Ecopower Portable Bluetooth Speaker
#ECP-9010, $25
AMain.com originally launched their EcoPower brand a few years ago to challenge the low-price battery and charger market overseas. The line has grown to include a dozen different packs, an AC charger, 17.5-turn brushless motor, and now a portable speaker that can be connected to a wide range of Bluetooth devices.
The Portable Bluetooth Speaker (catchy name, right?) is slightly barrel-shaped, making it a bit wider than its 1.5 x 1.5 x 1.75 edge-to-edge dimensions. The most portly point of its hard plastic case, which can be purchased in black or gray, can be blamed on a protective rubber ring, to which you can fasten the rubber section cup/storage base. On one end, you’ll find a 1-inch speaker with a bright red rim, and on the other is a 1 1/4-inch subwoofer. The half with the subwoofer is also wrapped in hard rubber, and it’s where you’ll find the micro USB charger port and play control buttons. A 3.7v, 250mAh LiPo is tucked inside, capable of three hours of play time at maximum volume. Along with the suction cup, the PBS comes with a neck lanyard and charge cable.
Setting up the PBS is easy - you just set it down. Pairing it to your device is only slightly more difficult: enable Bluetooth, press and hold the Play button on the speaker until it beeps, then choose “EcoPower” from the list of nearby Bluetooth devices. You can use either your device’s controls, or the buttons on the speaker itself, to pause or cycle between songs.
I’ve been using the PBS around the house for a couple of weeks now, and it’s perfect for pretty much any room - after all, it doesn’t take much space. I took it to SDRC Raceway last night to get some feedback from the racers, and always had some high-volume hip-hop song cued up (you know, to fit in with the younger crowd).
Overwhelmingly, the first thing anyone said when they heard the device that fit in my hand was “WHAT is THAT?!”
With the volume on my iPhone 6 Plus turned up to 11, the PBS is surprisingly loud and clear. The subwoofer may not provide window-rattling base, but it adds depth to your favorite songs that you just can’t get from the phone’s built-in speakers. Even those racers who already had portable speakers in their pit areas marveled at the PBS’s punch-per-price ratio.
Pros:
- Tiny size goes anywhere
- Protective rubber makes the unit surprisingly durable
- Incredible sound
Cons:
- Doesn’t guarantee the person pitting next to you will appreciate your music choice
Conclusion:
I was skeptical when I pulled the Portable Bluetooth Speaker out of the package, but I was blown away by the end of the first song. Sure, there are literally dozens of speakers that are the size of the PBS, as well as cheaper and smaller. But this one sounds good, and you can simply add it to your cart when stocking up on spare tires for next weekend’s club races and not have to worry about sneaking another box into the house undetected.
Beacon rating: 5/5
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