In case you thought Victrola was a turntable firm, effectively, you’re not improper. That stated, the corporate has been branching out these days, together with a brand new line of Bluetooth audio system. The Victrola Music Version 1 is the smaller, extra transportable model of those new audio system.

With so many Bluetooth audio system within the wild, Victrola wants a approach to differentiate its choices. With each of the Music Version audio system, Victrola is specializing in two features: toughness and design sensibilities. Most Bluetooth audio system deal with design as an afterthought, however the Victrola Music Version 1 (in addition to the Music Version 2) gives a extra trendy design than many audio system.

Is the combo of climate resistance and design sufficient to make the Victrola Music Version 1 a better option than different Bluetooth audio system? Or ought to Victrola stick with turntables?

Construct and Portability

Whereas the Victrola Music Version 1 has the dimensions, portability, and controls of a Bluetooth speaker, the look is totally different. Obtainable in black and silver, the speaker is designed with a mesh of triangles over a silver grille fabric that makes the speaker look extra like a critical piece of residence audio tools, simply shrunk down.

This isn’t only a painted-on look on a plastic speaker, both. The Music Version 1 is comprised of aluminum, and it feels fairly powerful. Dropping the speaker would possibly find yourself denting the aluminum, however I doubt it will break the best way some equally sized audio system would.

This toughness extends to climate resistance as effectively, with IP67 water and dirt resistance. Audio system with one of these safety hardly ever look as good because the Music Version 1, with the one trace that it’s a rugged speaker coming within the rubberized buttons for the controls.

One last attention-grabbing element of the Music Version 1 is the included wrist strap. There’s a mount for this on the identical facet of the speaker because the controls, and is useful to maintain from dropping the speaker whereas on the transfer. On the identical time, it doesn’t get in the best way when it comes time to take heed to music.

Connectivity

The Music Version 1 is provided with Bluetooth 5.0, and that comes with all of the connectivity you’d normally anticipate. The utmost vary is round 33 toes, in contrast to different audio system which were growing the utmost vary in recent times.

Increasingly more Bluetooth audio system have been including the choice to pair a number of audio system for stereo sound, and Victrola has included this feature right here as effectively. You’ll be able to pair two Music Version 1 audio system for both stereo or dual-mono sound, relying on what you’re in search of.

In a characteristic I’m stunned we don’t see extra usually in Bluetooth audio system, the Music Version 1 additionally helps USB-C MP3 playback. Plug in a flash drive loaded with MP3s, and you’ll take your music with you with out even having to achieve on your cellphone.

Controls

Wanting on the controls, it’s a reasonably customary affair. You could have an influence button, devoted quantity buttons, a Bluetooth button for pairing, and a multifunction button. This takes care of pausing and resuming playback, in addition to double and triple faucets and a number of button combos that activate different options.

Double tapping the multifunction button skips to the following observe, whereas triple tapping it performs the earlier observe. Holding the button for 5 seconds activated USB-C MP3 playback mode.

To pair a number of audio system, press and maintain the Bluetooth and multifunction buttons on each audio system for one second. As soon as they’re paired, tapping this button combo swaps between stereo and twin mono modes.

Sound High quality

Wanting on the sheer specs, the Music Version 1 doesn’t precisely look spectacular. The speaker boasts a 2-inch driver and passive bass radiator, and that’s it.

Regardless of the tiny driver, the Music Version 1 has loads of quantity and even a good quantity of bass. It’s not going to energy a celebration, but it surely’s simply acquired sufficient quantity for a single individual and even sufficient to offer background for a small group.

I first gave the Music Version 1 a problem, listening to the Huge Walnuts Yonder track “Warmth Melter.” That is very a lot a stereo headphone track, and never one I assumed would swimsuit a small Bluetooth speaker. That stated, the Music Version does an excellent job collapsing all the pieces all the way down to mono, and Mike Watt’s bass comes via effectively with out distorting.

Subsequent up was The Kinks’ “The Contenders,” and the acoustic opening labored effectively on the Music Version 1. In a method, the speaker seems like a giant stereo shrunk down, however with ample bass, particularly as soon as the track kicks off. Some decrease bass notes did appear to vanish now and again.

Lastly, I queued up The Informal Dots’ “Descending,” a track with a sparse association that would simply sound dangerous on a small mono speaker. The Music Version 1 delivered right here, highlighting small particulars like reverb tails very effectively.

Wanting on the grille design on the again of a speaker, you could think about that sound comes out of either side of the speaker, however that isn’t the case. The sound solely comes out of the facet of the speaker with the Victrola brand, and may be very directional.

The sound modifications barely once you flip the speaker between portrait and panorama orientation, but it surely’s probably not noticeable.

Battery Life

Regardless of the small measurement, the Victrola Music Version 1 gives respectable battery life. A full cost will get you as much as 12 hours of music playback. This can differ based mostly on the amount you’re enjoying music at, however you may anticipate to remain near that 12-hour determine so long as you’re not enjoying the speaker too loud.

When it comes time to cost up, you may cost through the USB-C port on the again. Assuming your charger has sufficient energy, the speaker can cost from empty to full in round two hours.

I point out your charger as a result of whereas Victrola features a USB-C cable with the Music Version 1, it doesn’t embrace a charger.

Ought to You Purchase the Victrola Music Version 1?

Whereas the IP67 climate resistance is sweet, it’s not distinctive to this speaker. As a substitute, the primary robust fits of the Victrola Music Version 1 are the design and portability. There are many different elements right here, however the eye-catching look and wrist strap are among the many extra distinctive options.

The Music Version 1 is smaller than you could anticipate, and for the dimensions, it sounds larger than you could anticipate. No, you don’t get the booming bass you’d get from a bigger speaker, however that bigger speaker wouldn’t be as simply transportable because the Music Version 1.

Contemplating the value, choosing up two Music Version 1 audio system and pairing them for stereo could also be a greater choose than a single, costlier speaker. If Victrola began providing a bundled pair, that may be an ideal purchase, however you may at all times begin with one and develop later.