Tronsmart Force 2 - Portable Troublemaker
Force 2 is a portable Bluetooth speaker with a price tag of just 50 USD, but promises for a clean and powerful sound, with a big stage and a deep bass. Since I have not reviewed anything that comes close to its price yet, I am going to focus on describing Force 2 and its overall sound, plus whether it is easy and convenient to use.
Introduction
Tronsmart is that one Chinese company that does their best to overtake the world of entry-level, and almost all their products are entry-level products with good price / performance ratio, good build quality, and great reliability. The company is sold through many stores, so make sure to get their products from the store that offers the best warranty conditions, and which feels the most trustworthy, like Amazon.
It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Tronsmart, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. I'd like to thank Tronsmart for providing the sample for this review. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it. The purpose of this review is to help those interested in the Tronsmart Force 2 Bluetooth Speaker find their next music companion.
Packaging
First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:
The package is actually quite minimalistic and mainly includes the Bluetooth speaker, and two cables, one 3.5mm to 3.5mm aux cable, and one USB Charging cable. This is excellent for a speaker priced below 50 USD, since an Aux cable can be as much as 10 USD.
Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort
Tronsmart is generally known for decent build quality, and Force 2 actually looks good, it has some weight to it, and has a little strap attached to it from the factory. This being said, you can see the extra glue on the sides in almost every photo I have taken of it. The tech inside actually includes IPX7 Waterproofing, and the back part is covered in a thick silicone flap, to protect the circuits. Of course, you won't have any water protection if you're using the Aux Cord or if it is currently charging. The rated playtime is rated at over 15 hours, but I mainly got around 8 hours in my typical usage. Force 2 features a Type-C USB port, and takes around 3 hours to go from 0% to 100%.
We have a Qualcomm QCC3021 Chip taking care of the Bluetooth input, and it is only able to work only with the AAC and SBC codecs. The speaker has a dedicated power of 30W RMS, and it has a voice assistant function. Tronsmart made sure that if you and your friends get some of those speakers, you will be able to party, as you can pair over 100 of those speakers for a party. One thing I noticed which is quite inconvenient is that the speaker has all notifications spoken at its maximum volume, and you can't really control this, so when it turns off, or disconnects, it is spoken extremely loud.
Physically, you can find all the buttons on the back of the speaker, with a POwer button, Vol-, Vol+ and a Play/Pause / Bluetooth pairing button. The sides of the speaker have two passive radiators, and the whole speaker has a closed design, to offer the clearest bass with the least boominess possible. Although it only supports SBC and AAC, it has Bluetooth 5.0, which helps with the connection stability and range. I actually have had an excellent overall experience with the Bluetooth signal strength and overall connection reliability.
The speaker is rated to have sound between 60Hz and 20kHz, and has a weight of 627 grams, being slightly heavier and less portable than smaller options, but promising better sonic performance. I initially wanted to make a funny video about how I'm using it, but I realized we don't have the budget for it, so we switched to making a full written review.
Sound Quality
I actually am able to enjoy the speaker in its default state, but I find it much better with some drastic EQ. Happily, it can take some EQ and the headroom is not quite that limited, but in its default state Force 2 sounds quite midrange-forward and is focused sounding, has a strong treble, and good overall detail. The sound has the typical Bluetooth compression applied, but you most probably won't notice it much, as much as the bass roll-off. There's a certain background hissing audible most of the time, especially at loud volumes, but the tiny speaker can actually convey not just a stereo sound, but a soundstage, if you keep it about one meter away from you, and mostly placed in front of you. While this may sound like an unlikely setup, for someone riding a bike, it can be a nice way to add some fun to your ride.
The main problem with a small portable Bluetooth speaker is the bass, and this is generalized for all Bluetooth speakers, except for really large and heavy ones. The bass on Force 2 rolls off audibly around 100 Hz, and there's not much presence downwards of 100 Hz. I tried to EQ it, since it has a very loud maximum volume, and that is a possibility, but it will color the entire sound to be dark and veiled, like most commercial Bluetooth speakers sound. I actually kind of prefer Force 2, because although you don't hear much in terms of lows, you do hear good detail, and a speedy sound.
