Portable acoustics harman kardon esquire mini black. Premium wireless sound from Harman Kardon
A very interesting miniature speaker for 6,990 rubles - excellent design, the thing just begs to be picked up. Aluminum, leather, many small interesting details, but there are questions about the sound quality...
Design, construction
I can safely say that in the past year, the activities of the Harman/Kardon company aroused my genuine interest; starting in January, more and more new systems came for testing, and they all turned out to be very interesting. This applies not only to Harman/Kardon, but also to JBL - one company, in case you didn’t know. Unusual design, excellent sound quality, good value prices and quality, in the end, some things you just wanted to pick up and buy, put on the table and look at every day. It's all about the chips. The Harman/Kardon Aura has a diaphragm on the bottom that moves while listening to music, the Onyx has a cool metal handle (and there is a diaphragm here too). Or take JBL - you can simply watch the Pulse endlessly; the Charge 2 has pads on the sides that move in time with the bass. And all these products were created with great love and with the desire to give people something new, not just another column, no. The company's designers are trying to give consumers very special things among the usual things - it's the same column, but with a twist. It is good in terms of sound and design, but it also has something else, some nuance that is invisible at first glance.
What's so special about the Harman/Kardon Esquire Mini? I'll try to list everything. Firstly, there is a stand on the back, so that it comes out of the groove, you need to press from above. The movement is completely natural, and there is no need to pick it out of the body. The disadvantages include the insufficient rigidity of the fastening; when open, the leg moves slightly from side to side. And the stand is a slash from the name Harman/Kardon. Secondly, the base of the case is made of aluminum, you can see it at the ends, the chamfer is removed, like the iPhone 5S, and in general, the speaker is a bit like a smartphone. Similar sizes, similar feel in the hand. Thirdly, it is one of the smallest speakers on the market with a built-in microphone and the ability to charge other devices. Dimensions are 140 x 24 x 75.4 mm, weight – 238 grams. Finally, I know of only one ultra-portable speaker on the market that delivers the same kind of grab-and-run feel. This is the Jawbone Jambox Mini.
Is it pleasant to hold? Yes very. All rear end Finished in leather, there are four versions: white, black, beige and brown. Black looks the most boring, I liked white. The front is perforated, finished in plastic, and has a small indicator light above the logo. At the ends there are buttons for volume control, power on, Bluetooth activation, and call answering. If you are far from your smartphone, you can answer a call or chat directly on the speaker. I really like how the microphone is designed, people immediately understand that it’s a microphone, the square is covered with a metal mesh. Nearby there is a light indicator, with its help you can find out the remaining operating time. At the other end there is a groove for attaching a strap, connectors AUX, microUSB, 3.5 mm, USB input– Let me remind you that you can use the Harman/Kardon Esquire Mini to charge other devices. And you can also listen to music in two ways: by connecting your smartphone via Bluetooth or using an audio cable.
Did Harman/Kardon manage to surprise? Oh yeah. The device retains the features of the Esquire speaker, but this is just something in common. Otherwise, the Harman/Kardon Esquire Mini is a completely original thing that attracts attention. Everyone is trying to drag it off the table, twirl it in their hands, and ask some question.
Working hours
The stated operating time is about 10 hours with music playback at full volume; charging takes about 5 hours when using the USB port. Battery capacity is about 2000 mAh. I note that there is a USB connector on the case; you can connect any cable and charge your smartphone or tablet.
Sound
It makes sense to compare with the Jawbone Jambox Mini, the situation is very simple. Both speakers have interesting designs, but I prefer the minimalism of the Jawbone. Controls, operating time, capabilities and other things are largely identical, the Jambox Mini constantly has new firmware and new features, it becomes better quality sound and so on. The situation is the same with sound; the Jawbone Jambox is better in quality, but the Esquire Mini is louder. But at full volume I started to wince, because the speaker was not wheezing, something was rattling, in general, not the best impressions. If you turn it down a little, it immediately becomes much better - but this is already the level of the Jawbone Jambox Mini. Only the latter has much better sound quality, despite the small speakers, there is depth and interesting low frequencies - I advise owners to turn on the LiveAudio mode to unlock the potential of the device.
