not like that the plug was 3/8 inches thick, as it was difficult to remove from the cutout.  Without a pull-tab, I had to use a pen to pry open the plug. Unfortunately, this added an unwanted blemish to the rubberized cover.  You will find a micro-USB input port, a 3.5mm Aux-in port, and a micro SD slot within the cutout.  To maintain waterproofing, you will need to close the port when in use.  If used indoors, you can consider using the devices via a wired connection.  Lastly, along the bottom of the speaker, you will find four 1/8 inches diameter by 1/8inches tall rubberized feet and a central, plastic-lined 13/16 inches diameter ground-stake port. 

Along the center of the clear plastic tray, you will find two 6 7/8 inches long ground stakes, two 20 1/2 inches long 3.5mm cables, and two 20 1/8 inches long USB-A to USB-micro cables.  I plugged one of the included USB-A cables into each of the speakers and left them to charge for about an hour.  During that time, I perused the instruction manual.  The dual-panel manual displayed the product features (waterproof, BT, party Plus Mode, 360 Degree Sound, Built-in microphone, Solar panels, built-in rechargeable battery 20 hours playtime at 50% battery, micro USB charging), an overview of the stakes (remove the stakes from the casing, insert the stake into the bottom of the casing, then insert into the ground), and then reviewed the controls (Connect button, Volume up/next, volume down/previous, Bluetooth button, Power/play/pause button).   Along the right side of the main panel, the manual displayed the packaging contents as listed above, reviewed the battery charging (3 hour charge time, 20 hours/50% volume), reviewed the limited solar charging capabilities, and then detailed the Aux In and Micro SD features. The reverse side of the panel detailed the Party Plus Mode, pairing process, the FM radio setup, customer support information, and FCC warnings. 

Once the speakers were fully charged, I held the power button of the first speaker for 3 seconds. I was greeted by a female speaker who announced, “Power On, Bluetooth.”  I pressed the power button on the second device for 3 seconds, and the female speaker again announced, “Power On, Bluetooth.”  To pair the two speakers together, I followed the Party Plus Mode instructions within the instruction manual.  I held the Mode button of one of the speakers for 3 seconds, and the female speaker announced, “Speaker Connected.”  With the speakers paired, I grabbed my iPhone 12 Pro Max, navigated to settings, Bluetooth, selected the ISBW240 from the list, and the female voice announced the paired status of the speakers. Despite the warning to pair the speakers into Party Plus Mode prior to linking to your smart device, the setup was truly simple. I removed the ground stakes from the plastic sheath, combined the two halves, and then stabbed the ground section into the ground. I placed the speakers upon the stakes to complete the setup, and we started to enjoy the sound output.

Each of the cylindrical speakers provided a fun 360 degrees sound output, which made placement around our trampoline a breeze. It is important to note that the speaker Party Plus Mode is a stereo setup, with one speaker providing the left channel and the other providing the right channel. Some TWS speakers allow you to change between stereo and “paired” mode with full sound output from both devices. Similar to my headphone tests, I turned to the audiocheck.net website for the speaker parameters.  For my first test, I evaluated the bass capabilities with the Low-Frequency Response and Subwoofer Audio Test (10-200 Hz).  Since we can hear down to approximately 20Hz, a good pair of headphones will produce a quality full sound around the 20Hz mark. Unfortunately, the iLIVE speakers had a meek output around 40-50 Hz and then increased steadily by about 80Hz. If your goal is a bouncing bass-heavy speaker, this kit will leave you wanting. Turning to the High-Frequency Response and Hearing Audio Test (22-8 kHz), I was pleased to hear the sound around 14kHz. This was on par with my age-appropriate hearing ability. Using the Left/Right (Stereo) Sound Test, I found one speaker to be “left,” one to be “right,” and they both played center channel.

Similar to my audio tests for headphones, I ran the speakers through my typical test tracks. I navigated to Amazon Prime Music and to Apple music and played a variety of selections. I started with Bright Lights Bigger City” by CeeLo Green and enjoyed the synth-pop vibe but missed the bass support. Similarly, “Train Song” by Holly Cole,” lacked the bounding, jazzy bass line that I expected to feel in addition to hear. The song “Far Over The Misty Mountains Cold” retained a degree of the somber ballad feel but lacked a bit of depth. Honestly, it felt like I was using a surround sound minus the subwoofer. The output was not bad, but it was not as full, dense, or rounded as expected with a good pair of headphones. Interestingly, the mid blends and the upper sounds were crisp, clear, and never became tinny or overpowered without the bass. To test/prove this aspect, I would encourage you to listen to Enya Caribbean Blue. With a high-quality mixed/EQ supported earphone setup, the Enya song becomes an experience more than a simple song. The iLIVE speakers did a reasonable job for the mids but again lacked some of the bass support that the song demands. The speakers did a good job at instrumental pieces as well due to the tuned mid-range frequency. I used both the Robinhood Prince of Thieves and the Far and Away soundtracks to test this aspect. Each of the songs had a pleasing output but lacked the undersupport that I knew should be there.

As noted above, the mids/upper sounds never felt tinny or harsh. These speakers are designed to be generalists and worked quite well for pop and rock. My children loved Kids Bop, the Bohemian Rhapsody soundtrack, Shallow from Star is Born, The Trolls 1 and 2 soundtracks, and the 80’s mixes from the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtracks. If your goal is audiophile-grade sound output, the iLIVE speakers are not the right option for you. However, my children absolutely loved to dance and bounce with the music. At max volume, you will enjoy a good deal of sound for a small outdoor get-together. You may need to purchase larger speakers for larger gatherings or locations with increased background noise/sound. We listened to a variety of songs from the Beach Boys, Pentatonix, Charlie Puth, Alabama, Megan Trainor, Anna Kendrick/Pitch Perfect/Trolls, Little Big Town, “Lost Boy”, The Greatest Showman Soundtrack, “Sunflower,” Bon Jovi, Rascal Flatts, and Imagine Dragons. We were pleased with the design, the portability, the 20-hour playback, and the solar panels. Even though the solar panels lacked high-efficiency charging, the ability to leave the devices outdoors for a few days meant that they were charged and ready for their energy-filled hour jump fest.

To summarize my experience, I did not expect the speakers to provide the same output that my 1MORE HI-FI or BOSE over-ear earphones would provide. However, the speakers did a good job of providing a nice mid-range blend. We enjoyed the paired 360 degrees sound and the pop-centric programming. I can honestly say that my kids never stopped their jubilee to question me about the bass or the blend. I liked the Left/Right programming (Boondocks/Bohemian Rhapsody), the stakes, and the ability to set them up anywhere that there was a patch of ground. I was pleased with the appearance, the shape, the feel, the battery life, and the overall design. If I were to design a version 2.0, I would boost the bass at least 25%, add a pull tab onto the rear rubberized port, and include a stake/speaker carrying bag/case. I felt that the design was for portability and outdoor adventures. For that purpose, I would have loved some method to keep track of the stakes, 3.5mm cables, USB-A charging cables, and speakers. The Bluetooth range proved to be more than adequate, and the buttons worked well to control the features. I never used the Radio function, nor the micro-SD function but felt the modes were a nice add-on feature. The instruction manual described how to program the speaker to the available stations and to input the card into the slot.

Overall, I would rate the 7.5/10 for sound, 10/10 for fun/enjoyment, 10/10 for battery life, 9/10 for accessories, 10/10 for portability, and 10/10 for packaging.  If you are looking for an inexpensive dual speaker stake setup, look to the iLIVE speaker kit to fulfill your outdoor listening needs.

Learn more about the iLIVE Bluetooth Speakers.

