28 Jan
Blog

LG XBoom 360 review: Loud sound and lights for your home

LG XBOOM 360.

LG XBOOM 360

RRP $300.00

"The XBoom 360 keeps the party going with a sophisticated mix of loud sound, lights and DJ effects."

benefits

  • Beautiful, smart design

  • Gets noisy both indoors and outdoors

  • Includes USB and Aux-In ports

  • Excellent app support

  • LED lamp provides a nice ambience

disadvantage

  • No waterproofing

  • Battery life could be better

  • Doesn't always feel wearable

It's not a saying, but it makes sense that the bigger you build a Bluetooth speaker, the bigger the sound you should expect from it. But the bigger a speaker gets, the more of an eyesore it can become, as it needs to be heard but not necessarily seen.

LG's XBoom 360 makes us question that conventional wisdom. It's a big, powerful speaker that also blends into a home as a decorative piece, thanks to a sleek, lantern-like design, a built-in LED light, and a dedicated app that lets you do much more than just play music.

What's in the box

It's a big box, no doubt, but you won't find much inside. As well as the speaker itself, you get the power cord, a sheet of paper listing the various controls, a simple instruction manual, and that's about it. LG does not supply any other cables that could be connected to the XBoom 360.

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The LG Xboom 360 features a lantern-like design.Ted Kritsonis/Digital Trends

Burgundy is one of those colors that blends well in a variety of environments, much like the Charcoal Black and Peacock Green variants, and it's no wonder LG has tried to be bold without being loud in that way. It probably wanted the sound to do the loud part, which I'll come back to, but as a speaker it has a unique profile. Its tapered design gives it a decent height at 20 inches and weighs just under 13 pounds.

Despite its considerable height, it has a relatively small footprint, so you can place it in all sorts of places.

But despite its considerable height, it has a fairly small footprint, allowing you to place it in all sorts of places – much more so than conventionally shaped boom boxes. However, the height and slimmer base might make it easier to accidentally tip over if you bump into it.

LG wrapped the XBoom 360 in burgundy fabric, which gives it a nice, sophisticated look and a soft texture, but this isn't the kind of speaker you'd want to put within splashing distance of a pool. As much as LG might consider this thing "portable", it's not always a pleasure to move around. The top handle helps a lot, and the higher center of gravity makes it feel like you're carrying a heavier tote bag, but again, you have to consider where you're carrying it. forget the beach Sand will get all over it and with the fabric it will nest everywhere. Pools should be fine some distance from the water, but without a decent IP rating, this is a speaker you'll use at home, whether indoors or out in the safety of a backyard or patio.

That's not necessarily a bad thing. Beach-friendly speakers aren't hard to find, while large speakers that don't stick out like sore thumbs in a home can be. The XBoom's 360-degree sound is ideal for outdoor use, and LG has an "Outdoor EQ" mode for just that purpose, while the default setting cranks things down just enough to serenade you indoors.

This sound is driven by a 5.25" fiberglass woofer and 1" tweeter in an inverted cone-shaped baffle designed to deliver sound more efficiently and decidedly omnidirectionally. Basically, you should feel like the speaker sounds exactly the same no matter where you sit (or stand).

The LG XBoom 360 speaker has a handy handle.Ted Kritsonis/Digital Trends

The LED lamp in the open concavity faces the exposed woofer, adding a visual element to the XBoom 360. It's more mood lighting than something to brighten up a room, but it has both chill and party modes for ambience. There's a dedicated button to cycle through the lamp's different light modes, with the app digging much deeper to offer more customization options.

You can't create and save your own presets, so you'll need to further tweak the only custom preset to change the sound.

LG has placed ports at the bottom, including individual USB-A and Aux-In ports. The USB port doubles as a playback port and 5-watt charger for other devices, so you can use it for your phone or tablet in a pinch as well. LG didn't do the same for the aux line-in jack. So if you have designs for connecting a microphone and presenter, it will not let you. The power cord tucks in under the bottom, and it takes some time to wiggle it out if you want to go fully wireless.

setup and configuration

Pairing with the XBoom 360 was easy. After doing it with both an iPhone and an Android device, I then downloaded the app, which recognized the speaker immediately. Beyond the basics, the app acts as a controller for the speaker. The main buttons are clearly visible on top of the speaker, some of which even include Braille for the visually impaired.

The app includes an EQ with seven presets and a custom option that you can tweak to your liking. You can't create and save your own presets, so you'll always have to go back and tweak the only custom preset to change the sound. Otherwise, you can choose one of the other seven presets. This is separate from the aforementioned outdoor EQ, which cranks things up to get louder outside.

LG says the XBoom 360 will play with better quality and less distortion if you turn off an equalizer you might be using in a music app. I'm not sure I've noticed a significant difference either way, but it might be worth experimenting with.

The DJ functions allow you to interact with music playback in a fun way using sound effects. You get drum, club, and other options to create transitions or effects to overlay the track being played. It lays out a lot for you to get started, so don't start from scratch. Sampler Creator lets you record five seconds of any sound you want to play or emulate, then transfer it to DJ mode. After that, you can always play it over a song. If you've always wanted to be a hype man or say something about a favorite song, you might have fun with this one.

