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Libratone One Click Speaker Review

12/14/2016 By Hakan Can

Review: Libratone One Click Bluetooth Portable Speaker

Unless you’re a close follower of all things ‘Sound,’ you’ve probably never heard of Libratone before, and that’s a shame. As a company, Libratone is barely seven years old. But based on what they manufacture, they’re growing up quick, and about to enter adulthood. It’s been one heck of a busy year for this brand, introducing half of their current product line in the past six months. With the end of year approaching, they kept their right foot on the pedal and launched new products like the Q ADAPT in-ear and on-ear headphones. This brings us to the One Click Bluetooth portable speaker. So how does this product stack up? Let’s take a closer look in this Libratone One Click speaker review.

Pros:
• Beautiful, creative design
• Solid construction
• Powerful sound with exceptional bass
• Four attractive color options
• Great battery life ≥ 11 hours

Cons:
• Bass may be too strong for some folks
• While it’s splash proof, it’s not waterproof
• $200 price tag, may be too expensive for some

Read: JAM Audio Xterior Max Speaker Review

One Click Design and Features

If you couldn’t already discern, the Libratone One Click is one engaging speaker. First off the design.

It’s hard to decide what makes the Libratone One Click Bluetooth speaker stand out the most.

Is it the attractive color choices and fabric scheme?
Is it the solid construction and the rubberized metal bumper?
Or is the multi-functional touch interface with the birdie on it?

Even I can’t narrow it down to one.

As I just stated, the One Click is surrounded by a most durable rubberized metal bumper. While I don’t recommend testing its sturdiness for yourself, just know that it can handle a fall from your desk. It’s also splash proof with an IPX4 rating. Now be careful with this speaker around say a swimming pool. If you drop it in water, it’ll sink like a brick. It does not float.

Like most bumpers, it’s adjustable/removable. You can attach the enclosed short strap or U-shaped lock through the bumper. Both options are shown in photos below. So if you want to connect your One Click to a backpack or just hold it like a purse, you can easily do so.

Read: The New Case Logic Urban Commuter Laptop Backpacks for Men and Women

The fabric on the front/back surfaces of the One Click is not only eye-catching, but it’s also durable. The speaker is available in four colors: Cloudy Grey, Graphite Grey, Cerise Red, Caribbean Green. How cool would it have been if Libratone called the last color Caribbean Queen in honor of singer Billy Ocean? Just a thought.

I suspect that in a majority of people’s opinions, the touch interface is the coolest design feature. Through this interface, you can adjust volume, start and stop operation, as well as take and end calls. Adjusting the volume is a matter of circling a finger around the interface whereupon you see the backlit indication.

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On the rear of the speaker is the on/off button and splash protected area for the mini-HDMI and Aux ports. Charging the battery is handled via the aforementioned mini-HDMI jack. Should you want to listen to music or a podcast via a cabled connection, that’s what the Aux port is for.

I inquired about the TDH and wattage of the speaker, but the answer is more complex than I imagined. The word according to the Libratone’s Tech Department was “we do not provide THD and wattage specifications as these typically only express performance of single elements of the product, rather than the end result.” I can live with that response.

One thing I’d like to be able to do with the speaker is comfortably set it on its long edge. Although it’s possible, the speaker is not exactly stable.

The speaker has overall dimensions of 2.8″ x 6.6″ x 10.8″, and weighs in at 3.3 lbs.

What’s In The Box?

One Click Speaker
One Short Strap
One U-Shaped Lock
USB Charging Cable
Quick Guide

Read: Preview: JAM Voice Portable Speaker featuring Amazon Alexa

Audio Performance & Playlist

• Lady Gaga – Joanne
• Lana Del Rey – Born To Die, Paradise
• Emeli Sandé – Our Version of Events
• Ellie Goulding – Halcyon

• The Black Keys – El Camino
• 30 Second To Mars – 30 Seconds To Mars
• John Coltrane – The Ultimate Blue Train
• Rush – Clockwork Angels

As we often state here at Beantown, when reviewing speakers and headphones, the most important performance factor is the quality of sound. Using the playlist above, the OneClick was tested across a broad range of music. Songs within each album were sampled against comparable $200 speakers selected from my collection. The results were noted, and quite kind to the reviewed speaker.

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Last week in a review of the HK One, I described that speaker in the following way, “It’s a sad moment when the only positive thing you can write about a product, in this case, a speaker, is its ability to deliver strong vocals.” I’m so glad I can’t make that statement two weeks in a row. You see, the One Click produced excellent vocals, which were warm and inviting. The One Click didn’t stop there. The speaker took a balanced approach with sound quality. For a speaker of its size, bass reproduction was excellent. In fact, it was too good thanks to its 3″ woofer. In my opinion, the bass sounds could have been dialed down a notch along with the vocals being dialed up one. I’m not complaining; it’s just personal preference.

