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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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Kitsound Hive Evolution Review | 130 Data compared

Avg. price:~£130Audio output power:20.00 WBattery life:8 hoursIP rating:?Bluetooth version:4.0Weight:?

Kitsound Hive Evolution 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.

5.7/10

Overall score

Score
5.7/ 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–¼ Worse than 97% of models
Score components

80%

5.7

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 97% of portable speakers
6.9

Value for money

Value for money
6.9/ 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–¼ Worse than 95% of models
Score components

70%

5.7

Overall score

30%

9.8

Price

â–¼Worse than 95%
5.7

Technical score

Technical score
5.7/ 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–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components

32%

6.3

Audio

20%

5.1

Battery

18%

4.8

Durability

16%

6.1

Connectivity

8%

5.2

Controls

3%

8.2

Design

3%

4.8

Smart features

â–¼Worse than 93%
?

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~ £130
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 Kitsound Hive Evolution

Technical score
Technical score
5.7/ 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–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components:

32%

6.3

Audio

20%

5.1

Battery

18%

4.8

Durability

16%

6.1

Connectivity

8%

5.2

Controls

3%

8.2

Design

3%

4.8

Smart features

5.7
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:
Kitsound Hive Evolution 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
6.9/ 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–¼ Worse than 95% of models
Score components:

70%

5.7

Overall score

30%

9.8

Price

6.9
Audio output power
20 W
Market range: <4 W – >100 W
This portable speaker has an audio output power of 20 W which is higher than that of 46.1% of portable speakers and equal to that of 11.4% 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
50 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This portable speaker has a lowest frequency of 50 Hz which is lower than that of 59.9% of portable speakers and equal to that of 9.1% of portable speakers.
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Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth audio. 5.4% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Bluetooth version
4
Market range: <3 – >5.3
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth version 4 which is older than that of 76.7% of portable speakers and equal to that of 8.7% of portable speakers.
Maximum Bluetooth range
20 m
Market range: <10 m – >30 m
This portable speaker has a maximum Bluetooth range of 20 m which is longer than that of 78.7% of portable speakers and equal to that of 6.4% of portable speakers.
Bluetooth profiles supported
?
Bluetooth LE Audio
no
This portable speaker does not support Bluetooth LE Audio. 2.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
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Battery life
8 hours
Market range: <6 hours – >24 hours
This portable speaker has a battery life of 8 hours which is shorter than that of 68.9% of portable speakers and equal to that of 11.6% of portable speakers.
Battery capacity
2,600 mAh
Market range: <900 mAh – >6.6k mAh
This portable speaker has a battery capacity of 2,600 mAh which is larger than that of 49% of portable speakers and equal to that of 7.4% of portable speakers.
Charging time
5 hours
Market range: <2 hours – >5 hours
This portable speaker has a charging time of 5 hours which is longer than that of 87% of portable speakers and equal to that of 7.7% of portable speakers.
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.
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IP rating
?
Water resistance
no
This portable speaker is not water resistant. 61.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Dust resistance
no
This portable speaker is not rated as dust resistant. 51.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Waterproof depth rating
Not waterproof m
This portable speaker is not rated for underwater use. 47.6% of portable speakers have a native waterproof depth rating.
Drop resistance
no
This portable speaker lacks an impact-resistance rating. 32.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
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On-device controls placement
top
Touchscreen
no
This portable speaker does not have a touchscreen. 0.3% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Smartphone app control
?
Remote control
no
This portable speaker does not include a remote control. 15% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Fast pairing
yes
This portable speaker supports fast pairing. 77.6% of portable speakers offer this feature.
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Weight
?
Height
?
Width
21 cm
Market range: <7.6 cm – >37 cm
This portable speaker has a width of 21 cm which is wider than that of 59.1% of portable speakers and equal to that of 1.7% of portable speakers.
Depth
5 cm
Market range: <4.3 cm – >19.97 cm
This portable speaker has a depth of 5 cm which is shallower than that of 82.2% of portable speakers and equal to that of 1.9% of portable speakers.
Carry options
none
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Companion app name
?
Firmware updates
no
This portable speaker does not support firmware updates. 47.2% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Firmware update method
?
Voice assistant support
?
Spotify Connect
no
This portable speaker does not support Spotify Connect. 10.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
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Kitsound Hive Evolution vs the average portable speaker

