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Divoom Voombox Ongo: Rugged and bike-friendly Bluetooth speaker
Divoom is getting a name for itself for making inexpensive Bluetooth speakers. While the company is probably best known for the little Bluetune Bean and Solo speakers, they've just come out with a new speaker that adds weather resistance, long playback time, Bluetooth 4.0 and a bike mount to the mix. The Voombox Ongo (US$69.99) appears to have much better construction than the less expensive models, so check it out with this review and then have a chance to win one for that late summer bike riding. Specifications Dimensions: 5.5 x 2.36 x 2.87 inches (140 x 60 x 73mm) Weight: 14.34 ounces (406.5 gm) Drivers: Two 1.5" full-range, 3.5 W output each Bluetooth: 4.0, A2DP Stereo profile support Design Highlights The Voombox Ongo is a boxy little critter, with black speaker grilles and a silicone body band that comes in black, blue, green, red or orange. There's a standard 1/4" threaded mount on the bottom should you have the urge to pop this onto a tripod, and that also works with the included bike mount. On top of the Ongo are four soft buttons, one each for power on/off, volume down, play/pause, and volume up. There's a single blue LED behind the front speaker grille to let you know when the device is on and paired with your iPhone, iPad or Mac. The speaker also comes with a cable for connecting to older non-Bluetooth sources, as well as a USB to micro-USB cable for charging. The device is fully charged in about two hours and capable of 8 hours of playback. The bike mount connects with one bolt to just about any handlebar, and has a 1/4" threaded rod that connects it tightly to the speaker. Functionality Highlights Pairing is fast and simple. You just power up the unit, and if it doesn't discover a device shortly it goes into discovery mode with a fast flashing blue LED. It appeared almost immediately on my iPhone as Voombox-ongo, and paired with a tap. Then came the fun part, testing the sound quality. Fans of the now-defunct TUAW TV Live will be happy to know that the testing was done using the iTunes Radio Supertramp station. For a small speaker that only puts out about 3.5W per channel, the Voombox Ongo is surprisingly loud. The sound quality was very good as well, with no discernible distortion and solid sound in both the low and high ranges. There are no written specifications on exactly how "weatherproof" the Voombox Ongo is, so you'll probably need to make sure it doesn't get dunked into water or exposed to a lot of rain. I'm not sure exactly how well received music blasting from your bike handlebars is going to be -- I'm frankly a fan of hearing what's going on around me when I'm riding. But if you want to have a place to put your speaker when you're riding, then take it off when you get to your destination, then the bike mount makes sense. Conclusion Divoom has made a nice little rugged speaker with the Voombox Ongo, with good sound quality, fun design, and that nifty little bike handlebar mount. It looks like it will take some rough handling, although how the speaker will react to water splashes is unknown. Rating: 3 star rating out of 4 stars possible Giveaway With plenty of time for late summer and autumn bike riding, one of our TUAW readers is going to enjoy listening to music with the Divoom Voombox Ongo. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before August 25, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Divoom Voombox Ongo Bluetooth Speaker valued at $69.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Truffol DuraSound Bluetooth Speaker packs power and clarity in a rugged box
Sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised by products that show up for review. That was the case with the Truffol DuraSound Bluetooth Speaker (US$44.99) that arrived recently. I have to admit that I wasn't expecting much; this is a bargain-priced speaker from an accessory company that's better known for iPhone cases and iPad sleeves. But I was completely knocked off my feet by this speaker's sound volume and quality considering that it is priced at a fraction of what some other brands are asking. Specifications Dimensions: 6.5 x 2.17 x 2.44 inches (165 x 55 x 62 mm) Weight: 0.75 pounds (340 grams) Dual Speakers: 40 mm, 2.5W each, dynamic range 130Hz - 20kHz Colors: Black, blue, yellow Battery capacity: 1,200 mAh, 8 hour playback time Design Highlights I can't say that the DuraSound Bluetooth Speaker is the most exotic looking mobile speaker I've ever seen, but it's not bad. The front and back of the speaker feature ABS grilles, while the entire rest of the body is wrapped with a thick blanket of silicone to give it some protection from drops and bumps. That silicone also gives the speaker some isolation from hard surfaces so you won't get a buzzing noise when you've got the speaker volume cranked up. On top of the device are three buttons outlined in a metallic plastic. One's a volume down button, the other a volume up button, and between the two is a small round button that's used to start music play, pause it, answer a call or end a call. The volume down button is also used to return to a previous song, while the volume up button will skip to the next song in a playlist. On one end of the DuraSound is a button to turn the device on and pair it to your device. Unlike any other speaker that I've tested, the DuraSound not only pairs via Bluetooth, but also through Near Field Communications (NFC) for devices that have that enabled. While there are other speakers that use NFC for pairing, there aren't many at this price point. Next to the button is a micro-USB port for charging the 1,200 mAh battery, as well as a 3.5mm (1/8") line-in port if you have a device you'd like to connect to the DuraSound via a traditional cable. My only design beef with the DuraSound has to do with the silicone wrap, which seems to pick up dust and dirt easily. I don't think this would be as visible on the yellow or blue models, so you may wish to wait to pick up a DuraSound until those other colors are available. Functionality Highlights As I alluded to in the first paragraph of this post, this is a LOUD little speaker! In fact, I was quite surprised when I linked it to my iPhone 5s and pulled up my favorite iTunes Radio channel, because it immediately began blasting out music so loudly that my two kittens wondered what the heck was going on. A press-and-hold on the volume down button brought the volume down to a somewhat more tolerable level for their sensitive ears. Pairing was incredibly simple and fast, with voice prompts telling you what's going on during the process. The power button has a blue LED embedded in it so you get a visual indication of pairing status as well. The big reason people buy Bluetooth speakers is that they a way to wirelessly beam their favorite tunes to something that's louder than the speaker on their iPhone or iPad, and they want some quality to that sound as well. While this speaker's dynamic range is listed