Like the HK One, I tested the Libratone One Click against ten albums. When I say I haven’t heard better playback of John Coltrane, Rush, and 30 Seconds to Mars from a $200 portable speaker, it’s not an understatement. Say what you want about actor/musician Jared Leto and his band 30 Seconds to Mars, but the Libratone One Click just played that album perfectly. It’s like the speaker was engineered for their sound. And I can’t wait until I listen to John Coltrane’s The Ultimate Blue Train again.

When the One Click was compared song-to-song against the HK One, the former delivered superior sound quality across all the sampled artists. Lana Del Rey’s vocal reproduction on Paradise was impressive. The same was said of the other female artists: Lady Gaga, Ellie Goulding, and Emeli Sandé.

The one negative takeaway from this Libratone speaker was that on Emeli Sandé’s song Wonder, I could barely hear the finger snapping which I know is in the song. If I weren’t familiar with the song, I wouldn’t have noticed that particular sound was missing.

I stood in different spots in my 300 ft² entertainment room, as well as adjacent rooms, and the sound quality did not disappoint. Then I placed the one Click around the room. What I heard out of the 1″ tweeter, 3″ woofer, and dual passive drivers was terrific. Thanks to the upfiring tweeter, you get what Libratone refers to as 360° FullRoom™ sound. I highly suggest placing the portable speaker (in a more central location) on a coffee book table should you have one.

The One Click’s sound quality was matched with excellent battery life. While I’m not certain of its lithium-ion battery size, although I suspect it’s around 5000 mAh, its life approached 12 hours. As a consumer, this is what you want from a $200 portable speaker. One night while testing, I had the speaker volume near its maximum for four straight hours and there was no drop off in sound output. What more can I say?

Read: Harman Kardon One Speaker Review

Libratone App

While the speaker has received a 5 out 5 rating in Amazon reviews, the same cannot be said for the app. Reviews posted on the Google Play Store give it a rating of 2.9. Feel free to read them to get a better understanding. I too have had issues using the app, in particular two dropped calls in one night over Bluetooth, but none since that date. I can’t explain why it happened, it just did.

Since that time, I’ve had zero problems with updating the password, connecting via bluetooth, visiting internet stations such as BBC 6 Radio, or adjusting SoundSpaces. You can view the battery charge remaining and adjust volume via the app. Sadly, I couldn’t attempt pairing two Libratone speakers as I only have one available.

SoundSpace Settings:
• Neutral
• Easy Listening
• Soft & Comfortable
• Rock the House

• Jazz Club
• Movie Mode
• Live Concert
• Classical
• Speech

Read: Catalyst Introduces Waterproof Cases for iPhone 7 and Apple Watch 2

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Upon downloading and installing the app, it will be able to perform the following:

• Retrieve running apps
• Approximate location (network-based)
• Reroute outgoing calls
• Read phone status and identity
• Access USB storage filesystem
• Read the contents of your USB storage
• Modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
• View Wi-Fi connections
• Allow Wi-Fi Multicast reception
• Connect and disconnect from Wi-Fi

• Allow Bluetooth pairing by Application
• View network connections
• Pair with Bluetooth devices
• Access Bluetooth settings
• Change network connectivity
• Full network access
• Run at startup
• Prevent device from sleeping
• Modify system settings

Read: Mr. Robot Season 2 Release Date Announced for DVD/Blu-ray

Final Thoughts

Our results surpassed our expectations on the One Click portable speaker. It was a clear winner in features and performance over compared speakers such as the HK One. As I’ve stated, the Libratone One Click is not only a wonderful speaker with a range of attractive color options; it’s a true performer.

It takes up only a small footprint on a flat surface while delivering solid sound quality and battery life all at a reasonable price point.

With CES2017 approaching, here’s hoping we see some new products available in 2017.

Normally, the Libratone One Click speaker can be purchased directly from the Libratone website for $199.99. Fortunately for you, it’s $50 less right now through January 30th. At $149.99, this speaker is worth taking a long look at.

What do you think of this Libratone One Click speaker review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

Feel free to follow Libratone on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram as well as this very blog on Twitter and Facebook.

