We tried the Balmuda speaker to see if it sounds as good as it looks

If you are familiar with Balmuda products — like it went viral Balmuda Toaster —you know they have a certain elegance that screams consumable income.A Tokyo-based creativity and technology company on a mission to turn consumer electronics into amazing experiences. is.I’ve had my eye on the Balmuda Kettle for a few months now, so when I got the chance to try out their new portable speaker(opens in new tab)I was excited to test it – and a little nervous.

Yes, Balmuda products are nice and luxurious, but can the company behind the internet-famous toaster make a really good portable speaker? surprised me.

How are Balmuda speakers different from other speakers?

If you’re skeptical that consumer electronics manufacturers are creating great audio experiences, you’re not alone. Balmuda’s CEO and founder Gen Terao, who is in a Japanese rock band, created speakers to emulate the experience of live music. Unlike many portable he speakers, the Balmuda speaker faces upwards to create a three-dimensional sound. So you get the same experience no matter where the speaker is pointed. It’s “vocal driven” and doesn’t have the distortion that many portable speakers struggle with. Designed to emulate the experience of live music, it can be connected to speakers via Bluetooth or AUX input.

To enhance the immersion, the speaker features three light tubes in the central chamber with three modes: beat mode (perfect sync), ambient mode (a more subtle version) and candle mode (a more subtle version). to sync with music. constant gentle glow). Designed to represent his three members of the band on stage, the result is a speaker that looks and sounds unlike any other portable his speaker we’ve seen.

I tried using the speaker of BALMUDA

Right out of the box, Balmuda speakers(opens in new tab) It’s visually breathtaking. The simple and beautiful design is intentionally luxurious with a matte black finish that doesn’t overdo it. It’s heavier than expected, especially when compared to my trusty JBL Charge, but it balances ruggedness and delicacy in a very unique way.

After charging the device, it only took a few seconds to pair with my iPhone. The audio quality was excellent and great. Balmuda speakers deliver on their promise of providing a crisp, vocal-focused sound. I loved being able to hear my favorite artist’s vocals without the muddyness that comes with JBL speakers. With the push of a button, he of Light Synchronization could easily switch between the three modes, and found himself gravitating towards ‘Beat Mode’ for a more robust lighting experience.

Now, when Balmuda says this speaker is voice-driven, it’s important to add a caveat that it will change the way you experience your favorite music, especially if you’re used to other portable speakers. is not very strong – the bass almost completely disappeared on some songs – but the resulting experience isn’t bad. different.

That said, choosing which music to listen to on the Balmuda speakers required a bit of a learning curve. When I wanted to listen to bassline-heavy tunes or jam out to dance party music, this speaker wasn’t the right choice. However, it is clear from the design that this is not the case. Trying to be able to

I found myself using the Balmuda speakers on a quiet morning to start my day, but my primary use was definitely to unwind after a stressful day. It was great to be able to sing along to the songs we liked, but I often felt that the songs were ‘missing’. Sometimes I want to be swept away by the music as much as the vocals, and certain songs I thought were great to hear on the Balmuda just didn’t work out. was not completely fulfilled.

there are some other drawbacks

I love my Balmuda speakers, but there are a few things I wish they were different. It’s a little heavier than I thought it would be – especially given how thick it is around the middle – and I’m a little worried about dropping it.

Battery life is also a bit shorter than expected, taking about 7 hours. So I had to charge it quite a few times. Considering that most portable speakers for music give him at least 10-20 hours on a single charge, he found 7 hours incredibly short on a single charge.

My only other complaint is that it is made for indoor use only. Is it a breach of contract? Definitely not, but it’s a bit disappointing – especially when the speakers seem meant for quiet nights around the campfire with friends.

Are Balmuda speakers worth it?

$399 Balmuda speaker(opens in new tab) An absolute luxury purchase. If you’re a music lover and interested in a three-dimensional sound experience with your voice, the answer might be yes. We also find this to be a great buying option for those with an eye for design, especially if you’re looking for a portable speaker that looks as good as it sounds. It will be a matter of personal preference.

For the average shopper? You may want to skip this. The speakers weren’t as immersive as I had hoped. many It sounds cleaner than my JBL Charge. A little too expensive for my taste. I definitely loved using it, but I think I’d stick with headphones when it comes to rich, immersive sound.