With the Bluetooth speaker market at saturation level, it’s a must to do one thing fairly particular to face out from the group – and within the case of London-based Studio19, that includes releasing a tube-shaped moveable unit with sufficient bass to shake the foundations of your very residence.
The E500X-EQ comes with Bluetooth, Three.5mm audio and HDMI ARC enter, a eight,800mAh rechargeable battery, Three-band graphic equaliser controls and a elaborate rings of LED lights across the backside, making it as a lot a chunk of furnishings in your house as it’s a machine for having fun with your music.
Sadly, nevertheless, an aesthetic like this does not come low cost: You possibly can order the E500X-EQ direct from Studio19’s web site for £399 (round $500, AU$799). (For many who are nonplussed with the graphic equaliser sliders on the highest, there is a touch-control mannequin out there for a similar value which does away with them completely.)
Design
In distinction to the numerous different Bluetooth audio system available on the market, the Solo E500X-EQ is designed to be positioned on the ground relatively than on a sideboard or bookshelf.
Usual from premium-feel anodised aluminium, the unit is 55cm excessive and simply shy of three.5kg by way of weight. It is available in both ‘House Gray’ or plain outdated Gold, and has a hoop of LED lights across the backside which illuminate the underside the unit thanks to a few metallic poles, that are mounted to a strong base.
The vast majority of the unit is metallic, however the enterprise finish of the machine – the highest – homes the speaker system. You may additionally discover a set of graphic equaliser sliders (Bass, Treble and Center, together with Quantity) which let you fine-tune the sound. Sadly, regardless of the flamboyant chrome end they’re truly manufactured from plastic, and really feel fairly low cost in consequence. Subsequent to those are 4 buttons – one turns the unit on and off, one other toggles the LED lights and a 3rd lets you choose between Bluetooth, HDMI ARC and the three.5mm audio enter. The fourth and last button lets you choose from three EQ presets: Music, Film and Recreation.
On the again of the speaker you may discover the USB Kind C enter for charging, the aforementioned Three.5mm audio enter and a Three.5mm audio output, in addition to a reset button. There is no charger within the field sadly, only a very quick USB Kind C cable, so you may both have to make use of a USB wall charger (just like the one you get with just about any cellphone on the planet) or your TV’s USB socket, ought to it have one.
The eight,800mAh battery offers you round eight hours of listening time, which suggests you are not restricted to your front room in the case of having fun with your tunes.
Whereas the E500X-EQ is not small or gentle sufficient to pop in your rucksack, it isn’t overly heavy, making it comparatively simple to maneuver from room to room in your house. It is simply as appropriate for out of doors use, too, however there isn’t any water resistance of any sort… so that you may wish to keep away from utilizing it outdoors when there’s prone to be moist climate.
Efficiency
The rationale the E500X-EQ is so tall is as a result of Studio19 has integrated its patented ‘Twin Stress Air Compression’ (DPAC) super-bass know-how; which fancy terminology apart, permits the unit to imitate the deep, booming bass of a standard subwoofer.
The intelligent driver configuration – mixed with air strain – allows it to hit some critically low-end frequencies. At full quantity and with the bass slider all the best way as much as most, we had been critically impressed by the sheer quantity of growth this comparatively small unit was capable of muster. Suffice to say, we needed to examine all free fittings in the lounge afterwards, such was the deep and wealthy nature of the bass.
After all, hitting these low notes means little in case your speaker lacks vary, and fortunately the E500X-EQ would not disappoint: Excessive notes are reproduced clearly and powerfully, and the center vary additionally strikes by the bass-heavy haze with out an excessive amount of hassle.
If we had been being actually choosy then we would say that Studio19 has maybe emphasised the low-end just a little an excessive amount of on this product – even with the bass slider turned right down to virtually nothing, it is nonetheless fairly sturdy – however the capability to regulate the opposite ends of the audio scale assist, and inside a number of days of use you may have discovered the right stability for the room (or rooms) you are utilizing it in.
DPAC is not the one breakthrough being promoted by Studio19 – it additionally presents ‘Enhanced 360° Optimised Sound’ in order that regardless of the place you place it, you get the total audio expertise. Based on the producer, this guarantees an ‘immersive’ wall of omnidirectional sound that flows not simply left and proper however up and down as nicely, making it look like you are utilizing multiple speaker.
It is a daring declare that really holds some weight. There’s positively quite a lot of nuance to the sound however – relying on the place you place it within the room – it is simple sufficient to inform the place it is coming from, and lacks the broad arc of a standard stereo setup.
For that reason, Studio19 lets you pair up two E500X-EQs utilizing ‘True Wi-fi Stereo’ assist – though how many individuals will truly do that is one other matter, given the excessive value of every unit.
Connecting to the E500X-EQ is a breeze; you merely choose it as a Bluetooth audio supply out of your smartphone or different sensible machine.
The standard of the audio over a wi-fi assortment is sweet and dynamic due to the built-in digital processor, however it’s potential to select telltale compression noise. Sadly for audio connaisseurs, the unit is kind of restricted in the case of codec assist, and would not reap the benefits of high-end codes, reminiscent of aptX and aptX HD.
HDMI ARC assist is one other bonus, because it means you’ll be able to successfully flip the E500X-EQ right into a soundbar on your tv. So long as your TV has ARC assist then you’ll be able to merely join it to the E500X-EQ and you will get clear and clear digital audio – not less than in idea. We tried it with two TV units – a 2015 Sony Bravia and an inexpensive, no-brand 40-inch LCD bought from an area grocery store – and acquired blended outcomes.
Surprisingly, on the cheaper TV it labored first time, however on the Sony we needed to dig deep right into a sequence of menus to allow PCM audio, solely to seek out day later the TV refused to ship any sign to the speaker in any respect. HDMI ARC’s an amazing concept in precept, however it’s clear that producers aren’t sticking to the usual as intently as they maybe ought to (which might have one thing to do with the truth that HDMI ARC+ is now a factor).
In the long run, we resorted to connecting the E500X-EQ to the TV’s Three.5mm audio socket, and whereas the analogue sign was liable to some background hiss, the standard was ok for us to reside with.
We favored
The truth that the E500X-EQ presents such wonderful sound high quality in a conveyable package deal is admittedly fairly outstanding; positive, moveable audio system are widespread lately however it’s uncommon to get one which’s able to belting out such unbelievable bass and highly effective sound. Irrespective of the place we put in it, the speaker created a tremendous audio expertise that we could not assist however be impressed with; it is simply as suited to out of doors use, so long as you could have very understanding neighbours.
Whereas it isn’t essentially the most cellular of items and lacks waterproofing, the E500X-EQ continues to be small and lightweight sufficient to be carried round the home with ease, which suggests your music would not should be confined to a single room – and with eight hours of battery life, it is acquired some spectacular endurance, too.
We disliked
The truth that the HDMI ARC assist did not work in addition to we would hoped is disappointing, however you could discover your configuration is extra accommodating than ours. It is also a disgrace that the unit would not have metallic EQ sliders or a distant management – having to stand up to regulate the quantity or equalizer turns into one thing of a chore over time, however you’ll be able to not less than fiddle with the quantity utilizing your cellphone or – in the event you’re utilizing it as a soundbar – your TV’s distant management.
Verdict
Whereas it isn’t low cost at £400 and lacks some key options, the E500X-EQ continues to be a critically spectacular piece of residence audio gear. Should you’re on the lookout for an answer which covers your music and TV audio wants then that is extremely really helpful; not solely is it nice for music and flicks, it additionally saves you the trouble of getting to shell out for a subwoofer, due to its wealthy and deep bass.