Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 31
 Outstanding Sound for your MP3 player October 2, 2009
D. Johnson (Wheaton, Illinois USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This product has nothing but rave reviews from the "experts". Who are the "experts"? My teen Granddaughter and a number of her friends. They are lining up to buy one because its sound is so great. At least 7 people are planning to buy one for themselves after seeing this one and listening to its sound quality.
UPDATE: I had to add another to the list of those who want one of these. My Daughter told me she wanted me to get her one for her Birthday so I did. She was happy as can be with it, but was upset that my Granddaughter swiped hers (she wanted a Black one) and gave her my Red test unit instead. What do you expect from kids?
I can't think of a higher praise for a product than to buy another one, which I did.
UPDATE 2: Now my other Daughter asked me to get her one for Christmas and her son (my Grandson) also wants one for Christmas. I am sure when my other Grandson sees it, he will want one also. So that means I have to buy at least 3 more and maybe 4 since I obviously won't be getting my test unit back either. Wish that Amazon had a volume discount since 5 of these speaker systems will set me back about $162, not counting the one I got from the VINE program. Lucky that Amazon did reduce the price of these units by $6, from $38.35 to its current price of $32.35. Hopefully it will be reduced further in the next 5 weeks before I have to order Christmas presents...
I have previously reviewed a much larger sound system for MP3 players, which needs to be plugged into an electrical outlet and this little device that is smaller than a soda can is four times as loud as that speaker set is despite it having THREE speakers, one being a huge bass speaker. And the Diamond's sound is FAR clearer and and much more crisp than the other unit.
So size and number of speakers doesn't count for everything. A small unit with a big heart will beat it every time.
The entire Diamond Mini Rocker system of two speakers with two bass speakers is the same size as ONE regular speaker from that other system and weighs only 5.6 ounces while the other system weighs 4 1/2 POUNDS yet the other system can't be heard very well from 8 feet away while this little speaker system can be heard clearly from across the room.
My Granddaughter uses it while she is bathing, which wouldn't be safe with speakers that plug into an electric outlet and have to be placed right next to the bathtub where water splashing would ruin them because the sound output is so feeble with that other speaker set.
The only negative to the DIAMOND system, which won't cost a star, is the wire between the two speaker units isn't long enough to get a wide spread between sound outputs.
The wire is long enough to get a fair spread on a desktop or computer area.
Now they are not Harman Kardon home theater speakers but they will really surprise you at the volume of sound that they put out with such a small package.
The two speakers magnetically clip together for transport but will also work in that configuration if you need really compact speakers while walking, but I wouldn't recommend running with them since they may pop out of your pocket and smash on the ground.
The charge they take will last at least the 6-8 hours advertised. I gave them to her for testing a week ago and they are just now in need of a recharge and she has been using them many hours every day.
A nice addition would be suction cup mounts if you want to use them in a car and mount them on the dash since there are few metallic dashes any more plus the magnets that hold the speakers together aren't strong enough to hold their weight if mounted vertically. Any other surface type would make it impossible for the magnets to do anything at all. You can put Velcro tabs on them but that is a bit tacky.
So to sum it up:
Positives:
-Big sound in a small package, though they won't fill a large room with sound and are not meant to.
-Good sound with little or no distortion considering the small package they are contained in
-Long lasting charge
-All wiring except the UCB wire to recharge it are retractable into the speakers so you won't lose the wires inadvertently
-Unique appearance with bass sound coming from accordion tops of each speaker which collapse when not needed
-Soft webbed bag to carry speakers along with charging cord
-Speakers interconnect magnetically for compact transport
Negatives:
-Limited color choices of White, Black and Red
-Wire connecting speakers too short preventing wide spread between speakers in larger areas
The competition speakers are more expensive:
-IHOME Mini speakers cost $43.87
-Altec Lansing (makers of the other system I tested) has a single speaker system called Orbit MP3 $39.95 for a SINGLE speaker with no bass capability. It is powered by 3 AAA rechargable batteries and weighs 11.2 ounces without the batteries. So no stereo capability. The Orbit is twice as large and more than twice as heavy for just a single speaker at 6" in diameter and 5.5" tall.
Awesome sound from a tiny package September 23, 2009
Bryan Cass (Victor, NY USA)
To start, it seems that some people have compared these speakers to the iHome since they are similar in design and function. I do not have access to the iHome, so I'll have to just review these speakers as-is. It's a neat and attractive set of two 1 1/4" speakers that can attach magnetically for storage. You separate the two speakers and connect one to the other with a retractable cord. Then you use another retractable cord to connect its standard headphone jack to your music player or PC 'speaker out' port. The speakers are powered by a rechargeable battery that can be charged via a supplied USB cable, or by an (optional and extra) A/C cable. The rated time between charges is up to 6 hours, depending on how much use they get and at what volume, I assume.
