Bluetooth speakers have become such a hit these days especially with the rise of music and video streaming apps. Indeed, the ability to wirelessly control and project your music library has in a way created a niche that a lot of audio equipment manufacturers are trying to get a piece of.

Harman Kardon, being one of the most established brands in the audio equipment industry has of course created several versions of the Bluetooth speaker. In fact, the company already has several iterations of the wireless speaker from high performance wireless speaker systems to portable versions that double as power banks.

Over the past couple of weeks, I got the chance to test drive one of Harman Kardon’s portable Bluetooth speakers – the Esquire 2 and put it to its paces. If you’re on the hunt for a wireless speaker but want to distinguish yourself from the rest of the crowd, read on and check whether the Esquire 2 is the best product for you.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX

For the hefty price tag it commands, the box of the Esquire 2 is a bit uninspiring, well at least on the outside. The exterior of the box is clad with various signages and images of the device as well as text description of its features in different languages.

Opening the box, involves lifting two flaps of cardboard. The insides of the box is padded with black high-density foam, which cradles all the contents of the box in a secure manner. Apart from the Esquire 2, the box also contains a micro USB charging cable (no wall adapter) and the usual mix of paper work including a quick start guide and important safety instructions booklet.

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

Harman Kardon has long been known for producing top notch audio products with premium build materials and design. The Esquire 2 is definitely not exempted from this tradition. The speaker is bound by a metal band with chamfered edges both at the front and at the back. The back panel of the Esquire 2 seems to be made from leather while the speaker grill at the front is made from high-grade plastic.

There’s also a chrome-plated kickstand at the back with a strip of rubber at one end to prevent the stand from slipping. Correspondingly, there are two rubber feet located at the bottom portion of the speaker to keep the speaker in place when on a flat surface.

The Esquire 2 also features several LED lights that work as indicator lights for various statuses. On one hand, there are five LED lights at the left side of the speaker which shows the battery level of the Esquire 2. There’s also a multi-color LED light at the front of the device which shows a different color depending on its status – white when the device is turned on, blue when the speaker is paired or is pairing with another device, green when a call is active or is ringing and red when the call is on mute.

Looking at the top of the device, you’ll find a plethora of buttons that of course controls various functions of the speaker. At the far left, there are four buttons: power, Bluetooth, the call answer and mute button; while a volume rocker sits at the opposite end.

The right side of the device is where you’ll find its trio of ports, namely the charging port, an aux port and finally a USB port as the Esquire 2 also doubles as a portable power bank that can charge other devices. Finally, the Esquire speakers also features four microphones that are placed at each corner at the front of the speaker making it a great device for office conference rooms.

Overall, the design and construction of the Esquire 2 is mostly intended for those with sophisticated tastes. The device fits well in specific spaces like conference rooms or formal living rooms and probably is suitable for company execs and professionals who are into high-end audio equipment, which is essentially Harman Kardon’s target market.  

USER EXPERIENCE & SOUND QUALITY

Just like any other Bluetooth speaker, the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 connects to smart devices without much effort. Once the device is on, a user simply needs to press the pairing button at the top and use the Bluetooth settings in their phone or tablet to pair with the speaker.

Once paired, the Esquire 2 becomes an extension of the device churning out audio for the phone, tablet or laptop. Moreover, since the speaker also comes with four microphones, it also works as an audio input device allowing users to utilize the Esquire 2 when making audio or video calls.

In terms of audio quality, I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the sound coming out of the Esquire 2. Even when the speaker is on full blast, I didn’t notice that much sound distortion compared to other speakers. Moreover, in contrast to other Bluetooth speakers in the market, the Esquire 2 focuses on delivering crisp audio instead of the usual bass boost.

Speaking of audio levels, the Esquire 2 is able to generate a considerable amount of boom. I tried cranking the volume up to the maximum level and my phone’s audio meter registered over 60dB. It’s worth noting that even at this level, the sound coming from the speakers are still clear and crisp with minimal quality loss.