When my fiance and I moved into our house, we knew that we wanted our living room to feel like a movie theater. We already had a big-screen TV and only needed an amazing surround sound system. After trying a mid-range system, we invested in one by Klipsch. One of the main reasons we went with this option was because my fiance, who lives with hearing loss, was actually able to hear quite a bit of the audio through the Klipsch speakers. The system was a true 5.1-surround sound set-up complete with two front side speakers, a center speaker, two rear surround speakers, and a subwoofer. It served its purpose for many years (nearly 10, in fact), but we decided it was finally time for an upgrade. When we heard about the new soundbars from Klipsch, the Cinema 1200 system sounded like the ideal option for our living room. 

DETAILS

The Cinema 1200 Sound Bar is a 54-inch soundbar system with 5.1.4 surround and full 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos decoding. The system features 1200 watts of power, a 12” best-in-class wireless subwoofer, and integrated discrete height speakers in the soundbar and surround speakers. The system is smart home compatible (with Google Assistant and Alexa) and has built-in Bluetooth connectivity. 8K HDR passthrough with Dolby Vision compatibility and an included HDMI®-eARC connection allows for compatible TVs to transmit Dolby Atmos from built-in apps. Includes two additional HDMI inputs for external devices. Available now, $1,699 system.

MAIN FEATURES

• Dolby Atmos Cinema in the Home
• Easy Plug and Play Set Up
• Wireless Multi-Room Streaming
• Best-in-Class 12-inch Wireless Subwoofer
• 8K Passthrough
• 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos Decoding
• Dialog Enhancement Modes
• Horn-Loaded Performance
• Wireless Surround Sound
• Bluetooth Wireless Technology Ready
• Motion Sensing Remote
• Dolby Audio Built-in

SPECS

USER EXPERIENCE

The best place to start with my user experience is at the beginning. And for me, that is when it was delivered. Our delivery person had a bit of trouble with it because the system is packaged in a box that looks a lot like a Tetris piece. Klipsch did this so that they could package the entire set-up together, but the box is large and a bit unruly to deal with after the unboxing takes place. I don’t know if there is a good suggestion for how to improve this phase of the user experience, but it’s not a deal-breaker for me. 

The next part of the process for me was to line up all the pieces and parts of the system. I do this for two reasons. First, I want to make sure that nothing is missing and second, I want to see what I have to work with. The system comes with the soundbar, the subwoofer, two surround satellite speakers, a remote, some cables, a user manual, and some hanging hardware. We decided that we did not want to hang this soundbar on the wall so it rests comfortably on top of our TV stand. The subwoofer sits in a corner to the left of our TV (as you are looking at the TV) and the surround speakers are sitting on wall shelves on the back wall of our living room. 

Now, before I get too far into the set-up of the new system, I want to back up and describe the horror that was the set-up of the old one. The old system consisted of a Denon receiver that all the speakers ran through, two rear surround speakers that were connected to a wireless transmitter so that we didn’t have to string speaker wire across the entire living room; two front satellite speakers that connected to the Denon receiver using speaker wire; the center speaker that connected to the receiver using speaker wire; and the subwoofer that we had connected to the receiver using a wireless transmitter. As you can imagine, the switch to the soundbar was a dream come true for someone (me) who hates dealing with all that speaker wire. Once we pulled the old system out of the living room, we were amazed at how much space that system used to take up. 

The set-up of the Klipsch soundbar involved plugging it into power, plugging the rear speakers into power, and plugging the subwoofer into power. Once all the parts were connected, they automatically connected to the soundbar. I didn’t have to do anything to get the external speakers connected to the soundbar. There are instructions for how to manually connect them if you need to, but so far, I’ve not had to use them. There is a free app that you use to register the soundbar and monitor things like its firmware version, but it doesn’t do much other than getting the soundbar connected to WiFi as a part of its initial set-up. I would love to see the app do more than that. At the very least, it would be great if the app would complete the same tasks as the remote. 

I ended up setting this soundbar up using the eARC port. I wanted to be able to control the soundbar/volume using the controller of the input device (most of the time, my DVR or my Apple TV) and in order to do that, I needed to use the ARC ports on both the TV and the soundbar. I am essentially using the TV as my receiver now as all the input devices are plugged into it with the soundbar acting as the external speaker. There are other options for connecting the soundbar, but this one worked best for our living room. I also want to note that even though the soundbar works with Alexa, it doesn’t have Alexa built-in. So what that means is that you still have to have an Amazon Echo or other Alexa device to work as the smart hub. I was able to use the soundbar as a casting device from our Echo puck, but couldn’t actually ask it to do commands. 

After the set-up of the system was completed, we were ready to start testing it for sound quality. In comparison to our previous system, I would say the Cinema 1200 is far superior. The Dolby Atmos feature is quite remarkable and it’s made watching movies just as amazing as going to a movie theater. Even though we don’t have speakers mounted on our ceiling, the total surround/atmospheric effect that you get with a Dolby Atmos system is present. My fiance, who has profound, high-end hearing loss, does not have an issue hearing audio using this system. He is even able to hear shows that he’s always had trouble with (NCIS being one of them). I’ve been equally impressed with the sound quality since I’ve always had an interest in sound design. One of my favorite movies to use as a test is The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. It has a very diverse soundtrack and there are lots of nuances in the audio track. I typically can only hear certain parts of it when I am wearing headphones, but with the Klipsch Cinema 1200, I don’t miss a thing. 

CONCLUSION

The Klipsch Cinema 1200 Sound Bar Surround System is a fantastic option not only for an easy audio set-up but also for theater-quality sound. According to the information provided by Klipsch, the MSRP for this set-up is around $1800 (at the time of publishing this article). While that seems like a steep price, our original set-up was around $1200 and it didn’t include Dolby Atmos or smart assistant technology with it. I think the Cinema 1200 is the set-up to invest in no matter where you are on your audio journey.

For more information, visit Klipsch.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

Provides an unforgettable listening experience.

For several years, I’ve tried to get my office to a place where I could enjoy it for working, photography, and gaming. I finally got it just the way I want it and each of those focus areas has its own dedicated space. The only thing I felt was missing was an improved speaker set-up for the entertainment corner where I game (Xbox console) and watch videos. Because of the set-up of the room, I knew I didn’t want a full surround sound speaker set, but I wanted the feel of surround sound. I also really liked the idea of a soundbar, but just wasn’t finding one that met my standards. Fortunately, technology-driven audio company, Klipsch just released a brand new line-up of feature-rich soundbars and the Cinema 800 Sound Bar was the ideal option for my personal needs. 

DETAILS

The Klipsch Cinema 800 Sound Bar with Dolby Atmos measures 48” and comes with a 10” wireless subwoofer for 3.1 immersive sound (decodes 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos). 8K HDR passthrough with Dolby Vision compatibility, and next-generation HDMI eARC connectivity means true Dolby Atmos sound and ultra-high-definition video with a single HDMI cable. The Cinema 800 is crafted with premium materials including real wood so that it looks like the Klipsch signature Reference Series speakers. 

MAIN FEATURES

• Dolby Atmos Cinema in the Home
• Easy Plug and Play Set-up
• Wireless Multi-Room Streaming 
• Best-in-Class 10-inch Wireless Subwoofer
• 8K Passthrough
• 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos Decoding
• Dialog Enhancement Modes
• Bluetooth Wireless Technology Ready
• Horn-loaded performance 
• Motion Sensing Remote
• Dolby Audio Built-In

The Klipsch Cinema 800 Sound Bar may be paired with Klipsch Surround 3 wireless speakers (sold separately, $279 pr.) for 5.1 surround sound. Built-in universal Wi-Fi works with Google Assistant™, Amazon® Alexa®, and Spotify Connect, and allows the soundbar to be added to existing smart home ecosystems for multi-room streaming and control. Includes two additional HDMI inputs for external devices. Available now, $879 ea.