So, is the Esquire Mini really bad? No, not at all. It will appeal to many people - those who are aware of the purpose of such a device. Listen to music in a hotel, take it with you out of town, watch a movie on your iPad - if the volume of the tablet is not enough, the Harman/Kardon Esquire Mini will help you not strain your ears.
conclusions
In retail, the speaker costs 6,990 rubles; a good device appeared on our market at a difficult moment, but this does not make the competition any less intense. Yes, the Harman/Kardon Esquire Mini is very nice to hold and a great product from a design standpoint. But the sound upset me. Clearly, you can’t fool physics, this is a small speaker with small speakers. But the creators of the Jawbone Jambox Mini managed to achieve good sound quality, even if they sacrificed volume? I advise everyone potential buyers listen to the device in the store yourself and then make a decision.
Typically, portable audio speaker manufacturers don't put much thought into the design of their products. Or rather, they think about it, but never put it in first place. For the bottom, the main thing is that the device works and produces the clearest sound possible. The Harman company decided to approach the usual process from a different angle. They focused on appearance, finishing materials and miniature size. We added the function of recharging connected devices and equipped it with a stand for installation on a table. This is how the Harman/Kardon Esquire mini speaker appeared.
The manufacturer tried to make the speaker an expensive, fashion accessory in the style of the Apple iPhone. For this reason, expensive materials are used in the decoration: aluminum, leather, and many other interesting details. Even the chamfer on the sides coincides one-on-one with what can be seen on the side ends of the iPhone 5 and. It's a pity that this does not affect the sound quality in any way. But first things first.
First impressions. Dimensions and scope of delivery
id="sub0">The device comes in a fairly large box when compared to actual dimensions audio systems. Packaging in black and white, made of thick cardboard. The fronts of the box are printed with images of Harman/Kardon Esquire mini and the main technical specifications. There is a strap sticking out on one side that helps open the package. Inside, the audio system itself is located on a foam pad. Also included is a synchronization and charging cable, instructions and a warranty card.
Contents of delivery:
- Speaker Harman/Kardon Esquire mini
- USB cable for charging
- Wrist Strap
- Documentation
The column itself is an aluminum parallelepiped, similar to the external HDD, not on an external battery. The dimensions of the device are 140 x 24 x 75.4 mm, weight - 238 grams. In terms of mobility and compactness, the performance is good. The gadget is one of the smallest on the market with a built-in microphone and the ability to charge other devices. It is a fact.
Appearance and controls
id="sub1">The first thing you notice when you pick up the Harman/Kardon Esquire mini is the solidity and quality of the materials. The excellent assembly catches the eye. All elements fit closely. There are no squeaks or play. And this is understandable. The speaker body is made of aluminum (frame on the sides) and leather (back).
The front part is a sheet with holes, under which, in fact, there are speakers. The metal frame on the sides has a natural color. If we talk about quality, I cannot help but note the resistance of the coating to mechanical damage. The paint on the front, even under extreme transportation conditions (in the trunk of a car, on a bicycle), remains in place.
There is also a brand name and a built-in indicator light on the front. At the top end there is a volume control button. There are also on and off buttons, bluetooth pairing(when pairing mode is activated, a characteristic sound is heard), answering a phone call.
On the right side you can see a lanyard mount, a microUSB connector, a 3.5 mm headphone output, as well as a USB port for charging smartphones, tablets, cameras and other equipment.
The microphone for using the speaker as a speakerphone is located on the left side. There is also a light indicator with which you can find out the remaining operating time.
In total, three color options are available for sale in Russia: black, brown and white. I had the last option on the test.
