Disclaimer:
Good morning, readers! Today we are here with a new portable speaker, the Tronsmart Bang SE. This is my second review regarding portable speakers. At home, I have several portable speakers with variable sizes and different performances. I own the whole series of the GGMM E2, E5, M4, and many others.
First of all, I wanted to thank Nora from Tronsmart for sending me the Tronsmart Bang SE.
I’m going to be as objective as possible, and being a common audio enthusiast, I will use simple words in this review.
I will highlight what I liked and what I didn’t, without any fear.
I would like to warn you that, compared to other portable speakers, this one already has significant dimensions and a weight that must be considered.
Tech Specs:
- Color: Black
- Audio Codecs : SBC
- BT Version: 5.3
- BT Range Up to 15m/49ft (Open Area)
- Input Power: 5V/2A, via Type-C port
- Power Bank function
- Output 40W
- Microphone Built-in
- IP Rating: IPX6
- Play Time (Varied by Volume Level & Audio Content) Up to 24 Hours (Varied by Light Display)
- Charging Time: 4.5 Hours
- Frequency Range: 60Hz – 20kHz
- Playing Modes: Wireless/TF Card, USB, AUX
- Voice Assistant Supports Siri, Google Assistant, and Cortana
- SPL: 104db
- 3 LEDs mode
- Product Weight: 2.08 kg/4.59 lbs
Packaging:
Tronsmart’s packages are always very carefully crafted. I really appreciate this brand because they produce products of very high quality. The Tronsmart Bang SE is yet another excellent speaker. Opening the package, we immediately find the speaker and its accessories:
- Type-C Charging Cable
- Aux cable
- Warranty Card
- User Manual
- SoundPulse® Card
- Strap
On the accessories side, I wouldn’t have expected anything else; the equipment is correct and the cables are good. The strap to carry it over the shoulder is simple but functional.
Design/Build Quality:
The Tronsmart Bang SE has a considerable size. Here we are already in the territory of party speakers, who usually have more demanding dimensions. Its shape vaguely resembles something already seen; perhaps you could have opted for something more unique but I must say that the design is excellent. The handle is sturdy, it seems to be made of solid plastic, and the body is very resistant and made of good material.
The front grille this time is made of metal, and the brand is printed but not in relief, as we saw on the T7 Lite and Mini. On the top, we find all the buttons for managing the speaker and its functions.
The back part is simple; we find a silicone cap that hides all the inputs (I remind you that for waterproofing, it must be kept closed). On the sides, we find two generously sized passive radiators, driven by two white cone drivers. Together with the large battery, they contribute to the weight of the speaker. Its weight is synonymous with quality.
Built-in Technology
The speaker is equipped with LEDs that dance to the rhythm of the music. These LEDs, which I thought were hidden behind the woofer cones, are actually behind the Tronsmart logo, in the middle, and facing the cones. They have a very high brightness and the effect is very beautiful. I must say that the LEDs follow the rhythm of the music a little lazily; they are a little less in rhythm than those seen on the T7 Lite. It’s not a problem but it seems right to point it out to you.
The Tronsmart Bang SE also has a DSP called SoundPulse, unlike the T7 Lite; however, we do not have an app to manage more settings. It is possible to connect multiple speakers of the same model to each other.
In the back, we have a variety of inputs, including Aux (which I doubt I will ever use), USB stick, and micro SD. However, if you keep the rear compartment open for an AUX cable or a USB stick, you should be aware that the waterproofing is no longer present.
SoundPulse:
This feature slightly helps the sound appear wider and the bass has a little more body. Size limitations remain present and in terms of sound, it’s all about volumes. This being larger and having two 20W drivers, each with a lot of excursion, is able to reproduce all frequencies much better. At times, it seems like a sort of loudness function with a slight improvement in the soundstage and better clarity.
In any case, at a distance of 50 cm, peaks of 103.8 dB are reached, which is very high and suitable for indoor and outdoor parties.
First configuration and Test:
The connection is always very fast. The Tronsmart Bang SE comes with the standard Bluetooth 5.3 module and only uses SBC as a codec. I am not sure if AAC makes a difference, but the audio quality is excellent! The 40W GGMM M4 I own focuses on quality, whereas the Bang SE combines both quality and power.
