Xiaomi clearly is aware of how you can make great-sounding audio merchandise on a funds, and the Sound Out of doors isn’t any completely different. The Bluetooth speaker is obtainable in vibrant colours, and a giant a part of its attract is the 30W sound it is ready to produce. Mix that with IP67 ingress safety, and also you get a speaker that nails the fundamentals.
As is usually the case with Xiaomi’s audio merchandise, affordability is a key promoting level of the Sound Out of doors. The speaker was launched in China again in Could 2024, and it prices ₹3,999 ($46) in India; an excellent worth when you think about the feature-set. It’s also possible to choose it up on Amazon within the U.S. for $65, and if you wish to go the reseller route, it is listed at AliExpress for $49. If you wish to purchase it within the U.Okay., you may have to shell out £35 ($44).
Like Tribit’s StormBox 2 and most new merchandise on this phase, the Sound Out of doors has a cylindrical design that makes it straightforward to take anyplace. There is a carrying hook on the prime that permits you to dangle it from a bag, and the intense orange hue does an excellent job accentuating the otherwise-muted black coloration scheme. In the event you want a little bit of vibrancy, the speaker is obtainable in blue and purple coloration variants as effectively.
The outer floor of the Sound Out of doors is coated in material with a mesh masking, and it feels nice to carry. You get rubber toes on one facet, and Xiaomi’s emblem is emblazoned on the entrance, however because it’s in the identical coloration as the material, it is not as seen. The playback controls are mounted on the prime of the Sound Out of doors, and also you get quantity up/down together with a multifunction button.
The again of the unit homes the facility button, Bluetooth pairing mode, USB-C port (hidden behind a gasket), and a stereo pairing button. Curiously, Xiaomi says you may join the Sound Out of doors with 99 different audio system, creating an array totaling 100 models. However because the producer despatched over simply the one unit for testing, I wasn’t in a position to see if this function is any good. Regardless, it must be adequate in stereo mode as effectively, so if you’d like a wider soundstage, selecting up two of those is an effective choice.
Both finish of the Sound Out of doors has a passive radiator that does a great job making a vibrant sound, and the speaker itself comprises two driver models — a 20W woofer and a 10W tweeter. The mixed 30W sound is among the many greatest on this class, and it does a good sufficient job on this regard.
Xiaomi’s audio gear has a attribute sound with a bass-heavy sound signature, and that is the case with the Sound Out of doors as effectively. You get a great power within the low-end together with clear mids and recessed highs, and the general tonality lends itself effectively to informal listening. Because the title suggests, this speaker’s essential attraction is that it may be used open air, and in that context, I’ve no points with the sound.
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To that impact, you get IP67 mud and water resistance, making the Sound Out of doors proof against any inclement climate situations. I used it within the bathe, and the carrying hook means you may simply dangle it on a bathe caddy. Coming in at 597g, it is not too heavy both, and the simple portability mixed with the highly effective sound makes it an excellent alternative to be used within the residence or open air.
I did not see any points with Bluetooth connectivity both; the speaker has Bluetooth 5.4, and I paired it with the Vivo X200 Professional, OnePlus 13, and Honor Magic 7 Professional. You do not get any Bluetooth codecs exterior of the usual SBC and AAC, however once more, that is adequate on this class.
There aren’t any issues with battery life both. The Sound Out of doors has a 2600mAh battery, and it lasted simply over eight and a half hours in my testing, with the quantity turned up (clearly). It prices by way of 15W USB PD (5W/3A), so you should use nearly any charger with the speaker. Nonetheless, as there is not any quick charging, it takes over two and a half hours to cost the Sound Out of doors, so I would counsel plugging it in at evening.
In the event you want higher sound, I extremely advocate the StormBox 2 — it’s my go-to transportable speaker as of late. It’s costlier at $69, however you get a richer sound, higher battery, and I just like the design a bit higher. The StormBox 2 may also be utilized in stereo mode, and also you get intensive customizability in relation to the sound.
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Conversely, if you’d like one thing that is not as large, Xiaomi’s Sound Pocket has the identical design in a smaller and lighter chassis. The speaker additionally will get IP67 ingress safety, and whereas the 5W driver would not get anyplace as loud or detailed, it’s first rate sufficient in its personal proper. It additionally makes use of a cavity to create a louder sound, and it prices $39 on Amazon.
General, the Sound Out of doors is one other win for Xiaomi. The speaker appears good, has an excellent sound, and would not value as a lot as its rivals. Briefly, this is without doubt one of the greatest funds Bluetooth audio system you will get at this time.
With terrific sound and a vibrant design, Xiaomi’s Sound Out of doors is a funds Bluetooth speaker that excels on the fundamentals.