Functionality
id="sub2">The Harman/Kardon Esquire mini is very easy to use. Any speaker can be connected to mobile device or a computer via Bluetooth or use an audio cable. I tested the column with, MacBook Pro 13. There were no problems or difficulties with any of them. The gadget is quickly identified and starts playing music.
To start pairing, you need to press the Bluetooth button on the top of the speaker. Will happen sound signal. Next, you need to find the desired column and confirm the connection.
An unusual feature worth noting is the charging function. If you connect a smartphone or tablet to the USB output, charging will begin. The idea seems wonderful to me, although it is, of course, not new. For example, while traveling you can connect your smartphone or tablet and charge it. Capacity lithium ion battery speakers - 2,000 mAh. This is not much, but enough for emergencies.
In addition, the speaker can be used to communicate on the phone using a speakerphone. There is a built-in microphone here. The quality of voice transmission is not bad, but it cannot be called ideal. There is no noise cancellation, so the voice is not as good as it usually is during phone conversations. However, as an option it is a plus.
Sound quality
id="sub3">If speak about technical specifications, then the Harman/Kardon Esquire mini is capable of reproducing sound in the range of 180 Hz - 20 kHz. Signal to noise ratio - 80 dB.
The sound quality is good, but there is a lack of power that more advanced models have. This is especially pronounced on maximum volume. The volume itself is high, but the quality suffers. The column begins to wheeze and rattle. Once you turn down the volume a little, everything returns to normal.
Low frequencies are transmitted extremely modestly. By at least I didn't have enough of them. Apparently it's a matter of size. A compact and miniature model cannot convey all the tonality and detail.
At the same time, I can’t say that Esquire mini is bad. It's great for listening to music in a hotel, it's nice to take it on a country trip or watch a movie on your tablet if standard volume lacks. This must be understood.
Battery life
id="sub4">The manufacturer claims 8 hours of music listening time. In practice, I got something like this. This is a decent level for a speaker with such compact dimensions. In addition to the original cable included in the kit, you can use a USB cable for charging. It will take 5 hours to fully charge via microUSB. Indicators will tell you the charging level.
Results
id="sub5">Harman/Kardon Esquire mini - interesting gadget primarily from the design side. It is compact, looks great, and can decorate with itself. modern interior. However, the speaker cannot boast of powerful and surround sound. From a purely technical point of view, it is difficult to fit a speaker into such dimensions that would produce bright lows and show all the details of electronic music.
Advantages
- Compact
- High quality build
- Bright appearance
- Possibility of recharging external devices
Flaws
id="sub6">- The sound is high quality, but flat compared to more powerful and expensive models
- No audio cable included
On the day of publication of the test review Harman speaker/Kardon Esquire mini could be purchased at a price starting from 8,490 rubles.
- August 17, 2016nothing special, 7000₽ a little expensive
Advantages:
Flaws:
lows are a bit weak
Period of use:
less than a month
5 6Shelest Valentin
- September 6, 2016I didn’t buy it at full price, I got a display copy (even without a charger, I picked it up later from my stocks), so I’m completely satisfied. A solid 4 plus in the column.
Advantages:
Decent sound for its size, even the most ancient Bluetooth devices can be connected without problems. Differences between wireless and wired connection I didn’t notice (although this can be counted as a minus). The battery lasts about 7 hours at medium volume (via a wired connection).
Flaws:
The price tag comes first. 8 watts, and even with a dubious stereo... As for me, speakers with multi-directional speakers sound more convincing. Perhaps quieter, but more voluminous.
Period of use:
more than a year
8 3Abdubakov Ruslan
- November 23, 2016The device is very narrowly specialized, but once it hits the target it becomes an indispensable and favorite device. Having tried many options, mainly from JBL, I used Flip for a long time, but the dimensions and shape were not for “always with you,” I settled on this one and did not regret it. Many criticize the weak lows, but they are not cranked up here, the balance does not suffer from this, the device was not designed for bass by engineers, these are primarily dimensions, weight, design and crystal clear sound (up to 70% volume), complex compositions sound very detailed and clean. But again, it’s a very narrowly targeted device.
