This is 5 stars all the way but keep your expectations in check here, it is VERY good for what it is, a small light weight, inexpensive, good sounding speaker with great playback time on a charge. For the price it's really good sounding but not as good as my Bose Soundlink Mini pictured or a B&W floor stander, size and price really do matter so keep things in perspective. This is the clear winner though when going light for camping and for carry-on luggage and you won't cry if you accidentally drop it to the bottom of a lake. Look at the size and weight relative to the Bose in the photos. The micro SD card playback is a huge plus, it eliminates the need for a player of some sort with related storage and battery drain issues, especially if one is truly off grid some place for days or even a very long day out and about. SD card playback is in the order that files are loaded onto the card, there's no shuffle so randomize the order before copying to the card, I prefixed file names with random numbers first. Loaded five old tiny/outdated micro SD cards with different genres, many days worth of music takes up less space than an iPod Shuffle without carrying an extra high drain player of some sort to charge off of solar or whatever. There is no display but two clicks of the mode button after power up gets you to SD playback every time reliably, one click for FM, there's a bit more poking around for FM stations but it's really no big deal, a display would add cost and weight. The buttons work really well on this thing, no lag or mystery missed clicks like some devices I have used. The volume control steps are very granular, there is a great deal of control at very low volume levels if you want to play the thing in situations where you don't want to disturb people. On the high volume side, everything is kept well under control, maximum volume is not over driven and distorted like many speakers, you can actually use it at full volume, surprisingly well designed.
This hack blew me away:
The speaker faces upwards, not at you in most situations, it sounds good but it's a bit directional (upwards) and lacks some presence. You can't really lay it on it's side because there is a passive radiator in the bottom and a firm connection between the base and a solid surface improves the sound quality. As pictured below, take a file folder and cut a 4” X 2.5” rectangular piece out of it. Use an elastic to hold it tightly in place around the speaker as shown, up when playing and around the speaker so it is protected during transport. I stuff the whole thing into a carry bag I had laying around from an old camera lens. The weight of paper in a file folder is about right, I didn't do exhaustive experimentation but I did find that heavier materials like plastic don't work as well. The difference is mind boggling, particularly the presence of vocals and guitars, it becomes a whole new speaker. It's just like the way the presence improves dramatically with the Bose when it's placed at an optimal distance from a wall, that's what got me thinking. Some combination of reflection and resonance in the paper makes this thing really come alive. You won't regret buying it.
| Mounting type | Free Standing |
|---|---|
| Model name | A3101 |
| Speaker type | Subwoofer |
| Special feature | Bluetooth, portable |
| Recommended uses for product | For Smartphones or Tablets |
| Compatible devices | Smartphone |
| Controller type | Battery Powered |
| Surround sound channel configuration | 4 |
| Colour | black |
| Battery life | 15 Hours |
| Included components | Speaker |
| Product Dimensions | 62.5D x 26.5W x 14.8H Centimetres |
| Age range (description) | Adult |
| Item weight | 200 Grams |
| Is waterproof | FALSE |
| Charging time | 15 Hours |
| Maximum range | 20 Meters |
| Manufacturer | Anker |
| Place of Business | MANHATTAN BEACH, CA, 90266 US |
| Model | A3101 |
| Part Number | A3101111 |
| Number of Processors | 1 |
| Special features | Bluetooth, portable |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Internet browser included | No |
| Color Screen | No |
| Speakers Nominal Output Power | 5 Watts |
| Speaker Amplification Type | Passive |
| Speaker connectivity | Bluetooth; USB; Auxilliary (3.5mm) |
| Voltage | 5 Volts |
| Wattage | 5 watts |
| Power source type | Battery Powered |
| Batteries included | Yes |
| Batteries Required | Yes |
| Battery Cell Composition | Lithium Polymer |
| Does it contain liquid? | No |
| Has audio recording capabilities | No |
| Includes rechargable battery | Yes |
| Includes AC adapter | No |
| Includes Remote | No |
| Manufacturer | Anker |
| Item model number | A3101 |
| ASIN | B01HTH3C8S |
