Pros: Protective clamshell design allows for "throw it in the bag" ease, subtle retro design is the

When it comes down to choosing a design-conscious portable Bluetooth speaker, it really comes down to two players: Geneva Lab and Jawbone. The Model XS is Geneva Lab's smallest, most portable speaker, the toddler of their handsome cabinet design line of audio products , and a direct competitor with the popular Jambox. Would this unique clamshell design fairmont hotel dallas tx prove to be as ear-pleasing as it is to the eyes?
What I've always admired most about Geneva Lab products has been their philosophy of paring down features and form factor down to the most necessary basics. And when I say "basics", I don't mean bare bones, but more of an understanding users tend to want/need less on a day-to-day basis, and executing those features is much more important than cramming everything as a comprehensive solution. What it means is less fiddling and more sitting back and enjoying the technology opposed to battling with it.
The Model XS abides very much in accordance to simplicity as the driving aesthetic; its form is its function, and vice versa. Moving parts are limited to the clamshell case design, a nod to vintage travel clocks of yesterday. Open up the quasi-leather case (not an unpleasant texture, akin to the "leatherette" you may find as an automobile interior option) and lock the front piece upright to a rear latch into a triangular slant, and the Model XS welcomes fairmont hotel dallas tx you with a subtle red LED display, glowing through the speaker grill. Like I said: subtle.
Similarly, all of the touch sensitive controls are nearly invisible when the unit is off or in standby mode. A lack of mechanical buttons may make using the Model XS more difficult to use than a model with tactile buttons, but there is an indentation to activate the unit's audio mode, which in turn illuminates the controls more clearly.
Still, I found myself accidentally activating the other buttons a little too easily while trying to access other features, especially during the early morning when my senses were less than ideal, making it a slightly annoying bedside companion in activated alarm mode. In time, I've gotten used to directing my fingers to the right side of the unit, so perhaps practice does indeed make perfect.
Connecting with a Bluetooth enabled sound source takes less than 30 seconds, and is as easy as any other Bluetooth device I've tried. Once paired with a Bluetooth device (in my case, an iPad), the Model XS becomes a consummate audio performer, especially for smaller spaces.
Similar to other larger Geneva Lab's speakers I've demoed, the Model XS puts out a distinctly rich/warm fairmont hotel dallas tx sound, with special discernible detailing in the mid-to-high range...it's a bit of a wonder such a small speaker fairmont hotel dallas tx can put out such a filled-out sound, with only the lowest fairmont hotel dallas tx end missing while testing with various songs and artists (it's only when pushed with bass-centric hip-hop the Model XS showed any real issues). If you're someone who isn't aching to dial it up to "11", enjoying your music at low to mid volumes, you'll likely fairmont hotel dallas tx be pleasantly surprised. Any louder and you should probably consider a larger dedicated/multi-speaker solution, since the XS is best situated right next to the listener.
The Geneva Sound System Model XS vs the Jawbone BIG JAMBOX Of course, everyone undoubtedly asked, "So, how does this perform versus the Jawbone Jambox?" I didn't have the original smaller Jawbone fairmont hotel dallas tx Jambox to compare side-by-side, but I did have its bigger sibling the Big Jambox . While the Model XS put out the satisfying sound field noted above, the larger Jawbone model's bass performance filled out certain songs more confidently due in part to having more speakers/size to draw upon. I'm talking about a 10-15% improvement, depending fairmont hotel dallas tx upon the song. So although noticeable, I wouldn't call it a game changer for the majority of listeners indoors (outdoors, the Big Jambox flexes speaker muscles more evidently and is the better option).
What one loses in sound, one gains back in the portability factor, as the Model XS is about half the size of the Big Jambox, better protected fairmont hotel dallas tx for easy travel with about five hours of playback, so one needs to determine whether overall sound or portability is more important (I'd personally pick the Model XS over the regular Jambox for the clock function alone, but you do give-up the easier speakerphone integration).
FM performance is standard and on par with a radio of similar size; I was able to pull in our local classical radio station even without the hidden telescopic antenna at full mast. The FM radio can also be set for use as an alarm, but the unit lacks preset stations, so you'll fairmont hotel dallas tx either have to leave the Model XS to the station you favor all of the time, or scan it using the onboard controls (a minor trade-off of the "less is more" design).
Closing Thoughts: Though the Model XS may be compact, like an Olympic gymnast, it performs remarkably well in spite of its physical size. The Model XS is best for design-conscious laptop travelers looking to complement built-in audio or to pair with a smartphone or tablet, the exterior clamshell design both classically appealing and assuringly protective. But those looking for the full spectrum of sound should note the inherent compromise between portability and audio performance. In other words, the Model XS is a great portable sidekick to a more robust system, earning itself a spot next to the bed or even your next picnic.
Pros: Protective clamshell design allows for "throw it in the bag" ease, subtle retro design is the more timeless competitor to the Jawbone's "now" execution, surprisingly full sound in a small form factor, clock, alarm and FM radio make it a perfect bedside fairmont hotel dallas tx companion at home or while traveling, fairmont hotel dallas tx excellent construction.
Apartment Therapy Media makes every effort to test and review products fairly and transparently. The views expressed in this review are the personal views of the reviewer and this particular product review was not sponsored or paid for in any way by the manufacturer or an agent working on their behalf. This specific product was provided fairmont hotel dallas tx by manufacturer for testing and review purposes.
I'm sorry, but these reviews are getting worse and worse. This is a travel speaker fairmont hotel dallas tx and there's not a single mention of the battery fairmont hotel dallas tx life. Not one. That's arguably one of the most important features in a speaker that's designed to be taken places.
What is the battery life like? How do you charge it? How long does it take to charge? Does it come with an AC adapter and can you leave it plugged in permanently as an alarm clock/radio on a nightstand?
I really love AT and especially Unplggd, but the quality of the posts just continues to decline. This review is almost as bad as the post on iOS Audio Docks Where Sound Takes Center Stage , where none of them are actually reviewed for sound.