BenQ treVolo U review: Voice clarity and wireless freedom

BenQ treVolo U speaker is compact and colourful

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Zoom video calls exploded in reputation in the previous couple of years as enterprise conferences have moved on-line. Moreover, on-line lessons have grow to be commonplace, and lots of use an iPad or MacBook for these on-line interactions.

The built-in audio system on an iPad or a MacBook won’t be loud or clear sufficient throughout video calls the place vocals are notably important. Should you’re utilizing an exterior speaker that leans in direction of heavy bass, the bass settings can overpower vocals and end in muffled sound.

For instance, in case you are taking on-line lessons to study a special language, it’s crucial you could hear the trainer with the utmost readability. Components reminiscent of a foul Web connection or an outdated system might create unclear audio.

A speaker designed for vocal readability could make a category go from irritating to instructive.

A desk might have piles of textbooks or notebooks, so having a wi-fi speaker such because the treVolo U can reduce muddle in your desk. You may join the treVolo U speaker to a MacBook or iPad through Bluetooth.

The Bluetooth was straightforward to arrange, as you press the Bluetooth button on high of the speaker to make it discoverable. The Bluetooth connection was steady as soon as linked to an iPad or MacBook.

The Bluetooth had a variety of about 30 toes, and we examined the speaker by taking part in an audiobook with an iPad in a single room and the speaker in one other. We may hear the audiobook clearly for over an hour with out points, even with the iPad in one other room separated by a wall.

When away from the treVolo U speaker, there’s an choice to carry out features remotely utilizing the treVolo app. With the treVolo app, you possibly can remotely regulate the amount and test the connection standing and battery life.

BenQ treVolo U speaker is app-enabled

It’s also possible to arrange a custom-made sound profile within the app, to expertise one of the best sound high quality to your atmosphere. The app will play six frequencies on the speaker and regulate the sound of every frequency primarily based in your responses to arrange your custom-made profile.

To maintain up along with your lengthy Zoom calls or all-day lessons, BenQ claims that the treVolo U speaker has as much as 12 hours of steady playback time. It has an inside lithium-ion battery and makes use of a USB-C to USB-A cable to recharge, so that you would want to make use of an adapter if you wish to cost the speaker along with your MacBook.

It features a USB-A wall charger to plug the speaker straight into the wall. Additionally, you will get a 4-pin 3.5 mm audio cable to attach this speaker to your system.

The treVolo U speaker delivers crisp, clear sounds for on-line studying. There are three modes you could select from by urgent the buttons on high of the speaker, masking video studying, dwell studying, and music.

When video studying mode is on, it filters delayed echo and ambient sounds in order that the vocal high quality turns into crystal clear. This video studying mode is useful, even when the video has lower than a perfect connection.

We examined the video studying mode throughout an particularly precarious Zoom name the place the connection was unstable. Initially, we used the MacBook audio system for this Zoom name, however the audio was unintelligible.

Even when we turned the amount all the way in which up, it nonetheless was not loud sufficient to listen to clearly.

BenQ treVolo U speaker comes with a USB-A to USB-C charging cable and 4-pin 3.5 mm audio cable

After all, this horrible audio was because of an unstable web connection and defective audio enter from the opposite finish of the Zoom name, not the MacBook audio system. Nonetheless, we switched the audio to the treVolo U speaker and immediately observed an enormous distinction.

The audio was nonetheless problematic due to the dangerous connection, however it improved as a result of we may flip the amount up far more with the treVolo speaker than with the MacBook. The video studying mode decreased ambient noise and noticeably improved the readability of the audio.

We examined the speaker on one other video name utilizing the dwell studying mode, and it labored as anticipated. The treVolo speaker has an electret condenser microphone, and the sound from our mic was clear and loud.

Additionally, with the dwell studying mode, we may hear the speaker clearly as a result of noise discount and echo cancellation options.

A 3rd sound mode on the treVolo U is the music mode. Though this can be a dual-driver speaker, this isn’t one of the best when you get pleasure from music with wealthy bass.

The video studying or dwell studying mode produces flat and tinny music as a result of these modes increase human voice, not musical devices. When the music mode is chosen, it makes instrumental sounds extra balanced and satisfactory in a pinch, however it’s nonetheless not one of the best music-listening expertise.

In addition to switching between sound modes, when you press and maintain the sound mode button, it’s going to activate the voice command assistant. When voice command is on, you would say Hey Tredo to ask the treVolo U speaker to do issues for you, very similar to one would with Siri.

BenQ treVolo U speaker’s sound mode, protected quantity detection, volumes, Bluetooth, and energy buttons

You should utilize voice instructions to carry out features like adjusting the amount, turning on protected quantity detection, and switching to completely different sound modes. It’s also possible to join treVolo U to your iPad or MacBook with Siri enabled, and the speaker will synchronize along with your system’s voice management programs.

We discovered the voice command function difficult as a result of the treVolo U speaker did not all the time acknowledge the verbal voice instructions given. Though this was a considerate function, it was not dependable and thus didn’t add a lot to the speaker’s usefulness, very similar to the protected quantity detection function.

Press and maintain the protected quantity detection button on the correct of the sound mode button to activate protected quantity detection. The protected quantity detection function may turn out to be useful you probably have loud Zoom calls or boisterous digital lecture rooms. Nonetheless, that is unlikely and is why the protected quantity detection function just isn’t particularly sensible.

The treVolo U speaker is a colourful companion to cheer you on throughout these lengthy days of Zoom calls or on-line lessons. It is going to be there for you while you want the utmost readability with crisp and clear vocals, and it’ll go away a minimal footprint in your desk with its small measurement and wi-fi capability.

It’s surprisingly loud for a small speaker, and so long as you do not anticipate it to blast music for a home social gathering, this can be a strong alternative for a Bluetooth speaker.

• Crisp and clear vocals
• Very loud for a small speaker
• Electret condenser mic
• Steady Bluetooth connection
• Three sound modes: video studying, dwell studying, and music
• App-enabled

• Want an adapter for the USB-A to USB-C when used on a MacBook
• Not for musical devices
• Unreliable voice command features

The treVolo U speaker retails for $209, and you should buy it straight from BenQ or Amazon.