FTC Disclosure: Libratone provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Libratone One Click Bluetooth speaker sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Read: Triby Review: Alexa Smart Speaker

Harman Kardon One Speaker Review

12/05/2016 By Hakan Can

Harman Kardon One Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Harman Kardon is one the best-known brands in American consumer technology. Whether it’s for the home or auto, it’s an earned level of respect after decades of business. I first heard of Harman Kardon as a child when my father purchased one of their renowned solid state stereo receivers. Now that we’re a more mobile society, they have a footprint in the headphones and mobile speaker space. Whether it’s audio/video receivers, speakers, or headphones, they battle in a competitive landscape. So how does the HK One Bluetooth portable speaker stack up? Let’s take a closer look in this Harman Kardon One speaker review.

Pros:
• Handsome aluminum grill design
• Solid construction
• Power rating of 2 x 6W
• HTC Connect technology
• Comes with carrying case

Cons:
• Lack of color options
• Not water resistant
• Small 2000mAh lithium-ion battery
• Poor battery life ≤ 5 hours
• $200 price tag

Read: JAM Audio Xterior Max Speaker Review

HK One Design and Features

The HK One is a fine looking speaker. First off the design.

A dark, gray aluminum grill covers the HK One on top, front, and rear. A “harman/kardon” logo is placed dead center on the front. The grill pattern is covered end-to-end with a zigzagging grid to disperse sound. Not only does this addition enhance the speaker’s grip, but it also causes the aesthetic to be more dynamic and robust. The speaker’s underside is solid aluminum. Edges are beveled revealing a bright aluminum finish. Directly underneath the grill is a lighter gray material.

Be careful with the speaker. As it’s shaped like a brick, it too will sink like a brick if you drop it in water. It does not float

A black, rubbery material adorns the sides. On the left side, there are five buttons: Power, Decrease Volume, Increase Volume, Bluetooth, and Speakerphone. On the right, there are Aux and mini-HDMI jacks along with the LED indication for the battery. Play time is approximately five hours on a full charge, around two hours at maximum volume. Charging time was slightly more than two hours. Charging the battery is handled via the aforementioned mini-HDMI jack. Should you want to listen to music or a podcast via a cabled connection, that’s what the Aux port is for. The one issue to be mindful of is that fingerprints shine on the rubber material.

The speaker has overall dimensions of 68.2 x 68.7 x 180 mm (2.68″ x 2.71″ x 6.09″) While not a perfect rectangle; it’s only 0.5 mm off. Not enough for the human eye to notice the difference. The HK One weighs in at 2.06 lbs.

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Bluetooth Specifications

Bluetooth® core version: 3.0
Support: A2DP V1.3, AVRCP V1.5, HFP V1.6, HSP V1.2
Bluetooth® transmitter power: 0–4dBm
Bluetooth® transmitter frequency range: 2.402–2.480GHz
Bluetooth® transmitter modulation: GFSK, π/4-DQPSK, 8DPSK

What’s In The Box?

HK One Speaker
USB Charging Cable
USB Adapter
Manual

Read: Preview: JAM Voice Portable Speaker featuring Amazon Alexa

Audio Performance & Playlist

• Lady Gaga – Joanne
• Lana Del Rey – Born To Die, Paradise
• Emeli Sandé – Our Version of Events
• Ellie Goulding – Halcyon

• The Black Keys – El Camino
• 30 Second To Mars – 30 Seconds To Mars
• John Coltrane – The Ultimate Blue Train
• Rush – Clockwork Angels

As we often state here at Beantown, when reviewing speakers and headphones, the most important performance factor is the quality of sound. Using the playlist above, the HK One was tested across a broad range of music. Songs within each album were sampled against comparable $200 speakers selected from my collection. The results were most surprising, and not kind to the reviewed speaker.

It’s a sad moment when the only positive thing you can write about a product, in this case, a speaker, is its ability to deliver strong vocals. Upon reviewing the HK One against ten albums, I can definitively say that this speaker directs much of its sound to vocals, a bit too much to be exact. I’m not sure why it’s designed this way or even how the engineers at Harman Kardon would release a speaker without more of a balanced sound profile. The downside to that statement is that while strong, the vocals don’t come across the way I wish to hear them. While I liked Lana Del Rey’s vocal reproduction on Paradise, I wasn’t all that impressed. The same is said for Lady Gaga and Ellie Goulding.

When the HK One was compared song-to-song against the Libratone One Click, the latter delivered superior sound quality across all the sampled artists. The HK One underperformed against other $200 speakers. Bass drum and guitar sounds were almost non-existent with the HK One. Other drum sounds were flat. At this point, I thought there might be something wrong with my HK One. So I turned to the internet, comparing my findings against that of others. Upon reading over 30 reviews, the consensus was that the HK One was deficient in producing bass sounds. A $200 speaker that has 12W of total power shouldn’t be weak in this area.

