Yamaha PDX-B11 MSRP $179.95 Score Details “We’re not going lambaste the PDX-B11 and slap it with the worst Bluetooth speaker rating ever, but we certainly can’t recommend it, either.” Pros Clean, powerful midrange All of that competition means that even heavyweight conglomerates like Yamaha have to create serious value in order to make an impact in the wireless speaker arena. With its gleaming front screen and chrome wire handle, the speaker invoked visions of stormy tides and yellow raincoats. Though Yamaha’s website only offers the speaker in black and grey, it is also available in green, white, and dark blue at Amazon. The PDX-B11’s wired handle arches above a small control panel which houses a selection of rubberized buttons for volume, power and Bluetooth pairing. The metal speaker screen adorning the front face is relatively thick and riveted to the frame at each of the housing’s 8 points. Maybe we’ve been a bit spoiled, but requiring disposable batteries (or expensive rechargeables) seems like a straight-up 20th century move. Snare and toms were often light, but were generally clean, revealing some nice stick work on rim shots. Bass was rolled off pretty heavily at about 100 Hz — higher than some devices we’ve tested, but not out of the ordinary for smaller speakers.
Bright-sounding albums like Van Halen’s 1984 and lighter electric and acoustic guitar tracks often came through thin and tinny, as if they were being squished to fit through a tiny pinhole. Some listeners may find the PDX-B11’s “clean and light” top end to their liking, but this speaker just isn’t our cup of tea, and not just because of its spitty treble. Still, the PDX-B11’s rugged design and punchy sound earns our respect as a potential portable for those who just need a speaker that can hang in rough environments and crank out some tunes.
Yamaha PDX-B11
Even when I turn off all other wireless devices, internet etc in the home as suggested in the manual.
Yamaha PDX-B11 Speaker Review
It’s a gorgeous, bright little wireless speaker that has been perfect for all of the time we’ve spent outdoors. With the option to power it via the mains or with 6 x AA batteries, it’s a great one for home, the park or the beach.
The speaker is super lightweight with a carry handle and ours was in a gorgeous bright blue but other colours are available:
First Looks: Yamaha PDX-B11 Portable Bluetooth Speakers
On the market at present, you can find everything from cheap speakerphones, serious Bluetooth speakers such as the Bose SoundLink and even high end, designer versions such as the Bang & Olufsen BeoLit 12. Increasing portability further is the fact that the device does not need to be plugged in to a power source to operate – the Yamaha PDX-B11 is capable of running on 6 AA batteries. Most portable Bluetooth speakers have built-in lithium ion batteries and Yamaha’s decision to deviate is interesting to say the least.
If truth be told, the specification list does not necessarily match up with the heavy hitters in the portable Bluetooth speakers market segment, such as the Bose SoundLink.
The reverb drenched mid-range organ parts of the composition lacked definition, but all in all the speaker gave a decent showing. While the 4-inch woofer is able to deliver deep bass with good impact, the low frequency performance of the PDX-B11 is undefined and loose as evidenced on Elements of Life. More worryingly, as we pushed the volume past the 60 percent mark, we heard rattling sounds coming from the speakers. The choice of AA batteries for ‘wireless power’ means that you can keep the speaker operational on the go as long as you have extra cells handy (or you could pop by any convenience store to grab more).
It would be unfair to expect portable Bluetooth speakers to accurately render Prokofiev’s compositions anyways since the product is not intended for that particular scenario.
23 facts and highlights
1. volume 12045.18cm³ Volume is the quantity of three-dimensional space enclosed by the product’s chassis or, in simpler terms, the space the product occupies. A lower weight is also an advantage for home appliances, as it makes transportation easier, and for many other types of products.
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