Sound Blaster FRee – Bluetooth speaker, compact and functional: Review
As I had anticipated a few days ago, this summer, I’m going to review a set of Bluetooth speakers covering all major price segments. After seeing one in the under $40 , we move to the more difficult segment, that between $50 and $100.
In this price range, there are many cases that play well enough, so the choice becomes complicated. Among the most interesting is the new Sound Blaster FRee of Creative, available in black or white.
The speaker has a design intriguing, as it is a cylinder with hexagonal section with rounded corners. The front half of the surface consists of a dense metal grid, which covers the entire three sides. Two others are smooth, with the Sound Blaster logo, and the rear, black, home to several keys, connections and a passive radiator for bass optimized.
The four feet you see in the upper suggest a horizontal position, but the Sound Blaster FRee can also be used in vertical, spreading the sound on a larger scale. As the two sides are not perpendicular, the speaker will remain slightly tilted, so as to better direct the sound and have a more original.
At the top (or side, depending on how we position), there is a rubber cover black surrounded by a red hexagon. Here are 4 buttons cross: on / off, volume + / – and a button for answering calls or activate the Bluetooth paring (press and hold for 3 seconds). As for the combination unfortunately, it lacks the NFC, so must be done manually, but it’s very quick and accurate with both smartphone and tablet computers from any manufacturer. Near the power button, there are three small white LEDs that indicate battery charge (the last flashes when you are about to run out). One annoying thing is that when we activate the paring or connect a device, you will hear a sound with a volume a bit too strong.
In the rear, there is a very extensive set of controls, which also include the traditional play / pause and forward / backward. At the top is the key Loud, with its power light green, which amplifies the sound, making it more powerful and engaging. The button with the microphone icon allows you to put the mute in telephone conversations (will turn on a red light), while on the right, there is a shuffle mode (with a green light on top).
It does not work when using the speaker via Bluetooth, but is destined to reading music via microSD. On the back we find a small rubber cover that hides the microUSB port for connecting to a computer or charging, a 3.5 mm AUX input (cable not included) and a slot for microSD up to 32 GB.
So we can upload our favorite songs to listen to them without the need for an active source, choosing the size that we prefer one supported: MP3, WAV and FLAC.
The idea of reading via microSD is interesting, but there are two major limitations in my opinion. The first is that it lacks an LCD screen, so there is a minimum of control over the tracks (with 32GB available can be very many). The second is that there is some bug when there is a microSD inserted but we are listening to music via Bluetooth, if we pause and then again, not play again the previous track.
From a constructive Sound Blaster FRee it is really excellent, assembled with great care and high-quality materials. In addition, the design I particularly liked, although this is certainly a purely subjective. The dimensions are rather small with 71 x 200 x 68 mm, but unfortunately lacks a carry case in the box, in truth, it’s pretty miserable as it includes only the speaker and the microUSB cable / USB. Very welcome IPX4 certification, through which the device is completely safe even if it receives water splashes, then we can use it safely in the bathroom, in the kitchen or at the beach.
Let’s talk about audio quality, the perhaps most significant for this kind of devices. As I have said, in this price range, all play well on average, so you have to essentially test the limits of the product. Using it below the 70% of the volume, we can appreciate the best qualities, or a good definition of the mid / high frequencies and low fairly powerful and balanced.
Above this threshold and the source pushed to the maximum, the lower frequencies distort, especially mode ON Loud. It must be said that cable and the problem less noticeable and in any case already at 70% of the volume power is very high, so it will hardly be necessary to exceed this threshold.
I used a variety of sources and files of every type and genre, always getting good satisfaction. When needed it can also return a great impact on the kick, snare and cymbals, quite full-bodied with low, medium and high not discharged round and well defined. We are certainly not at the levels of the Sound Blaster Roar, but in its price range is defended well. The issue of distortion at maximum volume remains one of the very few in this case and could also be resolved by limiting slightly the roof via firmware.
By the threshold of audibility good sound it is still very dynamic and exciting, especially with the Loud active mode, and can fill a room of 50 / 60 sqm or radiate sufficiently well an enclosed space outdoors. In terms of space, the Sound Blaster FRee is exactly what lies ahead, not canned but not too large as the big brother.
The sonic performance is warm and balanced, reproducing smoothly even songs acoustically complex and rich in trace and tonal jumps.
By connecting to a computer via USB you can be selected natively as an output device but if you wish, you can also download the control panel from the Creative website, from which you can define in detail the equalizer and various sound effects.
Through computer, you can also recharge the internal battery, or you must use a third-party USB adapter. The range is about 10 hours, that drop slightly if we abuse Mode Loud.
Sound Blaster FRee: Conclusion
The Creative Sound Blaster FRee is certainly a good speaker Bluetooth, where we find the best aspects and other improvable. In general, the sound quality would put it in the column of the pro, because it is appropriate to the price range and listen with pleasure, provided you do not take it to the maximum volume. Also found it very convincing as cash for the computer (via USB) or TV (via AUX), thanks to a signature hot and a good definition.
It is also one of the few speaker with microphone that you can actually use for the phone calls, because the caller hears us reasonably well even at 30 / 40cm from the chest. The design for me, is a good thing, as it appears to be original and at the same time elegant, with high-quality materials and a perfect assembly.
Support reading audio files via microSD has a few drawbacks, as mentioned above, but being a more did not create any problem. One thing that certainly missing is a carrying case, which would make the budget more comprehensive and satisfactory. I would not mind even a 3.5mm cable to exploit the AUX input, as it has a minimal cost, and it would not cost anything to offer it bundled.
Altogether, it is a speaker that does not reach the excellence in terms of sensitivity and definition, but does not disappoint in any of the two areas.
Conclusions
PROS : Nice design and excellent construction. Sound good quality, round and dynamic. Loud function to increase the power and spatiality. Good microphone for phone conversations. Possibility of combining two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. Reading files from microSD (including FLAC). Positioned horizontally or vertically. IPX4 certified to withstand splashes.
CONS : A maximum volume the sound distorts. Reading via microSD it conflicts with Bluetooth devices. No carrying case. The notification sounds to have a volume too loud.
- Overall