At the maximum volume setting, the music sounds messy. For example, the jam sessions on Clockwork Angels were not pleasant to listen to. I can’t make such a statement with the Libratone One Click. I stood in different spots in my 300 ft² entertainment room, as well as adjacent rooms, and the sound quality did not improve. What I heard across the 100 Hz – 20 kHz spectrum was not ideal.

Adding insult to injury was the HK One’s poor battery life. Not to be repetitive, but a $200 speaker shouldn’t have a small 2000 mAh lithium-ion battery. It should have a battery with twice the capacity. The HK One has an overall battery life of close to 5 hours. At the maximum volume setting, it only yields a paltry 2 hours of life.

Read: Mr. Robot Season 2 Release Date Announced for DVD/Blu-ray

Final Thoughts

In our testing, we had high hopes for the HK One. On the one hand, the HK One is a handsome speaker with an appealing design. It takes up a small footprint on a desk. On the other hand, the sound quality and battery life are disappointing for a speaker at its price point.

Harman Kardon has a handful of other speakers on the market like the Go+Play and the Onyx. And with CES2017 around the corner, we should see some new products available in early 2017. Maybe they’ll have the right speaker at the right price point for you.

Usually, the Harman Kardon One speaker can be purchased directly from the HK website for $199.99. Fortunately for you, it’s sold out, but it’s available at Best Buy often for less than half list.

What do you think of this Harman Kardon One speaker review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

Feel free to follow Harman Kardon on Twitter and Facebook as well as this very blog on Twitter and Facebook.

FTC Disclosure: Harman Kardon did not provide Beantown LLC with a speaker sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Read: Triby Review: Alexa Smart Speaker

Preview: JAM Voice Portable Speaker featuring Amazon Alexa

11/20/2016 By Hakan Can

JAM Enters the Amazon Alexa Foray with the JAM Voice Portable Speaker

It wasn’t that long ago when Amazon introduced Alexa, their voice assistant platform, to the world. Now with over 3 million Alexa-enabled products in use in the U.S. alone, and growing by the day, you knew it wouldn’t be long before other brands jumped on the Alexa A.I. bandwagon. About a month ago, the folks at JAM Audio announced their first Alexa-based smart product, the JAM Voice portable speaker.

According to John Mikkola, Director of Product Development, “Since the inception of JAM Audio, our mission has been to provide consumers with high-quality products that utilize the latest technologies at significantly lower prices. Our latest offering, JAM Voice™, provides everyone a chance to enjoy the convenience of a virtual assistant, making daily life tasks easier.”

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The Jam Voice portable speaker with Amazon Alexa has the following features:

On-Product Features:
• Microphone Button
• Play/Pause Button
• Volume Down/Previous Track Button
• Volume Up/Next Track Button

• On/Off Button
• Reset Button
• Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Mode Selector
• Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Light
• Battery Light

After downloading and logging into the JAM WiFi and Amazon Alexa apps to your mobile phone or tablet, you’ll be able to ask Alexa a question, play music from Amazon library, and stream music from Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Pandora. The JAM WiFi app also allows you to play music on multiple JAM Voice speakers. The JAM Voice™ even can act as an intercom to other connected speakers, create alarms and timers, and control certain smart home products.

Read: JAM Audio Xterior Max Speaker Review

Specifications

• Model Number: HX-P590
• Product Dimensions: 3″ x 3″ x 3″ or 0.37 Feet³
• Color Options: Black and White/Gray
• Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Ready

• Operating Time: 4 Hours
• Charging Time: 3 Hours
• Weight: 0.61 lbs
• Warranty: 1 Year Limited

Package Contents: speaker, USB charging cable, and documentation.

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Read: Triby Review: Alexa Smart Speaker

Summary

The JAM Voice™ Wi-Fi/Bluetooth speaker can be purchased directly from the JAM Audio website for $79.99, or from Amazon (see below.) Check Amazon often as we saw the white/gray speaker priced for $20 less.

Now through December 11, everything on the JAM Audio website is 30% off with coupon code CYBER.

What are your initial thoughts on the JAM Voice portable speaker with Amazon Alexa? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

Feel free to follow JAM Wireless Audio on Twitter and Facebook as well as this very blog on Twitter and Facebook.

This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Read: Caseco Shock Express Metallic Case, Core 360, and Mountie Car Mount Review

JAM Audio Xterior Max Speaker Review

09/26/2016 By Jonathan Dery

Beat by Beat: JAM Audio Xterior Max Speaker Review

If a heart were augmented to transmit music and amplify the sound throughout two floors, it would be a close neighbor to the Xterior Max Portable Bluetooth Speaker from JAM Audio. From dynamic quality to refreshing sound clarity, JAM Audio has done it again. They stand as an underdog in a competitive field; with their newest device, they now have a beating heart. Let’s take a closer look in this JAM Audio Xterior Max Speaker Review.

