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Scored using Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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AQ Audio Smartspeaker A1 Review | 130 Data compared

Avg. price:~£170Audio output power:24.00 WBattery life:10 hoursIP rating:?Bluetooth version:?Weight:1000 g

AQ Audio Smartspeaker A1 Review: Compare 130 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Portable Speakers category and whether it is worth buying.

6.7/10

Overall score

Score
6.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of products in the Portable Speakers category, based on technical analysis and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference for identifying the best products in the Portable Speakers category.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 51% of models
Score components

80%

6.7

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–²Better than 51% of portable speakers
7.6

Value for money

Value for money
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 50% of models
Score components

70%

6.7

Overall score

30%

9.6

Price

â–²Better than 50%
6.7

Technical score

Technical score
6.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 61% of models
Score components

32%

5.6

Audio

20%

7.2

Battery

18%

7.8

Durability

16%

6.9

Connectivity

8%

7.1

Controls

3%

8.4

Design

3%

6.6

Smart features

â–²Better than 61%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • No image
No image
Where to buy
    N/A~ £170
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of portable speaker AQ Audio Smartspeaker A1

Technical score
Technical score
6.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 61% of models
Score components:

32%

5.6

Audio

20%

7.2

Battery

18%

7.8

Durability

16%

6.9

Connectivity

8%

7.1

Controls

3%

8.4

Design

3%

6.6

Smart features

6.7
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you prefer products in the Portable Speakers category that have been chosen and reviewed by many other buyers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
AQ Audio Smartspeaker A1 has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than 59.2% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 50% of models
Score components:

70%

6.7

Overall score

30%

9.6

Price

7.6
Audio output power
24 W
Market range: <4 W – >100 W
This portable speaker has an audio output power of 24 W which is higher than that of 58.4% of portable speakers and equal to that of 1.1% of portable speakers.
Driver unit size
40 mm
Market range: <38 mm – >101 mm
This portable speaker has a driver unit size of 40 mm which is smaller than that of 76.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 13.2% of portable speakers.
Number of drivers
2
Market range: <0 – >5
This portable speaker has 2 drivers, which is more than 24.5% of portable speakers and equal to the number in 45.5% of portable speakers.
Frequency response tolerance
?
Lowest frequency
90 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This portable speaker has a lowest frequency of 90 Hz which is higher than that of 79.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 2.6% of portable speakers.
Show more
Bluetooth connectivity
no
This portable speaker does not support Bluetooth audio. 94.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Bluetooth version
?
Maximum Bluetooth range
?
Bluetooth profiles supported
?
Bluetooth LE Audio
no
This portable speaker does not support Bluetooth LE Audio. 2.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Battery life
10 hours
Market range: <6 hours – >24 hours
This portable speaker has a battery life of 10 hours which is shorter than that of 53.9% of portable speakers and equal to that of 12.9% of portable speakers.
Battery capacity
5,200 mAh
Market range: <900 mAh – >6.6k mAh
This portable speaker has a battery capacity of 5,200 mAh which is larger than that of 82.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 4.9% of portable speakers.
Charging time
?
Maximum charging input power
?
Built-in rechargeable battery
yes
This portable speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery. 18.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
IP rating
?
Water resistance
?
Dust resistance
?
Waterproof depth rating
?
Drop resistance
?
Show more
On-device controls placement
?
Touchscreen
no
This portable speaker does not have a touchscreen. 0.3% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Smartphone app control
yes
This portable speaker supports smartphone app control. 46.1% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Compatible mobile app provides speaker control or settings.
Remote control
no
This portable speaker does not include a remote control. 15% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Fast pairing
?
Show more
Weight
1,000 g
Market range: <200 g – >5.6k g
This portable speaker weighs 1,000 g which is heavier than that of 56.4% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.9% of portable speakers.
Height
24.5 cm
Market range: <5.79 cm – >29 cm
This portable speaker has a height of 24.5 cm which is taller than that of 86.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.1% of portable speakers.
Width
13.5 cm
Market range: <7.6 cm – >37 cm
This portable speaker has a width of 13.5 cm which is narrower than that of 64.5% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.7% of portable speakers.
Depth
10.9 cm
Market range: <4.3 cm – >19.97 cm
This portable speaker has a depth of 10.9 cm which is deeper than that of 64.6% of portable speakers.
Carry options
?
Show more
Companion app name
?
Firmware updates
yes
This portable speaker supports firmware updates. 52.9% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Supports user-accessible firmware updates.
Firmware update method
?
Voice assistant support
no
This portable speaker does not support voice assistants. 26.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Spotify Connect
no
This portable speaker does not support Spotify Connect. 10.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more

