Anker Premium Stereo Bluetooth 4.0 Speaker Product Review

Anker has mastered the art of practical design, and the Anker Premium Stereo Bluetooth 4.0 is no exception.  It falls in line with the vast array of gadgets the company produces, sporting a modern take on their regular boxy styled speaker design while still boasting a stylish aesthetic.  The audio from the 10W drivers was clearly well thought out as it delivers a shockingly loud sound.  The base is strong and clear, even at higher levels, making it ideal for everything from an indoor family gathering to a small to medium sized outdoor event.  It is obvious the focus of this speaker was performance.

In this article, we will be reviewing the Anker Premium Stereo Bluetooth 4.0 speaker and assessing how competitive it is in the marketplace.  We will take a look at its specs, sound quality, price, and defining characteristics.  We will also be comparing it to other, more-upscale Bluetooth speakers on the market, rating each on the following features:

• Ease of Use
• Assembly Time
• Design Quality
• Warranty

[amazon link=”B01DDJ59QE” title=”Anker Premium Stereo Bluetooth 4.0 Speaker” /]

[amazon fields=”B01DDJ59QE” value=”thumb” image_size=”SIZE” image_align=”center”]

The Anker Stereo Bluetooth 4.0 speaker has a combination of refined design and edge. It is slightly more flamboyant than some of its predecessors, like SoundCore, with a slick finish rather than matte and a less boxy design.  To keep the quality of the speaker high, and cost low, the entire body is composed of plastic.  The speakers’ fronts have a lower quality mesh for dust protection, and it maintains traction by way of a footrest on the bottom.

The Bluetooth 4.0 used in the Anker A3143 Bluetooth speaker connects swiftly. Pairing is strong and maintains without any unusual drops. That said, stereo separation cues are clearly discernible if you walk up close to the speaker.  As far as range, we feel 33 feet is generous.   Most walls may not be a barrier, but you can experiment with its limitations based on your space as some wall materials may affect signal strength as well as directional considerations like stairs and is the sound source is on another floor.

The sound quality is solid, however, the orientation of the speaker impacts your experience.  Strait on you will get the full effect of its soundstage.  Vocals and orchestral instruments will be crisp and impactful.  However, from the sides, the sound is noticeably tamer.  Putting mids up to bass, bass wins easily.  The treble is acceptable and compliments the bass adequately. A bit of sibilance does creep in if you max out the volume.  However, all said, it is suitable for most situations.

Product Specs

The Anker Stereo Bluetooth 4.0 speaker is 8.27″ in length and 2.36″ in, in width and height. It weighs less than the UE Megaboom, one of our comparison models, coming in at 1.75 pounds.  We should point out that for the same amount of money you could get the Bose SoundLink Color which has a slightly more exciting range of options.

[amazon link=”B01DDJ59QE” title=”Anker Premium Stereo Bluetooth 4.0 Speaker” /]

[amazon box=”B01DDJ59QE”]

Features

The unit has four buttons along its top.  They manage the speaker’s power, play, pause, and volume.  Although they look cheap and are rather prominent, they do their jobs well. A click lets you know you have accessed each button’s function. The power button has an LED that alerts you about your battery life.

You won’t find an independent button for Bluetooth pairing.  Rather, you press the playback button and hold to pair.  On the upside, following your initial pairing, your device should auto connect.  As mentioned before the Bluetooth range is 33′ ft.

The speaker is outfitted with a 5200 mAh lithium-ion battery.  You should be able to squeeze a solid eight hours of play time out of if per charging cycle.  That said, as with all similar speakers, the play time you get is affected by volume levels. It also has a 3.5 mm port to connect your audio source.

Performance

The Anker Bluetooth speaker has two dual 10-watt audio drivers that deliver powerful stereo sound.  It is easily comparable with the sound delivered by the Bose SoundLink Mini but just slightly less impactful than the Bose SoundLink Color.  The dual subwoofers create a deep penetrating base that listeners should enjoy. Even at low volumes, the unit tends to be bass heavy.

That said, distortion is basically non-existent even into higher volumes.  The soundstage is less detailed than the Bose SoundLink Color reviewed below. However the Bose has some major drawbacks itself, so it is almost a wash between the two—especially when the price is factored in.

Pricing

The Anker Premum Stereo Bluetooth 4.0 speaker is currently available on Amazon. It is best to search for the best deal, but also to choose trusted sellers to ensure you get an authentic speaker with all the package inclusions.

Pros

• The unit is compact and lightweight
• Exceptionally loud for the price range
• Bass heavy, crisp treble, a sufficient mids
• check-circleInexpensive
• check-circleDual audio drivers and dual subwoofers

Cons

• Has a low quality plastic finish
• Mids sound is not consistent, and they can be washed out from some angles
• Construction is subpar
• banShort play time per charge

How it Compares

We picked three similar portable speakers available on the market to see how they compare to the Anker A3143 Premium Stereo Bluetooth 4.0 speaker.  Our choices were the:

1. Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM Wireless Mobile Bluetooth Speaker

2. Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker

3. Minirig Bluetooth Speaker

[amazon link=”B0751PR7M8″ title=”UE MEGABOOM Wireless Mobile Bluetooth Speaker” /]

[amazon box=”B0751PR7M8″]

The UE Megaboom Bluetooth speaker has a straight forward can-like design you will either love or hate.  The volume buttons are oversized and placed on a rubber panel that runs down the speaker’s front for easy access. On the bottom is a micro USB port.  The device you use for your sound source can be plugged into the 3.5mm auxiliary jack next to it.