If you’re about to make a purchase on a JAM Audio product, what I say next will be music to your ears. Right now, JAM Audio has a 30% off sale sitewide. Enter the code: CYBER during checkout.

Pros:
• Great Sound, Strong Bass
• Water-Resistant Protection
• Battery Life of 12 Hours
• Solid, Rugged Construction and Feel
• Attractive Price ~ $100

Cons:
• Lack of Color Options

Read: New Speck Apple iPhone 7 Case Designs Are Introduced

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Xterior Max Body: Design and Features

Black and gray are separated on a dense, ergonomic rubber. This material fulfills two functions: dexterity and desire. On one hand, the material sufficiently clings to the fingertips and is drop, dirt, and waterproof. On the other, it is the perfect balance of smooth with the slightest degree of friction, enticing touch, and satisfying fruition. The speaker has an IP67 rating with dimensions of 7.87 x 3.35 x 2.76 inches.

The two wider sides, implanted with holed panels to disperse sound, are zigzagging grids. Not only does this addition enhance the speaker’s grip, but it also causes the aesthetic to be more dynamic, robust, and meticulously finessed. A creative multi-serving installment to not only reinforce the speakers but the consumer’s confidence in their purchase.

On the underside, there’s a screw mount to adapt the speaker to a bicycle rack or something more stationary such as a stand.

There are six buttons on top: Power, Skip Back, Play/Pause, Skip Forward, Decrease Volume, and Increase Volume.

In addition to the top button scheme, there’s an Aux, DC, and battery jack on the left flank, all ergonomically spaced, sized, and labeled. Happening upon a device both simple and versatile is rare. Charging time was approximately an hour.

Jam Xterior Max feels like a standalone device, not a rough stand-in version, built deficiently and disposable, to force consumers into purchasing the newest model the following year. A brave and noble act by a company swamped in a market of greed.

Also, there’s just something about its precise weight, 2.85 lbs to be accurate, that feels… masculating. (⇐ This is a word, just not familiar enough to be marked as one.)

Be careful with the Xterior Max. While it’s built and shaped like a brick, it too will sink like a brick if you drop it into a swimming pool. It’s not a floating speaker.

Read: The New Case Logic Urban Commuter Laptop Backpacks for Men and Women

What’s In The Box?

Xterior Max Speaker
USB Charging Cable
USB Adapter
Manual

The Pulse

JAM Xterior Max calls to your heart, or at least reverberates within your chest.

At the maximum volume setting, JAM Xterior Max confidently straddles the line between gorging and shattering the consumer’s eardrums. However, it may land the user in a bit more trouble if they cannot hear the police knocking at their door. In this writer’s case, the Emerson College Police.

Even at the highest volume setting, coupled with the quaking bass, it is still possible to discern each sound within a song. The power and clarity of JAM Xterior Max transcends sensory ingestion to produce one pure effect: palpability. It vibrates through you. From Kanye West to Beethoven, this speaker is just as versatile as it is powerful.

Playlist

Rap/Hip-Hop: Drake, Frank Ocean, Kayne West.
Indie Rock: Glass Animals, Oh Wonder, Simon and Garfunkel.
Classical: Beethoven and a few German-composed symphonies.

Read: Speck's New Back To School Backpacks for 2016

Overall

Decades ago, avid and casual listeners, alike, would click a record into their record player and listen to sensational songs through the device music deserved. Since then, there has been an apocalyptic decline in this listening format, as well as the quality of current speakers, in comparison. So far, it seems that the JAM Xterior Max portable Bluetooth is a welcome runner-up in this digital age.

Though the sound quality still cannot match that which is produced from record players, the device is compact and attractive, convenient and intuitive, and geared with such crisp, booming quality that it is clearly a formidable contender in the speaker market. JAM Xterior Max is not a generic forearm sized pill with a “b” slapped in the middle, along with a gross overprice. It is cost efficient, security efficient, and sound efficient to a degree far above its towering competition.

With appeal and quality like this, JAM Xterior Max just hit the perfect note, and hopefully, for its competitors, struck the wrong chord. It’s difficult not to get behind such an earnest heart.

The JAM Xterior Max speaker can be purchased directly from the JAM Audio website for $119.99, or from Amazon (see below) for $99.99.

What do you think of the Xterior Max portable speaker? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

Feel free to follow JAM Wireless Audio on Twitter and Facebook as well as this very blog on Twitter and Facebook.

