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What do indoor and outdoor sound modes actually do? I tested this 24W eMusic Bluetooth speaker to find out.
I picked up this eMusic Bluetooth speaker on Amazon. It’s taller than a pop can, wrapped in nylon fabric, with a twist volume ring that feels like a Nest thermostat and a mode button that switches between indoor and outdoor sound. The eMusic model isn’t listed anymore, so the button goes to the EarFun UBOOM, a current 24W speaker with the same indoor and outdoor modes.
- Seriously loud
- Outdoor mode sounds clearer and crisper
- Twist volume ring with nice, deliberate feedback
- Rubber grip whether it stands up or lies down
- Built-in mic for speakerphone
- Looks great
- Volume ring does not sync with your phone volume
- Instructions barely explain the indoor/outdoor modes
- The power button doubles as play/pause; there are no skip buttons
- Micro USB charging
▶ Watch the full review on YouTube
Unboxing and build
The box opens kind of like an iPhone box, and the speaker is packaged nicely. In a side box you get a 3.5 mm cable and a micro USB cable for charging.
The speaker is killer looking. It’s a little taller than a pop can, with a nylon fabric speaker cover that feels nice and smooth. There’s a driver on the end, kind of like a little subwoofer. The case is rubberized soft-touch plastic, and silicone grip bars on the side keep it from moving around whether you stand it up or lay it down.
Controls: a volume ring like a Nest thermostat
One end twists for volume. It has a nice, slow, deliberate resistance with a tiny bit of clicking, kind of like a Nest thermostat. Under a silicone cover you’ll find the micro USB port and the 3.5 mm input jack.
On the front there’s the power button, a microphone so you can use it as a speakerphone, and a mode button for indoor and outdoor. On top, a clear acrylic display shows the volume and which mode you’re in: indoor lights up purple, outdoor aqua blue.
Note that the twist volume is local to the speaker; it doesn’t show up on the iPad. I usually keep a speaker maxed and use my phone’s volume, so I don’t have to get up.
Indoor vs outdoor mode
It paired with my iPad as the eMusic sound cup with a couple of beeps. The instructions only say the button toggles indoor and outdoor, so I listened.
Outdoor mode gives more clarity. I wouldn’t say less bass, it just turns up the treble and vocal clarity, so it sounds clearer and crisper. Indoor is slightly more muffled with the treble down a bit, maybe with a little more bass, which probably works better off the walls for background music. I like outdoor a little better.
Verdict
This thing is freaking loud, and it looks and sounds great. It kind of looks like a giant water bottle, but in outdoor mode it’s just so clear. A good pick for spring and summer.
FAQ
What is the difference between indoor and outdoor mode?
In my test, outdoor sounded clearer and crisper with more treble and vocal clarity. Indoor was slightly more muffled, maybe with a little more bass.
Does the speaker volume sync with the phone?
No. The twist ring adjusts volume on the speaker only.
Does it have a microphone?
Yes, so you can use it as a speakerphone.
Does it have an aux input?
Yes, a 3.5 mm input under a silicone cover, plus micro USB charging.
Is it loud?
Very. It’s one of the louder speakers I’ve tried.
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