If you really want to get loud, the XBoom 360 supports the addition of a second speaker. You don't get stereo pairing for different left and right channels, just a mirroring of the audio being played by the master unit, making it ideal for larger parties where one might not be enough.

sound quality

The LG Xboom 360 features a lantern-like design.Ted Kritsonis/Digital Trends

LG wants to get loud with the Xboom 360, but not at the expense of the full audio spectrum. I realized this as I played through a variety of different tracks in different genres. Bass is clear enough, with the woofer doing the heavy lifting, and you'll notice it at lower volumes if you dial in Bass Boost in the EQ section.

Whether I've been playing something old school from Creedence Clearwater Revival or something current from The Weeknd, the speaker can handle whatever you throw at it in a playlist. It also played well at higher volumes, with distortion only kicking in at volumes that were just ridiculous for indoor listening.

The key is the mids, where instruments come through with some distinction.

The key is the mids, where instruments come through with some distinction. Large speakers sometimes drown out the mids to boost the lows and highs so they can get louder. LG maneuvers somewhere in between, letting you hear enough detail in a complex track to enjoy it for what it delivers. We're not talking audiophile quality here, mind you, because fans of hi-res sound are unlikely to be impressed. Finally, the XBoom 360 only supports the SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs, so your only other option is to play tracks via USB. I tried it, but didn't like the experience because of the general lack of consistency and control. Aux-in is easier as you control everything from the connected device.

I've also been hesitant to park it in a corner because of the spatial sound it's supposed to pump out. I tried it just to see if the sound coming from behind would bounce off the walls for a fuller or more concave effect, but I'm not sure if it was really there. As I placed it farther from the wall, it sounded less unidirectional and more omnidirectional than originally intended. It could easily cover an apartment or condo, and outside noise won't drown it out in the backyard. I wouldn't necessarily use it in a banquet hall for a wedding as stereo pairing might be better for such events.

What I found bizarre were the inconsistencies with the Bluetooth connectivity. For reasons I couldn't figure out (despite numerous troubleshooting steps), my Pixel 6 Pro never played well with the speaker and kept disconnecting, to the point where I had to repeatedly manually reconnect them. I haven't had any issues like this with a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or iPhone 13 Pro. There were disconnects and hiccups with both of these phones, except that they were due to distance or obstacles, e.g. B. if they were a few rooms away. With the Pixel 6 Pro, the phone could be two feet away and still drop the connection.

The LG Xboom 360 features a lantern-like design.Ted Kritsonis/Digital Trends

light effects

The Mood Lighting section gives you presets based on the type of effect you want. You can also tap My Choices to choose the color you want to see. The dynamics of the lamp depends on which mode you choose. For example, Ambient just keeps the light static, Nature goes with a slow pulse, and Party Pops with a more frenetic show. You choose the mode manually because the XBoom 360 doesn't have the intelligence to automatically switch it based on the tunes it's playing.

It would be unfair to describe the XBoom 360 as a full-fledged LED lamp, also because the light can only emit sideways depending on the location. It doesn't face forward like other party boxes, nor does it face upwards to bounce off walls and a ceiling at the same time. That might put a damper on the "party" side of the equation if you're looking for something more mainstream, but I can see what LG was trying to do here.

The XBoom 360 looks great as a speaker playing music and coming out of the ambient light. There's subtlety that a guy like me appreciates, but I acknowledge not everyone would agree. Even the party lights work for what they are. While I wasn't able to achieve the kind of depth or effects that a Philips Hue or Nanoleaf system could offer, I can say that the insertion of the lamp makes the speaker feel more like a decorative piece to display than a tech device to accessorise looks.

battery life

The LG Xboom 360 features a lantern-like design.Ted Kritsonis/Digital Trends

LG says the XBoom 360 can last up to 10 hours per charge, which is mostly true if you never explore louder volumes. As you almost certainly would, the actual number can vary anywhere from six to eight hours depending on how noisy it gets. The LED light is another battery hog if it's always on and active. You can also save battery by playing audio through the Aux-In port and leaving Bluetooth off.

The app will tell you how much battery you have left, but don't look for context about how much you could save by turning off the lights or turning down the volume. You can always plug it into an outlet to keep it charged. That can be a good idea considering it takes up to five hours to fully charge the speaker with a dead battery. No fast charging for this big guy.

Our opinion

LG launched the XBoom 360 for $400, and now it's easier to find at $300. That's not a bad price for what you're getting, provided you have a place to put it and feel mobile enough to take it to other parts of your home or outdoors. It definitely helps if you're entertaining people at home or like to throw parties and want something with lights and DJ mode.

Is there a better alternative?

If you want the DJ-style experience, there definitely is. the JBL party box 110 costs about the same and makes almost everything louder, including the lights. JBL has a whole range of such speakers at various price points, giving you some food for thought as to how big you really want to go. the Klangbock (Gen. 3) is a DJ-ready speaker if that's what you're looking for, despite paying upwards of $1,000 for it. On the budget side Anker's Soundcore Trance is not as big as a JBL party box, but has a handle and features a light show and up to 18 hours of battery life.

If you're thinking of a boombox, Monster's Blaster 3.0 is about the same price, except there's not much you can do with the audio profile that's there. Sony has its own SRS-XG500 Boombox for $450 that is more durable thanks to IP66 water and dust resistance.

How long it will take?