FTC Disclosure: JAM Audio Inc. provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Xterior Max Bluetooth speaker sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Read: Triby Review: Alexa Smart Speaker

Review: Antec’s SugarCube Portable Mini Bluetooth Speaker

12/31/2015 By Tom McLaughlin

Introducing The SugarCube From Antec Mobile Products

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A First Glance At The Powerful Mini Bluetooth Speaker

Antec is a big player in the PC Hardware space. Their mobile products branch, A.M.P., has made a name for itself throughout 2015 by introducing quality accessories for your mobile devices. One of this year’s additions to their catalog is the SugarCube, a portable Bluetooth mini speaker that can be taken with you anywhere. In addition to being powered with a 40mm driver, the SugarCube happens to look great with its compact design. But, does it deserve all the attention?

A Closer Look At The SugarCube

For the last week, I carried the mini speaker everywhere around Boston. I slipped it into my jacket and backpack and kept it nearby for any occasion. The portability of the SugarCube is definitely one of it’s best features. At 3.2 ounces, the added weight isn’t noticeable. And with a dimensional volume of 2 x 2 x 2-Inches, it can fit nearly anywhere. With that said, it does need a break to recharge after 6-8 hours of use, with a charging time of between 3-4 hours.

Upon unboxing, the SugarCube is immediately ready for use. All you have to do is 1) flip on the power switch located at the bottom of the mini speaker, and 2) connect your device to the mini speaker via Bluetooth sync or by using the included 3.5mm auxiliary cable. The case also comes with a micro USB cord for recharging the mini speaker when the juice runs out.

The SugarCube is compatible with all major operating systems: Windows 10, Apple iOS, and Android, as well as any laptop, tablet, phone, and mp3 player with Bluetooth capability. And if the music gets interrupted by a call, the mini speaker comes with a built-in microphone so that you don’t have to switch over to your phone to talk.

The smooth compact design is complemented by its rubberized outer layer and rounded edges. The mini speaker is small enough to fit on any desk or shelf. It comes in a variety of colors to fit gracefully into any environment.

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Image Credit: Antec Mobile Products

If you do put the SugarCube down for a bit, the Bluetooth has a range of 10 meters (about 30 feet). In my little apartment, this was perfect. I could leave it in one room, take my iPhone 5s with me to another, and never hear any bumps in the sound, even from across the apartment.

That brings me to the real issue.

Read: How The FixMeStick Cleaned My Desktop Computer, A Review

The Sound Quality

To test out the sound quality of the SugarCube, I used a playlist put together by Jam Audio. If you want to see the songs I used, check them out here.

The first thing I noticed with the SugarCube was how loud it could get. The output power is just 3 Watts. Unfortunately, the second thing I noticed was the distortion at high volumes. When it comes to bass, the speaker is great in regards to its size, but it’s important to remember that this is a small device, so it won’t be able to produce the kind of bass that will envelop you. After having turned the volume up, the mini speaker struggled with its range although sound had filled the room. With one of the songs on the playlist, Brass Monkey by the Beasty Boys, the SugarCube had difficulty with some of the deeper bass sounds. I noticed this with other songs that were punctuated with low-frequency bass as well. Even when I turned the volume down, it didn’t make a huge difference–the distortion still lingered.

In most situations, keeping the SugarCube just below the maximum volume solves the problem. It is a little disappointing that the mini speaker can’t fully perform at the highest volume.

In my review, the SugarCube was best used in an environment where you want music to be playing, but not having to fill the whole room. Studying, reading, cooking, relaxing, hanging out with friends any calm activities that beg for ambiance, but not filled with noise are ideal uses for this product. It’s better than built-in speakers in terms of sound quality, but it won’t surpass them in volume.

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[Tweet “Antec is offering 30% off on all their products until January 10th. Just use the Code: NEWYEAR30”]

The Verdict

Overall, I’m pleased with the SugarCube. The physical design looks great, the portability is fabulous, and the sound isn’t too bad. But, if you’re looking for something with a rich, powerful sound, this mini Bluetooth speaker may not be for you.

At a retail price of $45, it’s a good buy! And at that price, it’s on par with other quality portable Bluetooth mini speakers. With an Amazon.com price of around $25, it’s an even better buy.

If you act now, Antec is offering 30% off on all their products until January 10th. Just use the Code: NEWYEAR30. That’s a pretty sweet deal! You don’t have to follow them on social media to get that discount. If you want to keep up with the latest from Antec or AMP, feel free to follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

Do you think the portability of the AMP SugarCube mini speaker makes it a worthwhile buy? Do you already own one and if so, what do you think of it? Did I get it this mini Bluetooth speaker review right? Feel free to tell me what you think in the comments section. Or better yet, reach out on social media.

