Xiaomi clearly is aware of make great-sounding audio merchandise on a finances, and the Sound Out of doors is not any completely different. The Bluetooth speaker is accessible in vibrant colours, and an enormous 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 Might 2024, and it prices ₹3,999 ($46) in India; an excellent worth when you think about the feature-set. You may also 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.Ok., you may must shell out £35 ($44).
Like Tribit’s StormBox 2 and most new merchandise on this section, 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 brilliant orange hue does an excellent job accentuating the otherwise-muted black shade scheme. For those who want a little bit of vibrancy, the speaker is accessible in blue and purple shade variants as properly.
The outer floor of the Sound Out of doors is coated in cloth with a mesh masking, and it feels nice to carry. You get rubber ft on one aspect, and Xiaomi’s brand is emblazoned on the entrance, however because it’s in the identical shade 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. Apparently, Xiaomi says you possibly can join the Sound Out of doors with 99 different audio system, creating an array totaling 100 items. However because the producer despatched over simply the one unit for testing, I wasn’t capable of see if this function is any good. Regardless, it needs to be ok in stereo mode as properly, so if you need a wider soundstage, choosing up two of those is an efficient possibility.
Both finish of the Sound Out of doors has a passive radiator that does a superb job making a vibrant sound, and the speaker itself accommodates two driver items — a 20W woofer and a 10W tweeter. The mixed 30W sound is among the many greatest on this class, and it does an honest 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 properly. You get a superb vitality within the low-end together with clear mids and recessed highs, and the general tonality lends itself properly to informal listening. Because the identify suggests, this speaker’s primary attraction is that it may be used outside, 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 possibly can 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 selection to be used within the residence or outside.
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 ok on this class.
There are not 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 expenses through 15W USB PD (5W/3A), so you should utilize nearly any charger with the speaker. Nevertheless, as there is no quick charging, it takes over two and a half hours to cost the Sound Out of doors, so I might recommend plugging it in at night time.
For those who want higher sound, I extremely suggest the StormBox 2 — it’s my go-to moveable speaker as of late. It’s costlier at $69, however you get a richer sound, higher battery, and I just like the design a little bit higher. The StormBox 2 will also be utilized in stereo mode, and also you get in depth customizability relating to the sound.
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Conversely, if you need one thing that is not as massive, 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 respectable sufficient in its personal proper. It additionally makes use of a cavity to create a louder sound, and it prices $39 on Amazon.
Total, the Sound Out of doors is one other win for Xiaomi. The speaker appears to be like good, has an excellent sound, and would not price as a lot as its rivals. In brief, this is without doubt one of the greatest finances Bluetooth audio system you may get at present.
With terrific sound and a vibrant design, Xiaomi’s Sound Out of doors is a finances Bluetooth speaker that excels on the fundamentals.