Keep it away from water and sand, and you'll likely see this thing play for years. The only other real threat might be playing it too loud for too long, but that's hard to predict. LG built it with components for a wide range of volume levels, so you should be fine. It offers a standard one-year warranty to cover malfunctions but not physical damage.

should you buy it

Yes, as long as it fits what you have in mind. By that I mean a larger speaker that takes up some space and is mostly played indoors or in safer outdoor environments. The app plays a key role in making the XBoom 360 what it is, and learning that part of it could pay dividends when it comes time to entertain a crowd at yours or someone else's.

Editor's Recommendations



12 Jan
Blog

JBL Flip 6 Review: Still Loud For Small Crowds

JBL Flip 6.

JBL Flip 6 in the test: Still loud for small crowds

RRP $ 130.00

"With the Flip 6, JBL keeps it inside and out in the family."

benefits

  • Solid build quality

  • Loud and clear sound

  • Lightweight and portable

  • Excellent water and dust protection

  • EQ offers some sound tweaks

  • Works with the JBL Portable App and PartyBoost

disadvantage

  • Stereo pairing with non-flip 6 JBL speakers not possible

  • Does not work as a speakerphone

  • Not much different from Flip 5

Bluetooth speakers are often a predictable lot where functionality and portability complement their good sound. But different speakers are designed for different situations. When it comes to the audience type, JBL is there. The Flip line fits that description exactly, and the company brings new models to market almost every year.

So don't expect any surprise from them JBL Flip 6. If you know what the Flip range of speakers is all about, you know you're getting plenty of bass and volume. Both are obvious as soon as you start the music. So what are the other perks that come from the few extras that JBL threw in?

What's in the box?

JBL Flip 6.Ted Kritsonis / Digital Trends

There isn't much to unpack on the Flip 6. JBL could downsize the packaging, or at least print a picture of the speaker's true dimensions on the page, so as not to create the impression that it is bigger than it actually is. In addition to the speaker itself, you will find a USB-C charging cable and a quick guide.

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JBL Flip 6.Ted Kritsonis / Digital Trends

You get the same cylindrical design and largely similar dimensions as its predecessors. JBL has reduced the height (7.0 inches), width (2.6 inches), and depth (2.8 inches) slightly to make it a bit smaller, albeit with effectively the same weight. Not that it weighs 1.21 pounds – it actually feels just as portable, so you can take it with you anywhere.

This also includes everything to do with water thanks to an official water and dust resistance rating. Unlike previous Flip versions, JBL has given this one an IP67 rating, which improves the Flip 5's IPX7 rating. It's perfect when you want to sing along in the shower, listen to a podcast in a relaxing bath, or splash around in the pool. Let's not forget the beach either, as the Flip 6 holds up well in salt water and sand, making it a great option for a wide variety of outdoor activities.

Durability extends to the rubberized bumpers that surround the passive radiators at each end. JBL has adopted the same design principle here, and the bumpers continue to play a major role in protecting the other components. Much of the rest of the Flip 6 represents an aesthetic change on the outside, like the larger JBL logo on the front and the more textured material on the body. A rubber strip on the bottom prevents the speaker from rolling while at the same time tilting part of the audio up for a more spacious sound profile.

JBL has also addressed the lack of a lanyard in previous versions by incorporating one into the Flip 6. By integrated, I mean that it is already tied up for you, and if you should ever lose it, you could realistically replace it with another.

Wisely, JBL didn't change the control layout and used the same raised buttons that, while not backlit, are easy to feel and accurate when playing / pausing music or adjusting the volume. Power, Bluetooth, battery level indicator and USB-C charging port also return to the rear.

Setup and configuration

It was easy to pair the Flip 6 via Bluetooth as it will automatically go into pairing mode. Just as easily put it back into pairing mode later by holding down the speaker's bluetooth button until it flashes. It connects to one device at a time and was not equipped with a microphone by JBL, so the Flip 6 does not have a hands-free function. This thing is about playing audio, not making phone calls, which is a blatant omission in the industry at this stage of the game.

One thing JBL changed with the Flip 6 is that it can access the JBL Portable (formerly Connect) app for iOS or Android. You can use it to update the firmware and adjust the modest number of settings. The big standout for me was the EQ, which earlier Flip speakers didn't have. It's hardly complicated, with simple bass, mids, and treble sliders, but it marks a shift towards some level of audio control on the Flip 6.

PartyBoost is back, but not without guard rails. I could use party mode to wirelessly connect to other compatible JBL speakers to play the same audio at the same time. You can also create a stereo pair if you or a friend owns another Flip 6 (both speakers must be of the same model). I tried pulling it off with a Flip 5 but got nowhere.

Sound quality

JBL Flip 6.Ted Kritsonis / Digital Trends

It's hardly surprising that the bass stands out in the overall sound signature. JBL chooses it with each subsequent iteration. In this case, it's less about boosting the bass by default as you can tweak it using the portable app's EQ. What is interesting is that the mids and highs have a greater impact on the sound signature. We're not talking about something audiophiles will love, but it's hard not to like the results for what they are.

The Flip 6 gets loud – once again a matter of course for a loudspeaker like this one. It's the response at higher volumes that impressed me. Just when I was expecting the distortion to set in and pop the highs or lows, it maintained a stable sound that I liked even more over time.

Part of it has a lot to do with context, which means I used the speaker a lot when I was moving. Whether I was showering, cooking a meal, or listening to music at work, it became a practical part of my daily routine. Whether it was different genres of music or long podcast episodes, I appreciated the Flip 6 for its performance.