SPECS

USER EXPERIENCE

The Cinema 800 Sound Bar and its subwoofer arrived in a very strangely shaped box. Klipsch seems to have had a special shipping box created to house both the subwoofer and the soundbar along with all their accessories (cables, hanging hardware, etc.) in one conjoined package. While I appreciate the efficiency of the packaging in the respect that both pieces coming in one box, it was a bit awkward to dispose of the box after pulling the pieces out. That said, everything arrived in good order and was ready to work out of the box. 

The first thing I did once I got all the parts lined up was to determine how I wanted to set up the soundbar. There are a couple of different options users have. I opted to utilize the HDMI eARC port on the soundbar. In my entertainment corner, I have an Xbox Series X, Apple TV, and Nintendo Switch using HDMI connections to my TV. I wanted to be able to control volume from whatever input device I was using. So, that pretty much meant I needed to use the eARC option. This means that the TV is using the soundbar as its external speaker no matter where the input video/audio is coming from. At first, I simply connected the HDMI cable to the TV to make sure this process was going to work as I thought and when it did, I started planning how I was going to install the soundbar permanently. 

I have a TV stand beneath the TV and could have rested the soundbar there, but ultimately, I decided that mounting the soundbar to the wall just beneath my TV would make for a cleaner set-up. Klipsch includes wall mounting hardware for the soundbar, but they don’t include screws for the wall. After a quick run to the hardware store, I was ready to mount the soundbar. Klipsch also includes a paper wall mounting guide that is a big help – as long as you can get it leveled on the wall. Once I had the paper guide stuck to the wall and leveled, I marked the holes and got the hardware mounted for the soundbar. The soundbar pops into places fairly easily at that point and you can run the cables behind it. Once you have the soundbar mounted, it can be hard to maneuver cables behind the unit so I recommend routing your cables before it’s completely attached to the wall. 

Once the soundbar was mounted and all the cables were properly connected, I was able to start testing the quality of the sound. The Cinema 800 Sound Bar connects to its subwoofer wirelessly and also connects to the Klipsch Connect app. Aside from being able to connect the soundbar to the Internet and being able to view the unit’s information (series number, firmware version, etc.), the app doesn’t give the user many features to use. Personally, I would have liked to see an equalizer or something included in the app. You can’t even control the volume of the soundbar or the subwoofer from the app – but you can from the remote. 

While the set-up is a big part of the user experience in my opinion, since this review is about a soundbar, I think it’s important to discuss the sound quality. To frame this up, you should understand that I have hearing loss. To be specific, I have high-end hearing loss and I miss a lot of contexts when it comes to entertainment because I simply cannot hear the nuances in soundtracks – especially when it comes to dialogue. I’ve tried other soundbars before and no matter how premium they are, I just can’t seem to get crisp, clear sound from them unless I use my hearing aids. Sometimes, even then, I don’t have a quality cinema sound because the soundbar just isn’t good enough. With the Klipsch Cinema 800 Sound Bar, however, I’ve been able to hear the crisp, clear sound – without the use of my hearing aids. Movie soundtracks – even super-rich ones like The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – have been like new experiences to me and standard videos from sources like YouTube and other streaming services have been easy for me to understand. I believe this is in part due to the Dolby Atmos feature. I’ve been completely overwhelmed with the power of the Cinema 800 soundbar system. It not only puts out a premium quality sound, but it also has great volume. I rarely have to have a volume above 60 in order to hear things clearly. For me, this is a low volume. I typically have to turn volumes up to their maximum level. 

CONCLUSION

Because it’s very easy to set up and the quality of the sound it produces is so amazing, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Cinema 800 Sound Bar to anyone looking for a theater-like sound experience. At nearly $800 (at the time of publishing) it’s a hefty investment, but it’s well worth it if you want a quality product. 

For more information, visit Klipsch.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

Bullet shaped alarm clock speaker

Since antiquity, man has looked for ingenious methods to keep and awaken from sleep at certain times. In Ancient Greece, Ctesibus invented a pebble-dropping device that dropped onto a gong to tell time (https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/11/ancient-greek-inventions-used-today/ ).  Inventors continued to dabble with technology, and in 1787 an American named Levi Hutchins created a way to awaken himself daily at 4am to get to work.  In 1847 a Frenchman named Antoine Redier patented an adjustable mechanical alarm clock to help with similar issues (https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/a-2000year-history-of-alarm-clocks). Industrious cities used Knocker-uppers, a subscription service that knocked on your door at certain times to awaken people. By the early 1900s, tinkerers improved the tech, eliminating the need for knocker-uppers, and it became commonplace to have home/travel alarm clocks.  With the tech revolution, alarm clocks gained input/output options, source options, capacitive touch buttons/screens, and many more bells/whistles.  Many of these features advanced alongside the smartphone, which took over many features of watches, clocks, and alarm clocks.  Despite the decline in the need for an alarm clock, there are still many people that prefer a stand-alone alarm clock. 

The Tribit Home arrived in a 12 1/4 inches long by 7 1/4 inches tall by 4 1/2 inches thick retail package.  The main white cover and side panels served as a perfect backdrop for the product and contrasted nicely against the emergency cone orange-colored top panel.  The cover provided an orange rectangle along the top of the panel and listed the “Tribit Unleash the true sound” title within the negative white space.  Beneath the company name, you will find the main Tribit Home title displayed in a vivid black font.  You will find “Wireless Home Speaker: The Sound Fills Your Room” in the same orange color along the bottom left.  The bright splashes of color added to the ambiance but were not the focus of the cover.  That honor went to the 3 1/4 inches wide by 5 5/8 inches tall glossy image of the bullet-shaped Tribit speaker/clock.  The tweed front panel abutted a colorful rim and provided a modern yet jubilant outer speaker shell.  Along the top of the speaker panel, you will find a large LED screen with surrounding touch buttons. The front panel and side panel closest to the speaker image provided a grey Tribit Home logo. In contrast, the opposite side panel provided five black icons (Alarm Clock, Music light, FM Radio, Superior Sound, Stereo/Party).  The orange-colored top panel provided the company name along the top left, the BTS50 Model, SKU number, FCC ID, product manufacturing labels, SKU barcode, a thank you statement, support@tribitaudio.com email, www.tribitaudio.com website, and three QR code’s (1. Address, 2. Facebook, 3. Tribitaudio.com).

I removed the small piece of tape along the cover panel, lifted the panel plus inner flaps, and then pulled the speaker from the box. The device was shipped within a thin plastic bag and rested within a form cut cardboard bed.  Beneath the speaker, you will find the Home Speaker User manual. Adjacent to the speaker, I found a 4 1/4 inches wide by 3 5/8 inches tall by 2 1/4 inches thick accessory box.  Within the box, you will find a rather bulky 1 3/8 inches wide by 3 1/4 inches tall by 2 1/8 inches thick Type-A power supply, with a 61-inch long power cable.  I found it a bit odd that the device was not USB powered and instead relied upon an AC to DC adapter.  The large end of the adapter will pose problems for those who have several items on their nightstand or desk.  The device will need to occupy a lower port of a standard wall outlet, or you may have to rotate the device to face upward if using the upper port.  Unfortunately, if you use the adapter in the upper port, it will block the lower port.  Similarly, unless your power strip is oriented with the ports perpendicular to the long axis, you will need to place this device at the end of the string.  If I was going to design a Tribit Home Speaker 2.0, it would need to be USB-C input and would not use this adapter. 