Advantages:
Compactness, weight, design, sound clarity, build quality.
Flaws:
No cover, hard control buttons.
Period of use:
less than a month
0 0Barchenkov Alexander
- November 28, 2016Yes, the packaging is premium quality.
Lacks bass...use it third party applications playing music, you can put it in any niche (cupboard, cabinet, table) and there will be more bass!
The quality of the materials... THIS is cooler than any iPhone out there.
Easy to disassemble, excellent internal assembly rich in parts, TWO amplifiers (one for each speaker), resp. There is real stereo (though it’s not very noticeable since it’s just a mini body).
There is a small (in the form of a tube along the entire length, in the lower inner part) PHASE INVERTER!!!
The insides have another (sealed) housing (like a boombox) for better sound.
Lithium battery...7.4Wh 2000mAh 3.7V (easy to replace with analogue...)
It is possible to solder wires to the (Bluetooth) antenna and the range doubles...
p.s.
There is no science fiction in all this, BUT there is excellent quality! If you have the opportunity to carry Esquire 2 with you, take it, it’s got everything, great bass and power...
The Esquire mini is not quite suitable for the street (to get rid of young people in the park..), but in all other respects it is simply ideal.
I bought it second hand for 4 thousand rubles. in perfect condition, complete set.
Advantages:
Sound, operating time, case materials, build quality, power bank capability, charge-discharge indication (nice white color), ease of control, no drop in sound at high volume (even the power LED does not flicker).
Flaws:
It would be nice to have a built-in MP3, FM radio... (just kidding)
A pouch included would be nice.
Period of use:
less than a month
20 2Anonymously
- December 19, 2016Advantages:
Design, sound quality, ease of use, ideal for travel
Flaws:
A little quiet, but for household use OK
Period of use:
less than a month
10 1Abdubakov Ruslan
- January 9, 2017An amazing gadget, very emotionally filled, which is a plus for a certain circle of people and a minus for others. A gadget can be VERY disappointing if you don’t approach it with right side and expect unusual experiences (for example, deep bass filling an average room). But it can VERY surprise you and make you fall in love with it, as the ipod classic and fujifilm x100 did in their time with me in their category (I still use it). The first thing that captivated me is subjective, but - excellent design and real materials (ceramics, metal, natural leather), the second competitive advantage(for me) - dimensions! Since I am both a music lover and a musician, many gadgets have passed through my hands, with which I tried to fill the need for compact acoustics that can literally be thrown into a purse, or put in the inner pocket of a shirt/jacket. There are many similar (general) dimensions on the market, but they are angular, square, cylindrical, and only the esquire mini is flat and lightweight, and at the same time with excellent sound. The third parameter became decisive for me - sound quality! It’s worth making a reservation here, since in the modern musical environment “sound quality” varies greatly from opinion to opinion) for some it’s “cool bass”, for others it’s depth and lack of distortion at full volume. I compared this acoustics head to head with jbl different formats, and with Bose Soundlink mini, and with acoustics from Sony in the same price segment. In all comparisons, the esquire mini demonstrated a sound that was more detailed and clearer than others, complex compositions sounded richer, classic rock, classics, and various kinds of instrumental music. Moreover, the difference is sometimes significant, especially in comparison with jbl (even though they are birds of a feather). It is worth admitting that the Bose speaker also sounds detailed. But the weight, dimensions and design are off-putting.
In general, the speaker is very good for its tasks; I have not found any competitors in its niche. I recommend.
Advantages:
crystal sound, build quality and materials, design, compactness
Flaws:
control buttons are a bit harsh, no cover included
Period of use:
a few months
43 3Mikhail Brodkin
- May 13, 2017The item is not worth the money. Options from Xiaomi...
