Internally, there’s a 60-watt Class D (45-W woofer + 15-W tweeter) amplifier with a frequency response of 40 Hz to twenty kHz. Morel makes use of a custom-made DSP with dynamic EQ, however there’s no smartphone app, no Wi-Fi streaming, no room calibration, no Dolby Atmos, no voice management, no EQ tweaking. And day-to-day I didn’t miss any of it.

The controls will really feel a bit antiquated to app-control lovers, with loads of press-and-hold choices to entry TWS and alter sources. However foolish battery degree indicator management apart (you need to press and maintain each quantity buttons to mild up a share of stated buttons to indicate you the remaining juice), they’re straightforward to disregard.

Sound High quality

Setup was so simple as you’d count on from a Bluetooth speaker with out smarts, and remained rock stable all through many hours of testing. As a client tech journalist I do know I ought to be aghast on the lack of bells and whistles right here, however the mixture of stable audio efficiency and an entire lack of technological friction was a pleasure. Insert your individual Sonos joke right here.

The Biggie just isn’t going to unearth sonic subtleties out of your favourite Blue Be aware recordings, but it surely gained’t offend you both. It’s an impressively punchy sounding mono speaker with actual presence and quantity. Provided that it weighs simply 5.7 kilos and measures a mere H7 x W7 x D4.5 inches, its room-filling talents are significantly spectacular.

Listening to “The Look” by Metronomy, there’s an interesting crispness to the excessive finish, with a well-organized center that thrives on the observe’s enthusiasm. Bass is managed right here, too, however the speaker does favor decrease frequencies. Kick drums and bass guitars can sound a little bit too ahead within the combine, however it’s managed—helped, little question, by the standard cabinetry and drivers.

This profile sounded nice listening to the traditional rat-a-tat opening to Paul Simon’s “50 Methods to Depart Your Lover.” Nevertheless, with dance and hip-hop, it may really feel a contact thunderous in a small area. Take it outdoors although and the punch works on the patio. It’s not IP-rated, thoughts you , so look ahead to pool events and showers.

Would a smartphone app with adjustable EQ assist right here? Perhaps, however in case you like your bass ahead within the combine, you’ll most likely love listening to “Juicy” on the aptly named Biggie.

Options

The Biggie’s development is a revelation, providing traditional hi-fi bookshelf construct high quality in a compact Bluetooth design. That is the place your cash is being spent. It’s moveable, and the battery life is suitable, but it surely appears extra at residence on a desk than being carried round.

Whereas it lacks the bass-forward presentation, the fashionable Audio Professional T3+ ($200) affords a greater battery life and extra balanced sound high quality, plus it has Airplay for iPhone customers. This is likely to be higher in case you’re on the lookout for a extra nuanced efficiency and nonetheless need to keep away from sensible options.

If portability isn’t a difficulty, the Sonos Period (9/10 WIRED Recommends) and JBL Authentics 200 (9/10 WIRED Recommends) take up an analogous quantity of area, sound very good, and are available stuffed filled with sensible controls. However if you wish to maintain issues easy and have a wholesome respect for each bass and construct high quality, you’ll love the Biggie.