Before you dispose of the contents, make sure that you remove the hidden bag that was nestled within the far corner of the box.  The bag contained the white-colored, 59 1/2 inches long 3.5mm FM antenna. With the speaker, antenna, instruction manual, and power cable removed, I turned to the instruction manual to learn more about the device.  The first panel detailed the packing list and the second detailed the 10-point clock-like button configuration.  Interestingly, the manual reviewed the buttons in a counterclockwise manner starting at the 11 o’clock position through the 6 o’clock position and then from the 12 o’clock clockwise through the 6 o’clock position (Sleep music, Alarm, Backward/previous Track, Volume down button, multi-function button. Then the snooze/sleep button, source/Bluetooth button, Light, “Preward”/Next, Volume “+” button.  Like the power adapter comments above, this section of the manual could use some tweaking.  With the icons arranged along the face of the clock, it would have made more sense to detail the panel in a completely clockwise manner.  I think the buttons would have been better oriented with the volume up/down on either side of the snooze/sleep button and with the sleep music, source Bluetooth, and multi-function buttons along the bottom.

The third page showed the set time/clock battery backup (remove the plastic tab).  The fourth page showed the clock/speaker ports present along the back and right side of the device (Micro SD, AUX-in/FM antenna port, DC 15v/25A power input port on the back, and 5V/2A USB-A output and 5v/3A USB-C output ports). The fifth and sixth pages demonstrated how to adjust the clock time.  With the clock plugged into power, press the 1/4 inch diameter “Set Time” button on the bottom of the clock. You will need to set a 12/24 hour time using the arrow buttons and the multi-function button.  Select the option you want, adjust it with the arrow buttons, and then confirm with the multifunction button.  In this manner, I set 12/24 hour time, hour, minute, year, month, day, and the day of the week.  The speaker immediately entered into FM mode and worked quite well without an antenna.  The seventh page instructed the user to adjust the source by tapping the 2 o’clock Source/BT button.  Tapping the button will take you through FM, SD, Bluetooth, and then Aux.  When the speaker entered into the Bluetooth mode, it made a water droplet sound and then immediately entered into “pairing.”  I was able to navigate to settings, to Bluetooth, then select Tribit Home Speaker from the list.  The speaker made a short melody and immediately connected. These features were detailed on pages eight and nine of the instruction manual. 

The tenth through thirteenth pages detailed how to navigate to FM, to tune FM (tap the left/right arrow), to scan FM (hold either button for 2s), to save a preset (hold the multifunction button for 2s), and to listen to presets (tap the multifunction button to navigate between presets 1-5).  I used this process to set K-Love for my wife and a local talk radio station for myself. The fourteenth and fifteen pages showed how to turn the alarm on/off (tap the alarm button), how to set the alarm (hold the alarm button for 2s), and how to set the time (tap +/- buttons and select with the multifunction button).  You will need to set the hour, minutes, and then adjust weekday, weekend, every day, or one day. You can adjust the wake-up ringtone from bird noises to white noise, classic (alarm beeps), or wind chimes. You can also adjust the light (White, Blue, Cyan, Green, Red, Orange, Yellow, Purple, Off).  I set the alarm, a few presets, and found it odd that I could not wake up to the radio or to a preset Bluetooth song. When the alarm went off, I tapped the 10-second preset snooze/sleep button.  Oddly, the instruction manual demonstrated to press just above the snooze/sleep button and not the actual button.  It is important to note that there is no button at that location.  To “Close Alarm,” the manual recommended holding the spot above the Snooze/Sleep button for two seconds. Again, following the instructions will not yield the desired effect. 

The seventeenth and eighteenth pages demonstrated the sleep music (white noise, seashore, light music, rain, bird, off), light adjustment (white, music 1, music 2, light off), and brightness adjustment (tap the light button and then “-“ or “+” buttons to adjust). The nineteenth page showed how to adjust the light color (hold the light/arrow buttons simultaneously) and change the Sleep timer duration (15min, 30 min, 60 min, 90 min, 00 min). The twentieth page showed how to pair a second speaker (TWS), pages twenty-one through twenty-two detailed the FCC cautions. The final pages (23-25) detailed the product specifications in a variety of languages (BT 5.0 A2DP, AV, RCP, 3-inch subwoofer + 1-inch tweeter, Power input 15W+10W, Frequency Response 60Hz-20KHz, 18VDC 2.5A power adapter, USB output: USB-A 5V 2.1A, USB-C 5V/3A, FM freq 87.5-108MHz, dimensions H215 x W 150 x D 91mm, weight 1034g). 

To test the power output, I plugged a Klein Tools USB-A/USB-C multimeter into the USB-C output port.  I plugged a USB-C to USB-C cable from the multimeter into my iPad Pro 11,” and the multimeter read 4.32V/2.94A.  My iPad Pro charged at about 1% power every minute.  I removed the rubberized port from the speaker, plugged a DROK USB-A multimeter into the port, and then a USB-A to Lightning cable into my iPhone 12 Pro Max.  The USB-A multimeter read 5.02V/1.21A.  The USB-C multimeter dropped from 2.94A to 1.63 A and then to 0A, and my IPad Pro stopped charging. I removed the USB-C multimeter from the port, and the USB-A multimeter increased to 4.98V/1.55A.  I plugged the USB-C multimeter back into the port and found the output to be 4.34V/1.63A and the USB-A multimeter 4.82/1.21A. With 100W/3A max output, USB-C can power just about any modern tech from a MacBook Pro, to a smartphone, to computer peripherals.

The speaker’s sound output was more than enough for a bedroom, dorm room, or kitchen but lacked bass support and high-end quality.  To test the frequency range, I navigated to the audiocheck.net website. I used the Low-Frequency Response and Subwoofer Audio Test (10-200 Hz) to test the bass and the High-Frequency Response and Hearing Audio Test (22-8 kHz) to evaluate the higher frequencies.  I heard the bass at 50Hz and heard an upper range of 16kHz, which is reasonable for my age and hearing ability (we lose higher frequencies as we age).  I tested the volume from Volume 3 (minimum range that I could hear reliably) through Volume level 16 (max).  Even though the level of volume needed for an alarm will need to be set to individual tastes/needs, I found a level of 6 worked best for my needs.  For music, I found a level 13 worked best for my needs. I tested a variety of songs and found the speaker average at best.  

Summary

I have been a fan of Tribit products for the past few years and have truly enjoyed many of their devices.  Unfortunately, the Tribit Home did not fulfill my expectations.  There are better, more feature-filled alarm clocks and markedly superior speakers for the same or lesser price points as a hybrid device.  For example, my iPhone 12 Pro Max serves as a better alarm clock than the Tribit Home with the basic clock feature.  If you use iOS or Google, you can download numerous Apps to get you out of bed.  Since most people have a smartphone, the added cost for a stand-alone alarm should be justifiable.  I wish that I could set this alarm clock to a Radio Wake-up.  I wish that there was voice operation like that of Siri or Alexa devices.  I want the option to quickly/easily set repeat alarms, label the alarms, change the sounds, and turn on/off the snooze ahead of time.  I liked that I could adjust the volume, but disliked the ability only to set a single alarm.  I think the most glaring omission was the lack of an internal battery to maintain all of the functions.  

Personally, this device is more of a liability than a benefit without an internal battery to function when the power goes out. I set the alarm for 9PM, which took about ten seconds on the device, and instructed Siri to “Set alarm at 9PM.”  When I unplugged the Tribit Home, the LCD screen turned off. The internal battery maintained the internal clock but did not power the display nor activate the alarm.  My iPhone alarm did signal 9pm as instructed.  Thus, the Tribit Home alarm clock will not reliably awaken you from sleep if you lose power.  Even though a fully depleted phone will not signal an alarm, the internal battery will add a layer of protection that the Tribit home did not provide.  If I were going to design a Tribit Home 2.0, I would include several features.  First, I would include at least a 2000mAh internal battery (ideally 5000-10000mAh). Second, I would add a feature that would allow users to set the alarm to awaken by radio or a preset song choice.  Third, I would allow a custom sleep sound selection. Fourth, I would include the ability to change the LCD color and brightness.  Blue/White light diminishes internal melatonin and can mess with the sleep cycle.  Red light promotes melatonin and improves the sleep cycle.  Fifth, I would add the ability to set more than a single alarm.  Lastly, I would include a master-off switch to tap to turn off the radio or the alarm.  I was not too fond of the snooze/off feature and did not like that I needed to change the source button to stop the music or to set a sleep timer. 

