I have reviewed more than a few speaker systems over the years. Many of these speaker systems are still situated in various rooms of our house providing music while I putter around the garage, workout, fold laundry, get in the Holiday mood, etc. The speaker system I use most is the Altec Lansing iMT800 MIX BoomBox, which provides good, solid sound throughout the upper floor of our house. The one issue I have with the iMT800’s setup (and others like it) is that you do not get to carry it with you or use your iPhone while listening to music. You must insert it into the dock for a hard-connection. Thankfully, Logitech’s new Wireless Boombox for the iPad solves this issue. It allows you to pair your Bluetooth-enabled device to the wireless speaker system so that you can move about or use your device (think Words with Friends) while the speakers crank the tunes (am I showing my age?!?).
While Logitech specifically references the iPad in the Wireless BoomBox’s name, it can pair with up to eight Bluetooth (with wireless audio profile [Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP)]) enabled devices. I guess they thought that since the iPad is the hottest thing since sliced bread, having it in the name would help sales. My point is, it can/should be able to pair with any Bluetooth 2.1 enabled device. I have tested it with my iPhone 4, MacBook Air, the Gadgeteer Kid’s iPad 1, and my wife’s first generation Android Incredible. All paired/connected quickly and easily. After the initial bonding, it quickly re-pairs with the last connected device as soon as the Wireless Boombox is turned on.
As stated above, the Wireless Boombox has the ability to pair with multiple devices, but cannot switch between them without a manual input being made from the (new/latest) device’s Bluetooth settings menu. Instead, the Wireless Boombox continues to attempt to connect again to whichever device it last paired with until it’s told to look elsewhere. For me at least, this operational logistic really is not a big deal.
Package Contents:
- Wireless speaker
- Power supply (6-foot cable)
- 3.5 mm auxiliary cable
- User documentation
Specifications:
- Wireless audio: Bluetooth (A2DP)
- 2 – 3” laser-tuned neodymium drivers
- 2 – ½” neodymium tweeters
- 4 – 2” passive radiators
- Rechargeable nickel-metal hydride battery
- Battery life: 6 hours
- Auxiliary input: 3.5 mm
I have reviewed many Logitech devices over the years, ranging from fancy universal remote controls to wireless surveillance cameras. Logitech’s Wireless Boombox is just as nicely made and well-engineered as the previous products I have looked at. This speaker system is a very nice size, not too big and not too small, and looks great. Its unassuming size and all black exterior will look/work in a majority of settings. It measures approximately 15.5 inches wide, 4.75 inches high, a sleek and slim 2.25 inches deep, and weighs just 2.5 pounds.
As you can see, the Boombox is completely black, except for a small orange button on the underside to release the foot and has green (power) and blue (connection) indicator lights and a silver Logitech logo on the front.
The back has two passive speakers/radiators, foldout stand, and input and power ports.
As you would expect, there is a well designed kickstand/leg/foot that comes out to hold the wireless boombox upright.
Under the back (rubber) port cover are the power and 3.5mm plug ports.
As I have said, the Wireless Boombox for the iPad is definitely well sized and has a nice form factor….good sounding as well. Considering the size of the speakers, the overall spectrum of sound is well represented, even the bass. The Boombox did not distort at all, even at its highest volume levels.
I can meander around a majority of our home (main floor and upstairs) and still maintain the connection between my iPhone 4 and the Wireless Boombox. Depending on what is between your Bluetooth device and the speaker system, its range is between 30-60 feet. I love how you can control song selection and volume via your paired device (vs having to use a remote or [worse yet] having to walkover to the system and press a button). Sitting there in my cushy chair making the teenagers listen to old-folk music…..’Ooooo, have you heard this one?!?’ 😉
Another great feature of the Wire Boombox is it’s built-in rechargeable nickel-metal hydride battery giving it six hours of play time on a single charge.
Alright, I just had to use this BoomBox collage I created for my MIX review on more time. My point is, that I do not consider this device a true ‘boombox’ from back in the day…..it would have to have a handle, large(r) speakers, thumping bass (aka be able to shake/vibrate the popcorn off the ceiling) to be considered a BOOMBOX from the 80’s. That not withstanding, the Logitech Wireless Boombox (for the iPad) is a great cable-free speaker system. It works very well with every device I paired it with. For under $150, it is a great wireless music playing solution for any moderate sized room.
Product Information
| Price: | $149.99 |
| Manufacturer: | Logitech |
| Requirements: |
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| Pros: |
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Logitech has given the product a curious name: Boombox for the iPad. Yes, that is only one of the many hundreds of devices (with a BT A2DP profile) which can use this device wireless, and one of tens of thousands of devices which can use it connected through a simple 3.5 mm jack plug.
I, as a non-Apple user, tend to avoid all products which have the name iPad, iPhone or iPod in it, because they tend to be overpriced and won’t cooperate with non-Apple devices. And that would be a shame, in this specific case, because this is a nice set. I’ve heard it at a friend’s house (connected to an Android tablet, by the way), and was surprised by the quality. But I didn’t know that Logitech markets it as an iPad speaker.
Pity.
I need to ask a stupid question as I am not very tech savvy. I lost touch with reality after CD’s ……I have an Iphone and use Pandora for music on my phone and would like to have a boombox. I also have a rechageable hard case surrounding my Iphone so I can’t use it with the normal docking stations. I just want to make sure before I purchase this wireless boom box that I can use it with my hard case on my Iphone without having to remove it. i never used a bluetooth device either, so is all I have to do to turn the blue tooth feature on and it will work?
thanks for your review and help
DB
Yes, all you have to do is “pair” your Iphone with the boombox. No docking, no hard wiring. Very easy, right out of the box.
I have a blackberry playbook and i today purchased a mini logitech boombox. The playbook pairs with the speaker but when the speaker icon is clicked it says there are no services available and the connect box is not highlighted.
any ideas and have you come across this problem before. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
All the best
Geoff
I have sorted the problem, been on the blackberry website and looked under bluetooth, audio streaming is not available on the playbook.
On the 17th february there will be an update and audio straming will be availavle then, fingers crossed.
It is a good speaker with high quality. I get him today!
But i have a blackberry, and wheni but that one the speaker the speaker goes. Little bit less louder when i put mi ipad on it.
But thats no problem. My advice is positive! If you search a speaker? This is something for you! I’m from holland, and i can’t write english so good. But you understAnt me right? Greets from holland
Bought my Boombox today very pleased with it. I took my htc one x into leading electrical store and paired it up to has many speaker systems as possible and the logitec boombox sounded the best by a long way. There were a couple that sounded better but you really had to folk out alot of money to get your hands on one. To me most of them sounded very tinny and distorted when volume was on full.