EXTRA FEATURES AND BATTERY LIFE

Apart from playing tunes and acting as a conference room gadget, the Esquire 2 is also a portable power source. A USB port is located at the right side of the speakers which users can use to top-off their smartphone or tablet.

Theoretically, the 3200mAh battery on the device is enough to fully charge a decent-size smartphone, however, this theory is doesn’t really work well in practice since the sound drivers also draw power from this battery. It was quite difficult to accurately test how well the speaker was at charging other devices but I wouldn’t recommend users relying on this device in a power emergency.

Finally, when it comes to longevity, the Esquire 2 was able to last for days on moderate use. According to the package, the device is able to go for 8 hours of continuous playback, which is quite respectable especially for a Bluetooth device.

As for charging time, one can expect the device to be fully charged in less than two hours depending on the type of charger they are using.

FINAL WORDS

To sum it all up, I find the Harman Kardon Esquire 2, quite an enjoyable device to listen to. I really like the design language that the company used in the construction of this product. In terms of looks and appeal, I can clearly see this device harmoniously living with other premium gadgets in an executive’s office.

I also like that it has the ability to charge other devices. Although its ability to share power to other devices is quite useful, it doesn’t make it a replacement for your full-fledged power banks. Nonetheless, it’s a feature that’s quite welcome.

The quad-microphone feature is also nifty, although I think it’s a component that a lot of people will take advantage of (especially here in the Philippines). But then again, it’s nice that Harman Kardon included it.

For around Php10,995 (or around $199.95 on Harman Kardon’s US website), the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 is not a cheap buy. This particular model of Bluetooth speakers will most likely be owned by a high-level executive, who takes this device in his “jetsetter” lifestyle taking conference calls in different parts of the world.

As for the rest of us, it’s something we’d like to include in our dream board of gadgets we want to own, when we make it to the big league or if we ever won the lottery. It is for this reason that I highly recommend the Esquire 2 – that is, if you can afford it.  

If you want a hands-on experience with the Harman Kardon Esquire 2, you can visit any of the following JBL/Harman Kardon/A.Refinery stores:

• JBL Sound Gallery – B3 Bonifacio High Street (beside TGIFriday’s and Happy Lemon), 799-9344
• JBL Acoustical Space – 4th Floor SM Megamall Cyberzone, 919-6012
• JBL Digital Dreams – 4th Floor SM North EDSA Annex, 738-2554
• JBL / Harman Kardon Level 3 Mindanao Wing TriNoma
• JBL / Harman Kardon 3rd Floor Fairview Terraces
• A.Refinery Level 2, UP Town Center
• A.Refinery Level 3, Ayala Center Cebu
• A. Refinery Level 2, Abreza Ayala Mall

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The announcement of the iPad Pro signified a new age for the iPad in which the tablet becomes a major productivity device that could potentially replace your laptop. While the top-of-the-line Apple slate is quite expensive for the average tablet user and could easily cost as much as a full-featured laptop, the Cupertino company’s iPad Air 2 offers a more affordable alternative without compromising on productivity.

The iPad Air 2 has been in the market for over a year now, which means that third party manufacturers have ample amount of time to create accessories for the device. These include keyboards of all types that allow the iPad Air to become a productivity device for creating documents, presentations and spreadsheets.

However, while the selection of Bluetooth keyboards for the iPad Air 2 might be extensive, a lot of them are also quite expensive or underwhelming. So, is there a BT keyboard out there that offers great value for money?

We take a look at Seenda’s Bluetooth Keyboard case for the iPad Air 2 to see if it can be the perfect productivity partner to get more work done on the iPad.

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

The Seenda Bluetooth keyboard is composed of two parts: the folio part with the snap on case that holds the iPad and the removable keyboard.

The folio case has four folds that allow the case to transform from a notebook style case for the tablet into a stand that props up the iPad to be used either for viewing content or working with the Bluetooth keyboard.

