Along with a lot of new products being
introduced recently, Philips has brought to us a simple wireless speaker which
has more benefits in the long run. After all, having multiple functions and
convenience in a product would make customers consider it among the other
products in the lineup. So this month, we will be looking at the Philips AS860
wireless speaker dock, and see if it's bang for your buck, or an oversized
paperweight.
The overall design of the AS860 is
minimalistic, only to compensate for the fact it's a sleek, rectangular speaker
designed to fit all of its features. One of the main design choices that stood
out is that the wireless speaker dock can only physically dock with Android
smartphones and tablets. Even so, users can still pair non-Android devices via
Bluetooth, connect using a 3.5mm audio cable, or USB cable.
The
AS860 also comes with Philips’ FlexiDock so that any Android device can fit
onto the wireless speaker
The other main draw of the AS860 is that it
also works as a portable charger for easy charging via the dock (if it's an
Android device) or the rear USB port. The built-in Li-ion battery on the AS860
can last for up to eight hours, so you're likely able to recharge your device
to full and continue enjoying music without the battery emptying half way.
Now you're probably wondering how the AS860
wireless speaker dock hopes to fit all kinds of Android devices. After all, the
microUSB port on Android devices, namely smartphones, can be in various places,
depending on the manufacturers. This is mostly thanks to Philips' smartly
designed FlexiDock, which allows users to adjust the microUSB dock connector to
the ideal position to fit the Android device. Philips also took it a step
further by including one-touch NFC functionality, which allows users to simply
tap their smartphone or tablet onto the speaker's NFC area (lightly, mind you)
and it will activate the wireless speaker, perform Bluetooth pairing between
the two devices and stream music.
Bringing
both charging functionality and good music, the Philips AS860 makes a good
centerpiece in your home
When it comes to audio quality from the
speakers, Philips has implemented its Digital Sound Processing and Bass Reflex
Speaker System into the AS860. While the DSP technology enhances the audio
reproduction so that each note resonates with crystal-clear accuracy and
eliminates distortions, the Bass Reflex Speaker System delivers more controlled
bass from the wireless speaker. With both these technologies, we found a rather
balanced music listening experience from the speaker. We could hear every
instrument from Bon Jovi's “It's My Life” and the vocals were crystal clear. We
were also able to continue streaming music with no issues in the next room as
the range of the wireless speaker goes up to 10 meters! The only problem we saw
was that when using the dock to stream music to the speaker without connecting
it via Bluetooth as well, there will be a short delay after the song has
started for the speaker to play the music.
The
Philips AS860 is recommended for anyone who is searching something new for
their houses
With three different ways to connect to the
wireless speaker, it's a small wonder why we recommend the Philips AS860
wireless speaker dock to users who are looking for a sleek, minimalist
centerpiece for their homes.
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Specifications
·
Type: 2.1 ·
Connection: microUSB Dock, Bluetooth, 3.5mm Audio ·
Audio Codec: Bluetooth-aptX ·
Remote Control: No ·
Price: $294.67 ·
Drivers: 2x 76mm (3-inch) Full-Range Woofer ·
Power supply: 100-240V ~ 50/60Hz ·
Dimensions: 325 (W) x 115 (D) x 117 (H) mm ·
Weight: 2 kg
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