If you're a fan of bass heavy genres I don't think you'll be disappointed with the output here. It's deep and rumbling, with just enough detail in the mids and highs for decent balance. Pretty much any top 40 and party hits playlist will do well with a small crowd if this thing challenges them.

JBL Flip 6.Ted Kritsonis / Digital Trends

Battery life

JBL claims the Flip 6 can last up to 12 hours per charge, but at no point did I achieve that. It depends how loud you get, but I've been in the range of around 8-10 hours which isn't bad. That's enough time for a trip to the park, the beach or the pool. Connect it with the USB-C cable and you can play the music that way, especially if you have a portable battery to help.

Our opinion

For $ 130, the Flip 6 feels like value for money. You get a speaker that is very portable yet has enough power to be loud when you need it. Its added durability makes it safer and more useful in sandy and tougher environments, which certainly can't hurt either. There are also a handful of colors to choose from: black, blue, red, gray, and teal.

Is there a better alternative?

JBL doesn't give up 5. turn aroundwhich is arguably just as good for most situations, but if you want to go that route, wait for the price to drop. Ultimate Ears charges more than $ 150 for similar size and toughness in the Boom 3except that you also get a more spacious sound as the speaker wraps around your body. To get this spatial effect with serious harshness, pay the same $ 150 to get the Outdoor technology OT-2800-B Turtle Shell 3.0that offers the same water (but not dust) resistance.

If your budget allows it and you want a whole house music ecosystem to match your bluetooth speaker, then you should consider the Sonos Roam as well. It supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, as well as simple voice commands and wireless charging, and you get it all for $ 179.

How long it will take?

JBL speakers have a pretty good track record, and the Flip 6 was made to last. You need to handle it properly to ensure its longevity, such as rinsing off sand and salt. Keep it clean and it should play for years. JBL offers a one-year guarantee against damage to the speaker, but not in all cases of water damage.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if you need a speaker this size that prefers loud, clear sound and you don't want a speakerphone inside. If you already have a Flip 5, you probably don't have to take the plunge unless you really want to use the few new features that are available.

Editor's recommendations



20 Nov
Blog

Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro+ Review: Quietly Loud and Smart

Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro + on hardwood floor.

Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro +

RRP $ 700.00

"With the Deebot N8 Pro + you spend less time babysitting and can concentrate more on other things than vacuuming."

advantages

  • Very low noise when vacuuming

  • Mop floors very well

  • Avoid most obstacles

disadvantage

  • Mopping plate is difficult to remove

If you haven't dealt with the robot vacuum cleaner for a long time, you may notice a special trend over the last year: self-emptying bots that do the job without any interaction from us humans. Sure, you still have to empty the bag at some point when it's full, but this iterative feature makes it more autonomous.

Most of the big brands offer some sort of self-draining robot hoover, including Ecovacs with its latest model, the Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro +. You may be wondering what's so special about this one that we've never seen before, but the convenience of a self-draining vacuum cleaner is only part of the bigger equation. Can he also clean intelligently without being hindered by obstacles? Here is what I found out.

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One look at the Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro + and there's no denying that it's built like every other robotic vacuum cleaner I've seen. Even if the aesthetics are so extraordinary, the only distinguishable aspect here is the bluish paintwork. It's worth noting, however, that it has two side sweeping brushes that help funnel debris into the underside brush and work at a slower speed to keep small bits of debris from being flung in all directions.

Top view of the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro +.John Velasco / Digital Trends

The Ozmo N8 Pro + also has a wipe function that makes it a double-duty model. The microfiber pad in particular is not like the skimpy pad other robotic vacuums use – it actually has substance to make contact with the floor! Unfortunately, removing the mopping plate from the water tank isn't as intuitive as I'd like it to be because you really need to use some force on it.

navigation

Lidar technology enables the Deebot N8 Pro + to clean efficiently, reducing time and maximizing its cleaning schedule. From the start of the first cleaning, he managed to map the different rooms in my apartment because he is actively vacuuming. On the second go-around, I could tell that it knew exactly what to do from the start, as it would move in a zigzag pattern in free space.

Close-up of the sensors of the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro +.John Velasco / Digital Trends

Corners are also handled very well, but it's worth noting that it's also fairly gentle when cleaning around furniture and other obstacles it encounters while vacuuming. Similar to other vacuums with lidar technology, there is the option to set up no-go zones or virtual walls to prevent the bot from entering certain rooms, which is handy when you have places that you don't want to disturb.

Obstacle avoidance

The Deebot N8 Pro + uses laser-based 3D technology, which Ecovacs calls TrueDetect, which gives it the vision of seeing what is in front of it and figuring out the best way to get around it. For the most part, it does the job, but it's still not without its flaws.

Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro + on hardwood floor.John Velasco / Digital Trends

For example, it intelligently sucked around a lonely sock that was lying on the floor – and it was good also to avoid water bowls that I left on the floor for my cats. However, it can still be tripped over by those pesky cable wires on the floor, especially the thinner ones I use for my smartphones. It seems to distinguish thicker cable wires better, like those found on power strips or other large devices, but the thinner ones are a hit-or-miss.

But I have to admit that the Deebot N8 Pro + is not as stuck as other vacuum robots. Sure, it can get under some furniture, like an entertainment center, but it does a good job of telling whether or not it has the required passage.