By the looks of it, a form of textured faux leather was used in the construction of the Seenda case. There are two diagonal silver accents that run across the outside of the case as well as a chrome-plated Seenda branding at the back of the cover that give it a minimalist yet tasteful feature.

The inner lining of the case is covered with the same textured faux leather material but this time, it’s treated with a matte gray finish, possibly to give it more grip for the keyboard and the tablet. The plastic snap on case is very thin, which allows your iPad Air 2 to keep its thin profile. The case also has a small rubber strip at the bottom that prevents slippage when you prop up the tablet.

The Seenda BT Keyboard case has specific cut-outs for the rear camera, the volume buttons, the power/sleep button, the bottom speakers and the lightning port, which should give users easy access to users even when using third party accessories.

THE KEYBOARD

Of course, the star of this device is the keyboard. Just like the cover, the keyboard is covered in the same textured faux leather material and is bound by a small strip of black plastic

The board uses island-style keys that are made from plastic. Although the amount of space in the keyboard isn’t as generous as those from full-size devices, there is enough space between keys for a comfortable typing experience.

The keyboard works fine with different types of devices including Android phones and tablets as well as Windows smartphones and computers. This adds flexibility to the Bluetooth keyboard although you can only connect one device at a time and there’s no way for you to switch between devices compared to other keyboards.

The keys have enough travel that provide ample tactile feedback. However, there were times that the device failed to register our keystrokes that lead to us misspelling words several times during our tests.

Also, unlike other keyboard cases in the market, the Seenda BT keyboard is detachable allowing for more flexibility when it comes to the tablet’s viewing angles. There are small magnets at the back of the keyboard, which keeps it in place when it’s not in use.

However, even these magnets are not enough to keep the keyboard in place if you try to use the case on your lap. Having said this, the Seenda BT keyboard is only meant to be used on a flat and stable surface, which limits its usability as a productive device.

SPECIAL FEATURES

In contrast to Bluetooth keyboards from more popular brands like Logitech or Belkin, Seenda has decided to use a different layout by placing the keys at the top of the board and giving room for a small palm rest at the bottom.

The palm rest adds a bit of comfort to the typing experience. In fact, the typing experience on the Seenda keyboard can at times be as close to that of a laptop keyboard that there were times that we were trying to touch the area where a touchpad was supposed to be located.

Pairing the device is an easy affair. After switching on the keyboard, users simply need press the pairing button at the right and input the four-digit code that will be displayed on the tablet into the keyboard and press enter.

The Seenda keyboard also has dedicated number keys at the top making it very convenient to input numbers in spreadsheets or documents. On top of that, the numeric keys have a secondary function that can be activated when the key is pressed with the Fn key.

A manual switch is also located at the right portion of the keyboard which you flick back and forth to turn the keyboard on and off. A few millimeters from the power switch is a small strip with indicator lights for the caps lock, the battery status indicator and the Bluetooth pairing indicator.

Final Words

When it comes to being productive using a tablet, a keyboard is the best way to get more work done. There are a lot of options in this category including those from more established brands like Logitech, Kensington and Belkin. However, products from these brands rarely go below $50. This is where the Seenda Bluetooth keyboard comes in with its sub $40 price tag.

Overall, the Seenda Bluetooth keyboard offers quite a nice package with a minimalist yet feature-packed design. We liked that keys are placed with enough space to make for a comfortable typing experience and that there’s a dedicated number row with a special function. Battery life was also commendable, which in our case took several weeks before needing a recharge.

However, the device is not without any shortcomings. Our biggest issue with the Seenda BT keyboard is that you can’t really use it on your lap when typing, which greatly limits the amount of work that can be done on the iPad. There were also times that the keys were not as responsive as we’d like. Lastly, we didn’t like that the Bluetooth connection automatically shuts down after a certain amount of time and we have no control over it.