AQ Audio Smartspeaker A1 vs the average portable speaker

246810TotalAudioConnectivityBatteryDurabilityControlsDesignSmart features
  • Supports Wi-Fi connectivity
    This portable speaker supports Wi-Fi connectivity, while the average portable speaker does not support Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • 2,600 mAh more battery capacity
    This portable speaker has a larger battery capacity than the average portable speaker (5,200 mAh vs 2,600 mAh).
    5,200 mAh vs 2,600 mAh
  • 10 dB higher signal-to-noise ratio
    This portable speaker has a higher signal-to-noise ratio than the average portable speaker (90 dB vs 80 dB).
    90 dB vs 80 dB
  • Supports AirPlay
    This portable speaker supports AirPlay, while the average portable speaker does not support AirPlay.
  • Supports party mode
    This portable speaker supports party mode, while the average portable speaker does not support party mode.
    Supports synchronized multi-speaker party/group playback.
  • Supports multi-room audio
    This portable speaker supports multi-room audio, while the average portable speaker does not support multi-room audio.
    Supports synchronized multi-room playback.
  • Supports DLNA media sharing
    This portable speaker supports DLNA media sharing, while the average portable speaker does not support DLNA media sharing.
  • Includes a power adapter
    This portable speaker includes a power adapter, while the average portable speaker does not include a power adapter.
  • 10 dB higher signal-to-noise ratio
    This portable speaker has a higher signal-to-noise ratio than the average portable speaker (90 dB vs 80 dB).
    90 dB vs 80 dB
  • 4 W more audio output power
    This portable speaker has more audio output power than the average portable speaker (24 W vs 20 W).
    24 W vs 20 W
  • Supports Wi-Fi connectivity
    This portable speaker supports Wi-Fi connectivity, while the average portable speaker does not support Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • Supports AirPlay
    This portable speaker supports AirPlay, while the average portable speaker does not support AirPlay.
  • Supports DLNA media sharing
    This portable speaker supports DLNA media sharing, while the average portable speaker does not support DLNA media sharing.
  • 2,600 mAh more battery capacity
    This portable speaker has a larger battery capacity than the average portable speaker (5,200 mAh vs 2,600 mAh).
    5,200 mAh vs 2,600 mAh
  • Includes a power adapter
    This portable speaker includes a power adapter, while the average portable speaker does not include a power adapter.
  • Supports party mode
    This portable speaker supports party mode, while the average portable speaker does not support party mode.
    Supports synchronized multi-speaker party/group playback.
  • Supports playback mute
    This portable speaker supports playback mute, while the average portable speaker does not support playback mute.
    Speaker playback audio can be directly muted.
  • Includes a travel bag
    This portable speaker includes a travel bag, while the average portable speaker does not include a travel bag.
  • Supports multi-room audio
    This portable speaker supports multi-room audio, while the average portable speaker does not support multi-room audio.
    Supports synchronized multi-room playback.
  • Supports firmware updates
    This portable speaker supports firmware updates, while the average portable speaker does not support firmware updates.
    Supports user-accessible firmware updates.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This portable speaker has fewer microphones than the average portable speaker (0 vs 1).
    0 vs 1
  • Does not support Bluetooth audio
    This portable speaker does not support Bluetooth audio, while the average portable speaker supports Bluetooth audio.
  • 30 Hz less deep bass extension
    This portable speaker has less deep bass extension than the average portable speaker (90 Hz vs 60 Hz).
    90 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • 10 mm smaller main driver
    This portable speaker has a smaller main driver than the average portable speaker (40 mm vs 50 mm).
    40 mm vs 50 mm
  • Does not include a passive radiator
    This portable speaker does not include a passive radiator, while the average portable speaker includes a passive radiator.
  • Fewer Wi-Fi band options
    This portable speaker lists 2.4 GHz for Wi-Fi bands, while the average portable speaker lists 2.4 GHz/5 GHz.
    2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz/5 GHz
  • 2 hours shorter battery life
    This portable speaker has a shorter battery life than the average portable speaker (10 hours vs 12 hours).
    10 hours vs 12 hours
  • 12.1 cm taller
    This portable speaker is taller than the average portable speaker (24.5 cm vs 12.4 cm).
    24.5 cm vs 12.4 cm
  • 4.21x less popular
    AQ Audio Smartspeaker A1 is less popular than the average portable speaker (1 vs 4.21).
    1 vs 4.21
  • 88.9% more expensive
    AQ Audio Smartspeaker A1 is more expensive than the average portable speaker (£170 vs £90).
    £170 vs £90
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This portable speaker has fewer microphones than the average portable speaker (0 vs 1).
    0 vs 1
  • 30 Hz less deep bass extension
    This portable speaker has less deep bass extension than the average portable speaker (90 Hz vs 60 Hz).
    90 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • 10 mm smaller main driver
    This portable speaker has a smaller main driver than the average portable speaker (40 mm vs 50 mm).
    40 mm vs 50 mm
  • Does not include a passive radiator
    This portable speaker does not include a passive radiator, while the average portable speaker includes a passive radiator.
  • Does not support Bluetooth audio
    This portable speaker does not support Bluetooth audio, while the average portable speaker supports Bluetooth audio.
  • Fewer Wi-Fi band options
    This portable speaker lists 2.4 GHz for Wi-Fi bands, while the average portable speaker lists 2.4 GHz/5 GHz.
    2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz/5 GHz
  • 2 hours shorter battery life
    This portable speaker has a shorter battery life than the average portable speaker (10 hours vs 12 hours).
    10 hours vs 12 hours
  • 12.1 cm taller
    This portable speaker is taller than the average portable speaker (24.5 cm vs 12.4 cm).
    24.5 cm vs 12.4 cm
  • 200 g heavier
    This portable speaker is heavier than the average portable speaker (1,000 g vs 800 g).
    1,000 g vs 800 g
  • 2.6 cm deeper
    This portable speaker is deeper than the average portable speaker (10.9 cm vs 8.3 cm).
    10.9 cm vs 8.3 cm
  • 7 older
    This portable speaker was released earlier than the average portable speaker (2012 vs 2019).
    2012 vs 2019

