First off let me proudly say that my college days of throwing obnoxiously loud house parties where the sheer volume of the party may or may not have attracted the presence law enforcement are far behind me.  Because of this, I no longer need the biggest, loudest most industrial looking speakers that appear that they were taken out the back door of a Pearl Jam show.  I now look for speakers that are portable, have crisp sound with a balanced range of highs, mids, and lows, have a long battery life and pair easily with my phone.  Check, check, check and check. 

Out of the box, the Tronsmart Element T6 is attractive and has a nice weight to it.  Not too heavy to be a burden if you want to put it in a bag for an outing but heavy enough to have that good feel in your hand…you know what I’m talking about, right?  The size comes in at 7.68″ tall with a 2.95″ diameter with a weight of 19 ounces.  All about the same as a small water bottle.  The body of the speaker is wrapped in a soft woven mesh that has a nice texture but doesn’t interfere with the sound of the speaker. Color options for the mesh covering are black as shown in this review and also red.

Pairing with my iPhone 7 plus was a breeze, just turn it on and it is already in Bluetooth pairing mode and quickly showed up on my phone’s Bluetooth menu.  Once paired, it will pair with your phone automatically the next time you want to use it.  It also supports voice calls with its built-in microphone should you receive a call while listening to music.  Simply short press the phone button to answer and long press it to hang up and resume listening to music.

The design is very simple and elegant.  All of the controls are on the top of the speaker.  The gray, bezel-like ring at the top is actually the volume control, making it easy to adjust with a simple turn when needed.  The bottom of the speaker houses the subwoofer and is slightly raised by 3 rubberized feet to allow the sound waves to escape.  This feature gives a great low end if you are listening to anything with a little or a lot more bass.

Powered by a 5200mAh battery, Tronsmart claims that the speakers will run up to 15 hours…I did not test this, I will take their word for it though.  Charging time is 3-4 hours for a full charge and is accomplished through a micro-USB cable (included).  The T6 does not support data transfer through the micro-USB so if you want to plug it into a device, you must use a 3.5mm audio cable (included).  Both of these ports are found in the same place on the side of the device and are protected by an attached rubberized cover.

The 360° surround sound makes listening to music uniform, no matter your position in relation to the speakers.  I was pleased with the sound quality and range of sound I experienced both inside and out.  Are there crisper sounding speakers or ones that will direct sound further in an outdoor environment?  Sure.  But for the price point of $45.99 on Amazon, these would be hard to beat in my opinion.

Pros: Affordable price; very respectable sound quality, volume, and range; long battery life; simple controls and Bluetooth pairing; automatically reconnects to your device after initial pairing; attractive design.

Cons:  Does not support digital data transfer through the micro-USB, and instead relies on an analog 3.5mm audio jack, which reduces audio quality in the occasion you don’t have Bluetooth; not water resistant; the User Manual recommends keeping the device out of direct sunlight or hot places (I don’t know if this is just a precaution for an electronic device or if it is a real problem.  I know most of the time I am outdoors, I am in the sun but I still plan on using this).

Overall I think the T6 from Tronsmart is a great option for those looking for a very solid portable Bluetooth speaker but don’t want to break the bank.  If you are in the market for a portable, easy to use Bluetooth speaker with very good sound quality, I would definitely recommend you consider the T6.

The sample for this review was provided by Tronsmart and can be purchased on Amazon.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Bluetooth speaker

Tronsmart Element T6 Wireless Speaker review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 29, 2017 at 12:53 pm.

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You gotta love promotional videos for outdoor Bluetooth speakers. There always seems to be young, beautiful people in great shape running and laughing near water. Reality is more like an overweight guy (me) plopping himself down on Cocoa Beach and sweating in the humidity and heat while my beautiful wife complains that the music is too loud. Oh well, at least the Braven Stryde 360 portable Bluetooth speaker I’m testing sounds good.

As someone who has reviewed many Braven speakers, I’m always amazed how they come out with so many models priced for anyone’s budget—from the $50 105 palm-sized speaker to the monstrous $300 BRV-XXL—not to mention a line of quality home speakers. The new Stryde 360 Bluetooth speaker fits into the lower-priced range but with a few extra features.