FTC Disclosure: Antec Inc. provided Beantown with one SugarCube mini speaker sample for review purposes. We’re not paid ambassadors. Our opinions are purely our own.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Antec Inc. and/or Beantown LLC.

Read: The Aeolus Laptop Cooling Pad from Enermax: A Review

Review: The Qube from Matrix Audio

12/25/2014 By Hakan Can

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Updated: Filed in the better late than never category comes the Qube, the universal pocket speaker from Matrix Audio. Over the past few months (you heard me correctly–I said months, not weeks or even days) I’ve been testing this speaker against an array of portable mini speakers. When I received the Qube, I had wondered how it would compare in the sound department. Suffice to say I was not disappointed. It has become my go-to solo speaker whether in or away from my home office. Over this period of time, I’ve been impressed with not only the sound but its consistency to reproduce that sound months later. No lemons here.

The first thing one notices is how stunning the speaker looks. It’s a well-manufactured beautifully-crafted piece of equipment. It’s sharp looking in its black aluminum finish (available in five other colors: silver, red, blue, pink and purple, see photos) but it’s also sturdy and has some weight to it, 78 grams to be specific. Now, not only is the speaker sturdy, but the packaging is as well. To this day, this packaging, even after a few months, is where I store the Qube when not in use. If you choose to discard it, don’t forget the packaging is 100% recyclable which is important to so many of us.

The speaker is aptly named as a universal pocket speaker. It’s 38mm in each axis thus the name Qube. One can easily and comfortably carry it around in their pocket; I’m not just saying that. It fits well whether in ones pants or shorts front pocket. If you’re afraid it may get scratched, use the ultra-suede carrying pouch and transport it in your purse or satchel. It takes up so little volume that you actually may forget that it’s there. The design is straight forward. On the back side, there’s an On/Off button as well as a micro USB connection. Simply hold down the power button for a few seconds and a blue LED activates, and then you’re good-to-go. To shut it down, use the same method until the blue light deactivates. There’s no volume slider, but then again, what’s the point of having one. Whatever device you connect the Qube to i.e. laptop, smartphone, etc. has volume control so no need for redundancy.

So you ask…how does its 3 watts of audio sound? Pretty good in fact. For sound testing, I use the same 4-5 artists for consistency while constantly plugging and unplugging various speakers for comparisons sake. These artists are 30 Seconds to Mars, John Coltrane, Lana Del Ray, Muse, and now Zedd. Testing the latter first, the Qube was strong and clean in vocals and higher frequency mid-ranges while a bit short in the bass area, which didn’t surprise me base don its design. In testing similar sized speakers, the opposite is true: more boom in the bass and weaker in the vocals. Now we all have different tastes but I’m willing to sacrifice some bass for tighter vocals. And if you need a second opinion, watch what happens with those collapsible portable speakers at mid-to-high volume while listening to say Lana Del Ray’s title track Born to Die. The speaker hops around like one of those novelty Mexican jumping beans. I can’t tell how often those other speakers jumped off my desk and shelves. Thanks to the heft and low center of gravity, there’s no stage diving for the Qube. That last thing I want is a kamikaze speaker. Call me crazy but I would like to use it again. (In case you’re wondering LDR sounded amazing.) Of all the music genres sampled, I’d say Jazz sounded best with Coltrane’s sax on Lazy Bird sounding dynamite, closely followed by the sounds of Muse and LDR.

If you’re looking to purchase the Qube but don’t see it in your favorite online or retail store, you need not look any further than the manufacturer’s website: www.matrixaudio.com. It retails for the price of $39.99. If the Qube isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, Matrix Audio has recently introduced the Qube 2, a universal Bluetooth portable speaker which retails for $79.99. Also available from MA is the NRG which lists for $29.99 and the ONE for $69.99.

For those of you who will be attending CES2015, feel free to visit their booth. The Bayan Audio booth is located at the LVCC North Hall, Booth 6627.

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All photos are courtesy of Matrix Audio

The Soundbook X3 by Bayan Audio

06/19/2014 By Hakan Can

Bayan Audio Soundbook X3

Updated: Now most of you folks have never heard of Bayan Audio. After reading this piece, you may want to check them out, especially if you’re in the need for what I’ve written below. Bayan Audio has three products under the Soundbook designation, the Soundbook, the Soundbook Go, and the Soundbook X3. I had the pleasure of trying out the latter for a number of weeks. The Bayan Audio Soundbook X3 is a Bluetooth wireless speaker. While there are plenty of Bluetooth speakers available on the market, what sets the Soundbook X3 apart from the pack is its elegance and superior sound. Let’s be honest, most large Bluetooth speakers look somewhere between boring to awful. Do you really want to purchase a product with this description? Sadly, some of you have already made this purchase, but I know I don’t want to.