Advantages:
1. Appearance
2. Brand
Flaws:
1. Sound. There are mid frequencies, there are high frequencies. There are no lower classes. At all. You can only listen to classics and pop.
2. Price. Acoustics with the best sound can be bought 4 times cheaper.
3. The case is easily scratched.
Period of use:
less than a month
8 9Inkin Yuri
- January 17, 2018I bought this device at a discount from the storefront for 3,900 rubles. For the usual price of 5-6 thousand you can probably buy something more interesting. The option is attractive primarily for its compactness and sound quality. Very nice balanced sound. Of course, you shouldn’t expect bassy lows from such dimensions, but you can’t call it a tweeter either. It delivers most of the audio information to the ear and does it very well. The volume is enough...
Advantages:
1. Clear, balanced sound
2. Sub-compact size. Like a smartphone.
3. Luxurious materials. Ceramic grille, leather back, metal frame.
Flaws:
1. There is no cover included. And he is needed.
Period of use:
a few months
4 1Anonymously
- January 24, 2018Great model if you...
Advantages:
Sound quality.
Design
Ease of use
Battery
Compactness
Ease of connection
Volume
Quality of the device itself
Perfectly replaces laptop speakers and gives more quality and volume.
Let's just say, I couldn't find any cons, it's very cool for its size. More than a year
Anonymously
- September 27, 2018compact premium portable...
Advantages:
stylish, clear sound, quality assembly and materials
The Harman-Kardon brand has long become synonymous with expensive acoustic solutions for premium cars or high-quality equipment. Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz and BMW are equipped with just such acoustics by default. Therefore, today's portable wireless speaker Harman Kardon Esquire Mini, of course, cannot be perceived without adjusting for premiumness. Speaking in simple language, this means that the price of the speaker itself includes the value of the brand. We just have to determine whether we will have to pay too much for it.
Specifications Harman Kardon Esquire Mini
Output power: 8W
Speakers: 2x 1.06299″ / 27.00 mm
Frequency spectrum: 18 Hz - 22 KHz
Channels: 2
Signal to noise ratio: >80dB
Radio receiver: Absent
Bluetooth
Distance: up to 10 meters
AVRCP: Yes
Automatic pairing: Yes
Mode types: GFSK, 8DPSK, π/4 DQPSK
Inputs/Outputs: 1x 1/8″ (3.5 mm) Mini Line-in
1x USB for charging external devices
Battery type: Lithium-ion
Autonomous music playback: up to 8 hours
Full charge time: 5 hours
Dimensions: 140 x 75.4 x 24 mm
Weight: 238 g
Harman Kardon Esquire Mini Equipment
Design, assembly, appearance
The Harman Kardon Esquire Mini looks great. You can really just put it on a shelf, make it an element of your interior, or give it as a ceremonial gift. Judge for yourself: slim body edged with polished metal, the top is covered by a fine grille made of high quality plastic, and the back surface of the speaker is generally trimmed with leather. Control elements are located on top panel, there is a built-in metal stand for convenient placement on the table. The size of the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini resembles HTC smartphone One M8/M9, that is, the speaker is quite compact for convenient use on the go or while traveling. There is a strap so that the device can be suspended.
Peculiarities
The Esquire Mini adds another plus to the list of advantages of the Esquire Mini as a travel companion - the speaker can be used as an external battery ( power bank) with a capacity of 2000 mAh, which can fully charge an iPhone 6. If you use the speaker for its intended purpose at medium volume, Esquire Mini works for about 8 hours until completely discharged.
You can also use Esquire Mini as a headset for conference calls. Such a device looks quite appropriate on a desktop in a meeting room. All popular protocols for wireless audio connections for music and calls are supported.
Sound quality
No matter how good the wrapper is, a speaker is still often bought to play music rather than sit on a shelf. And here with Esquire Mini everything is not as simple as we are used to seeing in Harman Kardon acoustic solutions. Let's be clear right away, purely physically, this baby is not intended for bassy tracks, so it’s better not to try drum’n’bass, Prodigy and various kinds of dubstep at even medium volume. No, the speaker will not choke, hiss or distort the panorama, the sound will simply be flat, without the lows where they should be.
