X-Mini MAX II XAM7-R Portable Capsule Speakers, Red

June 2011 update: Uh-oh! they have stopped working! I need to double check them, but last night they stopped working on my kid's laptop. When I have time I will try to figure out why (I made sure the usb portion of the cables was hooked up right, the power switches were on, and the minijack cable was plugged snugly into the "speaker output" not the "microphone input" jack. Nothing but a hum; sound from built in laptop speakers is fine, once I pulled out the minijack cable to allow the built-in speakers to take priority. I substituted in the mono iHome speaker I also have and it is working fine now, so it isn't a laptop issue. Hmmm.... ___________________ These are simply NOT "awesome" speakers. But they ARE simply awesome SMALL, PORTABLE speakers. Look, for sub-$40 you aren't going to get media-pc speaker quality (I am thinking low-end 2.l systems from Creative, for example). But who can haul around a 2.1 system? I can't even haul around the typical computer monitor satellite speakers that come with desktop computers. But guess what? These truly dinky battery powered speakers have 80% of the sound quality of good quality satellite speakers. They cost less. And they don't require a wall-wart or other power supply which would make carrying more difficult - they can power off your netbook's USB port if you are using them with a portable computer, or they are completely battery powered (once you charge them), for use with an iPod or MP3 player. They claim the signal to noise ratio is 80db. That is probably right, because they hiss when there is no audio being fed to them. But with audio coming through, the hiss is inaudible. They are so small, including the cable (combo USB charger and speaker cables), that you could stuff one in a jacket pocket. They come with a small pouch with a locking toggle. It is easy to accidentally move the sliding power switch on either unit, so stick a piece of tape over those switches if you don't want to accidentally discharge the battery. Audio is fed into the speakers by the typical iPod sized audio jack, not by the USB cable (don't let use of the USB cable for charging, or the use of mini USB cable ends for feeding the audio to each satellite, fool you). Therefore these can be used with any device (netbook, iPod, MP3 player) with a headphone jack. The cabling is light and thin. BEST USE is for non-critical background listening to music when you don't want to use earphones; or sharing a movie. These sound MUCH better than the speakers in any of our portable DVD players, and of course most music players don't have built-in speakers (and the Touch speaker is small and tinny). Mid-range tones, voices are great. Bass and treble are acceptable in this size speaker. If you use these to replace larger speakers on your desktop, you won't be thrilled. If you take them along for travel - and they are actually small and light enough to do this - you will be a happy camper.

The first pair I got of these, one of the speakers had strong constant feedback and the light was purple (blue and red at the same time; it should be either blue or red. It never charged, or worked well. So I ordered a second pair and listened to the one working speaker waiting for the second pair. When the new pair arrived I packed up the old one and popped open the new only to find that it had a defective cable, so I unpacked the first set, swiped the cable and sent back the bad speakers and the bad cable. Now that these two sets make one good set, well, I'm pretty happy. I wanted to test the base so I dug through my music to find some hip hop (more difficult than you might imagine) and checked it out. Pretty good. It's not exactly true sounding bass, but it is good and for tiny speakers, they give a good thump. Next on to Ella. Her voice rings through clear and the instruments are equally as clear and pretty crisp. Then I popped on Johnny Cash, Tennessee Flat Top Box. This song is split over the stereo channels: guitar on the right channel and rhythm on the left. I loved it! It sounded great! You can really pick up on the directionality designed into these. Pause. (Okay, I need to put this in perspective: I've been listening through my macbook pro speakers for two months.) Last I tried some classic rock and although not spectacular sounding, they hold up pretty good. In general, i feel the sound is a little twangy with lots of treble, but what do you expect with itsy bitsy speakers. You can certainly pick up the rhythm section in songs well. I purchased these for my computer, not to carry around. Honestly they don't seem super durable. I would expect them to break within the year. Hopefully sitting on my desk most of the time, they will last a bit longer. Sound Four stars, Quality two stars

I was shopping for some small, portable speakers for my iPhone so that I can share my music with my wife and another couple that we're about to vacation with in Mexico. They are every bit as small and compact as they appear in the picture, and will easily fit in my camera bag or back pack. The design is pretty ingenious, with a "twist-to-reveal" expansion bellows to improve the sound quality. Now, as far as the sound quality... for it's size, it's fairly impressive. It is capable for fairly loud volume, plenty enough to share music with a few others. The voices are crisp and clear. The highs are also clean. I'm hearing a slight bit of crackling and hissing between songs, but not enough to be noticable when the songs are playing. To be honest, I was expecting a bit more bass from the favorable reviews I've read. Don't have the false expectation that you'll get the bass from a home or car stereo, or even a pair of good ear buds. You will not. But, it's suitable enough to be decent for something so small and portable. Oh, I had to break out a magnifying glass to read the instruction manual. VERY small font! (perhaps in the spirit of making everything smaller!) Overall, I'm pleased with the purchase and feel it was worth the $25 I paid for it, but I wouldn't recommend paying over $35.

Read reviews on line about this product and its size meets our travel needs. Brought them to the beach and they produced the level and quality of sound we were looking for. Excellent product!

