With the release of A2DP support for the iPhone, companies have started to make audio peripherals to take advantage of stereo Bluetooth support. That’s not to say the technology hasn’t been around for a while. It has, but it hasn’t been widely adopted for regular audio. Instead, it’s the connection of choice for wireless mouse and keyboard connections or phone headsets. The YUBZ Magnum, though, uses Bluetooth to deliver stereo sound through a powered speaker tube with just enough flair to make it desirable.
Appearance/Build Quality
The Magnum is a great looking device, though it may get your significant other wondering if you’re feeling a little..self-conscious. It’s a simple tube with speakers on both end, wrapped in padded leather, which features embossed buttons. The buttons are a bit hard to read, but after using the device for a half hour or so you should have the locations pretty well memorized. The bottom of the Magnum has a compartment for batteries (4 AA), an audio port for connection to any audio device, and an AC port for the included USB charger/USB wall adapter.
In the box you’ll also get a nice little carrying case (with a pouch for an iPod if you choose to connect via the included 3.5mm cable), the aforementioned USB to AC cable/wall adapter, and a 3.5mm male to male cable for audio connections. I think $110 is a little on the pricey side, but you get a nice accessory set and I can’t stress enough how great portability is.
Sound Quality And Features
As with any A2DP audio device, you need to put aside your desire for high fidelity music from any source. The speakers sound pretty average over Bluetooth, though the sound does improve over line-in connection. The Magnum puts out surprisingly decent bass and can get loud enough to watch a movie or listen to over the shower.
The Magnum holds a strong connection, though I couldn’t quite get to the stated 30ft. Then again, I always tried with walls in the way, so outdoors, at a picnic for instance, you might be fine. It connected quickly and easily to both my iPhone and my MacBook and played continuously for almost 9 hours before the batteries died.
I did have a couple problems with features. Though you can control some devices with onboard controls, others don’t seem to work. The previous and next functions worked with iTunes when connected to my laptop but not with my iPhone. Really this isn’t a big deal, because in the applications for which I’d use this thing, I’m likely to have my phone or my laptop close at hand. If you’re looking for something you could use outside while your computers streams from inside, though, connectivity may be an issue.
A nice bonus on the Magnum is the built-in microphone. If you’re connected to a phone you can still receive and answer calls, transfer them back to your phone if you don’t want to use the speaker, and even redial if the call gets dropped. Just remember, it’s a wide-area microphone next to a pair of speakers, so the person on the other end will be painfully aware he is on speakerphone.
The Verdict
If you want a portable music solution for your phone that puts out decent sound, the YUBZ Magnum is a great choice. It makes a perfect companion to the beach or a local park, where you’ll be able to wirelessly stream music for hours without much worry. Just make sure you keep your batteries fresh. The unit is simple enough to do what it does well, without adding on a bunch of unnecessary features.
For me, the telephony features are really secondary and I can’t say I’ll use them much. It is nice, though, that the Magnum alerts you to an incoming call and will forward the call straight to your phone at the push of a button.
There have been plenty of rumors surrounding the Apple media event next week. We’re almost guaranteed to see an iPod update, and though people would love to see a tablet announcement, it doesn’t look likely. There is one product, though, that the world (including Apple) has all but forgotten: Apple TV.