246810TotalAudioConnectivityBatteryDurabilityControlsDesignSmart features
  • 10 m longer Bluetooth range
    This portable speaker has a longer Bluetooth range than the average portable speaker (20 m vs 10 m).
    20 m vs 10 m
  • Has built-in stereo speakers
    This portable speaker has built-in stereo speakers, while the average portable speaker does not have built-in stereo speakers.
    Provides true stereo output within the unit.
  • 5 dB higher signal-to-noise ratio
    This portable speaker has a higher signal-to-noise ratio than the average portable speaker (85 dB vs 80 dB).
    85 dB vs 80 dB
  • Supports fast pairing
    This portable speaker supports fast pairing, while the average portable speaker does not support fast pairing.
  • Supports NFC Bluetooth pairing
    This portable speaker supports NFC Bluetooth pairing, while the average portable speaker does not support NFC Bluetooth pairing.
  • Includes a power adapter
    This portable speaker includes a power adapter, while the average portable speaker does not include a power adapter.
  • 10 Hz deeper bass extension
    This portable speaker has deeper bass extension than the average portable speaker (50 Hz vs 60 Hz).
    50 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • Includes a travel bag
    This portable speaker includes a travel bag, while the average portable speaker does not include a travel bag.
  • Has built-in stereo speakers
    This portable speaker has built-in stereo speakers, while the average portable speaker does not have built-in stereo speakers.
    Provides true stereo output within the unit.
  • 5 dB higher signal-to-noise ratio
    This portable speaker has a higher signal-to-noise ratio than the average portable speaker (85 dB vs 80 dB).
    85 dB vs 80 dB
  • 10 Hz deeper bass extension
    This portable speaker has deeper bass extension than the average portable speaker (50 Hz vs 60 Hz).
    50 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • 10 m longer Bluetooth range
    This portable speaker has a longer Bluetooth range than the average portable speaker (20 m vs 10 m).
    20 m vs 10 m
  • Supports NFC Bluetooth pairing
    This portable speaker supports NFC Bluetooth pairing, while the average portable speaker does not support NFC Bluetooth pairing.
  • Includes a power adapter
    This portable speaker includes a power adapter, while the average portable speaker does not include a power adapter.
  • Supports fast pairing
    This portable speaker supports fast pairing, while the average portable speaker does not support fast pairing.
  • Includes a travel bag
    This portable speaker includes a travel bag, while the average portable speaker does not include a travel bag.
  • 3.3 cm shallower
    This portable speaker is shallower than the average portable speaker (5 cm vs 8.3 cm).
    5 cm vs 8.3 cm
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water resistant.
  • Is not rated as dust resistant
    This portable speaker is not rated as dust resistant, while the average portable speaker is dust resistant.
  • 2 hours longer charging time
    This portable speaker has a longer charging time than the average portable speaker (5 hours vs 3 hours).
    5 hours vs 3 hours
  • 4 hours shorter battery life
    This portable speaker has a shorter battery life than the average portable speaker (8 hours vs 12 hours).
    8 hours vs 12 hours
  • 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
  • 1 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (4 vs 5).
    4 vs 5
  • Does not support True Wireless Stereo
    This portable speaker does not support True Wireless Stereo, while the average portable speaker supports True Wireless Stereo.
  • 1 fewer multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has fewer multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (0 vs 1).
    0 vs 1
  • 9% worse value for money
    Kitsound Hive Evolution offers worse value for money than the average portable speaker (6.92 vs 7.5).
    6.92 vs 7.55
  • 4.21x less popular
    Kitsound Hive Evolution is less popular than the average portable speaker (1 vs 4.21).
    1 vs 4.21
  • 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
  • 1 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (4 vs 5).
    4 vs 5
  • 1 fewer multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has fewer multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (0 vs 1).
    0 vs 1
  • 2 hours longer charging time
    This portable speaker has a longer charging time than the average portable speaker (5 hours vs 3 hours).
    5 hours vs 3 hours
  • 4 hours shorter battery life
    This portable speaker has a shorter battery life than the average portable speaker (8 hours vs 12 hours).
    8 hours vs 12 hours
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water resistant.
  • Is not rated as dust resistant
    This portable speaker is not rated as dust resistant, while the average portable speaker is dust resistant.
  • Does not support True Wireless Stereo
    This portable speaker does not support True Wireless Stereo, while the average portable speaker supports True Wireless Stereo.
  • Does not provide voice prompts
    This portable speaker does not provide voice prompts, while the average portable speaker provides voice prompts.
    No spoken status prompts; feedback is absent, visual, or tone-based.

Video reviews

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

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

W
whathifi.com
24/01/2017
Summary of the review
KitSound Hive Evolution review - What Hi-Fi? If you would like me to compile information on its audio performance, battery specifications, or how it c...

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Kitsound Hive Evolution

  • Solid and durable monocoque aluminium chassis
  • Delivers a good level of audio detail and a mostly balanced presentation
  • Sleek, compact, and stylish design featuring a honeycomb front grille
  • Fast and easy Bluetooth pairing assisted by NFC technology
  • Comes with a helpful hard-shell travel case and an auxiliary cable
  • Includes a dual passive radiator that helps output surprisingly deep bass for its size

What customers don't like about Kitsound Hive Evolution

  • Lacks overall audio reach and can sound less powerful than premium competitors
  • Slight hardness or harshness can be heard in the upper high frequencies
  • Bass levels tend to roll off or compress at maximum volumes to prevent distortion
  • The 3.5mm auxiliary line input can experience inverted stereo channels (left/right swapped)
  • Charging time is somewhat slow, taking around 5 hours for a full battery

Verdict

The KitSound Hive Evolution is a portable Bluetooth V4.0 speaker featuring a robust aluminium monocoque chassis, dual 40 mm drivers, and a powerful 20W RMS amplifier complemented by dual passive bass radiators. Designed for ultimate convenience, it offers one-touch NFC pairing, a long-distance wireless range of up to 20 meters, and a 2600 mAh battery that provides up to 8 hours of playback time alongside a 3.5 mm auxiliary input/output system for daisy-chaining multiple devices. Main pros include its durable, evenly weighted design, balanced and highly detailed room-filling audio, and a premium travel package that includes a hard-shell carry case and global mains adapters. However, major cons include a lack of on-device track skipping and volume controls, a lengthy 5-hour charging time, a lack of water resistance, and occasional harshness in the upper frequencies combined with a less taut bass response.

Compare Kitsound Hive Evolution with other products in the Portable Speakers category

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