With all the hubbub around home automation, intelligent assistants, and smart devices you might be forgiven for forgetting that the majority of gadgets are a little more straightforward. After all, many of the products you own are great at doing a couple of things, often similar sort of tasks- but you probably don’t want a refrigerator that can also print your documents. Still, it’s all too common for companies to try to cram in functions, and it’s tempting to see the bullet points as advantages. But most of the time, we prefer a focused device with a singular purpose.
Take the Klipsch Groove for example. It’s a portable Bluetooth speaker with micro-USB charging, like many on the market, and it’s IPX4-rated splashproof like some. Measuring roughly five inches by six inches, it’s a mid-sized model in the outdoor-ready category. Smaller ones might be handier if you’re hiking, but this guy is built for the beach or park- small enough to be packed in a small bag, but big enough to pack a punch. And a larger and denser body can mean better battery life, as it does here, with eight hours or so between charges but a bit under two pounds in weight.
Inside you’ll find a surprisingly powerful 3-inch full range driver alongside two side-firing passive bass radiators that can put out about ten watts total. Setup is simple, and there aren’t many accessories in the box- no case and not even a 3.5mm cable, though an auxiliary input is provided if you don’t want to or can’t use Bluetooth. We really liked the controls though, with fairly large rubber buttons across the top for power, pairing, and volume/playback as well. As you might expect, the Groove sounds best on the low-end, with a clear focus on bass response. And it’s clear until the very highest volumes- play tracks like the new Santigold or CHRVCHES and you’ll definitely hear why Klipsch is a pretty classic name in audio.
We would’ve liked to be able to pair a set of these together for stereo sound, which isn’t possible. And the Groove is a mono speaker with a single driver, so you won’t get much in the way of separation in the channels. Safe for poolside or bathroom use or during light rains, don’t dunk the speaker! And be careful of placement, as it sounds best with a little attention rather than the cylindrical-shaped style that is less directional. Available for around $150, the Klipsch Groove is a pretty dynamic, sturdy addition to your audio kit.