ARCHEER A320 Bamboo Wood Bluetooth Speaker [Review] (and secret discount code)
When it comes to Bluetooth speakers, there is definitely a correlation between cost and sound quality. That's not to say that you have to spend an arm and a leg for a satisfying experience, but it helps. From my experience, a $20 model will certainly sound like crap, while models costing $100 and more from companies like JBL and Ultimate Ears will reward you with superior wireless sound.
But what about the midrange? Not everyone can spend $100 or more on a Bluetooth speaker. If you have less than a hundred to spend, you aren't out of luck. In fact, I have discovered a solid performer for under $70 on Amazon. Called the "ARCHEER A320," the 25W speaker is currently priced at $69.99. Even better, the company has a secret Amazon discount code for BetaNews readers that will drop the price to $44!
Specifications
- Output Power: 2*5Watts+15Watts=25Watts
- Signal to Noise Ratio: Bass≥75DdB; Treble≥80dB
- Frequency Effects: 80 Hz-20 KHz
- Battery Capacity: 5200mAh
- Rated Voltage: 7.4V
What initially attracted me to the ARCHEER A320 is the bamboo wood face and lack of speaker grills. Most portable Bluetooth speakers look like plastic, with funky colors. This is not a bad thing, but what if you want to place it in a living room? You might prefer classy over funky, right? Well, the A320 does not disappoint in this regard. That doesn't mean it is only for older folks -- millennials should dig the quality appearance too.
Bluetooth pairing was a breeze, and I did so without problem with my iPhone 6s Plus. The speaker also has a 3.5mm port, which I leveraged on occasion with my Amazon Echo Dot to listen to SiriusXM with great results.
The ARCHEER A320 features a 5200mAh li-ion battery, which the company claims will last 11 hours. Of course, that claim has a big caveat -- listening at only 50 percent volume. Most of the time, I listened at much louder levels, and I seemed to average about 7-8 hours. That is totally fine for me, and I suspect many other folks too.
You can, of course, use it while plugged into a wall outlet (via micro USB) exclusively too, especially if you plan to leave it stationary at home. This might be the best case scenario for the ARCHEER A320. While it does have a built-in battery and is intended for portable use, it isn't the lightest such speaker, nor is the design conducive to carrying.
The most important aspect of any speaker is sound quality, and at this low price, I was not expecting anything excellent. I am happy to say that the ARCHEER A320 impressed me, however. It has two tweeters -- positioned right and left -- and a centered woofer. There is a rear port hole for enhanced bass.
While the bass is quite pronounced, it is not overly distracting, nor is the sound muddied. Fans of hip-hop and dance music will be in heaven, but it was quite good for rock and other genres too. I took this speaker on a recent trip where it was my main way to listen to tunes, and when listening to, say, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, or Queens of the Stone Age, I was satisfied with the results.
So, do I recommend the ARCHEER A320? Absolutely, but with some caveats. Keep in mind that this isn't audiophile sound quality, but it is quite good -- especially for the price. Also, if you need a speaker to carry around or throw in a backpack, this is not for you -- it is larger and heavier than many other models in this price range.
With all of that said, if you want a solid listening experience for under $100, the ARCHEER A320 Bamboo Wood Bluetooth Speaker is hard to beat. At $69.99 it is totally worth the price, but for $44.09 it is a no-brainer.
To get that discount, simply enter code 3SEF72YP on Amazon when checking out. This is a special code for BetaNews readers that will save you about 37 percent. Be sure to use it soon, however, as it expires on August 31. You can check out the A320 on Amazon here.