For the price, the Tribit Home failed to properly fulfill an alarm role or a speaker role.  The Amazon description suggested strong kicks, supporting lows, and full treble sound.  Having tested dozens of headphones/speakers, I can attest that the sound was average and not high-fidelity as advertised.  I loved the shape, the inclusion of the radio, the ability to add light to the music, and the AUX antenna.  Unfortunately, the alarm features were too basic and lacked many needed features. It felt that the speaker would have done well in the early 2000s but lacks the needed tech features of a modern device from the year 2021. The speaker had a good sound but lacked the features of many smart speakers.  As a fan of Tribit and tech in general, I truly wanted to love this device.  However, I cannot recommend this device.  

Learn more about the Tribit Home Device.
Follow Tribit on Facebook and Twitter.

Everyone has their favorite companies for certain products. It’s what marketing professionals call “brand loyalty.” Brand loyalty is built over time and is nurtured through a strong sense of trust between the consumer and the product designer. Over the years, I’ve become a strong advocate for Audioengine. It’s a name that has always been synonymous with ‘quality’ for me. Since 2019, I’ve had the A2+ Wireless Speaker System powering my audio in my home office and just a few months ago, Audioengine released the HD4 Home Music System and I decided it was time for an upgrade. 

DETAILS

The HD4 Home Music System is designed to round out the HD-series from Audioengine. The system is a wireless speaker system that also has wired options for audio inputs. The speakers produce high-fidelity audio that is ideal for smaller spaces. Audioengine packed the same technology that is inside the HD6 into the HD4 size. The speakers are housed inside hand-built wood-veneer cabinets that look great in any environment. The system features Bluetooth aptX-HD for premium, extended-range wireless audio. The speakers are easy to set-up. They don’t require any network connection or passwords. The speakers have a modern, compact design and can be connected to analog devices, such as turntables, as well as wireless devices. 

USER EXPERIENCE

Audioengine has an incredibly easy set-up process and I was thrilled to find that with the HD4 system, they made it even easier. The speakers are accompanied by an antenna, speaker wire, a USB cable, mini-jack audio cable, RCA cable, cloth bags for all the accessories, and an AC power cord. The AC power cord was the kicker for me. One of the most annoying things to me when installing new devices into my workspace is having to work around a power brick. Even my last set of A2+ speaker had a power brick. Audioengine did away with that awful attachment and made it possible for the HD4 speakers to be powered by a single AC power cord. This automatically made the set-up infinitely more exciting to me. 

To get the speakers set-up, you have to connect the two speakers using the provided speaker wire. This is another little touch of quality that I love about Audioengine. The speaker wire is wrapped and the ends have banana plugs installed. This makes plugging and unplugging the wire very simple. You don’t have to worry about getting the contacts just right or the ends getting frayed with continued use. The banana plugs help save the cable. 

Once you have the two speakers connected by the wire, you can attach the AC power cord and turn the speakers on by flipping the switch on the back of the right speaker. There is a volume control on the front of the right speaker as well as a headphone out port and a Bluetooth pairing indicator/button. Depending on what your input source is going to be, you have several options for input connections. RCA cables are provided as well as a Micro USB cable and an mini-jack audio cable. Because my primary use will be with my computer workstation, I chose to use the mini-jack cable and plug it into my Thunderbolt docking station. This way, any time I plug a computer into the dock, it will have the ability to connect to the speakers without needing to sync to Bluetooth. I will also connect to these speakers using Bluetooth from time to time. So for me, the set-up was really very minimal. 

Another feature I really appreciate about these speakers is that they are not ‘smart’ speakers. Audioengine describes them as, “the smart choice in home speakers without being a ‘smart speaker.’” I thought this was apropos and very clever. The speakers, while they can be connected to wirelessly through Bluetooth, they are not compatible with virtual assistants like Siri or Alexa. I found that refreshing because I sort of feel that some devices go a little too deep into the ‘smart’ area of development and sometimes, consumers just want something to work without having to go through the rigamarole of programming a device to another smart assistant. I know that’s how I feel. 

After I finished the set-up, I started playing the Styx album One with Everything. It’s a live album that was recorded when the band performed with a contemporary orchestra. As you might imagine, the variation in sound depth is incredible in this album. Because it’s a live album, there is a lot of bass depth to the tracks and on the flip side, there is also a lot of high end activity in the songs because of the live audience. I thought this was a good album to use as a test. Everything was clear and very rich. Some people might want to end up adding a subwoofer to this two-speaker set-up, but I don’t think it’s necessary. After the live album was finished, I play through some Foo Fighters songs including Monkey Wrench and Everlong.  I was again impressed by how pure the bass sounded. It didn’t come through muddled or foggy at all. It also didn’t seem to screw up the rest of the mix. As a final test, I played Fuel by Metallica. The version I listened to was actually off of Metallica’s “S&M” album, which was also a live album. No matter what song I listened to through the HD4’s, I was impressed. 

The volume capacity was also very impressive. I had the volume knob on the speaker turned to approximately 50%, the Music app was turned to 100%, and my MacBook Pro’s volume was turned to 50%. The combined volume levels made it possible for me to have a cone of sound around me while I was at my desk. It was almost like having noise-cancelling headphones on. I was well-isolated from other sounds in the house. When I walked away from my desk, I could still hear the music being played at that level when I was just down the hall from my office. I walked around the house and when I got to the kitchen, I could hear the music, but couldn’t quite tell what it was. I think if all the volume levels were turned up higher, it would have been easy to hear the speakers around the house completely. 

CONCLUSION

I’m really glad that I decided on the upgrade from the A2+ wireless speakers. Those are great speakers in their own right, but the HD4 system is really what I want at this point in time. They are powerful enough to handle any type of listening experience. They look great in my workspace and I think that they are a great option for speakers that are easy to set-up and sound great. 

For more information, visit audioengineusa.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

Unleash The True Sound with the powerful and portable StormBox Pro from Tribit.

The Tribit Stormbox Pro arrived in an attractive 5 7/16 inches wide by 7 5/8 inches tall by 5 7/16 inches thick retail box.  While rotating the packaging, my attention was immediately drawn to the pristine white surface and their use of highly contrasting accents.  Starting with the cover panel, I was pleased to find the “Tribit” company name within the negative space of a vibrant emergency-cone-orange rectangle atop the panel.  The visual appeal of the orange-on-white broke up the monotony of the panel.  Just beneath the company name, they provided a vibrant, bolded StormBox Pro product name. You will find the phrase “Portable Wireless Speaker Unbox the Storm” in the same orange font as the company name along the bottom edge of the panel.  My favorite feature was the glossy, slightly raised, cowbell-like image of the Tribit StormBox Pro speaker along the middle of the panel.  I loved that the cover panel was not bogged down with extraneous information/imagery and allowed the speaker’s image to self-advertise.  My only complaint was that the cover image did not truly represent the size of the speaker.  Instead, I was rather surprised to find that the speaker took up most of the space within the box. 