as 130Hz to 20kHz, it sounds much better than that. Bass sounds wonderful -- usually that's not an issue with Bluetooth speakers -- but I was surprised at how clear and well-amplified the high end was as well. The twin 40mm speakers really do a bang-up job of pumping out sound. I'm never pleased with the sound quality of Bluetooth speakers when they're being used as speakerphones. However, I found the DuraSound to have a surprising amount of clarity when in speakerphone mode. I had to control the volume of the speaker from the iPhone during calls, but once I was aware of that "inconsistency" (not using the physical controls on the speaker) it was not a problem. How good is the sound quality? I'd say it actually is as good or slightly better than the Braven 625S, a $139.99 speaker that also features a silicone wrap for outdoor use. So think of it this way -- you get a speaker that is equivalent in functionality for $95 less. That's a lot of beer money! Conclusion For $45, the Truffol DuraSound Bluetooth Speaker provides volume and sound quality that meets or exceeds many speakers that I've tested that are three to four times the cost. Build quality is good (not excellent) and the controls of the DuraSound are very usable and easy to understand. This speaker is perfect for the budget-minded iPhone or iPad owner who wants to save money, but not skimp on sound. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway OK, you know that the sound quality from the DuraSound is pretty darned good. The battery lasted me through quite a few hours of listening (including one play of "Free Bird" on iTunes Radio). How would you like to win one? Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before August 15, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Truffol DuraSound Bluetooth/NFC Speaker valued at US$44.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
UE Boom for iOS, Mac is a superb and portable Bluetooth speaker
The UE Boom (US$199) by Ultimate Ears is a portable, Bluetooth-enabled wireless speaker compatible with Mac and iOS devices. If you've ever grown tired of the limited quality of your MacBook, iPhone or iPad's speaker (and let's face it, who hasn't?), the UE Boom is designed to bring high-quality, long-lasting audio to your device in a robust, easy-to-use, portable form factor. Features The Boom is small, about the size and shape of an old-school cylindrical pencil case (diameter: 6.5cm, height: 18 cm). It's easy to pick up, and even hold for extended periods of time in your hand. It's compact enough to shove in a bag and durable enough for you not to worry about it getting damaged while it's in there. It's solid too; nothing rattles and there are no moving parts. It's weighty (538g), but not heavy. It's even water resistant with a Level 4 Ingress Protection Rating. The Boom is designed to be used anywhere: the kitchen, the bathroom, the car, a camping trip or even on a bicycle ride. There are four buttons on the Boom. On the top are the power button and a Bluetooth pairing button. On its side are two large, indented volume-up and volume-down buttons in the shape of "+" and "-" symbols, which are easy to find, but sometimes difficult to push. Pressing the power button turns the device on. The button lights up and the Boom plays a little drum roll, telling you it's alive and well. Pressing and holding the Bluetooth pairing button allows the Boom to be paired with up to 8 devices. When pairing happens, a shorter drum-roll sounds. The effect is endearing, and it's useful too. The Boom's underside has a micro-USB input for charging, a 3.5mm audio input and a hook to affix the Boom to things. The Boom is colorful. It comes in a multitude of dual-color pairings or more extravagant custom editions. The color really adds to the Boom's appeal, saying so much more about the excitement of listening to music than other wireless speakers that remain dull and neutral. In terms of design and quality, the Boom is one of the best accessories I've had the pleasure of reviewing. It really is a pleasing and exciting piece of kit to behold and use. Finally, the Boom has a companion iOS app to update the Boom's software as well as adjust settings, enable 2x pairing of two Booms, for a stereo sounndfield or just double the volume, and a handy alarm clock feature, where your Boom plays the last played track as a wake-up call. Performance The Boom continues to impress in the audio department. Sound is clear and dynamic. Whatever you seem to put through the Boom, it produces an exciting and engaging listen -- all this coming from a portable, wireless speaker. The 360-degree sound is room filling and can get very loud. I found I never really took the Boom much past half-way volume when indoors, but would happily crank it up for an impromptu social gathering or using it outdoors. At high volumes the Boom held its composure and didn't distort. If anything, I found putting the volume up exposed the nasty flaws of lesser-quality audio files. Using Spotify's high-quality playback, the Boom provided a compelling listen, even distracting in a good way. As engaging as the sound is, I did find the Boom missed out on the finer details that might be found on higher-end equipment. Pairing the Boom to my iPhone and iPad was effortless. Once paired, you choose the Boom from the AirPlay menu wherever you see it in iOS. Volume is adjusted and mirrored whether you change it on the Boom or your iOS device. It's important to note that the Boom doesn't take advantage of Apple's AirPlay technology, so you don't need a WiFi router to use it. However, using Bluetooth means that signal range is limited. UE says the Boom has 15 meters or 50 ft of range. However, I found that indoors, with walls and doors to contend with, the Boom started to drop signal after about 8 meters. A great little bonus feature is that the Boom has a built-in mic, which means you can take and receive phone calls through the Boom. However, all control needs to be done on your iOS device. It was a little disappointing to find that the Boom couldn't take advantage of Siri to make or take calls, let alone change tracks. Pairing on the Mac was just as straightforward as on iOS, but I found the Boom didn't have the same ease and responsiveness in terms of controlling volume, switching apps, etc as it does on iOS. Playing music was fine, but I couldn't always get system sounds to come through the Boom. In another instance, I couldn't hear a Skype call ringing, but could have the conversation through the Boom. Things seemed temperamental. It'd be great to see these little kinks worked out in a software update. Bluetooth pairing also means that multiple devices don't always work as coherently as multiple devices do with AirPlay. If I was playing a track on my iPhone and then "interrupted" that track by playing a track from my Mac, the track from my iPhone wouldn't stop, but just become disjointed and distorted. I found I had to stop playback on one device before I could play something from another. A couple times I had