With all things said, the Seenda Bluetooth keyboard case remains an excellent choice for iPad Air 2 owners who want to get a case/keyboard combo that does what it’s supposed to do without costing too much.

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Retailing giant Amazon just launched a new speaker product in the market. But if you’re thinking that it’s just one of those run-of-the-mill Bluetooth speakers, you’re underestimating Amazon a bit too much.

Aside from streaming songs online or via Bluetooth, Amazon’s Echo also acts as your home’s virtual assistant much like Siri, Google Now and Cortana are for phones. The speaker connects to the internet where it gets all the information it needs for your requests. Just like its mobile counterparts, the virtual assistant in the Echo is voice activated.

The speaker is always on and users can instruct the device using an assigned “wake word”. According to Amazon, Echo uses far field technology including a group of seven microphones around the top of the device so you don’t need to shout in order to give it instruction.

A companion app can be downloaded into a smartphone and tablet to help a user sort music, alarms and check shopping lists to name a few. Echo is a plug in and is meant to reside in the living room alongside the Fire TV in contrast to other Bluetooth speakers in the market.

Amazon is currently offering the Echo for $199 in an invite-only setup for now, possibly to test the product itself and its practical use in real life. If the sample group’s reception is positive we may soon see a smart speaker talking to us in the near future.

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If you’re one of those who bought an expensive audio system but you can’t use it to play your music collection since you store them in a tablet or smartphone, then Logitech’s Bluetooth Audio adaptor might be the gadget for you, especially if you’re not into buying those expensive docks.

The Logitech Bluetooth Audio adapter is a no brainer device that instantly transforms your existing audio system into wireless speakers. It’s incredibly easy to setup and it’s a slightly cheaper alternative to standalone BT speakers. But the question is, should you buy one? We took the device for a spin and here’s what we think about it.
THE GOOD
The winning feature of the Logitech Bluetooth Audio adapter is definitely its very straightforward setup. As we’ve mentioned, the device is a pretty simple and no-brainer device. It comes with its own power adapter, a RCA cable and the usual paper stuff including the warranty and a short manual. 

There are three ports at the back of the device – the RCA ports, the AUX port and the A/C port where the power adapter is plugged into. You can use your audio system’s RCA connection or a 3.5mm cable to hook up the device.
It is very easy to setup. There’s a blue indicator light at the front of the device that signals its connection status: blinking if it’s trying to look for a device to sync with and solid if it has paired successfully.

The adapter can only sync with one device so you don’t have to worry about someone hijacking your listening experience. In case you want to pair it with another device, you simple press the Bluetooth logo at the top and pair with the new device. 
THE NOT SO GOOD
There are only a few things not to like about the Logitech Bluetooth Audio adapter. First is that it can only stream from one device at a time so in case you have multiple gadgets where you store your music library or where you install your music apps, you’d have to manually reconnect the adapter every time you want to stream from a different device.

Also, we observed that the device had a bit of difficulty working with audio streaming apps like Spotify. We used a device with Bluetooth v3.0 on board and there were numerous instances of stuttering, which is actually weird because this was not the case when we were watching videos on YouTube. So, this issue might be related to the app and not the device itself. But in case you’re planning to buy this gadget, do check it in the store if it has an issue with audio streaming apps.
THE VERDICT
At just 2000PHP or just a little less than $45, the Logitech Bluetooth Audio adapter does what it’s supposed to be – it turns ordinary speakers into Bluetooth speakers. And it does this in a very simple manner that even an 8 year old will be able to figure it out.

However, it’s a bit conservative especially with the number of devices you can connect to it, so it’s not something we would recommend for family use. The device also has problems connecting to some audio streaming apps including Spotify, which is quite unfortunate since the audio streaming service has recently gained a huge following after its launch in the country.
With that being said, the Logitech Bluetooth Audio adapter is still a very lovable device and we’ll definitely recommend it to those who want a more affordable alternative to Android or iOS audio docks, or standalone Bluetooth speakers. 
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