Sound is an important part of life. And more so if you are watching a movie or listening to music. The sound system has a huge impact on how you enjoy shows or listen to songs.
There are so many sound systems and speakers out there. And Belkin is one of the many names you will come across. But should you put your money in Belkin?
Today, let us take a closer look at the Belkin SoundForm Elite Hi-Fi Smart Speaker that comes with a charger. By the end of this review, you should be able to decide if this is worth your money.
What is the Belkin SoundForm Elite Hi-Fi Smart Speaker?
This speaker is not just a speaker, but it comes with a charger. Nope, I am talking about a charger for a speaker. What it has is a charger for your phone.
The Belkin SoundForm Elite is made in partnership with another sound expert company, Devialet. What they did here is to create a portable speaker that delivers superb audio quality.
The device is a combination of acoustic architecture and ultra-advanced technology.
The charger operates with the latest fast-charging technology. You can put your phone on top of the speaker, and then connect it with the speaker to play music while it is charging.
You can control the music from the phone, and you can even pair the device with Google Assistant for a completely hands-free experience.
Design and Connections
The design of the speaker ins cylindrical, with a bevel cut on top to give way to the charging dock. It comes in black and in white. The size is compact enough that you can carry it on a purse. It kind of looks like an egg, but it is one awesome egg if you have to ask me.
The speaker has a wraparound fabric cover. The controls offer you five buttons that are touch-sensitive. These buttons are at the front, but they are not like your buttons form the 1980s. They are merely lighted symbols that respond to your touch.
The product dimension is 162mm x 162mm x 168mm. By the way, the charging dock is wireless. Just put the phone at the dock and it is going to charge. What this means is that it is only best for people who have phones that can charge wirelessly.
Other Product Features
The speaker has a single port. This is where you put the power cable that you will connect to your electric socket. This port is not obtrusive, it sits comfortably at the back and it is recessed.
There is also a jack here, but it can only accommodate 3.5 mm. That is a bummer to some, but there really is no need to jack something in it. The device was made to serve those who want wireless connections.
Specifically, the speaker can be connected with Bluetooth 5.0—you can also connect wirelessly between 2.4 and 5 GHz. The device can be used in both Apple and Android operation systems.
Technical Specifications
Now, let us take a look at the tech specs, just so you get aligned with what to expect.
- Mono sound stage
- Has five controls that include play and pause, mute buttons, volumes and the Bluetooth connection
- Has two microphones that can listen to your commands
- Has Woofer and Woofer Max at 2 x 70 mm
- Max Input of the Woofer has a peak power of 2 x 60 watts
- Has two available assistants
- Can charge wirelessly up to a maximum of 10 watts
If you buy the speaker, there are only three things that you will find in the package. These are the AC adapter, the start guide, and the device itself.
Phone Compatibility
Since the charger is wireless, it does not work on all phones. While you can still connect the phone with the speaker, it does not really make sense of buying it if your phone does not charge wirelessly.
Here is a list of compatible phones:
- iPhone 8 and plus
- Sony Xperia XZ2
- Galaxy S10+
- Galaxy S10
- Galaxy S10e
- LG V30
- LG G6
- iPhone 11, Pro, and Max
- Galaxy S9 and 9+
- Galaxy S8 and 8+
- Galaxy Note 8
- iPhone XR, XS+ Max, and Max
- iPhone X
If your phone is not on this list, I leave it up to you to decide whether you should buy it or not.
What is the audio quality of the Belkin SoundForm Elite?
The speaker lives up to the hype. It has a powerful bass that offers low vibrations. However, it does have high shrills from time to time.
Because of its Woofer configuration, it performs way better than what you would expect from a small speaker. While it is a good bedside companion, this speaker can go really loud. The only reason you want it beside your bed is because of its compact size and charging pad—you can easily access your phone.
So, why is the speaker powerful?
The reason behind this performance is Devialet’s dual-driver woofer configuration. It does a good job in moving the air and then giving way for low-end sounds to get heard. The Push-Push system of Devialet also reduces the vibrations, making the speaker perform at optimum sound ranges, especially for the bass.
Now, the bass is really good. But the other sounds will pale in comparison with other brands, especially Bose. But oh well, this is the first foray of Belkin into creating a speaker with a charger. Surely, it is only a matter of time before they can perfect this technology.
Is the Belkin Sound Form Elite Hi-Fi Smart Speaker Worth it?
Is it worth your money?
What I can say is that you should buy it if you like besides the speaker. It helps you save space because the speaker and charger are combined on one device. You should also buy it if you love using AI assistants, especially Google Assistant.
Another perk of having this speaker is that it has good bass. The volume levels work perfectly, and what you get here is nothing but a super sound system.
Summary: Belkin Sound Form Elite Hi-Fi Smart Speaker Review
Belkin has delivered the first speaker of its kind by combining a charger and a speaker into one device. This product is great for audiophiles and people who need a sound system at their bedside
Belkin is not really known as a company that makes great speakers and audio devices. However, their partnership with Devialet is what made this product awesome. And because you can use it with Google Home, you can command it to play the same music all throughout your house, provided that you have other speakers connected to Google Home.