Well, as for instrumental music with a moderate panorama, classic rock compositions, electronic or pop music, the Esquire Mini speaker quite copes with the task of providing clear sound, which is interesting primarily for its high detail. No wonder, because the baby from Harman Kardon has a full-fledged two-channel system hidden under the plastic grille, where each channel has a separate amplifier.
Conclusion
You should not demand that a portable speaker for business trips be a contender for the role of the main speaker system. With a cost of 7 to 9 thousand rubles in our retail, Harman Kardon Esquire Mini is your gift to yourself or important person, a column that can only be slightly reproached for the absence low frequencies, but no taste.
Hello, friends. Now let’s try to figure out what the company Harman/Kardon, known for its high-quality audio solutions, created. Newest model Esquire Mini fell into our hands this time exclusively - it is not yet sold in Russia, but will appear soon. And apparently, the Harman/Kardon Esquire Mini claims to be one of the most portable wireless speakers, which can also charge gadgets.
Very portable acoustic battery
Of course, the story is not limited to portability here. H/K has always been not only beautiful, but also ergonomic in design. And therefore, most of their devices are not only beautiful, but also useful and convenient. Esquire Mini was no exception.
Design and external features
The first thing that catches your eye is, of course, the size. The acoustics are slightly larger than a modern gadget, and their appearance resembles a small external battery, by the way, with a capacity of 2000 mAh. Like its larger brother, the Harman Kardon Esquire, the Mini breaks the stereotype that acoustics cannot be flat. Quite possible.
This small speaker is really only slightly thicker than a portable one external drive and fits perfectly into the pocket of either a jacket or jacket, or jeans. Well, it’s much more convenient to carry such a “flat” speaker in your bag.
Taking a closer look at the gadget, you can see in the design an undoubted nod to the design of the iPhone 5/5S. This is a side aluminum edging with a characteristic edge. In general, owners and fans of design previous versions Apple smartphone should like it.
Front grille as in big version slightly reminiscent of the eye of an alien insect. And it is also made of metal.
A reverse side The speakers are trimmed with leather. Hidden at the back is a small decorative stand that opens with a light touch. And how did they manage to fit all this in such a small building?
Controls and ports are on the side edge. On top are the power buttons, pairing and receiving calls, as well as volume control. On the left is a charge indicator and a microphone, since Esquire Mini can also work as a hands-free device/speakerphone.
And on the right is all the main stuff: USB port for charging gadgets, a 3.5mm audio input, microUSB for charging the speakerphone itself and a place where you can attach a wrist strap.
Outwardly, everything looks quite practical, despite the fact that we got our hands on a pre-production sample. No gaps, no crookedly installed USB ports - nothing like that can be found in this little thing.
What's inside?
Following the fairly detailed specifications on the official H/K website (which is a rarity for portable consumer audio devices), it is easy to understand that a pair of 4W speakers, each 27mm in size, is responsible for the sound in the Esqire Mini. Of course, such miniature size will not cause glass in the apartment to shake, but that is not what the device is intended for.
The frequencies of the reproduced sound lie within the range of 180Hz - 18kHz and Harman is not shy about calling a spade a spade, most likely indicating characteristics that are close to reality. I didn’t take measurements, of course, but looking ahead, I’ll say that the indicated 80dB signal-to-noise ratio for the Mini sounds quite realistic.
As mentioned above, inside the portable acoustics there is a 2000 mAh battery that can provide up to 8 hours (in the test it turned out to be quite a bit less) of listening to music. And also charge any gadget that can power its own batteries from USB 5V. The 1A output is enough to quickly charge any smartphone.
Although, there are phone models with batteries of 3000 mAh or more, but any iPhone(except 6 Plus) this portable speaker is capable of charging fully. What an additional reason to always have Esqire Mini in your bag with you. The speaker system itself charges from a 1A charger in about 3-odd hours.
