I’m a sucker for bluetooth speakers, especially ones that are compact enough to throw in a bag and take to work, the beach, on a picnic, or move from one room of the house to another. It seems like every store these days has a model or two for sale, and sometimes, choosing the best one is a challenge. Most recently, I’ve had the opportunity to spend some time jamming with the BTSP-10 Plus, from our friends over at Inateck.
Overview:
The BTSP-10 Plus [$49.99 from Inateck (directly via Amazon)], is a compact bluetooth speaker, with an internal battery for ultimate portability and 10+ hours of listening on a single charge! With bluetooth 4.0, the BTSP-10 Plus enables you to control volume, answer calls, and even summon Siri (iOS users only, obviously), all from the top of the speaker.
On the outside, the speaker unit is covered in a soft black rubber, and employs a red mesh to cover the speaker cones. The hexagonal patterning over the front adds character, and gives the speaker a more futuristic appearance. Blending in subtly within the hexagons is a small LED light which is used to indicate pairing mode, power, etc. On the right of the speaker is a 1/8” (3.5mm) aux in – a great alternative to bluetooth in some cases – as well as a micro-USB charging port and the devices on/off switch.
Over the top of the device are 3 buttons – Volume Up, Volume Down, and a bluetooth/multi-function button. Using the simplicity of many bluetooth headsets, the bluetooth button is used for initiating pairing mode, answering/ending calls, pausing/playing music, and can also be used to activate Siri.
Unfortunately, I was sad to discover that a double-click/triple click of the bluetooth button did not skip forward/backward a track when listening to music, and still required me to handle my iPhone to change songs. While that’s not a deal breaker, it is a feature I’ve grown accustom to in my headphones – and I would have loved it in a speaker.
Weighing in at under a pound, and measuring 6.5” wide no deeper or taller than an iPhone 6, the BTSP-10 Plus is very portable. With that portability, it appears they made some sacrifices to sound quality. While the device packs a pair of 40mm drivers, there was a significant lack of low-end sound with nearly any genre of music.
In a side-by-side comparison between the BTSP-10 Plus and the Logitech UE Mini Boom (read our review) – each tested at 50% volume and 100% volume – the BTSP-10 Plus delivered shimmery (but not tinny or distorted) high notes, but was unable to offer much significant, undistorted bass, and was noticeably quieter overall than the Mini Boom.
In quieter listening situations (at my desk at work, for instance), the BTSP-10 Plus offered much more full, undistorted sound (under 50% volume), and also performed much better with light acoustic music (Spotify’s “Your Favorite Coffeeshop” playlist, anyone?).
Verdict
The BTSP-10 Plus is a well-built, compact, and very simple bluetooth speaker that comes in at a very sweet price. The no-frills, easy pairing makes getting up and listening a breeze. The small size and built-in battery make the speaker very portable, regardless of where you need it next.
Overall sound quality is a little weak, compared to some other small bluetooth speakers, but is certainly a step-up from any iPhone, Android, or laptop speaker. Rock, rap, pop, and (some) country lack the low-end sound that fills out a tune, but classical music, acoustic songs, and other quieter genres will still sound very natural.
Rating:[rating:3.5]
Pros:
- Small size
- Great battery life
- Cool design
Cons:
- Lack of low-end sound
- Distorts at higher volumes
If you’re looking for a small, affordable bluetooth speaker for your office, or to add some ambience to your next picnic, consider the BTSP-10 Plus! Available from Inateck via Amazon for $49.99.