The portable Stryde 360 is made for the outdoors. It has IP67 waterproofing (it can be completely underwater up to 3 ft. for 30 minutes) in a tough, plastic exterior. It’s circular shape can fit into some (but not all) car cupholders—think elongated coke can and you get the picture. The ends are circled in a bright, day-glow yellow/green color which helps the speaker be seen in the dark.

The circular shape allows sound to go in a 360° pattern, so it doesn’t matter where anyone is standing when near the speaker.

The body of the speaker is a neutral silver/gray with black rubberized buttons and port cover which protects charging, AUX and USB charging-out ports. The Stryde 360 has a built-in 2500MAH rechargeable battery that can recharge a smartphone—always a handy option for a portable speaker to have. Opposite the ports are on/off, Bluetooth pairing and play/pause/answer call buttons. There’s also an LED power status light which changes colors depending on the level of charge remaining. Battery life is a respectable 12 hours.

Pairing is simple with the Stryde 360. Just press and hold down the Bluetooth button until an audio signal lets you know it’s looking for a device to pair with. You should then see the Stryde in any smartphone Bluetooth settings. My iPhone 7+ paired without any issues. The Stryde remembers my iPhone, so when I come back to it, It re-pairs immediately. A nice feature is that the Stryde will shut itself down after 30 minutes of no signal. This helps prevent undesired battery drain.

Two passive radiators sit at each end of the tubular shape, giving the Stryde 360 a decent amount of bass for a speaker its size. Unfortunately, bass doesn’t travel far in the big outdoors since there’s not a lot that low-frequency sound waves to bounce off of. That’s not the Stryde 360’s fault, it’s physics. However, the speaker packs a satisfying punch when sitting close to it—as long as it’s placed horizontally. If set up vertically, one of the passive radiators is blocked and can alter the audio quality. There is some bass distortion at max volume, but that’s when the bass is at maximum levels in the recording itself.

Vocals (mostly middle frequencies) sound natural and up front.  This is good for two reasons: Music can sound more personal and talking (whether podcasts or radio) can be both strong and easily understood. Sometimes, larger and more bass heavy speakers can be problematic for spoken sources.

Higher frequencies on the Stryde 360 can border on harsh if the volume is pushed or the recording source is already a bit treble-happy. Most people are not fans of bright-sounding music, so this shouldn’t usually be an issue.

The Stryde 360 has speakerphones capabilities which work okay. The audio quality is much better than using only the iPhone’s speaker, but my voice comes across to the other person clearer using the iPhone’s mic as opposed to the Stryde’s built-in mic. Unfortunately, a lot of Bluetooth speakers suffer from inferior mics.

Music sounds a bit better than you might expect on a similarly sized speaker. Volume is more than adequate unless you’re trying to have a party. The Stryde 360 is better suited to a small circle of friends.

I prefer listening rock and pop on the Stryde 360. The main reason is that these genres usually have little subtlety. More challenging and complex music is too much for the small speaker’s abilities, especially outdoors, where the speaker is expected to be used. Blame that physics thing again.

Quibbling aside, I quite liked the sound of the Stryde 360. Even with the size limitations, music sounded fun and engaging. An extended version of the 80s classic “Cry” by Godley and Creme has an insistent beat with falsetto vocals that give a slightly expanded sound stage despite the restricted stereo of a single Bluetooth speaker. A less appreciated Godley and Creme gem, “Under Your Thumb” also sounds good on the Stryde 360. It sports fast synth playing that remains distinct with no muddiness in the sound.

Just for kicks, I chose a 50s country classic, “Blue, Blue Day” by Don Gibson. Both the vocals and guitar playing were sharp and clear although the drums and bass were a bit recessed due to the recording. The Stryde 360 was able to reproduce the clarity of the recording with ease. Audio from older recordings carries farther outdoors simply because the recordings were made for AM radio and are geared more for middle frequencies than most modern music.

