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Harman Kardon Esquire Mini Bluetooth Speaker

Dredgy
By Dredgy
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I recommend watching the video for more detail and glam footage (mostly of myself, but there's some of the speaker). Bonus for 21:9 users - watch in 1440p full screen :)

 

I've been chasing a bluetooth speaker for a long while now. I'm an insomniac and I like to listen (not watch) TV shows in bed to help me doze off. This is usually ruined by me rolling over and then having to reposition the iPad to be able to hear what's going on. Enter needing a speaker - but I've yet to find one that appeals to me. I bought this completely on impulse while I was in the store.

 

Pros

  • Build quality and appearance absolutely breathtaking
  • Well packaged
  • Sound is crystal clear across all frequencies.
  • Vibrant, distinct Harman Kardon sound signature
  • Sound signature optimized for dialogue and talking. Great for TV and phone calls
  • Can push reasonable volume for a speaker of it's size.  Medium volume is enough to fill a largeish bedroom.
  • Active noise cancelling stereo microphones for excellent phone call clarity
  • Very classy and stylish if you're discerning. 

 

Cons

  • At very loud volumes, sound loses clarity and even distorts to an almost "tinny"  quality. So not for huge parties.
  • Not particularly rugged - no dustproofing or waterproofing mentioned. Not game to test it!
  • No charging cable included
  • Very little bass. While low frequencies are clear, they don't pack much "oomph".
  • Not very versatile
  • Expensive. I'm reluctant to say it's overpriced since you can clearly see where the money is being spent and it has a niche use (is a truly excellent speakerphone) - but for the sound quality you're getting at this price point there are better options for music and general listening. 

 

So while I would buy one of these if I needed a speakerphone in either my home or office (both where appearance is important, and it fits seamlessly in with modern decor) or as ambient music (which I did after a date) it is too expensive for me to justify solely as a TV-watching speaker, and not versatile enough to act as a party or outdoor speaker. Please don't get me wrong - the sound quality is excellent but there are simply better options for the price.

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Great review as always, I agree a great speaker, sounds great and is gorgeous!

I would have bought one but the JBL Flip was 70% off so for £30 I could not refuse!

(Off topic, you should try ASMR videos, I dont have it myself but the videos help me sleep, I love soft spoken videos or binaural ear massages, SUPER relaxing, use them every night to sleep)

Desktop - Corsair 300r i7 4770k H100i MSI 780ti 16GB Vengeance Pro 2400mhz Crucial MX100 512gb Samsung Evo 250gb 2 TB WD Green, AOC Q2770PQU 1440p 27" monitor Laptop Clevo W110er - 11.6" 768p, i5 3230m, 650m GT 2gb, OCZ vertex 4 256gb,  4gb ram, Server: Fractal Define Mini, MSI Z78-G43, Intel G3220, 8GB Corsair Vengeance, 4x 3tb WD Reds in Raid 10, Phone Oppo Reno 10x 256gb , Camera Sony A7iii

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@ShadowCaptain How's the Flip? I was looking at a JBL Charge 2+, which sounded great in-store but I was travelling so didn't have time to take it back if it sucked. Though since JBL is owned by Harman I have a level of inherent trust.

 

I will certainly give them a shot. Some white noise on a nice speaker might do wonders.

 

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1 minute ago, Dredgy said:

@ShadowCaptain How's the Flip? I was looking at a JBL Charge 2+, which sounded great in-store but I was travelling so didn't have time to take it back if it sucked. Though since JBL is owned by Harman I have a level of inherent trust.

 

I will certainly give them a shot. Some white noise on a nice speaker might do wonders.

 

 

Actually I am super impressed by it! Sadly the battery life is mediocre but still manages 5/6 hours which is okay, can easily power it off a battery bank anyway

My dad ended up picking one up too he liked it, also super build quality

"In store" it sounded as good or better than the bose soundlink mini, which is an utter beast of a portable speaker, and there was a B&O one for £300 which was not really any better

Considering it was £30 its amazing, at full price id still call it great too!

Yeah there are tons of different things, some I like, some I dont, I quite like crinkle videos :D massageasmr (a lovely aussie bloke) does some where he crinkles like plastic packaging and at quiet volumes it just makes me sleepy

Desktop - Corsair 300r i7 4770k H100i MSI 780ti 16GB Vengeance Pro 2400mhz Crucial MX100 512gb Samsung Evo 250gb 2 TB WD Green, AOC Q2770PQU 1440p 27" monitor Laptop Clevo W110er - 11.6" 768p, i5 3230m, 650m GT 2gb, OCZ vertex 4 256gb,  4gb ram, Server: Fractal Define Mini, MSI Z78-G43, Intel G3220, 8GB Corsair Vengeance, 4x 3tb WD Reds in Raid 10, Phone Oppo Reno 10x 256gb , Camera Sony A7iii

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18 minutes ago, ShadowCaptain said:

 

Yeah there are tons of different things, some I like, some I dont, I quite like crinkle videos :D massageasmr (a lovely aussie bloke) does some where he crinkles like plastic packaging and at quiet volumes it just makes me sleepy

 

Oh yes I know those haha. I was thinking more like jungle sounds and whale song!

 

I will put the Flip on my shortlist then, along with the Outdoor Tech Turtle Shell.

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