Xiaomi Outdoor Speaker Evaluation: Affordable Audio Quality Delivers Value
Xiaomi debuted its new Sound Outdoor Bluetooth speaker alongside the Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus last month. The speaker overshadowed the smartphone in terms of value proposition. For the price of INR 3,999 (approximately $45), it surpasses expectations and delivers top-notch performance. Here's a rundown of Xiaomi's most affordable, yet powerful, audio device this season.
The Xiaomi Sound Outdoor Bluetooth speaker is compact enough to fit into any backpack suitable for trekking. Weighing 597 grams and measuring 196.6 x 68 x 66mm, the speaker is designed to be your portable travel companion. The device's design reflects this, with IP67 dust and water resistance and a rugged rubberized lanyard perfect for hanging it on your bag or a hook.
Although I've had no issues with it, I prefer a Sony Ultimate Field 1-style lanyard due to its versatility. It can be tied to more places. Nevertheless, the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor checks all the boxes for an outdoor portable, budget Bluetooth speaker.
The Xiaomi Sound Outdoor boasts an abundance of buttons, including three on the lanyard – Power, Bluetooth, and Link. On the top, you'll find volume controls and a play/pause button that doubles as a call pickup button, thanks to the included mic for hands-free calling. I made a few calls on this and my callers reported that my voice sounded clear and echo-free.
Setting up the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor is a breeze, requiring just a single press of the power button. It automatically enters pairing mode when switched on for the first time. If you own two of these speakers, you can pair them using the Link button to create a stereo output. There's a multi-speaker mode available that delivers a standard mono mix, ideal for setups with more than two speakers.
Xiaomi claims you can link up to 100 Sound Outdoor speakers, but I couldn't verify this. However, pairing two of them is straightforward. The process involves pressing the Link button, and that's it. The stereo effect is excellent, with no latency between the two speakers.
Regarding sound quality, this budget-friendly Xiaomi portable speaker provides an impeccable music experience with a 30W power output. For comparison, the more expensive JBL Flip 5 offers a 20W power output, an IPX7 rating, and similar battery life. Although the JBL speaker boasts a wider soundstage, the Xiaomi speaker keeps up – a remarkable achievement considering it's 40% less expensive.
The Xiaomi Sound Outdoor Bluetooth speaker exceeds expectations for its size. It's equipped with dual woofer radiators on both sides to deliver fuller bass. It's lively and powerful. The speaker has a bass-heavy tuning, but vocals remain clear, and the mids and highs are well-balanced. It gets surprisingly loud for its size, with no distortion at high volumes.
Moreover, you won't have trouble hearing vocals at lower volumes. This is usually a problem as higher frequencies can drown out the mids. However, Xiaomi's smart volume balancing feature adjusts the audio to ensure a consistent listening experience across volume levels.
The company promises 12 hours of battery life at 50% volume. In my tests, it lasted around nine hours at 60%-80% volume, beating several more expensive portable speakers.
Xiaomi Sound Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker Review: Verdict
The Xiaomi Sound Outdoor Bluetooth speaker offers exceptional value at INR 3,999 (approximately $45). It's available for $70 on Amazon.com in the USA, and it still provides excellent value.
For that price, you're getting a good-sounding outdoor speaker with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, alongside a complete set of controls, and the ability to make calls via its integrated mic – a feature usually found in more expensive Bluetooth speakers. I strongly recommend buying two of these for your upcoming trek or outdoor activities.
The Xiaomi Sound Outdoor Bluetooth speaker is not only compatible with the Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus but also works with other Bluetooth devices. Its audio performance is impressive, making it one of the best value for money Bluetooth speakers available, such as the 'xiaomi sound outdoor speaker' or 'bluetooth speakers'.
When you're outdoors, the 'xiaomi sound outdoor speaker' is a reliable companion with its IP67 dust and water resistance. It also features a rugged rubberized lanyard, making it easy to carry and hang, providing convenience for users who prefer an 'Sony Ultimate Field 1'-style lanyard for more versatility.