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

T
trustedreviews.com
26/09/2012
Summary of the review
AQ Audio Smart Speaker Review - Trusted Reviews
S
soundandvision.com
30/01/2013
Summary of the review
Review: AQ Audio SmartSpeaker A1 AirPlay/DLNA Speaker
F
frequentbusinesstraveler.com
30/01/2013
Summary of the review
AQ Audio SmartSpeaker – Review - Frequent Business Traveler
P
pocket-lint.com
16/04/2013
Summary of the review
AQ Audio SmartSpeaker - Pocket-lint
W
whathifi.com
19/04/2013
Summary of the review
AQ Audio SmartSpeaker A1 review | What Hi-Fi?
I
ilounge.com
14/05/2021
Summary of the review
Review: AQ Audio AQ SmartSpeaker with AirPlay | iLounge
W
whathifi.com
19/04/2013
Summary of the review
AQ Audio SmartSpeaker A1 review
(Translated)Show original
S
soundandvision.com
30/01/2013
Summary of the review
Review: AQ Audio SmartSpeaker A1 AirPlay/DLNA Speaker
(Translated)Show original
S
soundandvision.com
30/01/2013
Summary of the review
Review: AQ Audio SmartSpeaker A1 AirPlay/DLNA Speaker
(Translated)Show original
W
whathifi.com
19/04/2013
Summary of the review
AQ Audio SmartSpeaker A1 review | What Hi-Fi?
(Translated)Show original
F
frequentbusinesstraveler.com
30/01/2013
Summary of the review
AQ Audio SmartSpeaker – Review - Frequent Business Traveler What Hi-Fi?
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

What customers like about AQ Audio Smartspeaker A1

  • Versatile wireless options including Apple AirPlay, WiFi Direct, DLNA, and Windows 'Play To'
  • Supports 'AQ Direct' which allows wireless streaming outside the home router network
  • Can be configured as a multiroom system or paired as a dedicated left/right stereo setup
  • Good built-in rechargeable battery life offering around 10 hours of playback
  • Clean and functional design with a dust-resistant rubberized back and non-slip bottom
  • Easy and quick initial network setup process
  • Maintains clear, open sound in the treble and upper ranges without becoming harsh

What customers don't like about AQ Audio Smartspeaker A1

  • Noticeable lack of bass depth, punch, and low-end power
  • Sound profile can feel flat and lightweight compared to similarly priced audio rivals
  • Slight sizzling distortion is audible when pushing the speaker to its peak volume levels
  • Stereo pairing capabilities are restricted to streaming from iTunes on a laptop or computer
  • Setting up and navigating through the multiroom features can be frustrating
  • Relatively expensive option if buying multiple units to build a complete stereo or multiroom system

Verdict

The AQ Audio SmartSpeaker A1 is a portable wireless speaker featuring 24 watts of total power (2 x 12W), a 5200 mAh rechargeable battery providing up to 10 to 20 hours of life, and a 90 dB signal-to-noise ratio. It specializes in seamless Apple AirPlay and DLNA/UPnP streaming over 802.11b/g Wi-Fi networks, using an innovative 'AQ Direct' mode to create its own standalone local network when away from home routers. Key advantages include an incredibly quick 30-second configuration that directly mirrors iOS Wi-Fi credentials, independent mono operation, and the capability to link units into a discrete left/right stereo pair or expand into a multi-room setup. However, the system completely lacks Bluetooth connectivity, does not support web browser-authenticated public Wi-Fi networks, lacks integrated Apple device charging, and delivers mediocre low-end bass response due to unspecified driver components.

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