They came to me already charged, so I plugged it into my laptop. Wow -- what a difference in sound between the laptop built-in speakers and these babies! The laptop sounded like it was covered by a pillow in comparison -- music through the Diamonds was crisp and clear. Vocals and acoustic instruments were realistic and surprisingly clear. You can increase the internal chamber size by twisting and expanding the speakers by about 1/2". This does really help in the range around 1000Hz and below, but don't expect bass-type miracles from these; they're just 1 1/4" speakers! In fact, I did a frequency sweep test on them and came up with a usable range from about 110Hz to 20kHz. Below 110Hz, the volume drops off considerably, down to about 55Hz where bass becomes non-existent. Still, for vocals and most acoustic instruments, you wouldn't notice.
The volume control on the speakers can boost the music to pretty loud levels. However, in the music I was playing, I found that over about 60% volume produced quite a bit of distortion. But it was plenty loud for listening within maybe 10 feet or so. At that distance, you lose the stereo separation anyway, since the speakers cannot be placed more than 18" apart.
My 15 year old son was immediately impressed and connected them to his iPod. The portability and 'coolness factor' had him wanting them for himself. He thought it would be cool to bring them on his school bus. I said "but what about earphones?" He said "yeah but you know, if I want to play music with my friends or something." Good enough. I also thought these would be great for use when hiking, fishing, camping or other places where electricity is not available.
The speakers store neatly in a included mesh, padded bag, which also has a little pocket for the USB charging cable. The only thing I would worry about is the retractor mechanism and the plastic hole covers. With some rough handling, I could see those breaking pretty easily. But overall, I'm impressed. This would make a great, inexpensive present for a student, outdoorsman, sportsman, etc.
Speakers with above-average sound and a very unique design September 23, 2009
Iron Man
There are all sorts of speakers for MP3 players and laptops that are out in the market right now in all shapes and sizes. What's very different about Diamond MSP100R Mini Rockers Mobile Speakers (Red) is its design and portability. These speakers are shaped like ammunition for a grenade launcher which is quite unique in my opinion. Upon using it, the top part can be unscrewed upward and it halves in two for a truly stereophonic effect. Now from this kind of configuration, you will not expect mind-blowing sound and definition. It is just enough to amplify any weak-sounding device or sources but I was really blown away with the quality of sound you can get from these speakers. It is decent enough to satisfy your listening pleasure. You now have retractable cables, retracting from and into the speakers itself, eliminating the need to fumble with cables. It is rechargeable with its USB connection. Can be used conveniently with both laptop, MP3 players, portable CD players and any listening devices that is equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack/port. It also comes with a pouch to conveniently store it when not in use. This is a great deviation from the conventional shape of portable speakers. The Diamond MSP100R Mini Rockers Mobile Speakers (Red) is truly portable in the sense of the word. Sounds great too. Highly recommended!
Mobile Speakers - Very good looking and good sound September 24, 2009
Sudarshan Karkada (Missouri City, TX USA)
I thought they sounded very well for the size of the speakers. The cylinder in its collapsed form is about 4.5" long and 2" in diameter. The two halves are attached together in the middle only by magnetic force giving it a capsule shape.
Included in the box are (1) the speaker assembly (capsule), (2) a good quality draw-string mesh bag, (3) a specialized USB charging cable, and (3) an instruction manual in a small piece of paper.
The two speaker halves also store two retractable cables - one for computer / MP3 player outlet and another for mini-USB. The mini-USB cable from one half connects to the socket in the other half. There is also an on/off switch, volume control wheel, and an LED indicator.
The included USB charger cable is unique in that its one end is regular USB male connector and the other end is split into one mini-USB male and one mini-USB female. You connect the retractable USB cable from the speaker to this cable to recharge the speaker unit. The LED color on the speaker will be in red while charging is in progress and then turns to blue once the charging is complete.
The magnetic force on the speaker bases are enough for keeping them together, but not enough to stick them to a vertical surface (such as a refrigerator). So, I don't think they are intended to be installed on a vertical plane.
Retractable cables seem very thin and delicate and I am not sure how long they last.
Conclusion: It is a good looking, intriguing, easy to use, decent sounding, good quality, and highly portable speaker set.
Portable, innovative speakers with good sound quality September 28, 2009
A. Tegtmeier (Northern Alabama)
You won't be able to entertain a ballroom with these speakers. But to make some noise in a dorm room, they will do the job.
The sound quality is not exceptional, but acceptable nevertheless. Hey, what do you expect from such tiny speakers - get real ...
They surely sound a lot better than those cheap earplugs delivered with most MP3 players these days, though.
As for the portability factor - due to the round shape, there will be some unused space in your backpack. And they probably wouldn't fit into your shirt pocket, or in your pants, so carrying them around all the time is not a real option, I guess.
What I really liked, though was that all the cables are attached to the speakers - they actually hide beneath the surface and can be drawn out with some kind of spring loaded mechanism. So they cannot get lost and you always have everything with you all the time.
Also, the package contains a very useful soft case with an extra outside pocket - ideal to store your MP3 player in it. One nice twist is the magnetic bottom of the speakers, which will stick them together for transportation.
To sum it up:
- useful mini speakers with acceptable sound
- good transportability with very good cable management
- stylish
- will be sufficient for one small room, but not for a big party
Showing reviews 1-5 of 31
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