- Unique design delivers 360° of room filling
- Near lossless wireless audio streaming
- Switches from omni directional to directional sound
- Adjustable bass and treble equalization for ideal sound performance
- Remote control
The unit's build quality is not impressive for the price (it's made entirely of cheap black plastic) but it gets the job done and feels solid. Setting the unit up is the most obnoxious part of using it: its control knobs are cheap, mushy-feeling and extremely unintuitive, and a complex series of turns and pushes is needed to make Bluetooth pairing work. (Windows also has some difficulty sending audio to the V513, which isn't TDK's fault, but Mac OS X and iOS set up with it pretty easily.) And it's also annoying to have to switch the unit back and forth between already-paired devices and computers, rather than it knowing enough to switch dynamically to the one streaming sound to it at the moment.
The sound quality once paired, however, is pretty good for a compact plastic device. The unit has one 5-inch driver (the other two sides of the cube that appear to contain large speakers are actually "passive radiators," i.e. fake speakers; all three are worryingly unprotected against dust or damage) and four small tweeters, one on each corner. This has the effect of making its bass (which is full but not subwoofer-caliber) and lower midrange a bit more direction-sensitive and its pleasant high end a bit more omnidirectional. In general, though, the sound quality is pretty decent, approaching the quality of a decent (but subwooferless) home theater in a much smaller package. There's obviously no stereo separation at all.
The Sound Cube is not perfect by any means, but it does produce good sound. For a buyer shopping in this specific niche -looking for a compact, semiportable Bluetooth wireless speaker -it's worth considering. But for general listening, especially if you don't care about wires, there are many vastly better choices at this price point: start with the AudioEngine A5, which delivers far superior sound and build quality.
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This is a great little speaker system for indoor or (sheltered) outdoor use, but while it has a carry-handle, I wouldn't exactly call it portable. This is the primary weird design choice by TDK on this model: while it's built for portability, it has no internal battery, so it can't BE portable. Nonetheless, it sounds quite good for a unit of this size and price range. Granted, I'm a classical musician, so I'd prefer my Klipsch towers, of course, but for something to put in a corner, this delivers good quality sound, so I do recommend it.PROS --
*Very good quality sound generally from rock to classical, and it has BASS and TREBLE adjustments (rare on these)!!!
*Bluetooth connectivity (to Android Smartphone running ICS) is simple and has excellent range.
*Remote control is MUCH more useful than I'd expected. A welcome addition.
*LOVE the choice between directional/omnisound.
*AUX input very useful while charging phone quickly and don't really need Bluetooth.
*USB (power only) jack for charging your iPod/Smartphone.
CONS --
*Adjustment of options/settings/knobs a bit clunky and quirky.
*Corded power only -no internal battery (weird in a unit like this; one would easily fit), so it's not truly "portable." See "N.B." below.
*Aesthetics -looks like a combo of a portable/non-portable device with no protection for woofers but has a carry handle. Couldn't make up their minds?
SOUND OBSERVATIONS -There's a huge difference in sound when one switches from directional to omni-directional. I'm not exactly sure what sort of digital processing engages in "Omni" mode, but it clearly has something to do with phasing: switching to "Omni," the somewhat blurry sound from the multiple speakers all suddenly sounds harmonious in all rooms in which I've tried it. Would make a great little "surround" speaker for a small TV set in a kitchen or small room. This is the most natural (overused term in this field) sounding speaker I've heard that uses any form of phase correction or DSP. I am a purist, and this speaker sounds VERY good to me, especially considering the other models of Bluetooth "boomboxes" and "sound cubes" I've tried. I warmly recommend it.
N.B. -there is an error in Amazon's listing here....this unit does NOT take batteries. That spec refers to an earlier version of this "Sound Cube" (TDK Life on Record 77000015410 Sound Cube Audio System) and to one of their "boomboxes" (TDK Life on Record 77000015402 2-Speaker Boombox Audio System).
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This is my first foray into a wireless sound cube such as this. I've never owned and am not familiar with the wired version of it either. Be that as it may, I admit I was expecting a lot more from it for the price they're asking. I found it easy enough to set up, but like the other reviewers here I was very disappointed that it has to be tethered by an AC outlet. This thing comes with a handle on top that without knowing anything else about it suggests you can just pick it up and carry it anywhere. Not so at all, unless you like dragging an extension cord along with you. The controls on it remind me of programming an old VCR. It's ridiculous the way you have to manipulate them to identify and switch from one device to another. But mostly what I was really disappointed in with this thing was its cheap workmanship for something that is pretty expensive in my opinion. The cube itself does not give one the impression at all that it could take any kind of banging around, and everything about it and feels flimsy. But the worst of it is the speakers themselves that are totally exposed and unprotected. It's my opinion that this thing will spend a good deal amount of time on the floor, exactly where it will be susceptible to feet and other objects kicking and jostling it about. (My cat even attempted to sharpen her claws on it). This lack of speaker protection is not just a big miss in my opinion, but downright irresponsible and a rip off for something that carries such a handsome price tag. If the reviews tend to convince you that you would have a good use for, or would like this speaker and buy it, I would suggest picking up and installing speaker grills for it that can be found in a large variety here on Amazon. It will not just protect your speakers, but even make the cube look much nicer in my opinion...In conclusion, this wireless sound cube does sound pretty good when running. But in all honestly I have heard just as good with spending a lot less. Even if its just for perhaps the wired version of the cube that carries an FM radio, (that this doesn't have) that has some pretty favorable reviews. Overall I feel this wireless version is too cheaply made, too cumbersome being that it has to be plugged in, has confusing and needlessly exasperating controls, and altogether is too expensive for what you get. Personally I cannot recommend it...
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I've been looking for a good sound in Bluetooth wireless devices like a boombox for several months. I've researched many different models, read reviews and did the listening test if they were on display. I just happen to stumble into the TDK V513 Cube at a local retailer. My first impression was the design. It looked different compared to most Bluetooth speakers. It has four tweeters on all sides, two subwoofers and the main driver in the middles below the two control knobs and adjustments for treble and bass. The carry handle on top and rubber feet on the bottom. The power cord input, USB charger and Aux input on the back of unit. It had no battery and only runs on AC power only. The bluetooth connects easily and the handy remote control is an added bonus. It has a solid feel to it and looks sturdy in the mostly plastic enclosure. The speakers are unprotected so I would assume TDK designed this for listening enjoyment for people who desire a high fidelity sound.I read a review below about the reviewer stating he couldn't keep it near his cat because the speakers were unprotected. A CAT WILL DESTROY ALMOST ANYTHING. Another reviewer stated the Cube was made of cheap plastic. THE CONTROL KNOBS ARE A GOLD COLOR. SHOULD TDK HAVE MADE IT 14 CAROT GOLD?
The sound is what sold me on TDK Cube. It has deep rich bass and above average highs. It will easily fill a big room or hall. Adjusting the treble and bass controls will take a slight getting used to but it's not all that difficult like some reviewers have stated...It's just different.
Overall I give the TDK Cube two thumps up!
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This is probably one of my favorite things ever: I LOVE my TDK Wireless Sound Cube!It's so easy to play from the iPod, and any bluetooth device. It looks good, is compact, and sounds amazing. People are impressed and are surprised to learn the music that sounds so rich is coming from this one little cube.
We use it all the time. I can't recommend it enough.
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