The Specter AQSTIX is the third portable Bluetooth speaker that I have had the privilege to review. My first impression was that the speaker should have good sound quality given its weight — it weighs in at over 1 pound. The Specter AQSTIX is meant to be used anywhere one would like to listen to music to as its even waterproof to 3 feet when the rubberized multipurpose port flap is closed. Check out the Specter Wireless AQSTIX review to find out what I liked and didn’t like about this hefty little portable Bluetooth speaker.
Specifications
The Specter Wireless AQSTIX has the following features and specifications:
- Stereo Sound with Advanced MaxxBass Technology
- Bluetooth: 4.0
- Battery Voltage: 7.4v
- Power Bank Output: 5v
- Weight: 1.11 Pounds
- Dimensions: 65mm x 87mm x 200mm
- Rechargeable: Lithium Battery
- Speaker Power: 10Wx2 20W total
- Frequency Response: 60Hz – 20Khz
What’s In The Box
- Specter AQSTIX Bluetooth speaker
- USB charging cable
- Audio Cable
- Velcro/Button strap with carabiner
- Warranty
- User manual
Design
When you first touch the AQSTIX (my brain keeps telling me that Aqstix should be spelled acoustics) you’ll be pleased by the smooth feel of the rubberized body. The AQSTIX feels truly elegant to the touch with its smooth rubberized coating. Next you’ll notice that the AQSTIX  has some heft to it for being a portable speaker. The AQSTIX weighs in at 1.11 pounds. I’m not sure that I would choose this speaker as my hiking companion as there are other speakers on the market that are defiantly lighter in weight. I would be losing some sound quality, but if I’m going to carry the bare essentials into the wilderness, then I’m going to begin to count every ounce in my pack. If I’m lounging by the pool, working in the garage, doing some gardening, or having a backyard party then I’m putting the awesome sounding AQSTIX on the invitation list.
The buttons on the AQSTIX are big, visible, easy to work with while wearing gloves, and light up when lightly touched. It even has a sensor over the top so that all you have to do is wave your hand closely over the AQSTIX and the buttons light right up. The speaker also features independent volume control. Set your output volume then set the speaker for your maximum sound experience.
The multipurpose port flap that protects the USB, Aux in, MicroSD, and charging ports feels thick and strong. The top features a very visible battery indicator and Bluetooth connection indicator as well. There’s also the Power, Mode, Forward, Back, Pause/Play, Volume up, Volume down, and phone buttons all lined up like pretty maids in a row, right on top of the unit, easy to see and easy to use. Did I mention that they light up at the wave of your hand or light touch of a finger? That’s definitely a handy feature.
Ease of Use
Plug and play operation with simple Bluetooth setup, just your average Bluetooth speaker use case. The Bluetooth connectivity is fast and flawless while the auxiliary ports allow for all sorts of other features.
Sound
The sound on the Specter AQSTIX is in a word, stellar. The speaker feels elegant to the touch, rugged when held, and the sound is powerful, crisp, and carries full rich bass undertones. While it is not a speaker I would want to carry around, it truly is the best sounding and user-friendly Bluetooth speaker I have tested to date. If you’re looking for a more balanced sound with less bass, the AQSTIX may not be for you.
Battery Life
Spectre says you should get 12 hours of battery here and that’s just about right running at 50% volume. Battery life will vary depending on the distance from source and volume levels so be aware of that.
Reception/Call Quality
While I do not use Bluetooth speaker for their call making and receiving feature, I was able to take on call on the Specter AQSTIX and it was no different than other such devices, you sound tinny and distant to the caller. The sound coming in from the caller was good, I just sounded distant to them. I did have some issues invoking Siri on the speaker and it never did work properly. This could have been a hardware issue but certainly something to be aware of. Bluetooth reception fell into your standard 30-33 feet and held just fine.
Price/Value
At $129.95USD this speaker is going to be for the serious listener. No kids stuff here. The speaker is going to impress you and your friends with its full rich sound and great looks. The waterproof feature is nice in case the party gets crazy or the rain catches you by surprise. Being that it’s waterproof I expected some muffling in the sound but it just wasn’t there. If you have the $129.95USD  to invest in a good sounding speaker this could be a great choice.
Wrap Up
The AQSTIX looks and sounds great. I was less than impressed that the unit had its logo on the front placed upside down and that the Siri button would not operate properly. It could be that we were sent a unit not ready for market or there were some manufacturing line issues. Other than Siri button and crazy upside down logo, this is a very solid speaker and at the end of the day, it’s the sound that counts.