Moving on to the other panels, the top panel provided a centered, shimmery-silver “Tribit Unleash the true sound” accent, while the right-side panel provided the same accent along the lower edge.  The opposite side panel proved to be quite educational; it provided six labeled speaker icons: 1. IP67 Waterproof. 2. Bluetooth 5.0. 3. Stereo/Party. 4. Superior Sound. 5. Long Battery Life. 6. Qualcomm aptX. Like the left side panel, the orange-colored rear panel provided quite a bit of information for the end-user.  The white-colored company/product name was displayed along the top left of the panel.  Beneath the title, you will find an ink outline of the Model BTS31 speaker, product compatibility list, product manufacturing labels, a thank you message, links to the support@tribitaudio.com and www.tribitaudio.com websites, and two QR codes (Facebook, tribitaudio.com). Each of the panels added to the overall positive unboxing experience for the Tribit Stormbox Pro. I liked that they left some space relatively unused on the packaging.  This showed some respect and control and was much appreciated.

To access the product, I slit the tape along the top of the package, opened the flaps, and removed a 74-page multi-lingual user manual (English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese).  Beneath the user manual, the company included a business card sized Thank You, Support (support@tribitaudio.com, tribitaudio.com/support, 1-888-234-5138) and Warranty card (30-Day money back, 18-month replacement, Lifetime support).  The last item within the upper plastic tray was a 20 1/2 inches long USB-A to USB-C cable.  When I removed the black plastic cap, I found a well-packaged 2 lb 2.2 oz, 7 inches tall by 3 3/4 inches square (base) by 3 1/4 inches square top speaker resting within a lower black plastic cap.  I removed the thin opaque bag from the StormBox Pro, lifted the charging port on the speaker’s back, plugged the USB-C prong into the port on the speaker, and then the USB-A prong into a standard 5V USB-A adaptor. It was during the charging process that I thumbed through the English section of the instruction manual. The first two panels provided ink outline drawings of the speaker, listed the package contents, and provided feature labels.  The speaker’s top panel had a centrally placed 1 5/8 inches diameter multifunction button and flanking volume – and volume + volume buttons. You will find a Bluetooth button, a centralized power button, and an XBass button along the front row.  Lastly, just in front of the power button, you will find the battery indicator LEDs.

The instruction manual did a great job navigating the setup and use of the speaker.  I liked the general flow and the overall layout but would have preferred the specification table to reside within the manual’s first few pages.  Instead, skipping to the end, the specifications were listed on page 12/14 of the English Section (BT 5.0, 40W output power, Frequency 60Hz-20Khz, Battery Type 5000mAh LiPo, Charging time 7Hours 5V/2A, Dimensions 96x96x180mm, IP67 Waterproofing).  The third panel detailed the rear power port and the ability to charge the speaker and other devices.  The fourth panel provided a useful battery indicator table: 1 LED 10-30%, 2 LED 30-50%, 3 LED 50-70%, 4 LED 70-80%, 5 LED 80-100%, and Fully Charged (all LED off).  The subsequent panels detailed the mechanism to power on/off the speaker and the steps to pair it with another Bluetooth device. When I pressed the mechanical power button, the speaker played a pleasant little jingle followed by a water droplet sound.  The Bluetooth indicator automatically flashed blue and entered into Bluetooth pairing mode without the need for any additional intervention.  I navigated to Settings on my iPhone 12 Pro Max, then to Bluetooth, selected Tribit StormBox Pro from the list, and the speaker played another jingle.  The speaker can be paired to several devices (up to 8) and, if able, should auto-connect to one of the last two paired devices.  The smart tech within the Tribit speaker will reinitialize the pairing sequence if unable to pair with a device and can connect to two devices simultaneously.  This feature was rather unexpected.  I found it quite convenient to be able to stop playing a song on my iPhone seamlessly, and to then play a movie or another song from my iPad Pro 11”.  I did not have to disconnect the device, nor did I have to forget the device to get it to work between the iPad and iPhone.  

The instruction manual’s subsequent panels detailed the mechanical volume up/down buttons and the multifunction button.  To increase or decrease the volume, you can press the corresponding button and let go.  If the buttons are held, you can continuously increase or decrease the volume.  A short press of the central MFB button will have a differing affect whether you are in music/movie playback mode or phone/conversation mode.  A short press will play/pause a track, a double press will advance to the next track, a triple press will return to the prior track, and a long press will activate Siri.  During a phone conversation, you can press the MFB button to answer/end a call; you can press and hold the button to reject a call or short press to answer a second call or change between calls. Honestly, these controls were rather intuitive and properly utilized the available buttons/space.  If desired, you can press the XBass button to activate the white XBass LED and an upgraded bass experience.  Personally, I do not know why anyone would want to deactivate the feature. It provided a palpable increase to the bass and enhanced the listening experience.   

Testing

Each of the lantern-esque speakers provided a plethora of sound and proved to be incredibly fun.  Over the last week, my family and I have stayed in a cabin at the Jellystone Park Camp-Resort near Mammoth Cave.  My children played Gaga ball; we have gone on golf cart rides, played some mini-golf, jumped on air pillows, and relaxed on our deck.  One speaker was enough to provide entertainment to the family and others in the area.  When ready to move, we grabbed the speaker handled and repositioned it where we wanted it to be.  Beyond a simple carry hook, we found that the speakers worked well, hanging from shepherd hooks. The design provided near 360 sound, the shape was perfect for on-the-go sound, and the weight was remarkably light for the degree of sound output.  My 12, 9, 6, and 2-year-old kids loved jamming out to Kids Bop while also enjoying the camping amenities.  The XBass boost provided a noticeable increase to the lower range, and we found no reason to remove the speaker from that mode. 

As noted above, the pairing process could not have been easier.  Basically, power on the device, navigate to Settings, Bluetooth, and grab the speaker from the list.  Once connected to the speaker, I never had to reconnect it.  When I powered up the StormBox Pro, it paired automatically with my iPhone.  For those times that my wife sat with the kids and I went back to the cabin to prepare food, she could press the Bluetooth button once to transfer the connection to her phone.  By holding the Bluetooth button for 2 seconds, I was able to pair my iPhone 12 Pro Max, my wife’s iPhone 12 Pro, my iPad Pro 11”, and my MacBook Pro 15”.   Beyond the pairing process, we could not have been more pleased with the speaker.  The buttons were intuitive, had a pleasing click-feel, and responded to every button-press.

The included 5000mAh battery may take ~6 hours to charge, but it will provide an entire day of music.  We have used the speaker ~4 hours a day over the last 5 days and have not had to charge the speaker beyond the initial out-of-the-box charge.  I packed extra batteries and did not need to use the speakers’ charging feature/backup battery feature.  However, I did test the output and found the DROK USB-A Multimeter read 4.78-4.85V/1.05-1.16A. Over the course of about 30 minutes, my iPhone 12 Pro Max increased roughly 10%.  As an emergency feature, I am pleased that they included this option.  As a stand-alone battery charger, there are better options on the market, and I would not use that feature as a deal-or-no-deal decision point.  The USB-A 5V/1A output was not strong enough to charge my iPad Pro 11”.  I plugged a USB-C to Lightning cable into the USB-C “Input” port and can attest that the device did not provide outgoing power through the USB-C port.  When done, make sure to close the posterior rubber port plug to maintain the IP67 waterproof rating.  Thanks to the waterproof status, we were able to leave the speakers outdoors during a short-lived rainfall.  The speaker continued to function appropriately after an hour outside in moderate rain. 

A single speaker’s sound output was more than enough for a medium-size room indoors and a deck outdoors.  For added sound, we obtained a second speaker to test the stereo and party modes.  To activate the Party mode, power both speakers on, press the Bluetooth button on one of the speakers for 5 seconds, and then repeat the process with the other speaker.  The speakers will announce party mode.  In that mode, both speakers played the same signal.  If I pressed the Bluetooth button, the speakers entered into stereo mode and played separate left/right channel data.  Using the audiocheck.net website Left/Right/Center feature, the speakers repeatedly played the same left or right signal.  This allowed songs like Bohemian Rhapsody to give the expected call/response left-to-right experience that many of us have come to love.  Using the Low-Frequency Response and Subwoofer Audio Test (10-200 Hz) to test the bass, I was happy to hear the rumble at 30Hz instead of the 60Hz mentioned in the instruction manual. Using the High-Frequency Response and Hearing Audio Test (22-8 kHz) to evaluate the high end, my children could hear sound at 18KHz, while my wife and I were able to hear the sound at 15KHz (upper range for most adults). 

