Uses DC plug for charging.
I really like the design.
Great build quality.
USB port is only a power outlet.
Multiroom, AirPlay, DLNA, Bluetooth, WiFi, streaming, Amazon Alexa and stuff.
What I'm using most of the time is the web radio. Super nice. Five presets can be stored (more would have been better, but five are better than none). The best thing: one can use the web radio without the app by just turning the speaker on; then it connects to the WiFi and one can cycle through the presets.
One needs to set everything up through the app beforehand, though.
Battery indicator (short press on on/off button).
I wouldn't mind a slightly finer volume scaling (directly on the speaker - it's mostly okay on the app).
Sound:
I've used my Asus Google Nexus 7 (2nd generation) for Bluetooth and WiFi streaming (including the GGMM app). In addition, I used my iPhone 4 as AirPlay streamer (without any additional app).
According to the scheme on the packaging, it seems like the E5 has got four active speakers and two passive radiators.
What I really like is that there are no power on/off/switching sources/connection jingles. Solely the Bluetooth mode outputs a jingle that is however luckily only as loud as the volume setting; in addition, the speaker also tells the user when it has connected to the WiFi (the volume is identical to the volume setting).
The volume setting is saved after power-off and switching sources (it sounds like a trivial feature, however not all Bluetooth speakers have it).
Np synced volume in combination with my Nexus 7 (separate regulation on the source and speaker). Synced volume in combination with my iPhone.
Very positively, the speaker doesn't hiss.
Tuning:
The default tuning (bass and treble adjustment set to 0) is quite v-shaped.
Dialling the bass all the way down, the lows are only mildly warm and elevated, and not dominant anymore. Then the upper bass is quite neutral, with just a moderate amount of pleasant fundamental range warmth.
My personal sweet spot for the treble is somewhere around the 10 o'clock position; then it is only moderately lifter towards the upper highs.
Generally, the implementation of the bass and treble adjustment is done well as both act like a scissor and evenly elevate a wide range, however it is a bit sad that the speaker will never sound fully flat but be either mildly v-shaped or somewhat dark.
So, yeah, generally quite pleasant, but not as flat as I'd like.
Extension is fine until around 80 Hz with a steep roll-off below that.
Resolution:
Doesn't resolve as well for the price as I had imagined. Details are okay but somewhat flat.
Speech intelligibility is still rather decent, though.
Comparable to a rather low priced portable radio or small, okay sounding kitchen radio.
So it sounds okay, but not overwhelming. Good enough for background radio listening though.
Soundstage:
Pretty much no soundstage; flat and no real left-right imaging. Therefore just as spatially flat sounding as many other portable Bluetooth speakers.
The only way to get a (presumably) decent stereo image would be to use two E5 speakers in L/R mono configuration through the GGMM app.
- - - - - - - - -
Compared to the Xiaomi Mi Square Box Bluetooth Speaker:
The Mi is much smaller and has got way less features, however it is a good bit cheaper, too.
The tuning (GGMM E5 least bass and about 9 o'clock treble position) is somewhat comparable although the Mi is ultimately somewhat flatter. Despite being much smaller, the Mi's bass is extended about similarly (but distorts much earlier). The E5 goes much, much louder before it distorts audibly (I don't care for that and listen at low levels).
Both resolve somewhat equally, with at most just a small advantage for the E5.
The E5's soundstage sounds slightly less flat than the Mi's in direct comparison.
I really like the design.
Great build quality.
USB port is only a power outlet.
Multiroom, AirPlay, DLNA, Bluetooth, WiFi, streaming, Amazon Alexa and stuff.
What I'm using most of the time is the web radio. Super nice. Five presets can be stored (more would have been better, but five are better than none). The best thing: one can use the web radio without the app by just turning the speaker on; then it connects to the WiFi and one can cycle through the presets.
One needs to set everything up through the app beforehand, though.
Battery indicator (short press on on/off button).
I wouldn't mind a slightly finer volume scaling (directly on the speaker - it's mostly okay on the app).
Sound:
I've used my Asus Google Nexus 7 (2nd generation) for Bluetooth and WiFi streaming (including the GGMM app). In addition, I used my iPhone 4 as AirPlay streamer (without any additional app).
According to the scheme on the packaging, it seems like the E5 has got four active speakers and two passive radiators.
What I really like is that there are no power on/off/switching sources/connection jingles. Solely the Bluetooth mode outputs a jingle that is however luckily only as loud as the volume setting; in addition, the speaker also tells the user when it has connected to the WiFi (the volume is identical to the volume setting).
The volume setting is saved after power-off and switching sources (it sounds like a trivial feature, however not all Bluetooth speakers have it).
Np synced volume in combination with my Nexus 7 (separate regulation on the source and speaker). Synced volume in combination with my iPhone.
Very positively, the speaker doesn't hiss.
Tuning:
The default tuning (bass and treble adjustment set to 0) is quite v-shaped.
Dialling the bass all the way down, the lows are only mildly warm and elevated, and not dominant anymore. Then the upper bass is quite neutral, with just a moderate amount of pleasant fundamental range warmth.
My personal sweet spot for the treble is somewhere around the 10 o'clock position; then it is only moderately lifter towards the upper highs.
Generally, the implementation of the bass and treble adjustment is done well as both act like a scissor and evenly elevate a wide range, however it is a bit sad that the speaker will never sound fully flat but be either mildly v-shaped or somewhat dark.
So, yeah, generally quite pleasant, but not as flat as I'd like.
Extension is fine until around 80 Hz with a steep roll-off below that.
Resolution:
Doesn't resolve as well for the price as I had imagined. Details are okay but somewhat flat.
Speech intelligibility is still rather decent, though.
Comparable to a rather low priced portable radio or small, okay sounding kitchen radio.
So it sounds okay, but not overwhelming. Good enough for background radio listening though.
Soundstage:
Pretty much no soundstage; flat and no real left-right imaging. Therefore just as spatially flat sounding as many other portable Bluetooth speakers.
The only way to get a (presumably) decent stereo image would be to use two E5 speakers in L/R mono configuration through the GGMM app.
- - - - - - - - -
Compared to the Xiaomi Mi Square Box Bluetooth Speaker:
The Mi is much smaller and has got way less features, however it is a good bit cheaper, too.
The tuning (GGMM E5 least bass and about 9 o'clock treble position) is somewhat comparable although the Mi is ultimately somewhat flatter. Despite being much smaller, the Mi's bass is extended about similarly (but distorts much earlier). The E5 goes much, much louder before it distorts audibly (I don't care for that and listen at low levels).
Both resolve somewhat equally, with at most just a small advantage for the E5.
The E5's soundstage sounds slightly less flat than the Mi's in direct comparison.
Conclusion:
Very nice design and build quality.
Lacks some resolution for the price.
Tonality quite decent and pleasant (even though not flat) after adjusting the bass and treble potentiometers. What I love(d) about it the most is the internet radio with station pre-set (works without using the app), therefore I am very sad that it has stopped working and doesn't turn on or charge anymore (no matter what charger is plugged in, it will only light up for a second or so and then go off again).