to power down the Boom and re-pair it to get rid of little distortions and corrupted playback. UE says the Boom has a battery life of 15 hours. While I didn't do an extensive battery test, I found the battery lasted extremely well when the volume wasn't pushed excessively for long periods of time. I easily got through a day of playback with the Boom sitting at my desk. The Boom can also be powered by the included USB cable plugged into a wall socket or USB power supply, so if the Boom's battery does run out, the party doesn't have to end there! Conclusion In short, the Boom is the best portable music speaker I've used. It looks fantastic, is seriously portable, is a pleasure to use, and the sound it produces is exciting and entertaining. At this price point, there's not a better wireless speaker out there that I know of. There are a few niggles; no Siri integration for iOS devices, operation as an audio output on the Mac is a little buggy when working with certain applications, and Bluetooth range is somewhat limited in comparison to AirPlay when indoors. However, the pros far outweigh the relatively minor cons here. The UE Boom is the portable wireless speaker to get. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible
Bem Wireless Speaker Band is wearable fun: A TUAW Video Review
Everybody is getting on the wearable tech bandwagon these days, so it's not surprising that audio accessory manufacturer Bem Wireless decided to create the Speaker Band (US$49.99). It's a Bluetooth speaker that just happens to reside on your wrist, and it comes in six fun colors. And if you're someone who has always wanted a Dick Tracy Wrist Radio, your ship has just come in. We're also giving one away, so be sure to fill out the giveaway form at the end of this post. Specifications 6 hours of talk time on a single charge Works with Siri, acts as a speakerphone, and has spoken caller ID Comfortable silicone wrist strap Charges through USB to micro-USB cable (included) Includes play/pause, answer, skip and reverse buttons Weight: 2.0 ounces (56.7 grams) Conclusion OK, so it's not a Pebble watch or the mythical iWatch, but the Speaker Band provides is solid audio functionality without a big price tag. Bem Wireless should be commended for providing an inexpensive, fun, and usable iPhone accessory that anyone can afford and use. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway And now, what everybody has been waiting for -- the giveaway! Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before May 27, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Bem Wireless Speaker Band valued at $49.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Logitech X100 Mobile Wireless Speaker is a handful of fun
TUAW reviews its share of Bluetooth speakers big and small, and today's review comes courtesy of accessory megacorp Logitech. That company has been doing some amazing things for iPhone and iPad users, and it has recently introduced the X100 Mobile Wireless Speaker (US$49.99), a tiny short cylinder of sound that comes in a rainbow of fun color combos. Let's take a look: Specifications Dimensions: 3.38 inch diameter x 1.44 inch thick (8.59 x 3.66 cm) Weight: 5.7 ounces (161.6 grams) Recharging cable: USB to micro-USB (included) Battery life: Five hours Available colors: Green, Grey, Orange, Red, Yellow Design Highlights My initial impressions of the X100 were positive. It's hand-sized, colorful (my "orange" model is actually a dark blue with a bright orange speaker grille and highlights), and immediately intuitive to understand. Around the side of the short cylinder are three plainly marked buttons for volume control (+ and -) and Bluetooth. The Bluetooth button is used to pair the X100 with your device or answer an incoming phone call, and also serves as a pause button while playing music. There's also a power button that is marked only by the universal power symbol. The exterior of the speaker is primarily a soft-feel polyurethane, so you can be assured that the X100 will live through drops and bumps. There's only one LED on the entire speaker -- a tiny blue one located behind the speaker grill that alerts you that the speaker is turned on. In case you need to connect the speaker to a non-Bluetooth device, there's also an AUX input located next to the micro-USB port. An opening at the top of the speaker leaves room for the included cord or a self-supplied carabiner, making it easy to hand the X100 from a belt loop or backpack. Functionality Highilights As usual, testing the speaker meant that I needed to test sound reproduction for music and phone calls, as well as ease of pairing and using the speaker. The controls on the X100 are really simple. I pressed the power button and voila! -- the power came on. The first time, it also went into what I assumed was Bluetooth pairing mode, since the blue LED was flashing. A quick trip to Settings on my iPhone acknowledged that the X100 needed to be paired, and with a quick tap that was completed. The X100 makes the usual bleeps and bloops to tell you when it is powering up and down and has connected to your iOS or OS X device. What I don't understand is how a pint-sized non-stereo speaker like the X100 can outperform some competitors costing four times as much. It has amazing sound reproduction capabilities and surprising volume. It's not the greatest in the speakerphone category, but I have yet to be impressed with speakerphone quality with any Bluetooth speaker. If there's any negative I can find with the X100, it's the battery life. Most other speakers have battery life measured in the eight to ten hour range; the X100 can run for about give hours before needing a recharge. Conclusion Logitech continues its run of useful high quality accessories for iOS devices with the X100 Mobile Wireless Speaker. Rugged, playfully designed, small, light and loud, the X100 also hits the market at a reasonable price. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible
On the road with the Divoom Voombox Travel Bluetooth speaker
