wireless speakers – Tech Raman

SoundCore Model Zero Review – Punching about its weight!

Lakshmi Rajan — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 04:12:30 +0000

If you had asked me a few months back about SoundCore audio products, I would have shot back – What? SoundCore? Fortunately, I got to test a couple of their products which managed to change my perceptions to the extent that now I strongly believe SoundCore, a sub-brand of Anker is one of the most underrated audio company. They make some good stuff that can give the top guns in the industry run for their money. Here I have the SoundCore Model Zero that stands shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Bose SoundLink Revolve, UltimateEars Boom 3. It has a striking cheeky look, featuring a handle built into the grille itself, is it worth the salt? Here are my thoughts in the SoundCore Model Zero review.

Design of Model Zero

The speaker is a looker. It can be a décor piece in your living room. It has a quirky design like a handbag. It weighs a little less than 2Kg at 1955 grams and has dimensions of 256 x 128 x 240mm. It is also rated IPX5 which means it can withstand water exposure to an extend but definitely not advisable under water. The Model Zero is wrapped almost completely by a black grille except for a thin aluminum band that encases around the side. The handle is part of the black mesh grille and is very ergonomic design to pick it up and go. The bottom is flat with a rubber footer that keeps the speaker firm on the table. The ports and buttons are cleverly tucked into the design that they are invisible when you look straight at the speaker. The controls are on a black band on top of the speaker directly below the handle. There is the array of Bluetooth button, volume controls, multi-function and a “BassUp” button to boost the bass. The Bluetooth button lights up blue when the speaker is connected to your device. The power button is on the right side of the metal band. The power DC-in port and AUX port are tucked behind a waterproof flap at the back. Overall, the speaker would blend well into your home decor. It is eye-catchy. But does the design complement the performance? let’s find out.

Features and performance of Model Zero

Specs:

2 x 63mm woofer, 2 x 19 mm Tweeter, 2 Passive Radiators
Output: 60 W, Total Harmonic Distortion <= 1%
Hi-Res Audio Certified
Bluetooth Version 5.0
Supports HFP, A2DP, AVRCP
Aux In
Range: 20m / 66ft

When it comes to audio, the Model Zero definitely punches above its weight producing a warm sound that fills my living room. It offers a neat 360 degree of output thanks to its rounded shape and all-over grille. The speaker is hi-res audio certified, which means the sound is of a higher quality compared to what you would get from a CD, thanks to a sampling rate double the resolution of CD-quality audio – provided the file you’re playing back supports it. The sound does not feel deliberately boosted and stays faithfully close to the actual reproduction of the music. The trebles are crisp, mids are nicer and not overwhelmed by bass. I really liked the individual details of the complex notes you get treated to. Even the “BassUp” boost feature does not annoyingly pump up the bass which if you are a bass head would be a slight disappointment. Nevertheless, I liked the measured bass and overall treatment of the sound.

Then, there is the SoundCore app where you can fiddle around the equalizer settings, giving you more control over how you want the music to sound. There are different presets too.

Apart from the Bluetooth connectivity, there is the Aux input in case you want to hook it by wire but the connectivity options are limited to both these. There is no FM, no card reader. You can connect the speaker to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously.

Battery Life of Model Zero:

SoundCore claims a battery life of 10 hours and it takes almost three hours to fully charge the speaker. In my usage, I could get around 8-9 hours of music. Lack of USB charging might is a bit disappointing and the box carries its own power brick.

Verdict:

At the price of Rs 17,990, the SoundCore Model Zero is a premium mid-range wireless speaker. It impresses with its design and audio output as I said earlier, it does punch above its own weight. If you are someone who loves faithful reproduction of audio, with good clarity and overall roundness of collective notes, you would like the Model Zero, and hey it’s also a stunner to look at! ]]>

Astrum ST 150 SoundBox Bluetooth Speaker Review

Lakshmi Rajan — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 14:00:58 +0000

While Bluetooth speakers offer mobility and wireless advantages, a big reason I love checking out various Bluetooth speaker models are for the sheer quirky designs the manufacturers come out with. The speakers are available in various colors, shapes and designs and that attracts me a lot. Astrum is a Hongkong based company that manufacturers a range of computer accessories and speakers, what I got here is a pocket sized speaker and let’s see in this Astrum ST150 Soundbox Bluetooth speaker review how it fares in terms of design and performance.