Cleaning performance

Thanks to its two side brushes, the Deebot N8 Pro + treats hard floors like a champion. Pet hair and other smaller particles of dirt will be eaten up with no problem, but the same deep cleaning that I get from traditional upright vacuums when it comes to carpets and rugs still cannot be achieved. Its suction power increases when it touches carpets, but only ensures superficial cleaning.

Since it is a 2-in-1 combination, adding a wiping function offers enormous added value here. Although it relies only on water to mop floors, my feet can tell how much cleaner my hardwood floors feel than if I just vacuumed them. I also like how you can use the app to set how much water the Deebot N8 Pro + emits during cleaning. More stubborn buildups, however, required several passes to be completely removed. But you are still unbeatable to have a bot that can mop and vacuum at the same time.

An often overlooked aspect of robotic vacuums is how loud they sound when vacuuming. I was surprised at how quietly the Deebot N8 Pro + runs, low enough that it never distracted me while I was working. Compared to other vacuum robots, such as the iRobot Roomba i7 +, it is significantly quieter in operation. Only when it empties its contents into the self-emptying charging station is it loud and distracting. It sounds like a jet engine, but that's what most of them sound like.

Our opinion

Ecovacs is undoubtedly up to something good with the $ 700 Deebot N8 Pro +. It's a reliable bot that cleans well, doubles as a mop and even empties itself. All of these factors definitely add incredible value – especially when it is able to tackle most obstacles without major intervention.

Is there a better alternative?

The Samsung Jet Bot AI + would be the only other superior vacuum robot to consider. It offers exceptional obstacle avoidance, has a self-draining bin and even has a neat security camera patrol mode that can monitor movement. For this, however, you pay significantly more.

The only other model that corresponds to the Deebot N8 Pro + in terms of price and performance is the iRobot Roomba j7 +, which is faster in cleaning performance and handles obstacles just as well.

How long it will take?

Proper maintenance will extend the life of the Deebot N8 Pro +, so it is important to keep the brushes free from tangles and to remove any dust that collects over the sensors. There is a one-year limited warranty that comes with the product and covers defects.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. Why pay for two different robots when you can get a single one that can vacuum, mop, self-drain, and confidently navigate your home without tripping too many times.

Editor's recommendations



05 Mar
Blog

Marshall Mode II Review: Light As A Feather, Loud As Hell

Marshall mode II

"If you like it loud, Mode II puts out a huge amount of sound."

  • Cool design

  • Very convenient

  • Big, bold sound

  • Good call quality

  • Wireless charging

  • Average battery life

  • No quick charge

  • No custom controls

  • No noise cancellation

Marshall's Personal Audio division has made some great headphones and wireless speakers over the past few years, but until now they've been waiting to venture into the insanely competitive category of true wireless earbuds with their $ 179 Mode II. Was it worth the wait for Marshall fans? Let's take a look at it.

What's in the box?

Marshall mode IISimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The small cardboard box contains the Mode II earbuds in the charging case, four sizes of silicone earbuds (media is installed by default), a USB-C charging cable, and some quick start documentation.

design

Marshall mode IISimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Zound Industries, the company that licenses the Marshall branded personal audio products, has always done an excellent job incorporating design elements from Marshall's iconic guitar amps. Mode II maintains this tradition without going overboard.

The charging case features the same amp-inspired textured black plastic as the Marshall Emberton speaker with the Marshall script logo, while the earbuds simply get the stylized "M". In a sea of ​​inconspicuous black plastic earphones, the Mode II is characterized by a retro cool that only the Marshall brand can offer.

That dedication to style even picks up on the USB-C charging cable, which is much longer than a set of wireless earbuds and looks like an electric guitar patch cord – very cool.

I was able to leave Modus II in my ears for hours without getting tired.

Both the earbuds and the wireless charging case are remarkably small and light. At just 44.5 grams in total, they're lighter than the AirPods Pro and AirPods with wireless charging.

The earbuds themselves have a very low profile so they sit almost flush with your outer ear and won't interfere with hats or helmets.

But don't let the small dimensions worry you. The Mode II are solidly built and their case easily protects them from minor mishaps or encounters with other objects when you carry them in your handbag. Thanks to an IPX4 rating, they can survive even your most strenuous workouts.

Comfort and control

Marshall mode IISimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Mode II's small size makes it a very comfortable, yet secure fit. More than most real wireless earbuds I've tried, I've been able to leave Mode II in my ears for hours without getting tired.

Marshall did a great job with the touch controls. If you've read my other earbud reviews, you know that I'm generally not a fan of this type of control and instead prefer the accuracy of a physical button. But Mode II struck the perfect balance of just being sensitive enough that you don't have to tap them repeatedly, but not so hair-triggered that accidental touches become a problem.

Even better, successful touches are confirmed by a subtle but audible feedback tone, which I believe should be the standard practice for all touch-controlled earbuds.

The Marshall Bluetooth app allows you to view the remaining battery life, adjust the EQ and transparency mode (more on that later). However, you cannot customize the controls. The included gestures let you manage play / pause, skip back and forth tracks, answer / end calls, access voice assistants, and turn transparency on and off. However, there is no way to control the volume that you need to use your phone at.

Marshall is sticking to his promise that the Mode II are "in-ear headphones designed for loud devices".

