On October 24, at the PingWest Technology Carnival, BroadLink and TCL jointly released a dual brand smart audio. Now, this MS1 portable Wi Fi audio has also come to our evaluation room.
MS1 is jointly launched by BroadLink and TCL Kone Electronics, the world's largest audio solution provider, and is certified by JBL, a world-class audio brand. Looking at such a tall title, it is expected that MS1 can withstand such a halo.
Basic parameters
Size: 197 × 67 × 65mm
Weight: about 700g
Endurance: about 7 hours (depending on usage and ambient temperature)
Power supply: DC 5V/1.5A or built-in lithium-ion battery
Input: AUDIO IN jack
Signal to noise ratio: more than 85dB
Sound type: stereo double speaker unit+double passive radiator closed box system
Equipped with YAMAHA DSP decoding chip, the signal bandwidth is 60Hz~20kHz
Unpacking and appearance
(There are three types of MS1: white, red and black. The black model is evaluated this time)
▲ BroadLink has always kept a low profile in packaging. As always, it uses a traditional cardboard box, and the color matching is mainly black and white.
▲ There is not much decoration on the front. The appearance of MS1 takes up most of the picture. The sound corresponds to the APP interface. There is also a striking "BroadLink/TCL" on the upper left corner.
▲ Compared with the front, the back has a large amount of information. The audio operation interface, six product features, technical specifications, and product list are all displayed on the back.
▲ Simple connection operation and numerous music sources are printed on both sides of the outer box.
▲ The white words "BroadLink/TCL" are also impressive.
▲ When the package is opened, the main body of the audio can not be seen directly, but a black sponge and a black paper box come into sight. According to the conventional thinking, there should be audio below the sponge, and the paper box is the accessory box.
▲ Take off the sponge, and finally see today's protagonist. The gray and white operation interface is particularly conspicuous on the black audio.
▲ The appearance of MS1 is similar to tank tracks, and it is small and easy to carry. The box is made of hard plastic material, which ensures the overall strength of the sound system.
▲ The whole front of the box is covered with a small round balanced dust screen, which not only effectively prevents large particles of dust from entering the box, but also further strengthens the strength of the body. There is also a metal "JBL" logo in the middle of the bottom.
▲ All the interfaces on the box are placed on the back of the body, the left side is the audio interface and power socket, and the upper right corner is the TF card slot, which meets the needs of users to connect multiple audio sources and listen, and has been greatly enhanced in practicality.
▲ In the middle is a double passive radiator with unique shape developed by TCL, but the aperture of the back grille seems to be a bit large, which is troublesome for entering large particles of dust.
▲ The top of the speaker is the operation panel. It can be seen from the number of keys on the panel (hand pressed keys) that the actual operation of the audio is very simple. It can be completed only by a few keys, and the keys have a light display, making all operations visible.
▲ There are two symmetrical shock absorption rubber pads at the bottom. From a professional point of view, if it is ABA thick plate, the sound quality is better.
▲ The stereo does not follow the square appearance of the traditional stereo, and the two sides are designed in a multi-faceted way, which improves both the stereoscopic and aesthetic feeling. In fact, MS1 uses an integrated frame, with a skin like coating on the surface. To borrow the words of a mobile phone executive, it feels "fucking cool".
▲ The power adapter and power cord are also included in the package. The work of the power cord is very good. Although the length of the power cord is small, it is complementary to the built-in lithium-ion battery. Unfortunately, the audio cable needs to be purchased separately.
▲ The power adapter looks ordinary, and it seems that it has no advantages other than beautiful appearance.
▲ In fact, one of the advantages of the power adapter is its plug. The detachable plug is very novel. (It would be better to give a three item plug randomly)
▲ International practice, a product manual. Because of the rich functions of MS1, it is difficult for an audio enthusiast to find out all the functions of the audio in a short time without a manual.
▲ Family photo, including audio body, instructions, power cord and power adapter.
Software
The author once mentioned in the Evaluation of SP mini Smart Sockets: Broadlink has built a smart home ecosystem in its early days. Broadlink's products directly share one APP (easy to control), and this time's MS1 is no exception.
▲ Easy control APP can be downloaded by scanning the QR code on the package box or instructions. The software supports both Android and iOS. What is puzzling is that there is a QR code label on the accessory box of MS1, and the QR code is written with "iOS Only".
