REVIEW: Creative Sound Blaster FRee - really extreme, the Bluetooth speaker
Devices / / December 19, 2019
Having started to use really high-end appliances, you can not return to the mediocre mass consumption. According to our editorial staff could not at least, and now office Layfhakera "voiced" great wireless speaker from Creative. It's review time more severe and affordable portable speakers this manufacturer. Here Creative Sound Blaster FRee - Bluetooth-speaker with immunity to rain and mud.
Discussed in my previous review column Creative Sound Blaster Roar 2 although it is portable, but to put it on a bike and in general in any way subjected to attack by an open environment is simply a pity. Still, it is 17 thousand rubles "premium" and the best technologies. Such a device does not place in the rain. Let Roar 2 pleases the ears in the office and waiting for the next season, Barbecue place, and the mud puddle better column whose immunity to the spring and autumn weather certified in accordance with standard IP.
Protection against water
Crative Sound Blaster FRee The security offers IPx4 wrapper class, which corresponds to the "protection against splashes, falling in any direction." Rain and water from under the wheels are not afraid of the column, and it can be safely fastened to the frame or wheel.
The greatest concern is the grille, which hides an active part of the sound reproducing system. In the photos you can see how dangerous the holes were filled with a liquid, but during the trip and after drying column work is not disrupted and the sound is not changed. Apparently, the grating is constructed so as to retain water in the network, but not to allow its inside. Large drops while slipping over the surface. In any case, the apparent sinking column is not really suffering, and even moderate rainfall it is not terrible.
Other elements FRee design does not cause fears in terms of water resistance. All rubberized and securely closed. control buttons located on one of the sections of the cylinder, in fact are part of a rubber membrane.
Movable low frequency oscillator on the side panels also seamlessly switches to the rubberized casing shell and can not skip moisture in principle. USB-port, AUX in, and a slot for microSD carefully covered with a hinged rubber flap.
The amount is a more than worthy of protection against water and dirt, and if you do not plan to wash the grille column under the direction of a jet from a hose, then FRee nothing happens.
Sound and Features
Frankly, after the Creative Sound Blaster Roar 2 everything else sounds bad, even a different product Creative. This is the fastest to get used to the good, which I mentioned at the beginning. Part of the loss on the overall quality of sound due to the fact that its own column in the two-FRee more than 2 times cheaper Roar (8 thousand against 17 thousand) and more than two times lighter (446 g against 1 kg). There is not as fancy toppings, no separate amplifiers into high and low frequency, no intelligent bass boost at low volume. In general, I'm hopelessly flawed superiority Roar 2.
But other people, listen FrEE, there is a very clear and pronounced bass with a total sound evenly over the entire audible range and are very pleased with the quality of music. For the lower classes meets the very low frequency transmitter on the side panel of retired outside. With a sufficient increase in the volume range it is very spectacular. The membrane is recessed housing, and even if the column mounting part to the bike will be directly above the transmitter, his work did not interfere.
The design in the form of a cylinder allowed to place speakers so that the sound goes in all directions. Effect is obtained 360, but to fully experience it is better to arrange FRee vertically. In this position, the device resembles the leaning tower of Abu Dhabi.
Although the cylinder is made the cut at a certain angle, the column safely standing on the surface, and even the occasional faint not push it overturns on its side.
Special mention deserves function Loud volume gain. In this mode, the speaker can "shout" a strong headwind when driving and noise from passing near the KAMAZ. On vacation when the device is adequately provide Loud music forest clearing medium in size with no apparent distortion, and wheeze even at maximum volume.
Additional functions
Creative is famous for the fact that adds to their products any more chips, making the device more versatile. In this case, engineers were limited to a minimum set by providing FRee handsfree function and adding a microSD card slot.
If we write the music to a memory card (cards up to 32 GB or supported) and install in the column, you get a stand-alone player, which does not need a smartphone. Control buttons at the same time is always at hand to press them comfortable even during the ride.
Built-in battery FRee pulling about 9-10 hours of continuous playback in the player mode, although the availability of energy-efficient Bluetooth 4.0 is not particularly affect the operating time when broadcasting music through mobile.
Scold
If desired, you can complain to the FRee for some small change. In my case, it's not exactly a trifle, and the lack of operating mode as an external battery. The Creative Well, well, seriously, your speaker is able to play 10 hours straight. Why not give the opportunity to put part of the battery in my smartphone, which, as always, is dead at the most inopportune moment?
in total
Creative Sound Blaster FRee - this is a great portable Bluetooth-column for recreation and extreme sports. It perfectly copes with the "voicing" Picnic noisy and does not cease to work if you forget it in the wet grass or accidentally spill water on it. Column stand fast bike ride in the rain, and requests the supplements, because the aggressive external environment - is something for which this device was created.
With its survivability FRee sounds great, but different from the legendary Creative I did not expect. Eight thousand rubles for this technique from that brand - it is fair.
Buy Creative Sound Blaster FRee can be Creative's official store.