Looking for an inexpensive, but sturdy Bluetooth speaker for outside use? The DIvoom Voombox Travel (US$49.95) is going to fit the bill, being both built like a tank and available for less than fifty bucks. Read on for the review, and then enter for your chance to win one of these little speakers. Specifications Dimensions: 90 mm in diameter, 45 mm thick (3.54 inches in diameter, 1.77 inches thick) Speaker drivers: Two 2" drivers, 4W output each Battery capacity: 500 mAh, 2 hour charge time Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.0, A2DP Stereo profile support Talk time when used as a speakerphone: up to 6 hours Music playback time: up to 6 hours Design HIghlights Well, I'd be a bit worried taking the dark green version of the Voombox Travel through security at an airport, because it looks remarkably like some sort of little grenade. It's a circular puck with a thick rubber ring around the middle and black polycarbonate surrounding the speaker grills. One LED port provides an outlet for both a blue LED used for pairing and a red LED that denotes that you're charging the device. Atop the Voombox Travel is a little ring that looks a lot like one that used to be found on the winding stem of pocket watches in past centuries; in this case, it's actually a carabiner connection for attaching the speaker to a belt loop or a backpack. While the speaker is splash resistant, it won't take a full dunking. The bottom of the speaker has a port covered with a solid rubber door -- that's where you'll plug in the included USB to micro-USB cable to charge the unit up. That same port and cable works if you wish to connect the speaker to a device through a standard headphone port rather than Bluetooth. Functionality Highlights While the two 2-inch speakers don't exactly provide high-fidelity sound reproduction, they're not bad. I was surprised with the volume this little speaker puts out. It's solid, with no loose parts to cause buzzing like we've found on some other inexpensive speakers. The music reproduction is somewhat muffled, which shouldn't make too much of a difference outside where this speaker is meant to be used. The speakerphone function worked flawlessly. There's a toggle switch on one side that is used to power the speaker on and off, and the other side of the switch is used to answer or hang up during speakerphone operation. It's workable as a speakerphone, but be prepared to have folks on the other end of the call complaining about your voice quality -- that comes with the territory with Bluetooth speakers. Pairing was extremely fast and easy. I did notice that the Voombox Travel didn't have as much as range as some other speakers that we've tested; not sure what that was all about, but as long as you're within about 20 feet you should be just fine. Conclusion Divoom seems to be getting better at making inexpensive accessories. Some earlier speakers we tested were of very poor quality, while the Voombox Travel is solidly built. That being said, if you're an audiophile and want an outdoor speaker with better sound reproduction, you'd be better served spending the extra quid for something like the Braven BRV-X or BRV-1. For the money, you're getting a serviceable outdoor speaker that should hold up to a lot of abuse. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Summer's coming up and you're going to want a speaker for those long days and nights spent outdoors. We're giving away our review Voombox Travel -- Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before April 19, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Divoom Voombox Travel valued at $49.95. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
IK Multimedia iLoud portable speaker lives up to its name
IK Multimedia is in the business of making products that help musicians make the most of their iOS devices and musical instruments. They're the company behind the iRig and its many spawn, which make it simple for musicians to plug in guitars or mics for processing by the company's software offerings. Those apps include such musical favorites as AmpliTube, VocaLive, Loop Drummer, SampleTank, and GrooveMaker. Well, they've now made a nice little portable speaker that lives up to its name, the US$299.99 iLoud. Think of it as a portable studio monitor and you've got the idea. But instead of just being another generic Bluetooth speaker for iPhone and iPad, the iLoud has a direct plug-in connection for your guitar or microphone via iRig. Specifications Price: $299.99 Dimensions: 250mm/9.84" x 160mm/6.3" x 60mm/2.36" (W x H x D) Weight: 1,330g/46.91oz Output: 40W Power: Internal battery with 10 hour life, DC in 14V/2.5 A Input: Bluetooth, 1/4" iRig input Design Highlights On the outside, the iLoud looks like a speaker... But sometimes it's what's inside a speaker that makes the big difference and that's the case with the iLoud. First, there are four Class-D amplifiers inside, providing 40W of total power -- two 3-inch neodymium woofers getting 16W of power each, and two 3/4-inch neodymium tweeters each feeding on 4W of power. The frequency response of the speaker runs from a respectable 50Hz on the low end to 20kHz on the upper end. There's a digital sound processor controlling all of this, and the iLoud can take a lot of different inputs: a 1/8" stereo analog line input and 1/4" iRIg input let you connect a number of wired sources, while A2DP-compatible Bluetooth accepts input from your favorite Mac or iOS device. The interior battery will work for 3 hours at maximum volume, 10 hours with normal use (i.e., not ear-bleedingly loud...). Functionality Highlights While I'm not a musician (other than singing) and didn't have a guitar or MIDI keyboard that I could plug into the iLoud for testing, I was able to attach an iRIg Mic to test how vocals worked with the unit and give it a workout with a Bluetooth connection, first to my iPhone and then to an iPad Air. Sound quality was really impressive, with fairly good high-end response -- something I've found lacking in a lot of portable speakers. As you'd expect, low frequencies were amazingly well-reproduced with this unit. Volume? Well, if there's a portable speaker that goes to 11 (obligatory "This is Spinal Tap" reference), it's the iLoud. Pairing with the iOS devices was a no-brainer and Bluetooth worked well for streaming music to the unit. Conclusion Whether you're a musician who wants a solid speaker for impromptu rehearsals or small gatherings, or just a music lover who wants a decently priced high quality portable speaker, the iLoud should fit the bill in either situation. When paired with IK Multimedia's other offerings for musicians, the iLoud rounds out a wide-ranging lineup of audio tools that are perfect for the iOS device-toting musician or music lover. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway IK Multimedia and TUAW want to make one reader very happy, so we're giving away one of these amazing speakers. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before April 8, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive an IK Multimedia iLoud Speaker valued at $299.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Bose's new SoundLink III has improved sound, battery life
Today Bose unveiled the SoundLink III, a pint-sized speaker the company says is its best-performing Bluetooth model yet. Designed to be used primarily while you're out and about, the $300 portable speaker comes packing a longer-life 14-hour battery than its predecessor, as well as some sound improvements under the hood. Inside the three-pound speaker you'll find four neodymium transducers and dual-opposing passive radiators, a combination that makes it louder than previous models, while still maintaining "balanced and natural" sound. Music is streamed from your favorite mobile device to the SoundLink III using Bluetooth A2DP, and the speaker remembers the last six devices to connect, so you don't have to worry about constantly pairing. Five optional $35 cases keep it protected during your travels. Hit the source link for more details.
