Review: Archeer A226 Portable Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker
Before I start the review, I would like to thank Archeer for the complementary speaker.
Introduction
Archeer was a company that I didn't have much knowledge with before I was asked originally to review a bicycle speaker, and while it probably sounds pretty good I didn’t feel a need for it since I don’t personally bicycle ride anymore. I saw that Archeer offered a Bluetooth speaker on Amazon, so instead of going with the bicycle speaker, they were able to send me an outdoor Bluetooth speaker - which would be getting much use as the time with it went by. I liked what I saw when I opened up the package. If you’d like to read about how it sounds to my ears, check out what I wrote below!
Audio equipment used in the review
Speaker
Archeer A226 Portable Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker: as of the review, $28.99
Sources
iPhone 6 (Space Gray, 128GB): $849.99 or $399.99 with a 2-Year Contract
Microsoft Surface Book: Starting at $1,499
Questyle Audio QP1R Golden: $899 USD
Software Applications Used
Spotify Premium – Extreme Setting
TIDAL HiFi – Lossless
[size=1em]Thanks for the interest! I have been a music aficionado since first listening to greats such as Anita Baker and Michael Jackson in their glory years.[/size]
An avid wrestler, coach, teacher and mentor, I like to immerse music lovers in headphones, earphones and sources that do nothing but make the listeners smile.
Ringing in my ears? Oh, tinnitus? I get that about 2 times a year, for about 10 seconds each time. Other than that, I’m currently good to go with regards to my hearing. Even if my hearing is perfect or not so perfect, what I hear may or may not match what you hear, for a multitude of reasons (genetic, physical, psychological, age, etcetera).
My music preferences are anything that has a great beat to it, not too vulgar in nature and anything that can induce head-bobbing, toe-tapping and maybe even dancing if the mood is right. I normally listen to (alphabetically): Alternative, Classical, Hip-Hop, Indie, Popular/Top Hits, Rock, and R&B/Soul. I will even from time to time listen to Blues, Jazz, Modern Electronic, Retro/Classics, and World.
Measurements - I measure headphone output dB with my decibel measurer app that anyone can download, replicate and have an instant reference with what I use to test. Frequency spectrum measurements are seldom posted, as the manufacturer’s measurements are usually the best guidelines to go by. Why? They use them to tune their equipment, and it’s from their own specific parameters. I completely agree with Ken Ball from ALO’s statement/post when it comes to frequency response measurements (verbatim):
“…I thought it might be good to post some frequency response measurements first before we see a lot of variations posted by people. Without going into a long drawn out thesis / debate on measurements I just want to say that I have not seen any reviewers measurements that are accurate and it can be difficult to interpret a freq measurement. I don't use HRTF compensation curve on my measurements because I am familiar with the raw freq curve so when I see a curve I know what it sounds like and am comfortable with what I am seeing. So to state my measurement so I can be happy that this is the official freq I am posting it here now. I do not really want to get into any debates on what the freq means or read into it too much as a freq measurement is only a very small part of the over all picture of the product. I would MUCH rather listen to the IEM than read a freq.
In addition, I dont want to sound like I dont welcome people to also have fun and measure, but just want to say that taking a accurate measurement is tricky, also tricky to read into the measurement. I spent over $15,000 on on measurement system and it took me almost a year with professional help to calibrate and set it up 100%. So in doing so it is expensive and can be difficult to set up and calibrate. I know my set up is accurate because I send my IEMs to independent labs to double check everything.”
Measurements are valid to possibly get a glimpse or gist of what we are hearing, but measurements are not the end all be all. Various manufacturers have told me privately that even though it may measure flat, it may not sound flat. Also, measurement devices do not equal our brain and cannot measure with absolute 100 percent certainty with regards to what we hear and feel. I listen with my ears, and write based on my interpretations of the music that is being presented to me.
A wise man once told me: "Music is the only thing that doesn't have war, pestilence, garbage, crap - music is so general, it's such a beautiful canopy of peace."
An avid wrestler, coach, teacher and mentor, I like to immerse music lovers in headphones, earphones and sources that do nothing but make the listeners smile.
Ringing in my ears? Oh, tinnitus? I get that about 2 times a year, for about 10 seconds each time. Other than that, I’m currently good to go with regards to my hearing. Even if my hearing is perfect or not so perfect, what I hear may or may not match what you hear, for a multitude of reasons (genetic, physical, psychological, age, etcetera).
My music preferences are anything that has a great beat to it, not too vulgar in nature and anything that can induce head-bobbing, toe-tapping and maybe even dancing if the mood is right. I normally listen to (alphabetically): Alternative, Classical, Hip-Hop, Indie, Popular/Top Hits, Rock, and R&B/Soul. I will even from time to time listen to Blues, Jazz, Modern Electronic, Retro/Classics, and World.
Measurements - I measure headphone output dB with my decibel measurer app that anyone can download, replicate and have an instant reference with what I use to test. Frequency spectrum measurements are seldom posted, as the manufacturer’s measurements are usually the best guidelines to go by. Why? They use them to tune their equipment, and it’s from their own specific parameters. I completely agree with Ken Ball from ALO’s statement/post when it comes to frequency response measurements (verbatim):
“…I thought it might be good to post some frequency response measurements first before we see a lot of variations posted by people. Without going into a long drawn out thesis / debate on measurements I just want to say that I have not seen any reviewers measurements that are accurate and it can be difficult to interpret a freq measurement. I don't use HRTF compensation curve on my measurements because I am familiar with the raw freq curve so when I see a curve I know what it sounds like and am comfortable with what I am seeing. So to state my measurement so I can be happy that this is the official freq I am posting it here now. I do not really want to get into any debates on what the freq means or read into it too much as a freq measurement is only a very small part of the over all picture of the product. I would MUCH rather listen to the IEM than read a freq.