That’s not to say if you like hip-hop or electronica, the Stryde 360 will disappoint you. The speaker will still sound good, it just can’t go as deep into the bass as a larger speaker can. Again, physics.

As I’ve said earlier, I have reviewed many Braven speakers. It’s interesting that they all have different sound signatures, some that I like and some, not so much. I like how the Stryde 360 sounds. It’s musical and extremely easy to operate.

Yes, I may never look as good as those laughing people in the promotional videos (I never did actually), but I still appreciate music everywhere I go. The Stryde 360 portable Bluetooth speaker goes anywhere without worrying about how wet or dirty it may get. And that’s exactly how it should be.

The Braven Stryde 360 portable Bluetooth speaker sells for $99.99 and is available from Amazon.

Source: The samples for this review were provided by Braven. Please visit their site for more information and Amazon to order.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Bluetooth speaker

Braven Stryde 360 Bluetooth speaker review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 7, 2017 at 8:00 am.

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There are lots of cheap Bluetooth speakers out there that get the job done. Style does matter, however, and there are times when you also want something that also looks good. If that’s your thing, the Archeer Portable Bluetooth Speaker is worth your consideration. Not only does it look good, but it performs really well and has some nice bonus features. It’s also pretty cost effective. Let’s go find out more!

Design and Construction

At 11” by 2-1/2” by 5-1/2” and weighing three pounds, The Archeer Portable Bluetooth Speaker is meant to be on display. And you’ll want it on display with it’s a classy, streamlined profile. It’s not real wood, but the light oak wood grain finish makes it hard to tell without close inspection. You’ve got two matte black speakers on the front face and a thin black leather carrying strap attached on the sides. Its sophisticated styling makes for an accessory that looks good in your office, your living room, or your rec room.

All the controls and ports are contained in a plate on the top of the device. There’s a standard power switch, a multifunction button to change modes, a play/pause button, and two buttons that serve both to switch music tracks and control the volume. You’ll also find three different ports: an aux in, a micro-USB port to charge the unit, and a standard USB port for connecting to your smartphone. There’s also a little LED screen to indicate status and functions. Everything is nicely spaced, clearly labeled, and the buttons all provide good tactile feedback.

While the Archeer Portable Bluetooth Speaker is designed to be portable, it isn’t made for outdoor adventures. It is neither weatherproof nor impact resistant, and it’s not compact enough to throw in your bag for a picnic or a beach trip. I think this speaker is made more for moving around the house, depending on where and how you want to rock your music.

The Archeer Portable Bluetooth Speaker has a curious collection of additional features. In addition to Bluetooth connectivity, the aux-in port enables you to use it as a speaker with any device that connects via the aux cable supplied in the package. It has a radio receiver with the ability to scan for local channels. The micro-USB port is designed for charging via the USB to micro-USB cable included, but you’ll need to bring your own power. There’s also a full-sized USB port that doesn’t offer any additional device connectivity but enables you to recharge your devices. With a built-in 4000mAh Li-ion Rechargeable Battery, there are an estimated 20 hours of playing time between charges (unless you are recharging your devices).

In Use

The Archeer Portable Bluetooth Speaker works great as Bluetooth-enabled speaker device. It pairs quickly and easily with our devices, has good sound quality. The additional features are a mixed bag, however. Let’s take a walk through the whole setup and operation.

The dedicated on/off switch powers up the device, and it plays a brief musical jingle to indicate that it is active, followed by a tone that lets you know it is paired with your Bluetooth device. While this is good audio feedback, it’s loud and there’s no volume control for this that I could find. It’s a minor annoyance, but may be an issue if you’re firing up the speaker when everyone else in the house or apartment is sleeping.

Pairing and disconnecting Bluetooth devices is particularly easy. Once you turn the speaker on, it automatically goes into “pairing” mode; a blinking blue LED light indicates that it is seeking a device to pair with. Hook up through the Bluetooth settings on your device of choice and a speaker tone and LED indicator notify you that you’re ready to go. You can disconnect and pair other devices on the fly. A speaker tone will indicate when you have disconnected your device, and the speaker goes back into “pairing” mode waiting for a new connection. I’ve found this feature to be very useful as I move about the house. I usually pair with my iMac in my office, and switch to my iPhone or iPad if I’m downstairs so I have direct access to my music or podcast controls.  Switching is quick, easy, and 100% reliable so far.

