Back to the speaker review segment with us. We feel that audio is a subset of the device's capabilities that is often overlooked. Maybe because humans are a species that cares more about what can be seen than what can be heard. So it became a habit of a TV and smartphone with a solid screen paired with a rather sad audio system.
Therefore it is customary to also buy separate speakers that can provide a good audio experience. For the past two years we have been working at home and a good audio system is now a must to avoid boredom.
The best soundbar we've tested during the pandemic is the Sonos Beam Gen 2 but at a price of thousands of ringgit we couldn't afford it ourselves. So when the Sonicgear Studiopod V-HD appeared in the our lab, we immediately reviewed it because we wanted to see if this more affordable speaker could still provide a satisfying audio experience.
Specifications
Sonicgear Studiopod V-HD
Stereo Speaker Type 2.0
Driver 2x 102mm bass driver
2X 25.4mm Tweeters
1x Optical I/O port in
1x RCA
1x Coax
CODEC SBC
All operating systems are supported
Virtual assistant support None
Touchpad None
Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.0
AUX Audio Jack None
NFC None
Selling Price RM 599
The speaker design is modern with an oval-shaped plastic body. In Malaysia it is offered in black, red, blue, white and pink. We must say that this design is very cheerful which makes it suitable for use in the office or at home. However, when used as a TV speaker we feel like it's a little less compatible. It doesn't look as classic and stylish as the StudioBox-2-HD we reviewed a few months ago.
With a plastic body it is quite durable. At home, the speaker fell down several times because it was hit by a cat that was fighting. There are no chemical marks or scratches even after falling at a height of half a meter. Two metal audio grilles are placed on each speaker for a 105mm (4-inch) bass driver and a 25.4mm (1-inch) tweeter. On the back there is an air hole for the bass. With a metal grid, the issue of it being difficult to clean when dusty will not happen.
At the bottom of the speaker there is a window for the infrared receiver from the remote control and an LED light to indicate the input status. For example blue for bluetooth and white for coax. The sole is made of rubber. This will reduce the issue of vibrating speakers producing unpleasant sounds on the table surface.
Behind the right speaker there is a slight difference as it houses the various inputs, power port, volume buttons, EQ, input selector and three audio control knobs. Audio strength, bass and treble are provided to allow the sound to be tuned by the user according to their needs.
The connection between these two speakers is using a 2 meter long coax cable which is quite long. We use it for a 65″ TV at home. There is no problem to place the Studiopod to the left and right of this large TV.
The physical connections that can be made are using optical, RCA and Composite cables. The wireless connection is using bluetooth 5.0. Sonicgear provides composite to 3.5mm and optical cables with every purchase. Like the StudioBox, the Studiopod V-HD also does not have a direct 3.5mm connection. Why it wasn't done is a mystery.
The power connection is through a normal cable supplying around 38W power through a three-pin head plug. This power cable is included with every purchase and it is around 2 meters long.
Remote control
The remote control is also made of black plastic. The button configuration is quite modern, similar to controls for Samsung smart televisions and Chromecast With Google TV dongles.
The textured surface of the remote control makes it non-slippery when held. It requires two AAA-sized batteries as a power source. The red power button is placed above in line with the audio mute button.
Below that is a large donut-shaped button for audio volume control and two side buttons to skip forward or backward through the music being listened to. In the middle is a round button to play or pause music.
Then there are five buttons to change the input and three EQ buttons for music, movies and dialogue. All these buttons are made of soft rubber material. The Studiopod remote control is practical and easy to use even if the owner doesn't read the manual provided.
Usage
The use of this speaker is quite simple because it is just a normal audio accessory without any smart features. There is no microphone to allow it to listen to voice commands and it can be used directly without having to be connected to a home WiFi system like a Sonos. For those who want an easy-to-use audio system, the Studiopod does not disappoint.
The process of adding via bluetooth is also easy. Select the bluetooth input and then find the Studiopod in the list of bluetooth speakers on the device. How to install to coax and optical wired audio systems. Like the bluetooth system it's as easy as just plugging it directly into the proper port and selecting the input on the remote.
Because it is not a smart speaker, it comes with some drawbacks. TV remote control integration that can also control speaker audio like Sonos supports is not included. Often times at home we are used to reducing the sound with the TV remote control but the audio does not change as it has to be done with the Studiopod remote control if an optical connection is used.
Direct connection using a 3.5mm cable or bluetooth is easier in this situation. The only drawback is that we realize that when the bluetooth connection is made there is a significant time lag. The movement of the character's mouth on Netflix is not in sync with the audio that reaches the ear making the TV viewing experience feel awkward. The easiest and problem-free connection is with a 3.5mm cable.
Audio Quality
The audio quality is very satisfactory for a normal 2.0 speaker. Its strength lies in its fairly high volume level. We watched the movies Top Gun Maverick and Spider Man with this speaker. Despite not having Dolby Atmos support, and Dolby Digital the viewing experience is still good. Every chest-pounding explosion and conversational dialogue can still be heard clearly even when the action scenes are thrilling.
Using it to stream music and podcasts is also very satisfying. The sound produced may be a little sharp, causing us to slightly reduce the treble setting on the back of the speaker. Electronic music fans are probably the happiest with the Studipod because the bass thump of this speaker is very satisfying.
The experience of using it for video game sessions is also satisfactory as long as you don't need 3D audio support. The audio of the conversation, for example, clearly makes it easier for us to hear what the main character is saying. If you are a fan of games like Call of Duty, the sound of explosions thrown by Studiopod is satisfying.
What's In The Box
Here's what you get with every purchase.
1x Sonicgear Studiopod V-HD.
1x Remote control.
1x Three pin power cable.
1x Optical cable.
1x 3.5mm to RCA Cable.
1x speaker connection coax cable.
1x Manual.
Conclusion
At a price of RM599, the Sonicgear Studiopod V-HD is sold at a slightly higher price than other 2.0 speakers on the market such as those produced by Edifier and Sonicgear itself. But Studiopod's advantage lies in more input options such as optical and also bluetooth wireless support.
Adding further value is the remote control that comes with every purchase. Its small size initially made us a little worried that the audio output was not strong enough. But actually the sound is not only loud, and bright but comes with quite good bass capabilities. The presence of physical knobs to control bass and treble is also great for those who want to tune the audio more in line with personal taste.
It's still a pair of 2.0 speakers that aren't smart, so our buyers' expectations shouldn't be too high. Don't compare it to a Sonos soundbar or Samsung's Dolby Atmos audio system. The Studiopod V-HD does not disappoint as it goes beyond what we would normally expect from a speaker in the same class.
Pro
Durable plastic and metal design.
Nice to use analog control knobs.
Satisfactory audio quality for the price paid.
RCA and optical support.
Remote control.
A long cable is included.
Cons
No 3.5mm audio jack support
Just a 2.0 speaker.
No smart features like more modern speakers.