Specifications:

Dimension: 124 x 47 x 20mm (L x W x H)
Weight: 115 gms
Bluetooth 4.0
Range upto 10m
Output: 5W x 2
Frequency response: 180Hz – 18kHz
Speakers: 32mm diaphragm (2 speaker)
Battery: 700mAh Li-Ion
Charging time: upto 2.5 hours
Play time: up to 4 hours

Box contents:

Speaker
Manual
microUSB cable
Lanyard cable

Design

Mouth organ musical instrument. That’s the first thought that came in mind when I opened the box and took a look at the device. The Astrum ST 150 is very compact and can be slid into trouser pocket. The build quality is top notch, the side has a metallic finish with chamfered edges giving it a neat, clean look. The oxidised color of the side panel makes it visually appealing. Even the power button on the right side has a quality build and sports a concentric patterned design, adding more marks to the design. Next to the power button is the microUSB port. To make carrying easier, there is an lanyard eye and the box includes a cable in case you want to use it. Sitting behind the front speaker grille are two 5 watts speakers.

Performance

Astrum ST 150 is a pint sized speaker and understandably I kept my expectations compact too. The speaker output is loud enough for the small size. The bass is weak though, if you are fond of it. The trebles are Ok but there is distortion if you crank up the volume to max. It should be noted the frequency response starts at 180Hz , so low frequency notes suffers but being a small speaker, it is ideally not for audiophile indulgence rather for better portability and sneaking it on your small bag or pocket and music on the go. There is a mic, so you can use it as a handsfree speaker phone to attend calls. The call quality is average. The Astrum ST 150 does not offer extra features like FM or SD card support. There is no aux input too.

Verdict

Astrum ST 150 retails around Rs 2700 in India which is quiet a hefty price undoubtedly. If you are looking for a pocket fitting Bluetooth speaker, Astrum ST 150 works well. Its handy and has a good build quality and you can listen on the go and is compact to drop in your pocket and move around.]]>

Logitech X50 mini wireless speaker launched in India; Priced at Rs 2,495

Lakshmi Rajan — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 11:05:21 +0000

Remember the X100 review we did sometime back? Logitech then followed it with X300 and now has outed X50 in the Indian market. Like the other two siblings, the X50 looks peppier, quirkier and playful and a compact bluetooth speaker for music on the go. Priced at Rs 2.495 the Logitech X50 Mobile Wireless Speaker is available in a range of colors – gray, yellow, orange or blue. Apart from the Bluetooth, the other connectivity options include auxiliary jack. A handy volume control is built-in. It has a wireless connection range up to 30 feet. Ashok Jangra, Cluster Category Manager, India & South West Asia, Logitech. “The Logitech X50 Mobile Wireless Speaker gives you exactly that. Deceptively loud for its size – and price – this speaker is highly portable and it makes a big scene wherever you go. Paired with its bright colors, you’ll see it’s a whole lot of fun.” So do you love wireless speakers? Did you like the Logitech X50? Do let us know.]]>

Logitech X100 Mobile Wireless Speaker Review

Lakshmi Rajan — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 23:58:08 +0000

The best thing I like about these Bluetooth wireless speakers? The quirky designs and colors. Many companies are coming up with interesting design language in various price formats making this segment really ‘hot and happening’. Logitech has a good portfolio of Bluetooth speakers including their top-of-the-line Boombox series. They also have some really cool affordable speakers and today we have Logitech X100 wireless speaker falling in the $60 price bracket. In India it has a MRP sticker price of Rs 2,995. In our Logitech X100 wireless mobile speaker review, let’s take a look at the good, bad and I don’t think there would be anything ugly about it but still – we will rest our case at the end. The X100 comes in a well-thought of package that gives a good view of the product within. With design playing an important factor to attract consumers, the package does justice to it. The box contents includes a manual, a USB cable and the portable speaker. Surprisingly there is no power adapter included, so you may have to use your phone or tablet power adapter to charge the speaker or the PC / laptop via the USB cable. The X100 is a pretty basic device. It looks like a rounded lunch box with a smooth protrusion with a closed gap where a short lanyard (included with the device) can be attached to. The front face of the speaker has a plastic mesh with an interesting asymmetrical visual pattern made out of the perforations. At 3.35-inch diameter, the X100 is portable and can fit easily into any travel bag and also to carry it around. The included nylon strap is secured through plastic nubs but it feels delicately attached that I feel it might giveaway any time. So I prefer not to hang the speaker for much. The body initself is made out of a combination of plastic and rubber. Apart from the plastic mesh, there casing is made out of rubberized material and offers good grip and feels sturdy. Along the perimeter, the controls are nested as if etched to the case. There is a plus and minus buttons for volume controls, between them is a Bluetooth connecting button and then there is a small power button spaced slightly away. There is a ring along the buttons and they give a warm blue glow. The bluetooth button also works as play/pause button. Follow the sides and you will find an audio input, a Micro-USB port. The cut-out are neat with smooth edges giving extra brownie points to the premium feel. The rear has the company name and logo etched into subtly.

How does it perform?