NudeAudio's Studio 5 wants to change how you think about Bluetooth speakers
For many, the humble Bluetooth speaker has been marred by a preconception about poor audio quality (one that was often deserved until technologies like aptX gained traction). A problem usually compounded by generic, masculine design. NudeAudio wants to change that. Currently, the company has a family of portable speakers that aim to marry contemporary design with affordable prices. It's latest product -- the Studio 5 above -- tries to bring these same core ideas to a product designed for the home. Feature-wise, there's support for aptX, plus an option for dual-pairing Bluetooth devices. This means you won't need to keep re-connecting different music sources, and there's a lightning connection for iPhone/iPad too. The 2.1 setup also has a 3.5mm aux-in connection to round out the input options, while physical controls on top, and around the back mean you won't have to reach for your phone should you need to crank-up that killer tune. Priced at $179/£149, the Studio 5 will be taking on some well-established competition, but one thing's for sure, this one shouldn't cause you any financial headaches.
AwoX StriimLIGHT: The Bluetooth speaker that brightens any room
As I write this review, I'm listening to Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" blasting out of a light. That sounds odd, doesn't it? Well, the light in question is Bluetooth-connected and has a rather loud speaker embedded in the center of a ring-shaped LED light. The AwoX StriimLIGHT (US$99, pronounced "strim light") is a strange, but surprisingly useful mashup of light bulb, speaker and Bluetooth. Check out the review, and then enter our giveaway of this bright idea. Specifications LIGHT - Chip LED: 35~36pcs (Maximum 6.7W) - Color Temp: Warm white 3,000k - Light Power: 475 LM in vertical, 8W LED in vertical, 40W incandescent - LED beam angle: 120 degrees - Power On LED - Lighting On/Off via remote control AUDIO OUTPUT - Amp Class D - 10W mono, 10% THD SPEAKER - Size: 2 inch, 8ohm - Range: 200Hz - 20000Hz POWER SUPPLY - EU Version : Bulb LED 110-240V - US Version: Bulb LED 100-240V - Power consumption: 21W maximum DIMENSIONS - Millimeters : 111.5 (H) x 95 (W) x 95 (L) - Inches : 4.39(H) x 3.74 (W) x 3.74 (L) WEIGHT - 680 g (approx.) | 14.11 oz. (approx.) Design Highlights Well, I don't really think there are any design highlights here. This is an oversized "bulb" that screws into a light socket, and frankly it's not that attractive. Hopefully you'll be hiding it under a nice lampshade, or putting it into a recessed ceiling fixture. In terms of the design of the electronics, I'm pretty happy with the StriimLIGHT. It comes with a small remote control, which is used to turn the light on and off remotely. I'd rather see that be possible from an app than an easily lost remote, but I'm under the impression that AwoX would like to market this device as being able to work with anything. But can it be that difficult to design an iPhone and Android app to turn a light off and on, and change the speaker volume? The light color is quite nice, not exactly the harsh bluish white that you get from some LEDs, but warmer. I'd love to see AwoX take this to the next level and make a Philips Hue-like bulb that can change color, once again controllable from an app. While I'm dreaming, the AwoX engineers (who I keep wanting to call "Ewok engineers") should consider allowing two or more of these to be used as true stereo (left / right channels) speakers. Right now it's like listening to music on an old transistor radio (and yes, I do have one from the late 1950s sitting at my desk). I think that's why this young lady on the StriimLIGHT brochure appears to be screaming and holding her ears: Functionality Highlights Pairing with the StriimLIGHT was fast and easy. I simply screwed the bulb into a light socket, turned it on and then waited for about 30 seconds until it showed up on my iPhone's list of Bluetooth devices. One tap and it was paired. I was quite impressed with the amount of light the StriimLIGHT put out, as well as with the volume of the speaker. The Bluetooth range was also quite impressive -- usually range is posted as 10 m (33 feet) for just about any Bluetooth device, and I was able to stream music from anywhere in my house, including some locations that had to be well over 50 feet away. On the negative side, don't expect to put this monster of a bulb into just any light fixture. I ended up wandering around my house to find a fixture that had enough space to let me put the StriimLight into it. I finally found a floor lamp that had a rather large top that worked fine. I think this would be a really good replacement for a bulb in a recessed ceiling fixture, as it would work as both light and speaker in one. In addition, the sound quality from the StriimLIGHT isn't what I've become accustomed to with many of the Bluetooth speakers I've reviewed. It's kind of tinny, doesn't have a lot of bass and there's a chance that whatever light fixture you screw it into might mute the sound a bit. For $99, you can get a really good-sounding BRAVEN 570 Bluetooth speaker that you can also use as a speakerphone, and you'll just have to use regular lightbulbs. Conclusion The StriimLIGHT is the start of a good idea. However, I'm not sure it's worth $99 to turn a light fixture into a speaker unless you're really cramped for space or don't like single-taskers (yes, Alton Brown would love the StriimLIGHT). If the next generation can improve the sound quality, cut down on the size and maybe add some useful app-controlled features, I'd be all over this product. By the way, the StriimLIGHT is not being sold in the US at this time, but will be showing up soon. Rating: 2 stars out of 4 possible Giveaway OK, so it wasn't my favorite all-time accessory. But the StriimLIGHT can still be a happy, noise-producing and light-emitting accessory in your very own home since we're giving one away. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before January 26, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a AwoX StriimLIGHT valued at $99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
ION's Road Warrior Bluetooth speaker won't fit in your bag, costs $399 (hands-on)
ION Audio took to CES 2014 to reveal a number of new products, and the Road Warrior was among them. In typical trade show fashion, we thought it was only appropriate to stop by the company's booth to check out its not-so-portable Bluetooth speaker. As you can imagine, this thing is big and extremely loud -- we were playing Lorde at about half the maximum volume and walked away hugely impressed at the amount of noise it can push out. It wasn't exactly surprising given its 200-watt power and two 10-inch woofers, but the Road Warrior can definitely turn your tailgate party into one for the ages. ION Audio told us that the model being shown is a prototype, with the final retail version said to feature a thinner body and built-in kickstand. Priced at $399, the Road Warrior won't be shipping until June, though you can catch an early glimpse of it in our gallery after the break.