The X3 is available in two color styles: silver with blue trim and black with orange trim. I’ve only gotten to see the former but I’ve got to admit, from the photos, the latter looks pretty sweet. Even the packaging is sweet and I highly recommend keeping it. As for the X3 dimensions, it’s about the size of a 500 page novel, 9.25” x 4.72” x 1.75” to be specific. Its power output is 20 watts consisting of four 1.5” long throw neodymium (yeah that’s a word) drivers and one 3” passive bass radiator driver. The speaker is run using 100 – 240 volts at 50/60 Hertz. The frequency range is 60 Hz – 20 kHz with a THD of less than 2%. And all of this clocks in at 3.17 lbs. So how is the battery life you ask? It plays music for up to 10 hours at 50% volume on a single charge. And when the battery gets low, the word “LOW” flashes in LED lights on the face of the unit. When this happens, the volume is capped at 50%. In my testing, a complete recharge of the battery takes about 7 hours, give or take an hour. So begin your recharge at 11 PM and unplug it when you awaken at 6 or 7 AM.

I mentioned in the first paragraph that this product is elegant. The housing of the sound book is made from ballistic nylon with an aluminum casing. There’s a protective cover with one side ballistic nylon and the other a rubbery material, which when opened, becomes the stand to the speaker. As it turns out and not a coincidence, the color of the rubber base matches the LED lighting. When opened, the speaker leans back and rests on an angle. (See photos.) When closed a hidden magnet prevents the cover from opening. On the rear of the unit, there are four inputs. From left to right, they are AUX In, Speaker Out, Power In, and a USB. You can even charge another device with this USB port. On the top of the unit, there are five buttons. From left to right they are Tune Down, Tune Up (both for FM radio), Power/Input, Volume Down and Volume Down. Just underneath the Power/Input button is the volume indication. Every time you press the Power/Input button, you change the mode. There are AUX, FM, and Bluetooth (version 4.0) modes which are displayed in the aforementioned LED lighting. All worked perfectly in the unit I tested. The unit also has NFC auto connect paring, an integrated antenna for the radio, and a built-in microphone. The latter comes in handy when conducting conference calls via Bluetooth.

So how do the X3’s 20 watts of audio sound? The short answer is it produces sound very well and envelopes a room, more like an entire floor, in that sound. While testing this I wondered what the point was in keeping my Dad’s old Aiwa stereo rack system. I takes up so much space and weighs so much. In this modern age, such racks systems aren’t really needed beyond the home theater/entertainment system. The speaker is well-balanced, with more bass than anticipated. Most of you will like this strong bass. Now I tested the X3’s abilities from both Bluetooth and via connection to my laptop. I do this for a couple of reasons: 1) I don’t like the sound processing of my LG mobile and 2) I very much like the sound processing of my Toshiba laptop. For this testing, I went beyond my rotating list of testing 4-5 albums. Instead I listened to a minimum of 20-25 albums, half from my cloud library. From Muse to The Killers to Lana Del Rey to Ellie Goulding to Tove Lo, all sounded well. I especially like listening to John Coltrane and Duke Ellington, with Latin instrumental guitarists Struntz and Farah taking the prize. Classical and jazz music production were top notch. The only sound that was a disappointment was Zedd’s Clarity. I don’t think this is X3 related as I’ve encountered this issue before with Zedd. When it comes to electronica, Zedd in particular, everything I’ve tried to date comes up short. I believe a high end system is best to produce what the artist has cooked up.
As this speaker produces a wide range of sound, it is suited for large rooms (300 sq. ft. and greater) as well as small, i.e. the bedroom. It is also ideal for outdoor settings, for instance a back porch, but I don’t recommend the beach. In my opinion, it’s too nice of a product to be around sand.

Included with each Soundbook X3 are the following:
• A multi-language manual
• A 3.5mm 3’ stereo audio cable
• A mains power adapter with 5’ cord
• EU and UK adapters for use with the charger

You can find Bayan Audio products at a variety of online retailers most notably Amazon. The X3 has a list price of $299 while the slightly smaller Soundbook lists for $199. If you have any questions, feel free to send a tweet or post a comment. I do respond.

For those of you who will be attending CES2015, feel free to visit their booth. The Bayan Audio booth is located at the Sands Expo Hall, Booth 74961.

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