Huawei Sound Review: Smaller, cheaper, better?
Verdict
The Huawei Sound is as entertaining as it is compact and demonstrates real hi-fi capabilities. All the same, its appeal is likely to be dampened by a lack of connected smarts (there'south no Google or Alexa vocalization control on offering). Still, information technology punches above its weight musically, making information technology well suited for smaller listening rooms.
Pros
- Classy, high-gloss appearance
- Devialet audiophile design
- Omnidirectional soundstage
Cons
- No smart functionality
- Devialet Space audio preset
- A bit of a faff to ready
Primal Features
- Devialet Infinite Soundstage Expands the soundstage with digital processing
- Hi-Fi/Song preset Several EQ effects to change how the speaker sounds
- Huawei AI Life app Allows for management of the speaker from a mobile device
Introduction
The Huawei Audio is the 2nd Bluetooth wireless speaker collaboration between Huawei and French hi-fi specialist Devialet. It's a skillful bargain smaller than the original Audio 10, merely looks much the same, with a piano gloss finish and two cut-outs to showcase the speaker'south push-push woofer configuration.
Within you lot'll detect a single 4-inch woofer and three tweeters, for a 360-degree omnidirectional soundstage. Full power output is rated at 55W, which makes it suitable for minor-to-medium-sized rooms.
The catch, of course, is that it isn't smart; there'due south no Alexa or Google voice control.
So, is this a deal-priced Devialet hi-fi speaker or a wireless Huawei curiosity?
Availability
- Britain RRP: £150
- USA unavailable
- Europe unavailable
- Canada unavailable
- Commonwealth of australia RRP: AU$329
The Huawei Audio was originally listed at £200 in the Uk. This put information technology at the higher end of the wireless Bluetooth market, and more expensive than the Amazon Echo Studio that'south a comparable size, simply comes with smart functionality and support for Dolby Atmos music. That early launch price has slipped somewhat, and it's currently selling for £150.
In Australia, the Huawei Sound retails for AUS$329. The speaker isn't available in the US at all.
Blueprint
- Stylish high-gloss design
- 360-degree driver configuration
- Proximity activated touch controls
In that location's no dubiousness that the Huawei Sound is a bang-up-looking wireless speaker. With its piano-gloss terminate and split-level fabric grille, it appears unapologetically premium. A 4-inch 40W woofer and 3 5W tweeters are bundled for 360-caste sound dispersion. The tweeter trio is evenly spaced to create the circular spread.
Confirming its Devialet origins, the Audio uses a push-button configuration with two passive radiators visible through distinctive opposing cutting-outs. Look closely, and you'll spot Huawei'due south signature blood-red flash, used to signify superior operation.
Upward top is a volume control, illuminated by a proximity sensor – sneak up and it lights up.
Significantly, though, the Huawei Sound lacks traditional smart habitation functionality.
Features
- No voice command
- Bluetooth with LDAC
- No Wi-Fi streaming
While the Sound does take a microphone icon on its command console, that's but applicative to the iteration sold in Red china. For the rest of us, information technology's a reminder that the Audio doesn't listen.
The Bluetooth version hither is v5.0, and supports wireless transmission up to 990kbps from LDAC uniform sources. Showtime championed by Sony, LDAC is increasingly finding traction with other brands, including Huawei, and offers a significant improvement in headroom when it comes to Bluetooth streaming.
The Sound also supports Wi-Fi, merely this is only used equally a connection with the Huawei AI Life app.
Performance
- Devialet Infinite Soundstage
- Crowd-pleasing mid-range functioning
The Audio may be a adept deal more compact than its predecessor, but don't be tempted to buy one for your part desk. It isn't tuned for almost-field listening; this speaker needs space to breathe – clarity and musicality improve at distance.
The Huawei AI Life app offers iii music presets for the Sound: Devialet Space Soundstage, Vocals and Hi-Fi, plus adjustable Bass.
Devialet'southward SPACE engineering is an algorithm supposedly able to create a broader ambiance.
Unfortunately, any promise that this might give the speaker more immersive capabilities is quickly squashed. It actually dulls down the unit'southward audio performance, taking the edge off college frequencies and muffling bass. The well-nigh satisfying listening way is Hullo-Fi.
The theme from The Night Knight, from Hans Zimmer The Classics (Amazon Music HD), is recognisably abrupt and menacing in Hi-Fi. Played with SPACE engaged, it sounds boring and compressed.
This Bluetooth speaker is characterised by a sweet treble and solid, forceful low-end. Devialet's push-push driver configuration is rhythmic, able to keep the beat without sounding plodding.
The speaker sounds its best with acoustic cuts, soulful R&B and tuneful vocaliser songwriters. I besides liked its fulsome commitment of talk radio and audio books.
Thanks to Devialet engineering, this wireless speaker is a good deal more than compelling than might otherwise exist the case. Information technology'southward extremely well built and finished for the toll, and while not quite as refined equally its bigger brother, the Audio X, it's all the same darn impressive.
The round speaker organisation makes information technology a good choice as a living room audio solution – but requite that Space fashion a swerve.
The lack of connected smarts is a major issue, however. All key Bluetooth speaker rivals take either Google Banana or Amazon Alexa functionality built in. Their absence hither is hard to ignore.
Should you purchase it?
You desire a compact Bluetooth speaker with audiophile credibility The influence of Devialet can be seen and heard all over the Sound – from the cutaway drivers to its polished mid-range operation. Given even the cheapest Devialet equivalent will set yous dorsum multiples of the price of this Huawei, the Audio could exist considered a bargain…
You don't want to wrestle with old-schoolhouse Bluetooth connectivity issues In that location's no uncertainty that other Bluetooth models offer an easier life. The Sound volition go out you scratching your head during set-upwards…
Final Thoughts
The Huawei Sound is as entertaining as it is compact and demonstrates existent hi-fi capabilities. Even so, its appeal is likely to be dampened by a lack of connected smarts (there's no Google or Alexa voice control on offering). Still, it punches to a higher place its weight musically, making it well suited for smaller listening rooms.
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FAQs
What Bluetooth streams does the Huawei Sound support?
The Huawei Audio speaker can play audio over LDAC, which allows for higher-quality Bluetooth streaming.
Does the Huawei Audio support Wi-Fi?
No, this model doesn't back up a Wi-Fi connection.
Is the Huawei Sound available in the United States?
No, the Huawei Sound doesn't have a US release date.
Specs
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Uk RRP
U.s. RRP
Eu RRP
CA RRP
AUD RRP
Manufacturer
Size (Dimensions)
Weight
Release Date
Commuter (s)
Ports
Audio (Power output)
Connectivity
Colours
Frequency Range
Audio Formats
Speaker Type
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Jargon buster
Hi-Res Audio
Hullo-Res sound is referred to as a standard as well as a marketing term that describes digital sound files of improve-than-CD quality (16-scrap/44.1kHz).
AAC
AAC stands for Avant-garde Sound Coding and is a lossy codec used most prominently by Apple and YouTube to evangelize audio quality better than SBC (Sub-Band Coding).
Bluetooth v.0
Bluetooth five.0 is the latest iteration of the standard, and allows information to be sent at twice every bit much as speed over previous standards, cover four times equally much in terms of altitude and transfer eight times as much data.
Source: https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/huawei-sound
Posted by: smiththeninver.blogspot.com
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