The Mode II are equipped with wear sensors, but strangely enough Marshall limits their functionality to the automatic pause. In other words, if you remove an earbud, your music will automatically pause. However, when you put it back in, you'll need to manually resume your music using the appropriate touch gesture. I really want Marshall to fix this shortcoming with a firmware update and give us the option to completely disable it in the app.

You can either use your own earbud for phone calls or music. Using only the right earbud gives you control of the track while using the left earbud you can talk to your phone's built-in assistant.

Sound quality

Marshall mode IISimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Mode II is factory-tuned with the “Marshall Signature” EQ, a bold and punchy mix that favors the bass. It works with a variety of music genres, from the acoustic sounds of jazz ensembles to the full-fledged electrical studio work of Beck or Daft Punk. Stereo imaging is alive and creates good width and depth for the soundstage.

This signature sound is comparable to both the AirPods Pro and the Jabra Elite 75t, but Mode II offers slightly better clarity, with the upper registers being more noticeable.

If the signature sound isn't for you, the Marshall app lets you create two of your own custom 5-band EQ presets. While playing with these, I found that I was able to significantly cut the bass that some listeners may prefer. You may also want to try turning down the highest frequencies. The standard EQ tends to be sharp and sibilant, which can be a bit annoying, especially when listening at higher volumes.

Marshall speaks of higher volumes and keeps his promise that the Mode II are "in-ear headphones that are designed for loud devices". They get very, very loud indeed – dangerous indeed. I found that even at around 40% volume, I had reached my personal limit for comfort.

If your phone has a built-in ability to reduce loud noise (as most iOS and Android devices do), I highly recommend leaving it on, with a threshold of 85dB or less. Noise-induced hearing loss is no joke and you should take precautions to keep Mode II from maxing out.

Transparency mode

Marshall mode IISimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The silicone earplugs help the Mode II achieve a very good seal in your ear, effectively keeping out external noise. A single tap on the left earbud activates transparency mode so you can hear more of your surroundings.

There is no quick charge option. So if you run out of juice, it will take two hours to fully charge the juice.

You can set the transparency in the Marshall app, but even at the maximum setting, the feature will prefer sounds that are further away rather than those that are close together. This is good for being more aware of your surroundings during times when you are near traffic or other hazards. Having your own voice sound natural for phone calls or conversations is less effective. You will still be aware of a certain subdued quality of these interactions.

Battery life

Marshall mode IISimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The battery life for the earphones is five hours per charge, in the case of an additional four charges for a total of 25 hours. These specifications are almost identical to Apple's AirPods. That's more than enough battery life for a full day, but unfortunately Marshall didn't include a quick charge option. When your earbuds run out of juice it will take two hours to fully charge. This could be frustrating for travelers who suddenly run out of power on a long flight.

You can see the remaining charge on the earbuds in the app, but you'll have to rely on the case's front LED to find out where the juice is – although with a green / orange / red color scheme, that isn't quite as accurate .

Call quality

Marshall Mode II "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/marshall-mode-ii-00007-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Marshall Mode II "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/marshall-mode-ii-00008-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Marshall Mode II "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn4.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/marshall-mode-ii-00004-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Since Mode II has no active noise cancellation (ANC) and therefore fewer microphones than the ANC models, I wasn't expecting a particularly good call quality, but Mode II is great for making calls. Wind noise can still overwhelm your voice, but when conditions are reasonably calm these earbuds do a very good job of ensuring that your voice is heard clearly with a minimum of compression.

They automatically switch to transparency mode when the microphones are activated. This comes in handy, but as mentioned above, it doesn't completely remove the muffled sound of your voice in your own ears. Even so, I think Mode II will be decent for most types of calls.

Our opinion

While not as comprehensive as true wireless earbuds at similar prices, the Marshall Mode II offers big, beefy (and loud) sound in a tiny and stylish package that fans of the Marshall brand are sure to enjoy.

Is there a better alternative?

Marshall's iconic style is totally one of a kind, but for the same price or less than Mode II, you can find plenty of excellent alternatives including:

  • $ 180 Jabra Elite 75t: Longer battery life, ANC, better transparency mode, customizable controls and a warmer overall sound, but no wireless charging.
  • $ 130 Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro: Longer battery life, ANC, better transparency mode, customizable controls, but bigger and possibly less comfortable.
  • $ 199 Klipsch T5 II: Longer battery life, better protection from water and dust, and better sound.

How long will they last?

Marshall grants a one-year guarantee on Mode II. They appear to be very well built and their IPX4 rating should help them withstand years of use. If you charge them regularly, you can expect the battery capacity to decrease over time.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Mode II comes with a premium price tag for the Marshall name, but they're stylish, they sound great, and they're very portable.

Editor's recommendations




26 Sep
Blog

Zvox Accuvoice AV157 Review: TV Dialog Loud And Clear

Zvox AccuVoice AV157 TV speakers

Zvox Accuvoice AV157 review

"It's not pretty, but the AV157 shows all of the dialogue you have been missing."

  • Small footprint

  • Easy connections and setup

  • Super clear and adjustable dialogue

  • Expensive for a small speaker

  • No wireless connections for music

We have been adding speakers to our home televisions for years. First two speakers for stereo sound, then four, then five and so on. Some of us have full 7.2.4 systems with Dolby Atmos that imitate the cinema experience at home. With the number of soundbars growing, our options for bigger, better sound are more numerous than ever. But when we wrap ourselves up more, do we actually hear what's important? When actors, news anchors, or respondents speak, do we hear what they are saying?