Starting from the top, we find:
- On and off button with BT and charge indicator
- SoundPulse Button
- Volume down button / if held down – previous song
- Play/pause
- Volume up button / if held down – next song
- TWS Pairing (with other Bang SE)
- Light effects
Equipment used for testing above:
Device:
- Redmi Note 7
- Poco M4 Pro
- Hotwav Pad 8
Software:
- Amazon music UHD
- Tidal Hifi Plus
Sound impressions:
We cannot speak of absolute quality but the step forward is certainly notable. If the T7 Lite sounded very good for its size, the Tronsmart Bang SE at 70 USD (or less) represents a leap forward. If you don’t care about size and want to party anywhere without bringing a full-size speaker, then you are looking at the right product.
The sound has much more depth and the bass is already starting to be more perceptible in the air and therefore tangible on the skin. The passive radiators and drivers have a considerable excursion for their size and despite this, they manage to keep the mids clean and the highs quite crystal clear. Two tweeters would certainly have helped a lot, but the higher model already has them. The volume behaves differently depending on the connected device; on my Poco M4 Pro, it works independently, but on the tablet, it is dependent.
Video Test:
Sound Test
It has a very high volume, even if beyond 80% the bass no longer increases; after that, the volume simply increases in decibels, which is ideal for open spaces. I think the fact that the bass no longer increases beyond a certain level is a solution to limit distortion; in fact, there is very little of it. Many speakers are pushed beyond their limits by distorting, while those from Tronsmart fare much better. As for the bass, I must say that this party speaker makes you have fun. It is always about bass coming mostly from passive radiators, which have a very different depth and texture than a subwoofer or woofer with a designed bass reflex.
The best example is the GGMM M4, which adopts a large woofer with bass reflex and in terms of the quality of the low range, we are on a completely different level. However, it is also much bulkier than the Tronsmart Bang SE, which is also waterproof and built in a significantly more robust way. A portable speaker is designed for use on the go and therefore must be built exactly like this one.
Fast comparison:
vs GGMM M4
I have always loved the GGMM M4 but carrying it with me has always been very inconvenient. The dimensions are very generous, and the weight is the same. Ruining it is just as easy as covering it in leather. Leaving aside the higher price range (now I think it’s out of production), the Tronsmart Bang SE beats it in terms of ease of use and above all, you’re not afraid of ruining it.
vs GGMM E5
Here we enter a different territory. The GGMM E5 is a portable smartspeaker with WiFi connectivity, a physical equalizer, a dedicated amplifier, four drivers, and two larger passive radiators. What is surprising is that this speaker still has a stunning design and sound. Here we are talking about real 20W and I assure you that you can all hear it. It costs around $120 if you can still find it. In terms of design and portability, we are on a completely different level. It is not waterproof but it is a truly successful product.
Conclusion:
As I previously stated, this type of product is becoming increasingly competitive. In this category of products, there are portable speakers that prioritize quality (obviously at a higher price) and others, such as the Tronsmart Bang SE, which costs just under $70 and provides excellent performance. For example, the GGMM M4 is also a 40W, with wood and leather materials, Texas instruments, and Wolfson chips in the components and amplification, but it cost around $200 USD. Those who want to listen to music on the go are unlikely to look for similar products, but they may want to consider more well-known brands such as JBL or Sony. Obviously, a similar speaker from these brands costs more than $200, which is not a low price like the Tronsmart Bang SE.
For the same money, you could get a JBL Flip Essential 2, which is much smaller and as good as JBL at producing bass. I do not believe it is completely capable of competing with the Tronsmart Bang SE, which has two excellent drivers. Obviously, if you want to stick to something with more compact dimensions, I absolutely recommend you read the review of the Tronsmart T7 Lite and, if necessary, evaluate the T7, which is a good middle ground.
If, however, you are looking for something even more compact, the Tronsmart T7 Mini could be an excellent choice, even if the total size varies little compared to the T7 Lite.
Now I am very excited to test the more powerful models, such as the 60W Bang and the 130W Bang MAX, especially since the latter has a full driver configuration that will undoubtedly delight. However, I remind you that if you want to experience real bass the speakers should probably be made of wood, calculated in volumes and have a bass reflex, the GGMM has all this and in fact the bass is decidedly more real even if we are still talking about a portable speaker powered by battery.
Where to buy?
Amazon.it
Tronsmart.com