ION Audio's Sound Lounge speaker lets you get down while you sit down
Ever thought your furniture was missing something? Perhaps some... speakers? ION Audio has seen this terrible oversight and promptly corrected it with its Sound Lounge Bluetooth speaker... ottoman? The sonic-seat has a 2.1-channel stereo system built right in, and as you might have already figured out, you can hook it up to your phone, tablet or any other Bluetooth media device. If you prefer things with a little more wire, there are two phono connections around the back (one input and one output) so you can daisy-chain multiple units. There are also physical volume and bass controls should you want a little more rumble in the jungle. The 10w (20w peak) speaker inside managed to make itself heard above the fairly chaotic ambient noise of Pepcom, and of course, we couldn't check it out without taking it for a spin. We can confirm that it's the most comfortable speaker we've ever sat on, and the choice of red and white finishes give it the authentic Manhattan feel that it truly deserves. No word on price or availability just yet, so for now you'll just have to stand. In silence.
Rocki's tiny wireless speaker adapter emerges post-Kickstarter with new app compatibility
Rocki, the colorful little facetted device that turns your old sound setup into a wireless speaker system has gone from Kickstarter hopeful to fully funded. We got a change to see the little guy in action at Pepcom tonight and it does what it promises -- essentially plugging into your old-school speakers via RCA or audio jack, and making them Bluetooth or WiFi compatible. Since we last spoke, the company has added Spotify and Deezer compatibility to its app so you can bump your favorite jams to those dusty old noise makers. It's also looking to expand it's partnerships to work with hardware manufacturers in the future. The $50 pebble is made of hard plastic and comes with a number of rubbery covers and is small enough to hide behind just about any speaker.
Wren Sound Systems goes Bluetooth with the fabulous V5BT speaker
When it comes to accessory speakers for iOS devices, no product impressed me more than the Wren Sound Systems V5AP AirPlay speaker that I reviewed back in June. This is a gorgeous piece of equipment with sound quality to match, but it surprised me that Wren Sound Systems chose to link to the speaker via Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth. Fast-forward to now, when the company has provided TUAW with a test unit of the new Bluetooth-equipped V5BT (US$399.00). What's great about supporting Bluetooth is that the device now works with a vast ecosystem of devices, not only iPhones, iPads and iPod touches, but a huge number of Bluetooth 2.0 and newer smartphones and tablets as well. Rather than going Apple-proprietary like the V5AP, the Wren V5BT opens up to the world. I won't repeat my entire review here, as the beautiful design, intuitive controls, and amazing sound quality of the V5AP carries over to this new addition to the Wren line. Both finishes -- natural bamboo and rosewood -- are now available and shipping, and the build quality is just as amazing as what I saw with the earlier model. As I'd expect from Wren, setup is about as easy as it gets. After plugging in the unit, all I had to do was go to Settings > Bluetooth and tap on the Wren Speaker listing to pair. That was it... The sound quality was just as good as I remembered -- one thing I would recommend to owners, though, is that the speaker be placed so that it is on a level with your ears. It might be due to the wood exterior, but I noticed that if I stood next to the speaker with my head above it, treble tones sounded a bit muted. When I was right in line with the speaker, the sound quality was just stunning. Seriously, if there was just one accessory that I wish Santa would bring me this year, I'd wish for a Wren Sound Systems V5BT speaker -- it's that good. My conclusion is literally identical to that for the V5AP, because there's no improving on perfection. Conclusion Many AirPlay or Bluetooth speakers on the market are plagued with either boring design, bad sound, or complicated setup. Wren's V5BT is simple to set up, pleasant to look at, and boasts audiophile sound quality. Pros Beautiful case design Easy to use controls One tap pairing Best-in-class sound quality Cons Uninspired use of a generic AC adapter that Steve Jobs would hate Who is it for? The connoisseur of good design and excellent sound quality -- in other words, the V5BT is perfect for any Apple customer
Braven 710 Bluetooth speakers offer TrueWireless linking for amazing stereo sound
TUAW has reviewed Braven's amazing line of Bluetooth speakers before, and we've always been impressed with the construction and capabilities of the line. Many of the speakers do double duty as external batteries for your favorite iOS device, and the sound quality is among the best we've heard from almost any Bluetooth speakers. Braven recently released the newest member of the family, the Braven 710 (US$169.99), which offers not only all of the features of the other speakers but something new -- the ability to link two Braven 710s together wirelessly with one acting as the left speaker and the other as the right speaker in a stereo speaker pair. The Braven 710 speaker can play for up to 12 hours on a single charge, or act as a power source for your iPhone or iPad. It's IPX5 certified as water-resistant and splash-proof, so locating one near a hot tub or sink shouldn't be cause for concern. The 710 is a compact 6.25 x 2.6 x 1.8 inches (15.85 x 6.7 x 4.6 cm), and weighs just 13.6 ounces (385.6 grams). That weight figure is actually quite good considering that the speaker is machined from aluminum and also contains a 1400 mAh battery pack.The anodized aluminum exterior comes in three colors -- royal blue, graphite and silver. But the biggest difference with this model is that ability to use two Braven 710 speakers as a stereo pair using a trademarked capability called TrueWireless. I've always found the sound of Braven speakers to be quite good, so making a pair of them act as the left and right speakers of a set is downright amazing. Of course, that's $340 for a pair of wireless speakers that aren't exactly audiophile quality, but they do make an attractive, small, and portable set of speakers. Setup of the speakers is, like previous Braven devices, easy. One end of a speaker has four buttons on it for power, play, volume up, and volume down. The other end is the "busy" end, with a USB out port, a micro-USB charging port, aux out and in audio ports (if you wish to connect