Image Via AQ Audio
When looking for a new speaker or speaker system the two biggest things I look for are sound quality and design. The AQ SmartSpeaker meets both of those requirements. The great sound quality, expandability, and portability should make for the perfect speaker package. Do they? Keep reading for my complete review.
The AQ SmartSpeaker by AQ Audio is a portable wireless speaker system that can not only run in a single speaker configuration, but also can run with multiple other AQ Smart Speakers for either a 3 channel set up, or for listening to the same music source in separate rooms in the house.
Set Up is simple and takes roughly 30 seconds depending on your level of computer knowledge. Plug the AQ SmartSpeaker in. Set up the system for either Wi-Fi Direct for your Android Device or AirPlay for your iOS devices. Also if you would rather, there is a 3.5mm aux input jack for use with MP3 players and other devices that do not have Wi-Fi or AirPlay abilities.
The AQ SmartSpeaker has a small size that fits into multiple locations. If you’re looking for a discrete speaker that you can place behind other devices to have a great sound through out your house without the intrusive look of having speakers everywhere then this is what you have been looking for.
These speakers have a black speaker fabric front with grey rubberized plastic back and red rubberized bottom. This keeps the speaker secure on most surfaces without sliding and falling onto the floor. There is also a nice chrome trim that wraps around the speaker. The top of the speaker features volume up and down buttons, Wi-Fi LED, and the Power/Mode button. ON the back you have the switch for either Middle Channel, Right Channel, or Left Channel (depending on the configuration you happen to be running), reset button, DC power input jack, 3.5mm aux audio input, and a USB jack to update the device firmware.
If you noticed up top I mentioned that these were also portable. Being plugged into a wall outlet doesn’t make for a very portable speaker. AQ Audio has packed enough battery power into these speakers that provide up to 20 hours of playback time using the 3.5mm input jack or 10 hours over Wi-Fi. There is also a battery save function that automatically shuts the device off if it detects an extended period of time that the device is idle.
Sound quality of the AQ SmartSpeaker is stellar with crisp sound and rock sold bass reproduction. The speakers put out 24 Watts of power through two 8 ohm drivers.
The AQ SmartSpeakers function just like any other AirPlay speaker when used via either you iPhone/Pod/Pad or iTunes on your computer. If you are an Android person, AQ has an app that allows you to play your music via a Direct Wi-Fi connection from your phone to the speaker.
AQ SmartSpeakers are compatible with iTunes 10.1 and newer, iPhone 5, 4S, 4,and 3GS, iPod Touch (2nd,3rd, 4th and 5th generation), iPad, iPad 2 and The New iPad, iPad Mini, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Android devices.
Price for the AQ SmartSpeaker is $179.00 $159.00 for one speaker, $318 for two, $477 for three and discounts for the more you buy. They are available at the AQ Audio Web Site.
