BlueAnt is an Australian firm that gives novel and distinctive sports activities audio merchandise. Its headphones and earbuds are filled with a trendy design and are wi-fi and sweatproof, so you’ll be able to hearken to your favorite music whereas coaching or exercising. At present, we are going to try their newest addition the X1i, an iteration of a well-received Bluetooth speaker X1. We posted a write-up particularly for this product in November 2022. In case you have not learn it but, right here is the article, you’re welcome 🙂
Earlier than receiving the product, I used to be instructed that this Bluetooth speaker is ready to shock folks with its gorgeous loudness and depth of bass. As traditional, I’ll hold being sceptical about any feedback till I discover the reply for myself.
Unboxing
BlueAnt X1i is designed to function a compact transportable speaker, and so is the packaging. The manufacturing workforce just about used all of the area out there within the field. The retail field is about the identical measurement because the speaker itself, and the remainder of the room is taken by a USB charging cable (Kind-A to Kind-C) and a handbook.
For $99, X1i is filled with some actually respectable options, together with two 43mm drivers with passive radiators, Siri / Google voice integration, Bluetooth 5.3 (that is good!), 10 hrs of playback, a built-in microphone, and extra.
Pairing on this machine is a pleasure
Pairing the X1i has been a clean and satisfying expertise. Merely press the facility button to activate the speaker, and you will note the LED blinking in blue. From there, X1i might be detectable and recognized as ‘BlueAnt X1i’ in your different gadgets. After I was attempting to energy it off, I used to be not in a position to get it finished correctly the primary time, and that one was on me. For all different merchandise I’ve used, it’s generally practised to ask the person to maintain urgent down for a number of seconds earlier than it turns off. Who would have thought for at the moment’s Bluetooth gadgets, that merely urgent the facility button as soon as is all it’s important to do to show it off?
Simply since you are used to a technique, it doesn’t essentially imply it’s the finest. I do know this may be subjective, however I actually respect it when BlueAnt makes the pairing course of so easy. X1i did earn an additional level once I turned conscious of it.
Other than that, you too can join it with a 3.5mm audio cable to your supply. Simply so you understand, Duo mode doesn’t work underneath this technique. In principle, it ought to be capable of present a listening expertise of upper high quality relying in your audio supply.
There are a number of elements to contemplate relating to the advantages of a conveyable Bluetooth speaker. Portability, battery life, connectivity, and sturdiness are a few of the most necessary checkpoints for me.
It resides in my backpack now
As considered one of its promoting factors, BlueAnt did completely nice work and made X1i stand out from the gang. With a light-weight design, I’m pretty assured to say that even for a 3-year-old, it’s nonetheless completely certified as transportable. You could find a carry deal with on the physique that might simply match two fingers and provide you with a agency sense of safety. I truly did a strain check to drag the deal with in a method that folks wouldn’t usually do. Because of this, I’m very happy with X1i’s construct high quality. Throughout on a regular basis use, I are likely to seize it in hand as an alternative of utilizing the deal with, it simply seems to be a neater possibility for me. I’m certain you’ll find it in your individual method and resolve what works finest for ya.
Battery life on X1i isn’t an issue
BlueAnt formally claims as much as 10 hrs playtime, nevertheless it didn’t specify at what quantity. That’s why I’m going to say your mileage might fluctuate. Clearly, I used to be not loopy sufficient to finish a full battery check at 100% quantity; nonetheless, I achieved 6 to 7 hours of playtime when listening at 80% quantity, with a blended use between music and podcast. It’s completely acceptable not simply primarily based on my private expectation but in addition for the USB Kind-C port. It shares the identical charging cable as my Pixel cellphone, and that makes it lots simpler to cost and relieves my nervousness when it’s on a low battery degree. To me, USB type-C is unquestionably a giant YES. 
A steady and dependable connection
I used to be fairly stunned to see X1i helps Bluetooth 5.3. For expertise, after we discuss concerning the model numbers, normally the upper the higher. Effectively, virtually. However what makes Bluetooth 5.3 higher than the earlier model? Relying on the bandwidth required, this model gives decrease consumption, much less interference in connections, higher safety in connections, and better high quality always. I imagine this additionally explains the explanation why the person expertise of Duo mode on this machine is so impressively clean and satisfying. Now I begin to perceive why BlueAnt’s advertising and marketing workforce wished me to strive two X1i through the overview. In case you are actually assured in one thing you make and you understand the viewers goes to be impressed, why not give it a go?
I’ve briefly launched how simply the machine is paired within the earlier part. Now, let’s take a more in-depth have a look at the Duo mode. This mode permits us to attach two X1i audio system collectively to create a spacious stereo soundstage and produce the expertise to a completely new degree. Pairing in Duo mode requires further steps in comparison with regular Bluetooth pairing with the cellphone, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a noob-proof course of. Don’t be scared off by these prolonged official directions. As a substitute, when you simply energy on the machine and press down Vol+ and Vol- concurrently for only one sec, it would immediate “Duo mode pairing”, then repeat it on the second X1i. That’s it, I waited about 20 seconds for them to announce “Duo mode linked”. How easy is that?
I’m not certain how I can exactly specific the insane expertise with Duo mode, I’m hooked on it. I exploit them anytime there’s a probability. The one draw back for me is that it now requires me to hold two charging cables if I don’t wish to watch for lengthy. I believe a USB splitter cable could be the reply to my query, however I’m not certain if there’s one with 2x USB-C connectors, although.
Rock stable construct high quality
From my viewpoint, an Ingress Safety of ranking “56” (IP56) is kind of respectable for transportable audio system like X1i. The primary digit “5” means mud infiltration just isn’t fully stopped, nevertheless it can not enter in a amount that might prohibit the gear from working to its full potential. The second digit “6” units out safety from high-pressure water jets from any path. For a conveyable Bluetooth speaker, it’s pointless to ask for the next IP67 and even IP68 which gives complete safety from mud and shallow immersion in water. There are not often use-case eventualities for this machine. As well as, it would additionally improve the price of making and, ultimately mirrored within the retail value. Pay extra for one thing that’s not essentially required? I’d merely say “No” to it.
This factor is basically, actually loud and punchy
After I play it on the highest quantity in my home, folks standing out exterior would think about we’re having a celebration! That will sound unfaithful, however I guarantee you this isn’t an exaggeration. An ideal use state of affairs could be birthday events. Because of the twin 43mm drivers, this little factor truly will shock you with the loudness and the potential of doing bass. After I check the loudness for the primary time at residence, my speedy response was to show it down as shortly as I can, earlier than my neighbour decides to report it to the council.
Utilizing a cellular app as a noise detector doesn’t provide you with an correct studying since these microphones will not be designed for testing Sound Strain Degree (SPL). It does, nonetheless, provide you with an concept about how far the loudness might be achieved to a sure diploma. If we take some steps again from that outcome, even 85 decibels is completely loud sufficient to drive folks loopy. When it comes to the sound efficiency, I’ve no complaints, in any respect.
Ought to I get one?
After trying into its efficiency, construct high quality, connectivity, battery life and value, I’d extremely suggest you give it a strive; you received’t be disenchanted. I are typically cautious and conservative when giving folks shopping for recommendation. When you do want a conveyable Bluetooth speaker that does a improbable job and is from a good model, don’t miss this one. For $99, this can be a full no-brainer.
BlueAnt X1i is accessible from many native shops at AU$99. You could find them both on the BlueAnt web site, Officeworks or Huge W.
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