devices or speakers via traditional cables), a battery test button, a reset button and a row of LEDs for checking the available charge. In case you're wondering how the Braven 710 maintains the IPX5 water-resistance rating when it has the various ports, there's a removable end cap to keep things dry. I was quite impressed with the stereo separation provided when I connected the pair through TrueWireless. I'm still not impressed with the sound quality when using the Braven 710 speakers as a speakerphone. Call recipients still tell me the sound is somewhat tinny and remote sounding, which tells me that the company has some work to do on adding a decent microphone to the mix. Conclusion With the addition of TrueWireless linking to the speakers, Braven has created a way to get impressive sound out of a linked pair of Braven 710s. While not the least expensive Bluetooth speakers on the market, the Braven 710s boast excellent construction, water resistance, and very good sound fidelity. Pros Unique TrueWireless capability makes wireless pairing of a set of Braven 710 speakers easy and provides excellent stereo separation Water resistant Aluminum construction makes for a sturdy Bluetooth speaker that should last for years Internal 1400 mAh battery can be used to charge your favorite iPhone or iPad Large, well-placed buttons on one end make adjusting volume, starting/pausing play, and powering the speaker on and off a piece of cake Cons Voice quality isn't that good according to those on the other end of speakerphone calls through the Braven 710 Who are they for? Anyone who wants a portable pair of truly wireless speakers that can put up with a lot of abuse and still keep pounding out the tunes Giveaway Two speakers make for twice the fun! We'll be giving each of our two review speakers away to a separate giveaway winner -- perhaps the two of you can get together to try out the TrueWireless capability! Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before November 19, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected and each will receive a Braven 710 Bluetooth speaker valued at $169.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Skullcandy intros Air Raid, a $150 Bluetooth speaker you can use to party pretty much anywhere
Skullcandy is well-known for making gear including headphones and earbuds, but the audio-focused company now also has a little Bluetooth speaker folks might be interested in. The Air Raid, as it's officially named, is a ruggedized box that's fitted with two 50mm drivers and a battery capable of holding a charge for up to 14 hours -- better yet, "it is built like a tank and loud as hell." Not surprisingly, Skullcandy says its new Air Raid is much louder than the competition, claiming that it's 200 and 33 percent noisier than the Jambox and Beats Pill, respectively. If you do believe the self-induced hype and like what you see, the Air Raid can be yours now for $150.
Singing Machine wants to elevate your late-night karaoke party
Money can't buy you class, but it can buy you this classy looking karaoke machine. Starting later this month, the Singing Machine Home will be available for $299 via Best Buy, online and in stores. The orb-like Bluetooth speaker doubles as a karaoke machine when connected to your TV. It also comes with a wireless remote/mic that lets you browse a subscription-based library of some 8,000 songs, and croon to your guests without the threat of tripping over pesky wires while serving Sinatra. Of course, you could just use your gaming console of choice to embarrass yourself in front of your friends. For more details, check out the full press release after the break.
Jawbone's Mini Jambox now available for purchase with regular-sized dollars
If you like your Bluetooth speakers nearly pocketable and can live without wall-shaking volume, the Jambox's diminutive offspring is now available for $180 at Jawbone.com. The aptly named Mini is available in nine colors and five textures and debuts alongside iOS and Android streaming apps that are compatible with iTunes, Spotify and Rdio. The speakers will be available at US retailers "shortly," according to the company. Hit the source below to get your Mini jams on.
BOOM Urchin speaker for your listening pleasure
When I received the Boom Urchin speaker I have to admit that my first thoughts were that it was ugly and heavy. After using it for a month, I don't notice its weight or form factor, because I am delighted with its sound. BOOM Movement is one of three audio brands, along with Polk Audio and Definitve Technology, owned by DEI Holdings headquartered in Vista California. This is relevant, because these are the folks behind the Anti-sonic diffraction geometry that is responsible for the speaker's great sound. The ovoid-shaped Urchin offers Bluetooth connectivity and can be used as a speakerphone or connected to a device through the auxiliary port. I tested it with my iMac, iPhone, iPad, and a legacy iPod video, using the auxiliary cable. I also tested the Urchin with a wide variety of music and it performed flawlessly. I watched podcasts and used it as a speakerphone too and the sound was just pleasing. It doesn't have bass enhancement as with many sound products, but it doesn't need it either. It reproduced every sound file I played with a full sound and no distortion, no matter the volume. The upper volume will not blow you away, but it can play fairly loud, and is also affected by how loud you've set your device to which it is connected. You know you've reached its loudest setting when it beeps at you, rather loudly. You control the volume with a simple plus and minus button on the device. The controls include the two volume buttons, which also double as skip forward or back and pause, a Bluetooth button, and a power switch. A small green light indicates when the unit is on, and flashes blue when the Bluetooth is enabled. The case makes the buttons a little hard to press, but holding them down for a second or three works fine. The Urchin boasts a removable silicone skin that supposedly comes in ten different colors, but only the red and black covers appear on the site, while the Apple Store also offers it in blue. I saw other skin colors available on Amazon for US19.99. The unit I received has a red skin, which is a bit more muted than shown in the photo below. You can swing it around with its built-in carry ring, but is not pocketable, as early reports claim. It barely fits into my size seven hand, but it's not as big as a watermelon, as one review on Amazon claimed. The thick skin includes a flip-down tab that covers the mini-USB charging port and the auxiliary port. This tab is probably the biggest failing of the whole device, as it has already ripped a little along the edges after minimal use. I edited BOOM's photo and circled the area where it ripped in the shot below. It looks small, because it is a small tear, but I suspect it will rip more with continued use. The press release claims that it is "waterproof for up to five minutes of saturation, dustproof and drop-proof as high as 10 feet (50 times in a row!)