Creative iRoar Go - a compromise between the Hi-Fi-acoustics and portable speakers for travel

Design and equipment

In the basic configuration the device is nothing superfluous: column, power supply, three forks, AUX-Adapter (with a mini-jack socket), USB-cable and user manual.

Creative preserved form factor weighty book small volumes and reliable materials. Traditionally, metal housing. Traditionally a lattice surface.

Dimensions of the device, compared to Creative iRoar, decreased by 40% to 54 × 192 × 97 mm. The column is lighter by 25%, while maintaining sufficient for the absence of parasitic vibrations the weight 810 g

The column can be supplied in two ways: vertically (as pictured below) or horizontally. In the second case iRoar Go rises on massive rubber "feet" that does not allow too resonate the surface on which the speakers.

That pleases not only the ear but also the eye: this time, Creative did not hide resonating membrane passive radiators under the grate. Layfhaker I miss this magic from the time of the review Sound Blaster Roar 2 and allowed himself to enjoy the pulsating vibration lateral radiators iRoar Go.

Where there is no metal, there is a rubber. Such a solution helps waterproof iRoar Go. The rubber seals are also built-in and user interface, but the buttons are pressed nonetheless easy and enjoyable respond click.

Despite the absence of the screen in this type of device, you always know what the iRoar Go. This is facilitated by active buttons and lights from the indicators working panel sources. The battery is running out? This will alert the power button, illuminated in red. Disabled the USB-device? source indicators instantly show you what iRoar Go switched to a reception with Bluetooth.

Connectors are hidden under the rubber plugs. If you are not a carrier of long nails, then dense plugs may seem insufficiently pliable. This nuance - a necessary sacrifice on the way to class IPX6 water resistance.

For lovers of travel and street musicians Creative offers shoulder Bag Cover from eco-leather, not covering the controls and necessary for the sound field iRoar Go play.

Adoption of design solutions of proven on previous models and improved in iRoar Go, appreciated not only by us: Acoustics was awarded the Red Dot Awards 2016.

Functionality and the alternative use of

On-board battery unit capacity 5200 mAh providing at assertions of the developers 12 hours without recharging. Recall that while the acoustics may vary depending on the music and the playback source volume.

iRoar Go can play music via devices connected by Bluetooth (standard 4.2) or NFC. Unfortunately, this model from Creative declined APTX, but support for SBC and AAC codecs remained in place.

As for wired devices, you can link through the microUSB connector or AUX-interface. AUX-input jack deceptively resembles a mini-jack, but as happened to be, it is not. To connect the devices via a 3.5mm interface need an adapter, which, however, is present in the base set. By the way, in contact with the PS4, these speakers are able to too.

For those who play these options is not enough, developers have traditionally provided a microSD card slot. Using the memory card opens up new possibilities: iRoar Go plays MP3 and WMA files with bit rates up to 320 kbit / s, as well as FLAC with bitrates up to 1.3 Mbit / s.

Acoustics from Creative interacts with Sound Blaster Connect application that helps you to quickly switch between playback sources, and is also responsible for setting the equalizer. At the base of a couple dozen preset applications, including the main "energetic", "Warm" and Superwide.

The housing of the previous model iRoar literally crammed with as many functions as needed, and not very much. IRoar Go opportunities are more limited, but it is hardly a disadvantage.

Let's be honest. Buying portable speakers, people want to get a reliable speakers for listening to your favorite music. Alarm Clock, babysitting for a child, a tuner for guitar - it's excesses, from which iRoar Go spared.

But iRoar Go has a built-in microphone and be able to record your voice to MP3 with a bitrate of 64 kbit / s, and then save to SD-card. The resulting recording can immediately lose. That's the way we are from a simple set of speakers and get a complete music computer. AUX-interface to connect a microphone allows you to turn iRoar Go to the speaker for promoters or column for street musicians.

Like all Roar range of devices on the body of the test, we find the button to answer the call conjugated smartphone.

Well, the last (but not least) function iRoar Go - the ability to use the column as a portable charger: USB-jack gives amperage 1 A. I would like to hope the universality of the USB-interface, but no: Creative work in big fellows, but still are not magicians, recharge itself column through this jack will not work.

Water resistance

Spotted on the box with the image flow from iRoar Go drops of water, we are very happy. It was in the editorial is finally acoustics, which can make a real test drive?

Disclaimer: song selection can not coincide with the preferences of the editorial board, but very precisely fit the described characteristics.

