Victrola Music Edition 2 review: Fill your small space with big sound

&#13
&#13
AppleInsider may well earn an affiliate fee on purchases built through hyperlinks on our web-site.&#13
&#13

Victrola, known for its very affordable modern turntables, has finally damaged into the entire world of Bluetooth speakers. We’re excited to check out out the New music Version 2, a tabletop speaker with sufficient battery lifetime and created-in wireless charging.&#13

The Audio Edition 2 offers a fashionable design that we sense would in good shape into most households. In addition, we preferred how the geometric pattern on the front provides a little bit of visible fascination without the need of experience too gaudy. &#13

The metallic exterior also tends to make it sense much more considerable than lots of other portable speakers we’ve tried out out. It has an IP67 rating, which means that it can be safe and sound to take it poolside or to the seashore.&#13

The ME2 that we been given is a smooth, matte black, but it also arrives in silver.&#13

Victrola claims that the Music Edition 2 can get up to 20 hrs of playtime in advance of it desires to be recharged. Yet, we received just about 19 several hours at 50% quantity right before the speaker shut down. Shut plenty of.&#13

If played at a reduce volume, you might even now be equipped to get the 20 hrs advertised. &#13

The speaker rates through USB-C, and from empty, we uncovered that it took a very little over four and a 50 percent hrs to cost thoroughly.&#13

But the Victrola Songs Edition 2 is much more than a tabletop speaker — it really is also a convenient Qi charging pad. We analyzed it with our Iphone and a thin TPU situation, and it worked with no troubles. On the other hand, when examined with a thicker circumstance, it was hit-or-pass up if we could get it to charge. &#13

Of course, applying it as a charging pad will drain its inside battery more quickly, but it is however a great function to have. We feel that this feature helps make it an outstanding dorm home or studio condominium accent.&#13

The Victrola Audio Version 2 characteristics Bluetooth 5., which can make it effortless to pair with smartphones, tablets, pcs, or other Bluetooth-enabled audio devices. We had no problem connecting it to any device we threw at it. It does not function AirPlay.&#13

It also has a line-in, which suggests you can hook up it to a legacy system or cost-free up a Bluetooth slot on your Mac if you so decide on. &#13

It even plays MP3s from USB-C flash drives, which is a handy trick if you’re heading camping and really don’t want to drain your mobile phone battery participating in audio.&#13

When it arrived time to take a look at the audio, we were shocked by how whole it sounded. It is bought a shocking sum of bass for a tabletop speaker.&#13

The midrange also sounded good, and we are happy to report that the large-conclude is crisp and would seem to maintain its personal no subject the volume. There was no distortion, even at the maximum volume.&#13

Talking of quantity it can get incredibly loud. It averaged about 78 decibels at optimum quantity from 3 ft absent throughout our tests, which seemed an appropriate distance for a desktop speaker. A handful of situations, the speaker could ordinary a small over 80 decibels, but this heavily is dependent on what you might be listening to. &#13

This is a little bit reduced than the HomePod mini and a good deal decreased than the HomePod.&#13

Due to the fact it truly is a one speaker, the soundstage isn’t really especially strong. Even so, you can pair two speakers together for correct stereo sound at midway amongst what pair of HomePod mini or initial HomePods would price tag. &#13

The Victrola Music Edition 2 is an outstanding solution when room is at a quality. You can very easily tuck it absent on a desktop, a bookshelf, or a kitchen counter. As we might mentioned prior to, it would make a excellent speaker for a dorm room, a studio condominium, or a small speaker for a dwelling office environment.&#13

When it is really not going to switch a high-conclude, multi-speaker audio technique for audiophiles, for people who want a tiny all-intent speaker with a number of extra advantages, the Tunes Edition 2 is a strong choice.&#13

If you’d like a lesser speaker, Victrola also has the Music Edition 1, which is half the dimensions of the ME2, has a 12-hour battery life, and no wireless charging abilities, and expenditures $99.99.&#13

• Sleek structure

&#13

• Reliable construction

&#13

• Wi-fi charging pad

&#13

• Good bass for its sizing

&#13

• Exceptional higher-conclude clarity

The Victrola Audio Version 2 retails for $199 and can be acquired at the following vendors:&#13