." The tab isn't sealed though, so I am not convinced of its water immersion protection. It hasn't rained here during daylight hours in months, so I wasn't able to put it to a water test. (Sorry, I'm not putting a working sound system in the shower!) The Urchin has an IPX4 Ingress Protection Rating (IP Code) also known as the International Protection Rating, according to Wikipedia. The Rugged Technologies site which explains the NEMA and IP Ratings and Equivalency states that the "4" means that "Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect." I dropped it on grass a couple of times and the pavement once with no effect. I dropped it not to test it, but because it is a bit heavy and even with the rubber-like cover, it slipped out of my hand. The Urchin includes a variety of holding accessories, including a carabiner, a self-adhesive mount that includes a screw that fits in the back of the device, a suction mount with stub on which to hang it, and a hand strap. Now, I think the Urchin is too heavy (.75 lbs) to carry via the hand strap, so I used the built-in ring most often. You need to be careful where you mount the self-adhesive screw mount because the Urchin could be difficult to screw into the mount. The aluminum carabiner could come in handy though. After a number of mishaps with suction mounts from a variety of companies, I elected not to test it. The Urchin retails for $149.95 and can be found with a red, blue, or black skin at your local Apple Store. The bottom line is that the Urchin has really nice sound and doesn't distort your music at any volume. The skin seems to rip around the tab too easily. The Bluetooth works well, but it started to degrade at around 15 to 20 feet, which is less than other Bluetooth speakers I've tested. I recommend the Urchin, if you can find it at a discounted price. The Urchin Package Speaker with a silicone skin USB Power Supply Micro USB Cable AUX Input Cable Adhesive Screw (which you need to unscrew to remove it from the packaging) Suction Cup Carabiner Instructions Technical Specs (from the Apple Store) Frequency Response: 100 Hz to 18 kHz Input Type: 3.5mm Stereo Jack, USB Other Features: Bluetooth Speaker Configurations: Stereo Drivers: Two 43 mm drivers Power Source: Battery Power Battery Type: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Height: 2.25 in./5.71 cm Width: 3.875 in./9.84 cm Weight: 0.75 lb./0.34 kg Length: 6.25 in./15.87 cm
ECOXGEAR ECOROX: Rugged dunkable Bluetooth speaker
We see a lot of water-resistant equipment around the TUAW Labs, but it's not often that a fully IPX7 waterproof speaker makes an appearance. ECOXGEAR has introduced a sweet little waterproof Bluetooth speaker called the ECOROX (US$129.99 MSRP) that you can take anywhere. Design Like most of ECOXGEAR's accessories, the ECOROX is made to take life's little drops and falls and shrug them off. The case is encased in a thick dark grey rubber shell, with metal grilles on the top and front that come in red, orange, and black. How waterproof is the ECOROX? Well, it exceeds the IPX7 standards for water immersion (up to 1 meter) and shock resistance. You probably won't have to test the immersion standards, because the ECOROX floats. Sure, toss it into the hot tub and it'll swim like a rubber duck. A rubber door on the back covers up an AUX input port and a micro-USB charging port. ECOXGEAR includes a carabiner so that you can hang the ECOROX from a belt loop or backpack, and there's also a USB to micro-USB cable for connecting to an AC adapter (not included) or computer. On the bottom of the ECOROX you'll find a screw mount, which works with an optional ($9.99) bike mount and several other mounting accessories. The top includes a row of buttons; one for power, a Bluetooth pairing button, volume up/down, fast-forward/reverse, and hang up. Yes, you can use the ECOROX for those all important backyard conference calls. Like I mentioned, this thing is small. ECOROX measures 2.5" x 5.3" x 3", and weighs just 11 ounces. Pop it into the bottom of a backpack or beach bag, and you're ready to roll. ECOXGEAR says it takes about two and a half hours to charge the ECOROX, and that charge can power the device for up to 10 hours. Functionality So, what can we test on a floating waterproof Bluetooth speaker? Right off hand, I'd say the perfect test would be to drop it into a sink full of water while it's playing a podcast: Pairing is incredibly simple. Press the Bluetooth button on top of the ECOROX, a light flashes blue, tap the name of the speaker on the iOS device, you're done. Volume-wise, the ECOROX does incredibly well. There's a top mounted bass radiator to really kick the bass, and the twin 6 watt stereo speakers do a decent job with the rest of the sound spectrum. It's surprising that a small speaker like this can pump out as much noise as it does! I wasn't particularly happy with the call quality when I used the ECOROX when I tested it as a speaker phone, but it wasn't any worse than most other Bluetooth speakers I've tested. Conclusion This little speaker is built to take a beating and a dunking, and it will come back for more. It has more sound that some larger speakers I've tested, Bluetooth pairing is done in seconds, the controls are easy to use and accessible, and it comes with some interesting mounting options. If I could give a TUAW Editor's Choice award (there is no such thing ... yet), I wouldn't hesitate to give it to the ECOXGEAR ECOROX. Pros Waterproof. Like drop it into the hot tub, squirt it with a garden hose, plunk it in the lake waterproof. And it floats! Rugged design, fun size, bright colors on two of the models Well thought-out controls that are easy to use Fast one-button pairing Incredible volume and sound quality for such a small speaker, although sound quality suffers a bit until you shake the water out of the speakers... Case is very easy to grip, also comes with a carabiner for attaching to belt or backpack Cons As with many Bluetooth speakers TUAW has tested, the sound quality of phone calls isn't perfect Who is it for? The outdoor enthusiast who wants a compact Bluetooth speaker that can survive the worst possible conditions
