IRL: Buying and selling within the Sonos Play:three for Korus’ V600 and V400 wi-fi audio system

Sonos is perhaps the most important identify in wi-fi speaker methods, however that does not imply it is all the time the most effective, as our personal Kris Naudus has discovered the onerous approach. With that in thoughts, she’s been utilizing the Korus V600 and V400, two quasi-moveable (learn: eleven-pound) audio system that use dongles to stream from computer systems and iOS units. A little bit of a clunky setup, positive, however might it nonetheless be simpler to make use of?

My front room has been house to a Sonos Play:three for nearly a yr now, and whereas I used to be impressed with the convenience of the preliminary setup, in precise utilization it has been hit and miss. When it really works, it really works superbly, however at different occasions my boyfriend and I’ve been always hamstrung by its limitations, whether or not in the way it dealt with podcasts, or the truth that you want a paid subscription to play Spotify. We ended up not utilizing it that always.
So once I received to take a look at the Korus V600 and V400, I used to be a bit skeptical. The V600 is touted as being moveable, and it has a deal with and may use batteries, however at eleven kilos it isn’t one thing I might actually carry round. The V400 does not even take batteries (although it does have a deal with). After which there’s the most important flip-off: it is meant for iOS units, which is an issue for an Android-heavy family like mine.
Nevertheless, it does include a USB dongle in your desktop or laptop computer, so I made a decision to provide it a attempt anyway. After unpacking each audio system and attaching the transmitter to my work machine, I began enjoying music instantly. Until it is an iOS system utilizing the 30-pin connector, there is no software program to obtain. The SKAA transmitter connects routinely to the audio system, and if you wish to use further dongles (every speaker comes with USB, 30-pin and Lightning connectors), switching between them simply takes a contact of a button on every particular person speaker. The 2 models are able to enjoying music off totally different audio sources, however used collectively they sound nice, and I loved a seamless expertise as I walked between the 2 rooms the place I had positioned the audio system.
The Korus audio system play every thing. The transmitter merely sends the audio output of your chosen gadget to the related speaker, no particular software program wanted. iTunes? Positive. Home windows Media Participant? In fact. Netflix? Positive. YouTube? Yep! Spotify? Sure, and you do not even want Premium. It even picks up feels like your chat notifications — I jumped out of my seat the primary time I obtained a Fb notification in stereo. And all of it sounds nice. It isn’t going to enhance music and video of already doubtful audio high quality (like some music streaming providers), however it will not endure on these audio system both. The sound is loud and clear, and never notably bass-heavy.
My twin setup with the V600 and V400 did not final lengthy, although, as my boyfriend absconded with the V400 into the kitchen so he might take heed to podcasts whereas he does dishes. He makes use of it together with his fourth-gen iPod contact, and regardless of using an app (which actually simply controls quantity), he is principally in love with it for a way straightforward it’s to make use of. It simply works. If it labored with Android units, I might critically contemplate promoting off my Sonos to make the change.
– Kris Naudus
- Key specs
- <a href=”http://www.engadget.com/merchandise/korus/v400/” title=”Korus V400 critiques” goal=”_blank”> Critiques • 1 </a>
- Costs
- Discussions
- Sort Wi-fi audio system
- Connections three.5mm stereo
- Energy output 60 W(max)
- Frequency response one hundred twenty five Hz(min)20 KHz(max)
- Dimensions 5.5 x eleven x 6 in
- Weight four.four lb
<a href=”http://www.engadget.com/merchandise/korus/v600/”> Korus V600 </a>