The X100 has a single 2.5inch speaker driver perched inside. For the small size, Logitech X100 throws very good audio output. It delivers surprisingly good mid-range and treble frequencies. The volume also maxes out pretty nice considering the size of the device and even at the maximum volume, it handles well the high frequency sound. Of course it does not out a stereo sound and we have to content with the monaural output. For an average music buff looking forward to a decent wireless speaker at a budget price, X100 performs decently good enough though a good ear can pick the lack of depth in the output. With a built-in microphone, the X100 also can double as a hands-free device to attend phone calls, though it is not very great at the department giving out a muffled output but you can manage with it for your random calls while you are kitchen stirring the pot or building a lego for your son. The bluetooth range of the X100 is manageable if not the 10meter range, it should see through a wall or two and 15-18 feets. The X100 gives a 5 hours playback and recharges back fully in 1 hour.

The final call

So is X100 worth the bucks? Absolutely. For US $50 or INR 2,990 it offers a good package – good looks, decent performance for the price, sturdy build quality. It’s a no-frills speaker and if you are looking for a portable, lightweight speaker to carry around at home or as a travel companion, X100 is a good choice.]]>

Corsair acquires Simple Audio, Launches GO Compact Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Lakshmi Rajan — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 09:50:38 +0000

Corsair has announced that the acquisition of UK-based Simple Audio founded in 2008 with an aim “to create a new high-definition sound system that would open up the world of digital music for everyone”. Fresh after the acquisition of the young company, Corsair today launched the Simple Audio GO Compact portable speaker in India for Rs 6,999. A compact, portable wireless speaker, GO Compact works on Bluetooth 3.0 technology and it is compatible with iOS or Android-based smartphones and tablets. The speaker includes a separate bass reinforcing driver and two stereo speakers. With a built-in microphone and echo-cancelling technology, it also can act as a hands-free speakerphone.

Simple Audio GO Compact Specifications

Compact design easily fits in bag and backpack
Full-range speakers and tuned bass port delivers surprisingly big sound
Bluetooth 3.0 A2DP stereo enables wireless streaming of audio with virtually any smartphone or tablet
Built-in rechargeable battery lasts up to 8 hours and can be charged via USB port
Integrated microphone for speakerphone support with smartphones

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Logitech X100 Wireless Speaker launched in India at Rs. 2,995

Lakshmi Rajan — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 18:38:49 +0000

NudeAudio Move Series of Portable Bluetooth Speakers now available in India, Exclusively on Flipkart

Lakshmi Rajan — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 17:13:57 +0000

Rapoo A3060 Bluetooth Mini Speaker with voice prompt launched in India

Lakshmi Rajan — Wed, 29 May 2013 04:12:20 +0000

Portable Bluetooth speakers are quiet handy and is one of my must-have gadget at home and on move, recently I did a review of Logitech Mini BoomBox. Now Rapoo has launched in India A3060 bluetooth mini speaker which comes in vibrant colors and has a ‘can‘ny look. [gallery link="file" ids="3759,3760,3761,3762,3763"] Rapoo A3060 has an interesting design and sits pretty like a designer can. With 6 colors to choose from, it can satisfy your color-sense. What would be the ‘talking’ point of the speaker is the inbuilt voice prompts that signals during events like the power on/off, paired, connected, disconnected, or low battery modes. Most other mini speakers uses only LED and beep indicators. Similar to Logitech Mini Boombox, the speaker also doubles as speakerphone with a touch controls on top to toggle between phone and music modes. Working on Bluetooth 4.0 technology, A3060 has a 10 meter working range. The company claims it’s inbuilt rechargeable battery juices up in 2.5 hours to deliver a 10 hours of music playback. About the audio quality and performance? We will update you at our review section as soon as we get our hands and ears on it. RAPOO A3060 wireless Bluetooth mini speaker is priced at a MRP of Rs 4,299 and comes with a 2 years replacement warranty. ]]>

Logitech launches UE Boombox Bluetooth speakers in India

Lakshmi Rajan — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:17:21 +0000

Few weeks back we reviewed Logitech mini Boombox and came out impressed with the ultra portable wireless speakers. Strengthening further their Boombox wireless portfolio, Logitech has launched UE Mobile Boombox and UE Boombox portable Bluetooth speakers in India as part of it’s Ultimate Ears line-up of audio accessories. The Boomboxes comes in interesting form and color options and features.

Key Features of Logitech UE Mobile Boombox Bluetooth Speakers

Doubles as a speakerphone with a built-in mic
Pair up to 8 Bluetooth-enabled devices
Connect up to two devices at the same time
Metal finish, vibrant accents and a grip-action rubber casing
Two 1″ Full-range drivers
Micro USB rechargeable battery has up to 10 hours of battery life
Price: Rs. 8,995

Key features of Logitech UE Boombox Bluetooth Speakers

Pair up to 8 Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Connect up to 3 devices at the same time
Sculptured aluminum handle to carry to easily
Two 0.5″ Tweeters, Two 3″ Woofers and Four 2 5/8″ Passive Radiators for thumping audio
Rechargeable battery has up to 6 hours of battery life between charges
Price: Rs. 21,995

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