How to Choose a Mini Portable Speaker
What is a Portable Mini Speaker
A mini speaker is a type of micro speaker, often referred to as a “USB speaker” by many friends, connecting to computers or USB ports via USB interface. They are compact, easy to carry, and come in stylish designs. Mini speakers can connect to most audio output devices, such as MP3, MP4, MP5, mobile phones, and computers (some devices may require an adapter). They feature a simple and fashionable design, are small and exquisite, and come in a variety of types. The lithium battery in the body allows for portability. High power output also makes them suitable for outdoor use. Combined mini speakers are more suitable for placement in homes.
1. Compact size for easy portability, cool appearance, trendy style, personalized color combinations, fresh and natural. The largest size does not exceed that of a football, while the smallest is about the size of an egg;
2. Integrates amplifier, battery, and dual speakers, pioneering patented technology “telescopic expansion resonance chamber” that solves the problem of narrow resonance chambers in mini speakers, breaking decades of limitations on speaker shapes, compressed to the extreme;
3. No need for long audio cables, no external power supply required, whether it is the fresh rhythm of mountain streams or the passionate DJ dance music, it can be fully displayed! All of this is just to allow you to enjoy freely anytime, anywhere;
4. Simple and clear design, easy to use. Powered and audio input via USB 1.1 or 2.0 standard interface, plug-and-play without drivers, fully compatible with WINDOWS 95 98 ME 2000 and XP operating systems. Equipped with a 3.5mm stereo audio input interface to connect laptops, desktop PCs, mobile phones, PSPs, portable music players, MDs, Mp3s, handheld computers, PDAs, Mp4s, tape recorders, iPods, mobile phones, and other devices;
5. The mini speaker only needs to connect to devices like laptops or mobile phones without requiring a power supply to play wonderful music. Some speakers have a large-capacity lithium battery inside, allowing the product to play music for 3-5 hours. When the speaker’s battery is dead, we can connect it to the computer via USB to recharge the battery.
6. The portability is suitable for outdoor sports explorers, leisure seekers, and cyclists, and can also be used as a computer speaker. In short, mini speakers have become more widely loved due to their small size, long playback time, and loud external speakers, unlike traditional MP3s that require earplugs, which can harm the eardrum! Especially popular are sports mini speakers and bicycle speakers!
Common Terms Used in Mini Speakers
What are the common terms used by audio enthusiasts? The terms used by audio enthusiasts are often abstract, and the common terms are as follows:
1. Nerve Wire: Refers to signal wires that carry low-level (millivolt, microvolt) signals with small currents. General nerve wires are used for both audio and video, and higher-grade nerve wires have gold-plated RCA connectors at both ends and are coated with an anti-static protective layer.
2. Audiophile Wire: Refers to speaker signal transmission wires with larger cross-sections and more strands. High-quality audiophile wires are made from oxygen-free copper and other materials.
3. Burn-In: Similar to the running-in period for mechanical machines, it refers to the process of operating audio equipment for a certain period to equalize the temperature inside the machine with the ambient temperature, achieving optimal working conditions for amplifiers, resulting in the best playback sound.
4. Modify: The term comes from the English word “Modify”, meaning to correct or embellish. Audiophiles upgrade audio system components or circuits by replacing or modifying them, referred to as modify.
5. Blowout: Refers to the deafening atmosphere created when audio equipment plays music at its climax.
6. Tube Amplifier: Refers to amplifiers made using vacuum tubes. The warm and transparent sound quality of tube amplifiers is unforgettable for older audiophiles.
7. Solid State Amplifier: Refers to amplifiers made using transistors.
8. Tube-Solid Hybrid Amplifier: Refers to audio equipment made using a combination of vacuum tubes and transistors. Generally, vacuum tubes are used as the preamplifier and transistors as the power amplifier.
9. Ring Transformer: Refers to a toroidal transformer, which has less leakage magnetic compared to ordinary transformers.
10. Large Reservoir: Refers to power supply filter capacitors, generally large-capacity capacitors above 10000μF.
11. Beautiful Sound: Refers to audio equipment that reproduces sound quality very well, meeting high-fidelity requirements.
12. Resolution: Refers to the transparency of sound reproduction by audio equipment, giving a “clear as crystal” feeling.
13. Coloring: Refers to the unwanted sounds that occur during playback due to resonance from sound wave vibrations in other objects or materials that are not present in the reproduced sound. It is harmful to the playback effect.
14. Microphone Head: Refers to various types of microphones.
15. Supplements: Refers to high-quality components used for modifications in audio systems.
How to Choose a Mini Speaker
1. Do you have a good audition environment?
Audio equipment, being one of the most individualistic household appliances, requires careful listening to compare quality, while also considering your own preferred sound characteristics. However, some audio vendors only provide display areas without offering audition spaces, which is no different from selling general merchandise. A specialized audition room does not “beautify” sound quality; it merely provides a neutral, undisturbed space for you to carefully compare the characteristics of the system, with its smooth acoustic properties reflecting the advantages and disadvantages of the audio equipment. Additionally, well-designed audition rooms often reflect the vendor’s understanding of acoustics, their business taste, and strength. Therefore, to purchase satisfactory audio equipment, it is best to choose vendors with audition rooms.