Frankly, pour water in the area of ​​the lateral membrane was a little scary, but iRoar Go withstood the test. All electronics are securely isolated, and the presence of holes on all sides of the column will allow water to flow freely.

Compliance with class IPX6 says that the device will continue to work properly even under the pressure of powerful water jets or waves.

The next class is assigned to the water resistance of the devices that can keep the operation to a depth of one meter. Why listen to music under water, we do not know, but it is possible that Creative will release and such columns.

Sound

We turn to the key parameters of any speaker - sound. Here, pardonte, I would like to make a reservation: Singapore guru sound talented and diligent, but a full-fledged multi-channel Hi-Fi-system iRoar Go is still no substitute. Not because the developers have something unfinished, or not provided, but because it still is not subject to control of the laws of the propagation of sound from a source the size of a waffle cake.

However, if someone wins and the laws of acoustics, it is sure to be Creative. It is possible to close it. Using iRoar Go a short distance, you will notice that it is consistent with the sound of many full-length acoustics 2.1. Given that we are talking about portable speakers the size of a slightly elongated weighty book - the result a great.

Two positions iRoar Go for listening to music is not only a designer, but also a functional feature. The horizontal arrangement is intended for a more balanced sound in larger rooms and outdoor spaces, and the vertical will give more focused and directional sound.

Speaking about the sound balance, we can not say Superwide technology. It is this innovation highlights iRoar Go as a whole Roar of the series, and a series of multiple portable speakers from other manufacturers. Superwide - a real claim for Hi-Fi-potential and the fact that the second calls into question the lack of development Creative magic abilities.

Superwide supports four scenarios accommodation for customization dispersion of the sound waves. We experienced a couple of scenarios for yourself and want to assure: the difference really is. Benefits - too.

In horizontal iRoar Go on the table has become much more difficult to determine the exact location of the speaker, and the sound is more or less evenly distributed across openspeysu Layfhakera.

Traditionally located on the housing Roar button is somewhat similar with some Mega Bass regime on inexpensive computer speakers. But if in the case of the budget "dzheniusami" This feature adds bass without having to worry about the quality of the mix and the other frequencies, the Roar mode creates magic in the Creative column.

Sound power is increased from Roar via intelligent processor balanced, keeping the density of bass and treble detail. Mix itself is saturated, as if suddenly there were new tools that fill the unoccupied to this frequency. It should be one to include Roar mode - and it does not want to turn off.

The choice of speakers, as the choice of perfume or beer, especially individual case. Therefore, speaking about the sound, I have for some time away from the traditional "we". Personally, I did not have the expected low frequency and mid that when used close to the successfully compensated custom equalizer settings. Q lack frequency again stood at a distance from the speaker. Here the situation is saved Superwide function, but bad osadochek remained.

iRoar Go stand comparison with a top JBL Charge 3 and its predecessor Roar 2But I lost significantly older friend iRoar.

Sound characteristics allow use iRoar Go as a soundbar speaker for laptop and for street promoters. iRoar Go will be an excellent column for showering or swimming pool, kitchen or garage. Arrange a disco, of course, difficult, but with the challenges facing the Portable Audio, iRoar Go copes perfectly.

Specifications

Creative goes on protoronnoy track, using the traditional set of speakers with a somewhat reduced capacity: aboard two 1.5-inch high-frequency transmitter, 2.5-inch and two passive subwoofer radiator. Sound pressure of this cocktail is 85 dB.

Through the grille body, we can see two tweeters and a subwoofer iRoar Go: developers returned to the location of the active speaker on one side and the passive radiators on the sides.

It justifies its existence and tradition of bi-amping. In iRoar Go two amplifiers, one of which goes to vysokochastotniki, the other - to the subwoofer, responsible for medium and low frequencies.

Conducted by us of amplitude-frequency characteristics of the test showed excellent results for portable speakers. iRoar Go significantly lost in the volume at a frequency of 70 Hz, a sharp cut occurred at around 50 Hz. However, Layfhaker does not specialize in audio equipment, and therefore ready to offer you an alternative in the form of research by professionals from France - Portal les Numériques.

Verdict

iRoar Go half the price of its predecessor iRoar, and this is no accident. Column slightly lost in the power and duration of battery life, deprived of the optical input, the touch panel and so much more. However, a price of 14 990 rubles iRoar Go work out with a vengeance.

Basic functions, designs, quality materials and excellent dynamics - all that is left in place. Add to this class IPX6 water resistance and support Superwide technology and you get Creative iRoar Go perfect portable speakers.

Buy iRoar Go to the official store Creative →