Judging by the huge surge in the use of closed captioning for everything from Netflix to YouTube to Facebook videos, the answer is no – and it's not because we're going numb.

It turns out that more speakers do not lead to a more understandable dialogue. In fact, it seems to be harder to hear, especially if the producers of the movie or show didn't pay close attention to the quality of their audio mix, or if there is a lot of bass.

Therefore, it makes sense that Zvox, a company that has focused heavily on improving the clarity of TV sound, has carved out a niche for itself in making soundbar-like speakers with the goal of listening to speech too facilitate.

The latest product is the $ 300 Zvox Accuvoice AV157 TV speaker, which includes 12 levels of Zvox speech enhancement technology.

Is it the TV dialogue enhancer you've been waiting for? Let's find out.

What's in the box?

Zvox AccuVoice AV157 TV speakersSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The AV157 is delivered in an easily recyclable box. Depending on the recycling facilities you live in, some poly bags with cords and a polythene sleeve for the speaker may need to be thrown in the trash. Otherwise the packaging is quite environmentally friendly.

The packaging contains the loudspeaker, a remote control, batteries, three types of audio cables (optical, 3.5 mm analog and cinch up to 3.5 mm), a power supply unit and a very clear quick start guide.

design

Zvox AccuVoice AV157 TV speakers "class =" m-Karussell - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/zvox-accuvoice-av157-tv-speaker-5- 640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAASimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Zvox AccuVoice AV157 TV speakers "class =" m-Karussell - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/zvox-accuvoice-av157-tv-speaker-1- 640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAASimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Zvox AccuVoice AV157 TV speakers "class =" m-Karussell - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn4.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/zvox-accuvoice-av157-tv-speaker-3- 640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAASimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The AV157 is available in three colors: black, a gray-pewter color called titanium, and "Espresso" which, as the name suggests, is medium brown. Whichever you choose, the color only affects the appearance of the speaker cabinet – the front metal grille is always black.

The housing surface is made of shiny, structured plastic. While perfectly solid and well built, the overall appearance doesn't convey much in terms of high-end quality. It doesn't look like you're expecting a $ 300 speaker – in fact, it couldn't look more general.

The advantage of the sleek Jane facade is that the AV157 is easy to ignore, whether you place it on a surface in front of your TV or mount it on the wall (two threaded holes on the back allow this) very much that additional speakers should be heard and not seen.

It's about the size and shape of a large center-channel speaker (for those familiar with 5.1 setups), which means it's tiny compared to even the smallest soundbars.

At 17 inches wide and just under three inches tall, it's much narrower than the $ 400 Sonos Beam, which is already pretty small at just 27 inches. It is just as wide as the Panasonic Soundlayer and only one centimeter larger.

There are no physical buttons on the speaker and apart from a small Zvox logo, nothing disturbs the design of just one speaker.

Even the large, easy-to-read digital display showing volume, input and sound mode is hidden behind the grille and only activates for a few seconds, so you can see the results of your remote control commands before you switch off again.

On the back you will find the few connection options: an optical connection, a 3.5 mm analog input and a headphone and / or subwoofer output. For some reason, the Zvox product page for the AV157 shows the 3.5mm analog input as compatible with an optical miniplug cable, but I can tell you for sure that this is not correct.

Connecting the AV157 to your TV couldn't be easier.

With these inputs, in combination with the cables provided, you can connect the AV157 to practically any source, as long as that source is not only intended for HDMI. While this is rare, there are some TVs that are gradually phasing out support for analog and optical outputs in favor of HDMI ARC and eARC. So it is best to check the outputs on your TV.

The supplied infrared remote control is just as inconspicuous in design: Just a small, robust, rubberized plate with large, easy-to-read labels and easy-to-press buttons. Thanks to the rubber membrane that covers the buttons, the remote control should be able to withstand encounters with the occasional spilled drink far better than regular remote controls.

It would be nice if the remote control buttons were backlit, but the high contrast of the bright white labels against the black of the membrane is still legible in all rooms except the darkest.

Setup and connections

Zvox AccuVoice AV157 TV speakersSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Connecting the AV157 to your TV couldn't be easier. Simply select the appropriate cable (I recommend the optical cable for best results), plug the ends of the cable into the appropriate ports on your TV and speaker, plug in the power adapter, and you're done.

You should never have to guess what volume level you are at, and the large, bright display means you will never be in doubt.

There's no bluetooth, no Wi-Fi, and no apps. This can limit the functionality of the AV157, but there is something to be said for technology that works the moment you plug it in.

That's not to say you can't play music through the AV157 – you can. However, you will have to plug your music source into one of the available inputs, which might be fine in the iPod era, but it's a bit boring these days.

A clever solution is to connect the AV157 to an Amazon Echo device using the 3.5 mm jack as an external speaker. As long as your favorite streaming music service is supported by Alexa, you're good to go – no remote control required. In addition, many of the popular music streaming apps are supported by the many smart TV operating systems. Navigating through music on your TV might sound strange, but it works.

user friendliness

Zvox AccuVoice AV157 TV speakersSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The included remote control is a breeze. Key presses generate immediate reactions.