Throughout the volume ranges, the speaker never got tinny or harsh.  When indoors, I found that 30-40% volume provided the most pleasing sound output.  Outdoors, we cranked up the volume to max and enjoyed the output.  The codecs allowed me to listen to music, to watch movies/TV on HULU, Amazon Prime Video, and Movies Anywhere.  Excitedly, there was no lag between the video/sound.  To summarize my experience, the StormBox Pro speaker was well worth the $119.99 price.  Like the speaker itself, the packaging was well designed, attractive, and provided an enjoyable experience.  I loved the highly identifiable emergency-cone orange color.  Additionally, the company was confident enough to leave open space on the packaging instead of filling every available space.  The speaker volume, the color, the shape, the layout of the buttons, the carry handle, the waterproofing, and the TWS pairing features all led to an outstanding portable speaker.  I liked that the speaker could be used as a portable emergency battery but preferred the USB-C port to be an input/output port. 

If you are looking for an amazing portable speaker, look to Tribit’s new flagship product the StormBox Pro.  

Learn more about the StormBox Pro
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A small package with a loud, bright sound and connection to a smart assistant.

Many years ago – another lifetime it seems – I played guitar. There was a certain freedom that came with creating music and enjoying the power behind that sound. Even then, I knew that better equipment meant a better product. I invested in quality instruments and their accessories. And, to me, the premium sound meant Marshall amplifiers. I’ve trusted Marshall for my sound needs for a very long time. And, as luck would have it, I now get to experience Marshall products through their Bluetooth speakers. I’ve been fortunate enough to try their smallest speaker – the Emberton – and one of their largest – the Woburn II. No matter the size, Marshall knows how to bring together the right components in order to compose the perfect listening companion. 

I recently remodeled my office and had a Marshall speaker – the Acton – in a prominent position on my featured wall shelf. I wanted to do that for two reasons. First, Marshall sound is a big part of my past and my future. Everything on the featured wall shelf is like a piece of my personality. So, the Marshall speaker seemed to just fit naturally. Second, I really wanted a connected speaker as a central part of my office. Unfortunately, the Acton speaker is not a ‘connected’ speaker. It does, however, have an auxiliary port included as part of its ecosystem. That meant that I could connect an Amazon Echo to the speaker and voila! I was able to turn a standard Bluetooth speaker into a connected speaker with a simple cable. 

Even though this work-around worked, it created a little clutter on my beloved shelf and so, I wanted something simpler. Fortunately, around this same time, I acquired the Uxbridge Voice with Amazon Alexa built-in. This connected speaker is smaller and still contains that same Marshall premium power and sound as its larger siblings. Billed as a “compact sonic powerhouse,” the Uxbridge Voice delivers a clean, precise audio experience. The speaker is engineered to create ‘big’ sound from its compact frame. In addition to being connected through Amazon Alexa, the speaker is also WiFi certified, works with Apple AirPlay, and Spotify. 

AUDIO SPECIFICATION 

POWER 

CONTROLS AND CONNECTIVITY

OTHER DETAILS

IMPRESSIONS

The first thing I want to comment on is this tiny speaker’s look. Once again, Marshall has taken their classic amplifier look and applied it to this modern Bluetooth speaker. This speaker is small but still retains that amp look that I love. The Emberton – Marshall’s smallest Bluetooth speaker – embodies the essence of Marshall’s amps, but looks like a compact Bluetooth speaker. The Uxbridge still looks like it could be a miniature amp. The box of the speaker shows off all the different connected services that the Uxbridge Voice utilizes and calls out some of the main features of the device. One thing that was a little different with this speaker than some of the others that Marshall makes is that the only things included were the two pamphlets and the main power cable. Some of the other speakers have also included an auxiliary cable as well. 

On top of the speaker, you will find volume, bass, and treble control. Since this is a Bluetooth speaker, most of the control of the speaker happens through your phone. Connecting your phone to the speaker is easy as there is a Bluetooth pairing button on the rear of the unit. Once you have the speaker connected to your phone, you follow the in-app instructions to finalize the set-up. Here is where I got a little frustrated. You need two apps to set-up the speaker – the Marshall Voice app and the Amazon Alexa app. First, you have to connect the speaker through the Marshall Voice app, which will connect you to your Wi-Fi network and check for any firmware updates. But, in order to connect to Amazon Alexa, you get sent from the Marshall app over to the Amazon Alexa app.  I’m not a fan of bouncing between multiple apps just to set-up a device. That said, once the speaker is ready, you can potentially ignore the app until the next firmware update. 

As far as performance goes, I am considering it in two areas – Alexa and music sound quality. The music sound quality was quite good. Even though it’s not quite a powerful as some of the larger speakers, I was still very happy with the quality. I have some hearing loss so having a speaker that produces clear, bright sounds is very important to me. That’s a big part of why I continue using Marshall speakers and why the Uxbridge fits into the family so well. The speaker is only a mono-speaker after all and it really does hold its own especially when it comes to sound depth and bass content. Nothing sounded distorted and heavy bass was still very enjoyable. I thought volume was just fine and I was even told to turn it down a few times by my fiancé. 

When it comes to Alexa quality, I found there to be some limitations. The speaker did a good job of catching my commands when I was in the same room, but if I walked into an adjoining room, it wasn’t able to hear me as well. As a comparison, we also have Apple’s HomePods in our living room, which is on the opposite end of the house as the office where the Marshall Uxbridge is. However, if I were to say a command to Siri in the office, the HomePod has been known to catch it in the living room. As far as the functions of the Alexa assistant go, I found that feature to be lacking in comparison to the Echo. For example, on the Echo, you can change the listening word between Alexa and Echo. On the Marshall speaker, you don’t have the option to change the listening word. In addition to that, some skills that are available with an Amazon-owned device may not be available through an Amazon Alexa-connected device like the Marshall speaker. We found that while the Echo offers users the option to tap into their Apple Music subscription, that’s not available through the Uxbridge. While these are necessarily deal-breakers, it was jarring to move from the Echo to the Uxbridge and discover that some functionality was missing. 

CONCLUSION

The Marshall Uxbridge Voice is a really nice addition to a workspace. While it has a powerful, pure sound, the speaker itself is quite compact. And, thanks to its integration with Amazon Alexa, you can take advantage of having a ‘smart’ speaker in your office (or home) without having two devices daisy-chained together. I think it’s a worthwhile speaker to invest in. 

For more details, visit MARSHALL, Facebook, and Twitter.

I’ve always been a music fan. When I was a teenager, I used to play guitar quite a bit and Marshall amps were my go-to solution for premium sound quality. Within the past few years, I’ve been very excited to see Marshall enter the Bluetooth speaker game because they bring their audio expertise to a somewhat stagnant accessory category within the technology realm. We’ve had the fortunate opportunity to review several of their Bluetooth speakers including the Acton Bluetooth Speaker, Kilburn II Portable Loudspeaker, and the Woburn II Bluetooth Speaker. Each of those speakers gave the essence of a Marshall amplifier based on their top-notch design. The one downside to each of them was their size. Despite being ‘portable,’ the speakers really weren’t that compact. I’m happy to be able to introduce the Emberton Portable Bluetooth Speaker to our audience here at MacSources. 

