Filed under: Accessories, iPod Family, Reviews, iPhone
TUAW Review: Livespeakr
The Design
The Livespeakr features what the creator call a "super cradle" that will fit not only the original iPhone, but also the iPod Classic, iPhone 3G, iPod Touch and iPod Touch 2G. This cradle rotates 180º to enable both landscape and portrait usage from the iPhone/iPod touch. Behind the super cradle lies the male audio jack which plugs into your device. The cradle can be popped off to reroute the cable for either iPhone or iPod use.
When you rotate the cradle 180º the speakers will expand so that the cradle is not blocking the speaker grilles. When you return it to the 90º position, the speakers will retract back into place.
The top of the Livespeakr is plain, only offering an on/off switch, small LED, and mini-USB port. The Livespeakr is made out of shiny black plastic that resembles the 5th generation black iPod (with video). On the back you will find a small flap that pops out -- this is actually the stand. While you can't adjust the height with the stand, you can adjust the angle that it swings back or forward. The metal stand has rubber feet so the unit won't slide while you use it.
What you get with Livespeakr
When you order a Livespeakr, you'll get not only the Livespeakr itself, but also a USB-to-AC adapter that will allow you to charge the unit on the go. You'll also get a USB to mini-USB cable, and a carrying case for the speakers and the charger.
Functionality
These speakers greatly improve on the built-in speaker that is on the iPhone. When I plugged in the speakers for the first time, I was astonished that such a big sound was produced by such a small speaker system -- it reminds me of having a miniature iPhone boom-box. While these speakers are a little light on the bass side of things, I found that by adjusting the equalizer on the iPhone/iPod, I could drastically improve on the sound quality.
The nice thing about the Livespeakr is that the speakers themselves are shielded against RF (Radio Frequency) noise. So, you can listen to your tunes without either switching the iPhone into Airplane Mode, or having to hear your iPhone search for a 3G signal and getting the incessant buzzing sound associated with it.
The Livespeakr features a rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery that I had very good luck with. In my testing, I was able to squeeze a week of 1-2 hour per day uses of it.
Final Thoughts
I really enjoyed using the Livespeakr and seeing how far it has come along since I first looked at the schematics of it last year. I could definitely see taking the Livespeakr on vacation to the beach, or just a swim at the pool. In addition, this small speaker set can be used as a speaker phone on your desk.
While some might say the $129.99 (US) price tag is a little high, I would have to disagree due to the portability and usability of the speakers. The Livespeakr is actually on sale right now, so you can actually get them $30-off for a sale price of $99.99(US).
You can check out the speakers in a little more detail on the Livespeakr website; you can also order them from their site. Be sure to check out our gallery of pictures of the Livespeakr.
Gallery: Livespeakr
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mystic said 11:22AM on 2-10-2009
Um what? It gets the sound from the headphone jack instead of the dock port? That right there turned me off.
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homagetogorto said 11:35AM on 2-10-2009
This is exactly the product I've been looking for. My 1st Gen iPod Touch doesn't have a built in speaker, and I don't want to always be wearing headphones or have it plugged in to the Bose dock.
And they even ship to a few non-US destinations. Hooray!
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Gman said 11:50AM on 2-10-2009
"When you order a Livespeakr, you'll get not only the Livespeakr itself, but also a USB-to-AC adapter that will allow you to charge the unit on the go. You'll also get a USB to mini-USB cable, and a carrying case for the speakers and the charger."
So what's the total cost of that 20 bucks? Doesn't every mini speaker set come with a similar packge for say $60 bucks less?
This article seemed more like an infomercial than an unbiased look at a small and crappy speaker set for 16 year olds who hang out by their school park...don't take it personally.
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decycled said 12:20PM on 2-10-2009
Is this an advertisement or an article?
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gwhizz said 12:45PM on 2-10-2009
I like the fact it uses the headphone jack... allows you to use it for speaker phone.
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Rob said 1:06PM on 2-10-2009
I agree with Gman and decycled. This doesn't read like other TUAW articles, it reads like an advertisement. Livespeakr is just a tatty looking mini speaker that should cost a 1/4 of what it does. The finish is terrible and it looks really flimsy. If this was a high school project I'd say well done but for a commercial product costing $130 this is absolutely awful verging on criminal!
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Schell said 1:13PM on 2-10-2009
When I first read about this, I was rather excited. But now, looking at the production model, I feel it's as cumbersome as it is aesthetically unpleasing. I was hoping that the iphone would fit into the unit rather than on onto (much more like that game controller where the iphone snaps in). And, when it folded in, the unit would be nearly flush with the speakers, which by the way, look like cheap tweeters that I glued to the dash of my first car.
Granted, it's probably pretty cool and and useful and all that, but I was hoping for something much more compact that I could throw in my backpack when I travel rather than something like what is being manufactured.
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Valerie said 1:20PM on 2-10-2009
Wow, I'm really impressed with what I've just read in the article. Though, it does sound like an advertisement for the LivespeakR, maybe the product is really that awesome??? I trust Tuaw's credibility so I'm going to have to make a purchase and judge for myself. Thanks for the read! Very helpful!
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elziardaim said 1:58PM on 2-10-2009
oddly enough, i just sent the below via email to Livespeakr last night:
"i have been using my livespeakr for about two weeks since i received it.
my original intent was to replace the speaker that i've been using for years with the enticement of a GSM interference-free listening experience.
sadly, that is not the case. the things i'm disappointed in the livespeakr are listed below, from high-to-low:
- GSM interference-free is not a reality. powered externally, in proximity to other devices or free of both, GSM inteference still gets through on occasion.
