With transforming trend of the new age technology, our gadgets are turning into machines which we never even imagined. With time, we are moving to transform everything to the best it can be, and here is an example of something that shows strength, portability and performance at its best for the price it comes for. Altec Lansing has brought the rough and tough portable speakers in India at INR 8000, named the Mini LifeJacket 2.
Portable Bluetooth speakers always used to disappoint me a bit, many of them impressed but there was always something that missed the spot. But just when I was ready to believe that I expected way too much, Altec Lansing proved I had every right to expect what I desire. The new Mini LifeJacket 2 from Altec Lansing is a great portable speaker for those who love music, travelling and adventure.
Out of the box
In the box with the speaker we got the mounting kit, USB 2.0 with charger and the User manual. The one thing that I did not appreciate is that, the carry pouch is not included in the box; you always need a carry pouch to keep the speaker and the related accessories which are not easily manageable.
Design and build quality
This portable speaker measures 2.5″ X 6.5″ X 2.375″ and weighs just 350 grams, this weight is pretty convincing if we look at the ruggedness it offers. It makes it easy to carry and does not put an extra bulk into your bag pack or however you are carrying it. You can easily carry the speaker in your hand and keep it anywhere you want to.
It is covered by two layers of rubber that protects it from shocks and it also keeps it steady while playing loud music. The top has the volume and power keys, aux and charging ports are at the back side, and there is a universal mounting jack at the bottom. The first rubber coating comes in distinct colours and a black rubber coating is encases from the top, which makes it look very stylish and gives it a tough look and feel as well.
Altec Lansing Mini LifeJacket 2 Photo Gallery
Special Features
Other than the amazing sound quality, the highlight of this portable sound box is its toughness. This speaker is perfect for outdoor as well as indoor usage. It is IP67 approved which makes it waterproof, snow proof, sand proof, dustproof, shockproof and the most amazing part, it floats on water. In short, it is EVERYTHING PROOF, isn’t that amazing?
Other than the durability and toughness, it also features a microphone to allow you to take phone calls and allow hands-free communication when your phone is connected via Bluetooth. For power, it features a Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery which offers up to 10 hours of music and phone calls. The universal mounting kit can be used to mount it anywhere you want to. It also gives a vocal confirmation for power On/Off and bluetooth connection if the device is under 30 foot range.
Sound Quality
When we review a speaker, the most important thing to test is the sound quality that is delivered by it. The Mini LifeJacket 2 does a good job as far as the loudness and clarity is concerned. There are no fancy buttons and modes like equalizer or turbo sound but you can change it if your phone has some integrated sound enhancing features. I tested with different genres of like Classical, RnB, Rock, Electronic music and Pop music. Getting into the details, I won’t say that the sound quality was great because in spite of being very loud and clear the crispness was not what is expected from great speakers. But this does not bother until you demand perfection and want the tiniest of the sound to reach your ear.
First time when I increased the volume to the fullest, I was surprised by the loudness that came out of such a small box. Not just loud, it was so clear that you will not hear even the tiniest of distortion at any point of time. The bass and treble is pretty nicely tuned and balanced.
Connectivity
One of the most crucial factors that matter is the connectivity options available and how well do they work. The Mini LifeJacket 2 gives you an option to choose between the Bluetooth and 3.5 mm audio jack. Both the Bluetooth and 3.5 mm aux function properly, the Bluetooth takes just 3 seconds to connect the phone to the speakers and the range is 33 ft.
Compatibility
Mini LifeJacket 2 is compatible with almost every possible device with Bluetooth, which include Apple, Android, Blackberry or any other laptops and tablets.
Conclusion
At a price of INR 8000, you would be hard-pressed to find a more outdoor-ready portable speaker than the Altec Lansing Mini LifeJacket 2. It is small, durable and lightweight if compared to other speakers of this range, you can easily take it anywhere with you and 10 hours of battery backup will keep you entertained on overnight camping. It is impact-proof, waterproof, and dirt- and dust-resistant. This speaker is rugged enough to handle as many outdoor adventures as you can do. But if you are looking for the best quality sound, then you have to compromise with the toughness and choose some other speaker at a bit higher price range.