▲ You can use the software directly without registering an account. It also supports account login, and supports third-party account login such as QQ and microblog.
▲ On the main page, slide left and right to view software settings and device connections.
▲ Add MS1 audio manually by clicking "Add Device". Put the phone and audio in the same network environment, and the software will automatically fill in the current network ssid. Enter the password manually, and you can view the connection help in the upper right corner of the page. During the connection, the WiFi indicator will flash quickly. After the connection is successful, the indicator will stay on.
▲ When entering the MS1 software for the first time, there is also a boot screen.
▲ The APP of MS1 is quite simple. On the main page, check the volume, playing mode, up/down music, power and power off, and make corresponding operations. According to the actual measurement, the volume progress does not support dragging, so it needs to be clicked, and the volume is adjusted on the audio, and there is a certain delay in the APP.
(Please click the magnifying glass in the upper right corner to view the dynamic picture)
▲ There are six digital buttons corresponding to the top of the audio system. On the APP side, you can also see six play pages by sliding left and right. Six groups of personalized settings are supported. The music source of each button is preset, and you can access your music with one button. However, the search box has not been found in Xiami Music, which is disappointing.
▲ Adding music source is not complicated, only 4 steps are needed.
▲ In Xiami music, there are more choices, and users can choose according to their own preferences. Of course, users can also download other music clients (Kugou, QQ) for binding.
Multi mode play
In addition to supporting Internet/local Wi Fi network playback, MS1 also supports direct connection playback, AUX connection playback and TF card playback.
Direct play mode
▲ By double clicking the WiFi icon button, set the audio to enter the direct play mode. At this time, the audio will create a hot spot starting with "MS1". The mobile terminal will connect the hot spot, enter QQ or Kugou music player and select the device to play.
AUX connection play mode
Click the "AUX" button on the audio (the white light is on), set the audio to enter the AUX connection play mode, and use the audio cable to connect the audio interface on the back of the audio to the mobile device.
TF card playing mode
▲ Insert the TF card into the audio, and bind the TF card through APP in the Internet/local Wi Fi network play or direct play mode.
Alarm clock function
▲ So many play modes are really a highlight of MS1 audio, but the alarm clock function cannot be ignored.
Sound performance
There are usually two methods for sound quality evaluation: one is to use instruments to test technical indicators; The second is to listen to various sound effects subjectively. Today's evaluation of MS1 is based on the latter. Because of the complexity of musical sound quality and the strong personal color of subjective evaluation, everyone may have different feelings.
The exclusive style hard plastic material application and the latest YAMAHA DSP decoding chip, two 1.5 inch Nd-Fe-B external magnetic full frequency speakers make the product full of mid-range and bass. The highest sound quality recognized by the industry is the sound quality of the digital compact disc. Its signal bandwidth is 10Hz~20kHz, while the signal bandwidth of MS1 is 60Hz~20kHz.
With the unique dual passive radiator developed by TCL, the sound is indeed more powerful and bass than ordinary Bluetooth audio. The tri band connection of this audio is smooth and delicate, with a natural sense of hearing, which can respond well to listening to a variety of music. In general, the sound performance of MS1 is good, especially in low frequency, but its unique low frequency will not completely cover the performance of medium and high frequency.
summary
In the wireless audio market, MS1 is indeed a relatively new product. In the era of the national release of Bluetooth audio, a WiFi audio is more competitive.
The unique shape, built-in battery, multi-mode playback and high sound quality performance will undoubtedly not enhance the style of the MS1, but the most important thing is its price, BroadLink has always followed a high cost performance path. This time, the MS1 jointly released with TCL is no exception. The price of 399 yuan does have a big advantage over other audio products on the market.
The drawback is that as a portable audio, it is really a small pity that it does not support waterproof. It seems a bit petty to require users to purchase additional audio data cables. The skin like coating on the surface is easy to leave fingerprints and sweat stains, affecting the beauty.
In fact, at the PingWest Technology Carnival, BroadLink mentioned that the intelligence of MS1 is reflected in its linkage with smart home and smart security. However, the author did not test this aspect in this evaluation, so he has no right to speak. But the author expects a real "smart" audio to come out.