- sound quality is poor in the lower-range, lacking fullness and resonance.
- hardwire line-in feedback in certain proximity to other devices or wiring. i've gotten feedback from the livespeakr when powerline for the livespeakr AND the iphone are drawing power off of a mac's ports. i've had to configure the livespeakr to outlet power while keeping the iphone powered by the mac.
if neither device is powered externally, i do not get the feedback.
- top-heavy even with the more "robust" stand
- flimsy universal cradle
it has been reduced to a second floor mobile speaker at home. i am still contemplating a merch return as i cannot justify the product given it's limited use."
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nik said 2:00PM on 2-10-2009
I think the design idea could be great in both a car-speaker phone scenario as well as at the office. The iPhone has great multi-call capabilities but the speaker volume just doesn't go loud enough. I will definitely be interested in a "real review" of the product.
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HighStrungLoner said 2:06PM on 2-10-2009
Repeat after me: Do not take speakers to the beach, Do not take speakers to the beach. Do not take speakers to the beach...
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Dom said 2:07PM on 2-10-2009
This is an advertisement. Either TUAW or the author was paid for this because it is simply NOT an unbiased review of the product shown.
Look at it. It's a piece of tat - and it uses a headphone jack rather than the dock for godsakes.
I'd REALLY like to see an official response from TUAW on this. If you're going to post paid-for content, then it needs to be clearly marked.
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Doolybug said 2:26PM on 2-10-2009
@ Gman, decycled, Rob and Dom
Exactly!
If TUAW is a shill, we'll smell it out. I love the coverage, but I'll drop it in a NY minute if it's writing for the producers.
-signed, a long time reader & infrequent poster
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Erik G. said 2:39PM on 2-10-2009
Hello Everyone,
My name is Erik Groset and I'm the co-owner of DGA (makers of LiveSpeakR). We worked hard to develop a product that is unlike anything else out there and fills a void that many iPhone/iPod Touch owners were looking for. I'd like to address a couple of the issues out there...
1. This is NOT a paid or unpaid advertisement. It is a bit outlandish to accuse the author of such.
2. Going through the headphone jack was a difficult decision and there were several issues that lead us to make this final call. First off, if we went through the 30-pin connector you couldn't use the LiveSpeakR as a speaker phone, which was a high priority for us. Second, it could drain your media players already short battery life even faster.
3. We offer a 30-day money back guarantee. If you order the LiveSpeakR and are dissatisfied for any reason we will be happy to refund your money. However, to date we have not received a single return.
I'd be happy to answer any additional questions directed towards the product or the company and hope we can have you as another valued customer!
Thank You,
Erik
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Rondhi said 3:53PM on 2-10-2009
Maybe Apple is going to release push notifications on iPhone to coincide with push notifications on Snow Leopard.
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Rondhi said 3:58PM on 2-10-2009
Ignore that last comment. Used 1Password to fill in my information and I guess it saved the last comment I posted on another article. Haha.
Anyway, I have a LiveSpeakr. Although a little bulky, it does produce some great sound once you change your equalizer settings.
As far as the design goes, with a headphone jack, you can connect things other than an iPhone or iPod Touch. The creators could make cradles for other media players if they wanted to since the cradle is removable.
I think it's worth $99, but not $130.
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Gabe said 4:46PM on 2-10-2009
Cory, your writing has improved dramatically since you started, but if you look at some of the other reviews on this site, you'll see why people are complaining of payola. Not enough empirical facts, and too many vague positive statements. That you "had good luck with" the battery just doesn't tell me anything.
I'd like to see a comparison to any of the other docks made by Bose or JBL, both in sound quality and functionality. That it's an "improvement on the built-in speaker" isn't saying much - is it a $130 improvement, especially considering how great the JBL models sound for a similar price?
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Doolybug said 7:08PM on 2-10-2009
@Erik G
Thanks for the response.
I do not think it's a shoddy product, I like what I've seen. I don't have an issue with the headphone jack either. I commend your product, I remember watching a demo last fall. It's something I might buy.
I'm not blowing smoke up your ass either by questioning the post by Cory on your product. It may well be an honest (and overly enthusiastic) review. My concern lies with the editorial process, not the product.
I don't think this is outlandish. Maybe you meant absurd, or ignorant.
Defend your product, you must, but just be mindful of how it's promoted.
That being said, I hope lot's of people buy it, and the price can drop to within my budget.
Sincerely,
Doolybug
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Gman said 4:22AM on 2-11-2009
@Erik G
Really cool to see you defend your product on here, in my opinion it not only shows character but that you really believe in it.
I am sorry if my statements came off a bit harsh, as Doolybug put it I was more upset with review.
That said, I think consumer feedback is a godsend. You should be happy that people have been honest about their first impressions of your product. Yes there are a lot of angry people who like to bash rather than praise, but I think there are still some gems you can take back to your drawing board say for revision 2 of the Livespeaker.
My constructive feedback would be: lower the price so that it matches other competitors in the market, after all your product has no long time "brand" equity and is not as "polished" as say some long time competitors. I look forward to trying one out though, as it would be useful for when I travel.
Best of luck,
Gyve
PS
Don't hesitate to contact me if you have an other questions.
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