DETAILS

The Emberton Portable Bluetooth Speaker is named for a village in England just as the other speakers are also named for locations in England, which is the home country for Marshall. The speaker utilizes “True Stereophonic” for multidirectional sound – a unique feature from Marshall. Product designers intended for the Emberton to provide ‘absolute 360º sound’ so that no matter where you are listening from you are in the ‘sweet spot.’ The speaker has up to 20 hours of playtime with a quick-charging feature that provides 5 hours of listening time for a 20-minute charging time. 

The Emberton Portable Bluetooth Speaker is rated as IPX7 for water-resistance so it can be used anywhere. The speaker also features a multi-directional control knob, which users can use to control play/pause functions, skipping tracks, and adjusting the volume. The button also serves as the on/off controls for the speaker. The speaker fits in the palm of the hand an only weighs 0.7kg (1.5 lbs). Emberton comes equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 technology, which provides exceptional audio quality and easy connectivity for wireless music play. 

SPECS

USER EXPERIENCE

One of the first things I always comment on is the packaging of a product. Marshall always has first-rate boxes for their products. The package for the Emberton speaker is no exception. The front of the box has a gorgeous photo of the product along with the name and the fact that it has more than 20 hours of playtime on a full battery. The back of the box includes additional information about the speaker’s features like the IPX7 rating, multi-directional control knob, and its Bluetooth connectivity. When you open the box you will find the speaker along with a quick start guide, Legal & Safety pamphlet, and a USB-C charging cable. 

Set-up of the speaker is pretty self-explanatory and if you’ve ever used a Bluetooth speaker, you can probably figure out how to get started, but if you need help pairing for the first time, the quick start guide provides all the necessary instructions. To get started, the first step is to turn the unit on. To do so you simply press/hold the multi-function button on the top of the speaker. If it doesn’t immediately enter pairing mode, you can press/hold the Bluetooth button until it starts blinking. Then you can select it from your device’s Bluetooth menu. For me, the Emberton showed up immediately and paired as soon as I selected it on my phone. I did notice at one point when I was listening to some music that the speaker disconnected, but that could have been a glitch with the phone and have nothing to do with the speaker.

The design of the speaker is nothing short of remarkable. It has that classic Marshall look and feel and with the mechanical multi-purpose, this hand-sized speaker makes me feel nostalgic for days past. One of the first things I noticed about the speaker’s physical condition was how hefty it is. As noted in the specs above, the speaker weighs 1.5 pounds. It’s not ‘heavy’ but it is heavier than some other portable speakers that have a similar size. I personally don’t mind the weight because it feels like a quality product and it reminds me of the Marshall Amps I used to have.

As far as sound quality goes, this tiny little speaker can hold its own with it’s bigger siblings and to be honest, most other wired systems. It amplifies the audio from the connected device beautifully and the volume level is outstanding. I cranked it up while listening to some Nirvana and it blew me away. I also had my fiancé check it out and she loved how much full Broadway show tunes sounded as well as streaming TV shows. She also commented that she never saw any issues with dialogue syncing properly between her iPhone and the sound coming out of the speaker. She loves to watch The Office on Netflix and she’s noticed that some other Bluetooth speakers fall out of sync. The Emberton never faltered. It provides exceptional sound quality no matter what you are listening to.

CONCLUSION

Years ago when I was younger I would spend every waking hour playing my guitar or be out on my skateboard. Back then portable Bluetooth speakers were not around. But if they would have been I would have owned this little powerhouse. Having that iconic Marshall look and superior sound while being super small would have been right up my ally. My biggest issue with this speaker is I don’t want to get it dirty. How lame is that? I love the look of Marshall speakers and amps. They are classy and really just make me feel at home.

For more details, visit MARSHALL, Facebook, and Twitter.

A decent speaker with additional features.

Ever since I was little I always wanted to have a karaoke machine. I’ve always enjoyed singing and having fun with family and friends. Karaoke is the perfect combination of both those activities. Karaoke is fun for people of all ages and as it turns out, the best things come with time because I happen to have a really fun Karaoke speaker from Blitzwolf now — the Bluetooth Party Karaoke Speaker (BW-KS1).

DETAILS

The Blitzwolf Bluetooth Party Karaoke Speaker is a powerful all-in-one solution for listening to and singing along with your favorite music. It can be connected to wirelessly or by using AUX in, FM Mode, or TF Card/USB Flash Drive. The speaker is designed to be portable and provides HiFi sound quality. It has a recording function (must be in TF/USB mode and have a TF card or USB flash drive inserted) and a battery level indicator on the display. The included microphone is wireless as well. The speaker is made with PC, PVC, Iron, and Aluminum Alloys to keep it lightweight and make it easy to carry. The speaker comes with a remote that makes it easy to switch between modes, change songs, or increase/decrease the volume. The speaker has a small LED strip built-in that responds to music and helps to create a ‘party atmosphere.’ In addition to volume, users also have the opportunity to adjust the echo, bass, and treble levels of the speaker.

SPECS

• Bluetooth Version: 4.1
• Transmission Distance: ~33 feet (10m)
• Working Voltage: DC 5V
• Charging Time: About 4 hours
• Data Sync Speed: 2.1 Mbps (over the air), 300 Kbp (over UART)
• Power: 20W
• Battery Capacity: 4500 mAh
• Play Time (AUX/Bluetooth)
  • 50% Volume: 4-5 hours
  • 100% Volume: 2 hours
• Speaker Dimensions: 12 x 7 x 13 inches
• Weight: 5.2 pounds

USER EXPERIENCE

The Karaoke speaker was delivered in a cardboard box. It had a plastic cover to protect the equipment from getting beat up or scratched. There wasn’t any assembly required other than charging the speaker and inserting AA batteries into the microphone (not included). The speaker does come with a strap that can be attached for easy transport of the speaker, but it’s not really essential since the speaker has a handle. I would have liked to see a place to attach the microphone, charging cable, and remote on the speaker itself. Even if it was just a simple pouch on the back of the unit, it would have bee great to be able to keep all of the essential pieces together with the speaker.

The next thing I noticed right off the bat was the charging cable. Yes, one end of it is a USB-A plug, but the other is a DC plug. Therefore, if you lose this cable, you have no way to charge the speaker. That is problematic in my mind. I would have rather seen this charging option be more universal like USB-C or even Micro USB. Also, there was no power adapter included with the speaker. That means I had to dig out a USB-A power adapter to charge the speaker. Along the same lines, I’m not a fan of the battery-powered microphone. I would rather see it be rechargeable like the speaker. I’ve always felt like if batteries are required, they should be included. One thing that is kind of weird is that the instructions state that 5 AA batteries are required, but when you unscrew the base from the microphone you will find that there are only 2 spots for batteries. I’m sure that it’s just an older version of the instructions, but it is still worth pointing out.

Once the speaker was charged and batteries were installed in the microphone, I connected my phone via Bluetooth and turned on a station on Pandora. I streamed some music and sang along with it. The microphone has its own volume control so you can mix the music and the microphone together pretty well. I have tested out the volume, bass, and echo and they work amazingly. I walked around the house with the microphone and it stayed connected to the speaker. I do have to admit that sound quality isn’t that great. The specs state that it has HiFi quality, but I noticed that both the FM radio stream and Bluetooth connected audio were not crystal clear. They were ok, but not great. The LED lighting effects don’t seem to move with the music either. They move in an up and down sequence, but not in time with the music.

CONCLUSION

The Blitzwolf Bluetooth Party Karaoke Speaker is a decent option for a large portable PA speaker. I don’t think it’s worth billing as a “Karaoke” speaker because it doesn’t come with any Karaoke software or option to view lyrics. To me, that is what defines a Karaoke device. The speaker works well and does come with the added benefit of a connected microphone. I just don’t feel like it’s fair to call it a Karaoke Party speaker.

For more information, visit blitzwolf.com, Facebook, and Twitter.