Sound quality is very good. My listening tastes are very diverse, and I’ve put these speakers through their paces with everything I’ve got: podcasts, rock, punk, old-school hip-hop, reggae, modern pop, classic R&B… you get the idea. Out of the box, the high and low ranges on these speakers are really well balanced regardless of style and will support adjustments from your device’s equalizer tools if available. There is no subwoofer for deep room-shaking bass, but I haven’t found this to be an issue. Audio is crisp and clear at any volume.

If there is one criticism I have about audio, it’s in the volume controls themselves. You press the “previous track/volume down” or “next track/volume up” button once to change your song, or press and hold the button to adjust the volume… as you would expect, this means that I have accidentally switched songs more than once when I wanted to adjust the volume. Volume adjustment is also independent of the volume control on your device, which can be frustrating if you don’t realize have the volume turned down on your device and up on the speaker (or vice versa). Honestly, I prefer to just keep the speaker at max volume and do all of my adjustments (including playback controls) from my apps. 

Archeer provides a generous 40” auxiliary cable as an alternative to Bluetooth connectivity. When you plug it into the control panel, the device automatically switches modes and indicates the change on the LED screen. Volume controls work just as they do in Bluetooth mode, with the ability to adjust the volume on either the speaker or your device. This gives you lots of options for connecting different devices. Just as an example, I plugged in my electric ukulele to try it out (yes… electric ukes are a thing). While it doesn’t sound as nice as a traditional amp, it’s quite convenient for plugging in and jamming. When you pull the plug, the speaker also reverts back to Bluetooth mode with no additional adjustments required.

The full-size USB port is only good for charging. The port on my unit is a little loose, so it requires some wiggling to engage on my iPhone. The LED panel has a little red light that indicates when it is charge mode. I would prefer to see this port to be fully functional as an alternative for playing music. It honestly feels like a throw-in feature, but serves the purpose if you need to charge your phone in an emergency. With a massive rechargeable battery on the speaker, I don’t expect that this will kill the charge too badly when in use.

Speaking of charging, I appreciate that Archeer also supplies a 40 inch USB to micro-USB cable for charging the device. Most of these devices provide a cable that is too short for practical use, so it’s nice to be able to reach your power source without moving the speaker around. With a 20-hour battery life, this adds to the portability of the device. I can go for days between charges, moving the speaker around the house as needed without being tethered to a power source. This also contributes to the overall design aesthetic of the speaker: no awkward ports or hanging cables to deal with in regular use.

Finally, the Archeer Portable Bluetooth Speaker comes with an FM radio receiver. You choose this my pressing the multifunction button until the radio settings appear, and use the next/last buttons to track local stations. The problem with this mode is that there is no external antenna, so reception (at least in my area) is spotty at best. Like the USB charging option, this feels like a throw-in feature that probably isn’t necessary.

Conclusions and Pricing

There’s a lot to like about the Archeer Portable Bluetooth Speaker. It looks great as an addition to any room, can be moved easily around the house, has excellent sound quality, and exhibits excellent behavior with Bluetooth-enabled devices. The extended battery life is outstanding, and the auxiliary port gives it additional extensibility for use with other devices in your house. While some of the added features aren’t as useful, they’re not deal breakers for me. You get a lot of good stuff here in a sophisticated package that’s easy to live with.

The other feature here is the price. At $39.99, it performs a cut above most cheaper speakers I’ve tested while adding some class to your bookshelf. And that’s not a bad thing at all. Check out the Archeer Portable Bluetooth Speakers on Amazon.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Archeer. For more info visit their site and Amazon to order.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Bluetooth speaker

Archeer Portable Bluetooth Speaker review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 31, 2017 at 10:00 am.

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