An array of wireless Bluetooth speakers are hitting the markets lately as users are seeking high quality audio which most smartphones fail to deliver. TaoTronics is an US based company that deals in consumer electronic devices and accessories. It had earlier launched a small TT-SK02 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker and the company recently launched a powerful TT-SKO6 Bluetooth Speaker. We have got our hands on the TT-SKO6 Bluetooth Speaker that is available on Amazon.com for about $60 (reduced from the original price of $130). Let’s see if the speaker is worth the price tag in this review.
Box Contents
- TaoTronics TT-SKO6 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
- USB cable
- Aux cable
- User manual
The TaoTronics speaker does not come with a wall charger.
Design and build quality
The speaker is rectangular in size and has a strong build with stylish look. The body of the speaker is encompassed in aluminum finish that gives it a premium feel. Present on the top is a circular button that boasts of all the controls of the speaker. The power button that has a LED indicator is present on top, while the volume controls are on either side of the circular control. There is also a play/pause button that lets you receive call once it is connected to your smartphone. The TaoTronics branding is present below the circular dial. The speaker measures 7.83 x 2.36 x 2.24 inches. Although it sports a sleek and sharp design, it is not light and weighs 1.58 pounds that translates to about 717 grams.
It comes with two 2 x10w (20W) speakers and 2 bass radiators.
At the back, the speaker has a micro USB charging port and AUX audio input. You can connect it to a PC, laptop or any device with a 3.5mm audio jack using the bundled AUX cable. We tried to connect the speaker with a Windows laptop using the AUX cable and it worked smoothly. The LED indicator on the button goes red indicating low battery and the speaker can be charged using the USB cable.
At the bottom the speaker has a thick rubber pad that makes it easy to keep on a surface.
To connect the speakers you simply have to power on the speakers and enable the Bluetooth on your smartphone. Once, connected the LED light will turn blue and make a sound. We tried pairing the speaker with an Android smartphone as well as an iPhone. The pairing process is quick on both.
You can control the music and volume on the speakers from your smartphone using the buttons on top of the speakers. However, the speaker does not let you control the music and change the tracks, but only control volume which is a bummer as this could have been a handy feature.
Sound Quality and Performance
The speaker output is really impressive and offers a well-balanced music experience. We tried the speaker with different music genres like simple soulful music with focus on voice and the results were perfect. Same was the case with intense rock music. Audio output in lows, mids and highs are also good and offer clear and crisp output. Sound did not distort even in the highest volume level. The two 10 watt speakers are quite powerful and deliver a good audio output. Also, we found that the bass level on the speaker is nice and offers just the right amount and does not overdo it. TaoTronics says that the speaker connects to any Bluetooth-enabled device from up to 30 feet,and we tried that during our testing period and it worked without any glitches. The built-in microphone of the speaker is also fine and works well in case you are using it for calls.
Connectivity and battery life
Coming to the connectivity, the speaker has Bluetooth and 3.5mm AUX-In support which is present in most of the devices. However, it does not support NFC which is a bummer as it is one of the features which is available in most of the speakers these days. In case of the battery, the 4000mAh rechargeable battery of the speaker lasts up to 5 and half hours. You can recharge the speaker with a standard micro USB cable. One of the most important offering from TaoTronics is that the company gives you life time guarantee and will replace your product with a new one for any defect or other non-satisfaction. It will even provide full refund for the device which is a pretty good deal.
Conclusion
To sum up, the TaoTronics TT- SKO6 is a great speaker and offers a rich music experience on the go. It is powerful and perfect for a small house party or a picnic to a nearby garden. I wish that the speaker could have been a bit lighter, but again that is not a major concern. The connectivity process on the speaker is also pretty smooth. For a price $60 (Rs. 3960 approximately), the TaoTronics TT- SKO6 is definitely a catch.
Pros
- Solid build
- Impressive sound quality
Cons
- No NFC support
- Bit heavy