REVIEW – These days, almost every electronic gadget features some type of wireless capability, and for leisure time, wireless Bluetooth speakers have become quite popular. I have tested a few of them, and most of them have been quite good for what they are designed to do. For this review, I will be playing around with the Tronsmart Element Blaze Bluetooth Speaker.
What is it?
The Tronsmart is a Bluetooth indoor/outdoor portable wireless speaker that is Bluetooth Speakers Outdoor, Tronsmart Portable Wireless Speaker IPX56, Waterproof, 12 hours of playtime on one charge, blue LED Light Effects for the speakers and can be paired with another similar Tronsmart for True Wireless Stereo effect.
What’s in the box
1 x Tronsmart Element Blaze Speaker
1 x Micro USB Cable
1 x 3.5mm AUX Cable
1 x User Manual
1 x Warranty card
Design and features
Specifications:
Bluetooth Version: 4.2
Bluetooth Compatibility: A2DP, AVRCP, GAVDP, AVDTP, SPP, AVCTP
Material: ABS + metal
Battery Capacity: Built-in lithium battery, 3.7V/1800mAh
Charging Time: 1-2H
Play Time: 10-12H
Output: 7W x 2
Frequency Range: 10m/33ft
Driver Unit: 45mm diameter, 4Ω inner magnet
Connectivity: Micro USB charging port, 3.5mm aux-in port
Dimensions: 180 x 69 x 69mm / 7.08 x 2.71 x 2.71in
Net Weight: 424.5g / 14.97oz
On the top of the speaker, there are 5 buttons that are waterproofed by rubber caps. From left to right as pictured below, there is the play/pause/Handsfree button. It is used to play and pause music and if there is an incoming phone call, it is used to answer the call, place it on hold or reject it. You can also press and hold it to redial the last dialed phone number. Right next to the play/pause symbol on this button, there is a small LED that lights orange when the speaker is being charged. The next button is the previous trace/volume button. You press to lower the volume or hold to select the previous track. The next button the light control/TWS9True Wireless Stereo)/Bluettoth button. For LED light control, each press increases the intensity up to 3 presses and then turns the LED off. On the 3rd press, the lights go into strobe mode. I do not have a second speaker so I was unable to test the TWS (Click here to download and read the User Manual). The next button is the next track/volume up button. You press to raise the volume or hold to choose the next track. That last button which is all the way on the right is the power button that you hold to turn the speaker on or off. right next to the symbol on this button there is a small LED that lights and blinks blue when the speaker is in pairing mode.
On the bottom of the speaker, there is a 1/4-20mm mount that allows to you use it on various types of mounts with a 1/4-20mm stud.
Each side of the speaker has a small built-in handle. On one side, the handle has a hole that you can add a carrying clip to or otherwise use to hang the speaker.
On the back of the speaker, there is a rubber door that covers the ports to keep them waterproof. Once you pull back the rubber door, there is the charging port and an auxiliary port.
On the front of the speaker, there is the branding on top and a microphone the 2 speakers behind a speaker grill. You have to look very closely to see the microphone hole since it is well hidden behind the grill. The picture below shows the speakers with the LED lights on.
Performance
As soon as I powered the speaker on, it went into pairing mode and showed up in the Bluetooth choices on my phone it paired very easily and was ready to go. It sounds pretty good and better than I expected it to given its small size. There is no great distortion with any of the genres of music I played on it, including jazz and R&B, etc. The blue LED lights are a nice touch and overall the speaker works well as a wireless speakerphone with good clarity to the calls. It is well built and quite sturdy and feels solids in my hands. While I did not dunk it in water, the rubber seals are tight and did not leak with the simple splash test that I performed. The auxiliary port allows you to plug in an external player. These days with wireless connectivity becoming a regular feature of most music players, there is not much use for this option. However, I did plug in the output from my projector and it sounded decent enough to watch a movie although it was lacking the true power and desirable frequency range and separation for such an application. It is also nice that its portability allows me to place it wherever I want to.
What I like
- The build quality. it is a solid little speaker
- The size
- The sound for such a small size
- The ease of use
- The blue LED lights and the ability to adjust them including turning them off
- The 1/4-20″ built-in mount
What can be improved
- Nothing
Final thoughts
The Tronsmart Element Blaze Bluetooth Speaker is a nicely built and decent sounding speaker that in my opinion is a nice value. It is small and compact and very portable and the waterproof feature allows you to carry it just about anywhere without worrying too much. The speaker is not designed to offer audiophile sound, but rather to offer convenience and the ability to enjoy your music wherever and whenever you want. The Blue LED lights on the speakers are a nice touch, and the ability to adjust them allows you to set a mood if you choose to. Keeping in mind the perception of a device such as this is individually subjective, this speaker gets two thumbs up from me.
Price: $29.99
Where to buy: Newegg
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Tronsmart.