Naturally, Bluetooth was chosen as the interface for connecting with smartphones and other gadgets. The exact version is not indicated, but most likely it is 4.0.
Connection and operation
There are two options for connecting the H/K Esquire Mini to the device. Firstly, wireless via Bluetooth, and secondly, a regular audio cable with a 3.5mm connector (minijack).
Thus, Mini is compatible with almost any smartphone, tablet, player and computer. That is, Android, iOS, Windows Phone and any other gadget with Bluetooth.
The only thing that was missing was working as an audio interface with a speaker via USB (like the Jabra Solemate, for example). But perhaps this is the author’s nitpicking and the like portable acoustics such functionality is useless.
Why? The positioning of this small speaker system is quite clear. This is a gadget for personal use. Well, that is, you can use it to sound a room, but its direct purpose is to work with a laptop or mobile device in close proximity to the listener. In this case, the Esquire Mini sounds quite reasonable, at the required volume, and so on. But more on that later.
I'll note Bluetooth operation– unlike some other small Bluetooth speakers, Mini does not lose connection when the smartphone “falls asleep”; it quickly automatically connects when turning on Bluetooth on a smartphone (you don’t need to manually press the connection every time, which often happens to me with Jabra Solemate) and controls the player itself without glitches.
Yes, in addition to volume control (it changes on the speaker itself) and speakerphone functions, there is also a Play/Pause button, also known as picking up the handset. Well, go to the next track in the playlist quickly double click to the same button. It’s very convenient if you take only acoustics with you to the sofa, and the tablet is located somewhere far away on the table.
And one more nice thing about Esquire Mini: when connected or controlled, this portable speaker does not “shout” to the whole house “Solemate is connected!”, but only beeps quietly and quite modernly. Not the most important quality, but such little things sometimes become decisive when changing a gadget.
Otherwise, the Esquire Mini is a completely ordinary (not to be confused with “unremarkable”) wireless portable speaker. It works when needed, when not needed, it calmly waits in the bag, sometimes reviving the Nexus, which is on its last electrical breath. By the way, in included A flat USB cable with a microUSB connector, which also has a convenient lock, is now very fashionable. It's a small thing, but nice.
The Mini can probably also be used for calls, but, unfortunately, no one unexpectedly called me during all the tests while listening to music (probably worth thinking about this). And as a “quasi-close” field acoustics, Esquire Mini is even more convenient to use in a conversation than reaching for a smartphone.
Sound is more important
It was impossible not to pay attention to this parameter, traditional for testing acoustic systems. We were able to compare the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini with two other wireless acoustic systems- Jabra Solemate and Jawbone Jambox. It can hardly be said that Mini is in the same weight category as them, but nevertheless, it did not lose in every sense.
Yes, of course, portability affects the sound quality at maximum volume and the low frequencies in the Esquire Mini are much less, but in the mid-frequency and high-frequency spectrum this baby is quite good. And what’s more, even Jambox outperforms in some ways.
Namely, in the stereo effect and frequency reproduction accuracy. Esquire Mini is better place it closer - next to the laptop while working or while watching a movie, right in front of the tablet or not far from you on the table, placing it on a stand that provides an optimal listening angle, unlike straight-firing speakers in heavier competitors.
At the same time, there is one fun effect - at high volumes and if there is a bass line in the audio, the Mini can work as a good personal fan on hot and stuffy days. A very noticeable air flow comes out of the speakers - there are no bass reflexes here, that’s the design.
In general, even without a measuring microphone, it is clear that the Esquire Mini copes well with its direct task - a portable speaker designed to replace the speakers of a laptop or tablet with a smartphone. Certainly none of the existing laptop solutions, including HP with Beats Audio or Asus laptops On-screen speakers cannot be compared with this small acoustic gadget, which also has an external battery.