I'm a big fan of the four digit alphanumeric display. You should never have to guess what volume level you are at or, with the AV157, what speech enhancement mode and level you are at. The large, bright display means you will never be in doubt. Adjusting the brightness of the display would be a nice perk, especially if you're using the AV157 in very bright or dark rooms, but it's never left on long enough for it to matter.

For example, you can use the AV157 with your existing remote control to increase / decrease the volume and mute it, but not all functions are available. For this reason, you should keep the factory remote control close at hand.

As good as the remote control is for basic functions, the deeper settings of the speaker could be easier to use.

Although the labels are easy to read and the buttons easy to press, some of the features (like switching between Accuvoice and Supervoice modes) require a long press of a button instead of each mode having its own discrete button.

This is especially true of the mysterious Other Settings button, which gives you access to three different settings: bass, treble, and output levels. However, you need to go through each setting and increase / decrease the settings with the volume.

With complex devices like A / V receivers, I get that – there are hundreds of settings and you can only have that many buttons. But the AV157 doesn't do that much and there seems to be plenty of room on the remote for a few more buttons.

Even so, for most people, these settings will be of the "set and forget" sort. While I'd prefer easier access to them, it's by no means a deal breaker.

Sound quality

Zvox AccuVoice AV157 TV speakersSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The main job of the Accuvoice AV157 may be clearer dialogue, but it's a surprisingly good all-round speaker for all types of TV audio with a bigger, bolder sound than its tiny frame suggests.

Zvox's promise of “room-filling 3D sound” may be a little optimistic – especially when comparing the AV157 to what an inexpensive soundbar with a wireless subwoofer can offer – but there's no doubt that you'll get the Pump up bass levels and use the third stage There's more than enough power and range in surround sound mode to enjoy Hollywood blockbusters like the Marvel & # 39; s Avengers movies.

It is enough to just use the six standard levels of Accuvoice enhancement to make speech easier to hear.

It can also get remarkably loud if you so choose. Near the top of the volume range, the bass begins to decrease, causing a slight knock inside the case. However, this is to be expected with a speaker of this size.

More importantly, however, you have tremendous control over the ability to hear dialogue.

It is enough to just use the six standard levels of Accuvoice enhancement to make speech easier to hear. The moment you activate AC 1 – the first stage – the music, sound effects and virtually all other non-speech audio will drop noticeably as the dialogue jumps forward.

The result is so strong and creates a huge increase in volume. You can even reach for the remote control to decrease the volume after entering Accuvoice mode.

connected: How Zvox's Accuvoice technology makes it easier to hear voices

Each successive level increases this effect further until the voices have reached an almost painfully bright clarity. Put the AV157 in Supervoice mode and the effect is even more noticeable. As someone who fortunately doesn't have significant hearing loss, I can't testify how well these modes work for someone who has hearing problems, but it's hard to imagine how voices could get clearer. By the time you reach Supervoice Level 6, the dialogue is so sharp and bright that you can barely focus on anything else.

Incredibly, this happens with little distortion – and only with the highest boost values.

It takes getting used to, and it's worth noting that there's no free lunch here: to make the dialogue clearer, the AV157 highlights all of the other parts of the soundtrack.

As an experiment, I ran the AV157 through the optical port on my TV and my 5.1.2 home theater system through the HDMI ARC output at the same time to see if I could eat my cake. It kind of worked, but I couldn't keep it up due to a small but noticeable delay between the two sets of speakers.

The music on the AV157 is surprisingly good. I tested it with Tidal on an Apple TV 4K fed into my TV via HDMI. What really amazed me is that the room-filling 3D sound that Zvox promises is much clearer with music than with film or TV soundtracks.

As you can imagine with a speech enhancement speaker, the vocals are extremely clear even in the surround sound entry-level mode. The AV157 can't quite compete with the Sonos Beam for music – it lacks the beam's warmth and resonant bass – but most genres sound very good.

You just have to be careful with some bass heavy tracks. Post Malone and Swae Lee's Sunflower is a good example of a song that, even at moderate volume, outperforms the AV157's ability to reproduce bass, with more of the aforementioned knocking effect.

Our opinion

The Zvox Accuvoice AV157 is a great way to get much better sound from your TV through a very small speaker. But where it really stands out is the voice enhancement – something you just can't get out of a regular soundbar at any cost.

Is there a better alternative?

If speech enhancement is not critical, there are plenty of great sound bars out there that can be used to enhance your TV sound. And if a small speaker is important to you, $ 400 Sonos Beam is a great place to start.

However, if you want better dialogue, the only real competition to the AV157 is one of the other Zvox TV speakers, like the one $ 250 AV155 or the tiny $ 170 AV100 Mini. Each improves speech intelligibility, but only the AV157 has all twelve levels of the combined Accuvoice and Supervoice modes.

How long it will take?

The Zvox warranty is only one year, but I suspect that if something goes wrong with the AV157, something will happen very quickly. Otherwise, this speaker should give you many years of use. No battery needs to be replaced. If the power adapter ever fails, it's an affordable accessory. Even if the remote stops working, Zvox only charges $ 15 for a replacement.

Should you buy it?

Yes. For those who find it increasingly difficult to understand what is being said on TV shows and movies, the AV157 is the best way to improve intelligibility without resorting to subtitles.

Editor's recommendations