In addition, I dont want to sound like I dont welcome people to also have fun and measure, but just want to say that taking a accurate measurement is tricky, also tricky to read into the measurement. I spent over $15,000 on on measurement system and it took me almost a year with professional help to calibrate and set it up 100%. So in doing so it is expensive and can be difficult to set up and calibrate. I know my set up is accurate because I send my IEMs to independent labs to double check everything.”
Measurements are valid to possibly get a glimpse or gist of what we are hearing, but measurements are not the end all be all. Various manufacturers have told me privately that even though it may measure flat, it may not sound flat. Also, measurement devices do not equal our brain and cannot measure with absolute 100 percent certainty with regards to what we hear and feel. I listen with my ears, and write based on my interpretations of the music that is being presented to me.
A wise man once told me: "Music is the only thing that doesn't have war, pestilence, garbage, crap - music is so general, it's such a beautiful canopy of peace."
More about Archeer
I wanted to learn a little more about Archeer, so I was directed to the “About Me” section of the Archeer website. I’ll save you a click/search, so here’s what it says:
“ARCHEER - Cheer Your Joyful Life as A Winning Archer
Aiming initially at delivering the real virtue & entertainment of high class 3C (computer, communication and consumer electronics) products to all electronic enthusiast, ARCHEER - as a whole new brand - decide to unveil and breathe new life into the diversified consumer electronics.
As exquisite quality of products and lifestyle equals, the ARCHEER team always pursues and implements its explicit goal, that is developing, manufacturing and vending innovative, attractive and novel electronic gadgets & peripherals for every customer in the world to enrich and ease their leisure lifestyle with comfort, consideration, entertaining and convenience.
The inspiration of the brand name “ARCHEER” is derived from Archer & Cheer. In other words, we hope people who found of "Made by ARCHEER" would feel the most joy & satisfaction just as a winning archer who shares the cheerfulness along with his supreme archery skills.”
Here is a video of my experience with the A226:
Inside the box
- Archeer A226 Waterproof Speaker
- 3.5mm Audio Cable
- Micro USB Charging Cable
- Carabiner
- User Manual
Build and aesthetics
The A226 is plastic and is rubberized throughout. It seems like it can take a good bump or drop and still perform well. The speaker is very lightweight, and won’t weigh you down if you put it in a backpack or bag if you are out and about.
Included flashlight - blueish 6,000 - 8,000K tint
Sound impressionsThe A226 emits a warm and slightly grainy sound. Volume is plentiful, but can not be turned up all of the way because then the sound of the speaker quickly turns muddy and incoherent. As long as the volume isn't turned all of the way up, you'll get a sound that may not be the most detailed or the most clear sonically, but you'll get an acceptable sound for quick excursions or as a backup to your main audiophile speakers. For the price, the sound is acceptable at up to around ⅔ of the overall speaker's volume capabilities.
Cultivate a fresh sound™
What does this mean? Too often we focus on only the music we are accustomed to. I am usually this way as well. Here’s an opportunity to listen to something you either may not normally listen to, or haven’t heard of. As I publish reviews in the future, I will have new and older tracks from various genres that I’ve listened to in this section, and will be largely based on what songs really moved me in particular to the reviewed product I’ve listened to on it. Even though the tracks will be linked to YouTube videos or audio-only versions, the tracks will either be listened solely from the iPhone 6 and TIDAL HiFi - Lossless, or from my Microsoft Surface Book and TIDAL HiFi - Lossless. Instead of describing each track in immense detail, you can simply listen for yourself and bask in the beautiful music you may have just found for the first time right now! What’s also great is that you can come back here just to listen to the tracks mentioned! If you have any personal issues with any tracks posted, please PM me and I'll replace it with another track. It's all about positivity in our musical journey. With those kind words of encouragement, here we go…
Heathens (from Suicide Squad: The Album) by twenty one pilots
A Song For You by Leon Russell
Free Your Mind And Your Ass Will Follow by Funkadelic
Since You (Editor’s note, not with the ‘ve) Been Gone by Rainbow
Is the A226 worth it?
For the price that the A226 is going for on Amazon, I'd say more than likely. As long as you aren't expecting uber audiophile quality sound and unicorns flying on rainbows, you should be just fine with the A226 as a throw-in-the-bag speaker for some fun when out and about.
Final thoughts
I like this speaker not solely because of the sound it outputs, but largely the fact that the build lends it being able to be roughed up a little and not have to worry about messing it up or possibly losing it, since a replacement compared to most Bluetooth speakers available in the market is very light on the pocketbook!
Specifications
2x5Watts (total 10W) dual acousic drivers
Bluetooth
AUX in
Microphone
IP64 water resistant rated
Flashlight
2200mAh high capacity Li-on battery
12 hours playback time
Archeer also offers a 40 days money back and 18 months “hassle-free” warranty.