Zunächst erwähnt, ich komme aus dem Bereich QM der Elektronikfertigung und beurteile eher kritisch und sachlich Kurz und knapp: Bestellung / Lieferung Problemlos und rasch. Produkt (Subjektive Beurteilung ohne Boxen zu zerlegen oder Messwerte aufzunehmen) Erwartung deutlich übertroffen: Die Lautsprecher wirken sehr hochwertig in der Verarbeitung und Material. Im Vergleich zum Preis sind die Lautsprecher schlichtweg der Hammer. Der Sound ist mehr als nur beachtlich in Qualität und Lautstärke. Im Detail: Erster Test zeigte das die Qualität des Sounds erstklassig war, kein rauschen, kein knacken glasklare Höhen und recht satter Bass. Im Verhältniss zur Größe der Boxen wirkt der Bass massiv. (Die miniboxen brachten meine Tischplatte aus Glas 80x160 samt Tisch zum vibrieren) Selbst bei voller Lautstärke blieb der Sound wie oben beschrieben ohne dröhnen oder rauschen. Erster Einsatz bei einer Geburtstagsfeier auf meiner Terrasse, angeschlossen an Samsung Galaxy Note als "Jukebox" verwendet, via WLAN um Musik von meiner Netzwerkfestplatte abzuspielen. Bei halber Lautstärke hielten die Boxen von 18:00Uhr bis 03:00Uhr durch ohne auch nur anzuzeigen, dass der Akku bald geladen werden müsste (schwache blaue LED) Somit volle Partyzeit durchgehalten. (halbe Lautstärke war als Hintergrundmusik völlig ausreichend um der Akustik von Tischgesprächen noch folgen zu können / beschallter Bereich ca. 20m²) Das Feedback der Gäste war zunächst Begeisterung als gefolgt von der Frage was kostet sowas... Einziger "Kritikpunkt" konstruktiv ist kein guter Schutz für die Membrahnen der Boxen gegeben. Daher sollten diese von Kindern ferngehalten werden da sonst irreparabler Schaden droht, wenn sich ein Finger in die Öffnung verirrt. Bemerkungen: Vor dem Kauf war mir aufgefallen dass unter den Produktbilder zwei verschiedene Typen oder Versionen abgebildet sind. Eine mit polierten Metalleinsätzen (LED Einfassung und X Mini Logo-Gravur) und eine mit matten eingefärbten kunststoff anmutenden (Xmini Logo schwarzer Druck) . Aufgrund des Preises war ich eher davon ausgegangen dass die gelieferte Version die matte "billig anmutende" Version sein wird, geliefert wurde die Version mit poliertem Metalleinsatz. Dies sagte mir sehr zu... Das mitgelieferte Kabel bietet Boxenseitig mini USB zur Übertragung des Audiosignals als auch zum Laden der Boxenintegrierten Akkus, Input Seite einen standard Klinke für Audio-input und einen USB Stecker für Spannungsversorgung / Ladegerät. (Alles in einem Kabel intgriert) Dies hat den Vorteil, dass man mit einem Kabel immer alles dabei hat, wiederum den Nachteil das es kein Kabel von der Stange zum leichten / günstigen Ersatz ist. Ladegerät bzw. Netzteil ist keins enthalten, stellt jedoch aus meiner Sicht keinen Nachteil oder Abzug dar, da wie beschrieben das Laden über Standard USB erfolgt. Zu beachten ist, dass die max. Lautstärke je nach genutzer Quelle und dessen maximalen Ausgangspegel variiert. Z.B. genutzt mit App "Tune In Radio" war die max. erziehlte Lautstärke nur ca. 60% im Vergleich zur standard MP3 Player App des Note. Dies hat jedoch nichts mit der Qualität der Boxen zu tun lediglich mit dem max. Ausgangspegel der Musikquelle welche Hard- und Softwarebedingt ist. Fazit: Bei diesem Preis/Leistungs- Verhältniss kann man, wenn man ausschließlich das Produkt selbst betrachtet, nichts falsch machen.

Avevo già acquistato il modello precedente, ma questo è ancora più valido, nel senso che qui ci sono due altoparlanti che diffondono un buon effetto stereofonico, e, considerato il prezzo molto basso, direi che la qualità è davvero sorprendente. Nella confezione si trova anche un cavo usb per la ricarica e il jack da 3.5 per inserirlo nell'ingresso posto sul pc o lettore mp3, o altra sorgente con questo attacco. Consigliato sicuramente anche in considerazione della durata della batteria. L'ho caricata completamente e le ho utilizzate per circa 4 ore e la batteria è ancora carica. Potenza in uscita 2.5 watt che ovviamente non fanno tremare i muri, ma in una stanza il suono è ben udibile.

The sound quality is awesome with good clarity. It's more than sufficient for one room. Battery life is also good. Charging time: 2hrs nd 10 hrs exhausting time.

GREAT LITTLE GADGET , LOVELY CRISP SOUND , ONLY PROBLEM THAT I HAD WAS THE FIRST SET OF THESE LITTLE GEMS THAT I ORDERED WERE FAULTY , BUT WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE I HAD A REPLACEMENT SET SENT TO ME WITHIN 3 YES 3 WORKING DAYS , I HAVE BEEN BUYING DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF XMI MINI,S FOR MANY YEARS AND THE SINGLE SPEAKER THAT I BOUGHT ON A FLIGHT YEARS AGO IS STILL WORKING FINE , WHICH I LINK UP VIA A SMART LITTLE LEAD , WITH THIS PAIR WHEN ON MY HOLIDAY, THEY ARE LIGHT AND COME IN A HANDY LITTLE BAG , AND ALSO ARE MAGNETIC ON BASE SO YOU CAN TRANSPORT THEM NICE AND EASY , THEY ARE RECHARGEABLE VIA AN APPLE CHARGER AND TAKE 3 HOURS APPROX TO CHARGE , BUT A SINGLE CHARGE WILL LAST 10 - 11 HOURS , THE SOUND IS AMAZING FOR THE SIZE , I WILL CONTINUE TO UPDATE THESE FOR YEARS TO COME BECAUSE THEY HAVE NEVER LET ME DOWN . . . I LOVE EM 11/10 FROM ME.