2. Does the seller know their stuff?
If the vendor struggles with questions about product performance and usage, or simply says “it’s good” without knowing why, you should be cautious. If the vendor does not understand, they certainly cannot recommend good products to you and may not even know if the products they sell are genuine. Generic products can sell well, but audio equipment needs knowledgeable people to operate well. A qualified audio vendor not only understands the products they sell but also knows the characteristics of other products on the market and can objectively introduce the characteristics of different audio equipment to you. They can provide you with sufficient reference options, giving you the leeway to compare rather than merely asking, “How much do you want to spend?” which is about matching prices rather than your needs.
3. Just being genuine is not enough.
Buying audio equipment is different from buying other items; it is not enough for something to be real for it to sound good. Audio equipment has personality, and poor matching can feel as uncomfortable as mismatched couples. For example, most Japanese amplifiers have a relatively cold and hard sound base with a strong digital flavor. They are only suitable to be paired with speakers that have a softer and warmer tone. If you use products under ten thousand yuan, pairing a similarly “cold” German speaker with a notoriously “hard” JBL will result in an unlistenable or harsh sound, and no amount of money spent will improve the effect. However, many vendors, including some brand agents, ignore this factor and often create mismatched pairings to push their products, which is irresponsible. In addition to requiring self-discipline from vendors, consumers should also learn about matching knowledge to avoid blindly following advertising recommendations. Furthermore, the same price can yield different musical qualities due to brand differences, often resulting in high-priced products performing worse than lower-priced ones; thus, understanding listening knowledge is essential when purchasing audio equipment.
4. Is installation and debugging provided on-site?
For many who do not understand audio equipment, bringing home various devices often leads to confusion with complex wiring, and they may not know how to position and debug the system. Some may end up buying a package deal, but some reputable vendors offer free on-site services. Vendors providing installation and debugging services are undoubtedly very important. They can often offer effective suggestions to improve sound quality based on the acoustic characteristics of your room.
5. Have you considered the need for upgrades?
Many people who blindly followed trends to buy audio equipment soon find it outdated and awkward to use, but since they did not consider future upgrades, they face the dilemma of either continuing to use unsatisfactory equipment or discarding everything. At this point, you will find that waste is more expensive than using high-end equipment. Some consumers bought home theaters last year only to discover poor sound quality and gave the equipment away, then bought high-fidelity audio equipment. Many consumers continue to “make do” even when they realize they made a mistake, losing the opportunity to enjoy beautiful music. Given limited budgets, it is even more important to find a good audio system and reasonable matching.
How to Use a Portable Mini Speaker
Due to the small size and simple operation of mini speakers, experts point out that mastering the correct usage methods can not only prolong the product’s lifespan but also greatly enhance sound quality and personal music enjoyment.
First is the usage environment.
Mini speakers are small, and their shells are generally made of highly plastic or thin metal, so avoid placing them in direct sunlight and do not place heavy objects on top to prevent deformation. Also, be mindful of the environmental temperature; the normal operating temperature for audio equipment should be between 18℃ and 45℃. Too low temperatures can reduce the sensitivity of certain components, such as tube amplifiers. If you are in the north, keep mini speakers away from heat sources like radiators; high temperatures can cause early aging and failure of components.
Second is turning on and off.
Some split mini speakers should be turned on following the sequence from front to back, i.e., first turn on the CD player or main audio source, then the speaker unit; when turning off, first turn off the speaker unit, then the main audio source. If a simple amplifier is connected to the mini speaker, turn off the amplifier first to avoid damaging the speaker with excessive surge current. When turning on, also set the amplifier’s volume to the minimum to avoid damaging the speaker with a sudden loud volume.
Third is connecting the lines.
To facilitate portability, mini speakers can be disassembled, and many people, for convenience, do not turn off the power when disassembling, leaving the speaker in working condition. However, plugging and unplugging powered devices is very dangerous; even for passive devices like microphones, it is not recommended to plug and unplug while powered, as speaker terminals are usually very close, and speaker wires are tightly parallel, which can easily lead to short-circuiting the speaker wires, resulting in distortion or even damage to the speaker equipment.
Fourth is volume adjustment.
When enjoying music with mini speakers, avoid turning the volume to maximum immediately upon startup; since the components have not yet been warmed up, high volume can cause them to work at full load instantly, damaging the components. It is best to start with soft music at moderate volume for about ten minutes to warm up the machine’s components, and when they are fully adapted, you can unleash the full potential of the speaker.
How to Choose a Mini Portable Speaker
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(Source: China HIFI Audio Network)