A couple of interesting additions to the side are a camera mount, meaning you can attach it to a tripod, and D-ring, useful for strapping it to a bag or elsewhere.  A huge bonus for this speaker is its IPX7 rating.  The unit can literally be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes and still survive making it a near perfect outdoor all-weather speaker.  It is also rather dustproof.

The soundstage is a full 360 degrees, so everyone gets the same excellent audio experience. It also can link with two devices at once, so multiple playlists can be played. With two of the units, you can achieve the sound equivalent to traditional stereo speakers.  At almost two pounds it is a little heavy for a compact speaker, but we are overlooking that because the battery life is 20 hours per charge.

This unit also has the best warranty on our comparison list.  With the consideration of the high-quality wireless output and other perks, the price for the speaker is somewhat justified.

Pros

• Excellent sound
• Solid bass, clear treble
• App activated tap controls
• check-circle100 ft. Bluetooth range
• check-circle20 hours of play per charge
• check-circle360 degree sound

Cons

• App access is riddled with bugs
• Has no carry case
• Higher price

[amazon link=”B00N32I2Q6″ title=”Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker ” /]

[amazon box=”B00N32I2Q6″]

The Bose SoundLink Color is the lines most light and inexpensive Bluetooth speaker option.  True to its name, the speaker is available in a generous selection of colors meant to target a younger, trendier consumer. It is available in black, white, blue, red and mint green.  The speaker’s measurements are 5.3 inches high, 5 inches wide, and 2.1 inches deep.  For its size, the unit is relatively weighty at 1.25 lbs.

According to Bose, they designed it to be ideal for handbags, knapsacks, and a for a comfortable fit in the palm your hand.  It does come with a proprietary charger, so replacement will be a hassle if it is ever needed.  Also, the play life of the speaker is low with only 8 hours per full charge, similar to the Anker.  Interestingly, it is also the only speaker on our list that is not outfitted with a speakerphone, so it cannot be used for wireless calling.

Pros

• Loud, vibrant sound
• Strong base and warmer sound
• Can be muted
• check-circleEasy to handle design

Cons

• A custom charger is hard to replace
• Only 8 hours of play life
• No speakerphone

[amazon link=”B079P2G4X6″ title=”Minirig Bluetooth Speaker” /]

[amazon box=”B079P2G4X6″]

The Minirig Bluetooth speaker has an almost decorative aesthetic, making it a good choice for use in spaces where appearance counts. It is encased in aluminum with slight metallic hints of red, green, pink, gold, and a rainbow of other colors. Plastic padding makes the speaker skid proof, and the speaker grill is found on top.  The unit is exceptionally light, weighing less than one pound, making it extremely portable and not cumbersome at all.  The Minirig is also dustproof, shock-proof, and IPX4 rated.   It makes an excellent outdoor and all-weather speaker.

The dimensions of the speaker are 3.75 inches tall by 4 inches in diameter. The power button is located along the upper rim. If you like connections, this one has multiple options.  There are two 3.5 mm jacks and a coaxial port for charging built into its side.  A major downside is that the USB-to-Coaxial cable used for charging is more difficult to replace when compared to most almost every other speaker on our list except the Bose.

The Minirig Bluetooth speaker is almost unfair to include in this comparison because it has a group of unique specs that really stand out.  That said, its price tag is relatively hefty.  For the price, you get a 30-50 hour play life at lower to moderate volumes with every full charge. The battery is strong enough for the unit to double as a charging station for your smart device.

It has Bluetooth 4.0 and AptX which creates a healthy soundstage.  The dual 3.5mm ports are ideal for connecting devices as well as up to two Minirig speakers or a Minirig subwoofer and speaker combination.  You can remotely control the unit and manage updates via an app that is Android and iPhone compatible. You will find no controls on the device whatsoever; your device is the control center.

Pros

• Light and durable
• Impressive 30 to 50 hours charge
• Prominent sound without distortion
• check-circleBluetooth 4.0
• check-circleDust- and shock-proof
• check-circleHigh-quality design carrying case

Cons

• Expensive
• Mono
• USB-to-Coaxial cable charger

Quality	Usability	Support
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​Conclusion

Overall we like the Anker Premium Stereo Speaker. The unit is a basic speaker that packs a lot of punch. While some of our comparison speakers had a few bells and whistles the Anker does not, dollar for dollar this speaker holds up well to the competition. There are a number of higher-end technical aspects of the Anker that make it undeniable strong in its price range and it has few competitors.

The speaker has a practical design while still maintaining style and functionality.  The power that comes through the dual drivers is impressive considering the cost.  While the speaker is made with less expensive materials, the trend toward thoughtful construction is apparent in details such as the case, which has a clever design and is highly functional. That said, we can’t overlook the unit’s rather short battery life.