Avantree SP850 3-in-1 speaker, $29.95
Sound Advice Speakers review By Don Lindich
Manufacturer website: avantree.com
The Avantree SP850 3-in-1 speaker is a small, multipurpose speaker with Bluetooth, FM Radio, MicroSD card playback, and an auxiliary port. It also includes interchangeable rechargeable batteries and a headphone port, both rarities for this product class.
The Avantree SP850 3-in-1 speaker is well constructed with a soft-touch finish in all the right places. The volume knob is also an on-off switch, a nice nod to the past. The interchangeable battery is a BL-5C Nokia compatible cell phone battery, which are readily available for under $10. A bright LCD display shows FM stations as well track information for MP3 files played from the MicroSD card.
FM Radio
FM radio is the reason to buy this speaker. It has excellent tuning ability and you can tune stations buy pushing the buttons on top. For example, if you want 100.7 you just press 1-0-0-7 and you are there.
Sound Quality
Sound quality of the Avantree SP850 3-in-1 speaker is just so-so. The speaker driver itself is very small and only has 3 watts behind it. While it is very clean and clear, it lacks depth, warmth and musicality. You can improve the sound with the “Classic” setting on the equalizer control. Though it does not excel with music, I do like this product very much because it makes such a darn good radio.
Conclusion
While it makes a fine portable FM radio, if you are looking for high quality music from Bluetooth you would be better served with an OontZ Angle 3 at about the same price. If radio is what you are after, though, it is hard to do better for $29.99. As a radio itself it is worth that, consider the extra functionality the icing on the cake!
Overall: 3.5/5
Performance: 3/5 (2/5 for sound quality, 5/5 for radio performance and operation)
Value: 4/5 (based on it being a very good radio for under $30.)
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