The midrange is fairly musical, and J-Pop, J-Rock and general Anime-based music sounds really nice. Force 2 does not render male voices very well, but renders female voices really nicely, in a sweet, musical way. It works best with EDM, Pop and softer music, and I would not recommend it with Metal music, rather rock and prog at most. There is a soundstage and a stereo imaging to speak about, if you have the speaker placed about a meter away from you, and mostly in front of you. The overall detail level is pretty good, and in line with most ~100-150 USD Chifi IEMs. This means that you can hear some background elements in music, as well as macro detailing fairly well. I am talking about all of this while listening to Force 2 in my listening room, you can expect some detail and clarity loss, plus much less background information to make it to your ears if you're out and about, and the music is mixed with outdoor noise. At any rate, the sound is fairly engaging and dynamic.
The treble of Force 2 is on the slightly aggressive side of things, with a good amount of impact, and the tiny speaker can totally play some cymbal crashes. Sadly, this means that the louder you push it, the more highs you're going to hear, and this is the main reason I recommend it for any music, except for metal, where the more aggressive sound can be a bit much. The overall tonal balance is bright, and you will hear more treble than bass, and the sound is not overly thick. Somehow, I find perfect comfort with Asia-Based music, including Chinese Pop, Japanese Pop, and other female-led music, including Katy Perry and Lady Gaga.
Overall, Force 2 is really pleasing, as a tiny bluetooth speaker with a sweet sound. There's not a lot of bass, but the midrange is clean, clear, and crisp. It can get hot if the music is too aggressive, and has a slight overexpression of textures, but at around 50 USD, there's literally nothing else I could recommend. Force 2 is much clearer, has an actual stereo sound, and can do macro detail well, compared to any veiled, dark and bloated sounding stereo speaker you typically find in your local supermarkets.
Value and Conclusion
The price of Force2 is the main reason to go for it and purchase it, as you will have an easier time affording it than most similar products. This ain't your audiophile Bluetooth speaker, but it is an awesome speaker for having some background music while on a trip, having background music for an outdoors workout, or a speaker to play some music while you're working in your workshop and assembling furniture. I even use it while cleaning the dishes, as my girlfriend / photo artist of Audiophile-Heaven calls for me sometimes, and using TWS while doing the dishes is a bit out of the question.
The overall package is good, the build quality is good, and Force 2 has IPX rating, so it shouldn't be a problem, even if you splash it with water. The battery life is great, and this tiny Bluetooth speaker can totally deal some damage in terms of maximum loudness.
At the end of the day, if you're looking for a high quality, low-cost Bluetooth speaker to play some music while you're on a trip, or doing work around, or even while you go for a bike ride, Tronsmart Force 2 is an awesome option and fully recommended.
Force 2 is a portable Bluetooth speaker with a price tag of just 50 USD, but promises for a clean and powerful sound, with a big stage and a deep bass. Since I have not reviewed anything that comes close to its price yet, I am going to focus on describing Force 2 and its overall sound, plus whether it is easy and convenient to use.
Introduction
Tronsmart is that one Chinese company that does their best to overtake the world of entry-level, and almost all their products are entry-level products with good price / performance ratio, good build quality, and great reliability. The company is sold through many stores, so make sure to get their products from the store that offers the best warranty conditions, and which feels the most trustworthy, like Amazon.
It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Tronsmart, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. I'd like to thank Tronsmart for providing the sample for this review. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it. The purpose of this review is to help those interested in the Tronsmart Force 2 Bluetooth Speaker find their next music companion.
Packaging
First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:
The package is actually quite minimalistic and mainly includes the Bluetooth speaker, and two cables, one 3.5mm to 3.5mm aux cable, and one USB Charging cable. This is excellent for a speaker priced below 50 USD, since an Aux cable can be as much as 10 USD.
Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort
Tronsmart is generally known for decent build quality, and Force 2 actually looks good, it has some weight to it, and has a little strap attached to it from the factory. This being said, you can see the extra glue on the sides in almost every photo I have taken of it. The tech inside actually includes IPX7 Waterproofing, and the back part is covered in a thick silicone flap, to protect the circuits. Of course, you won't have any water protection if you're using the Aux Cord or if it is currently charging. The rated playtime is rated at over 15 hours, but I mainly got around 8 hours in my typical usage. Force 2 features a Type-C USB port, and takes around 3 hours to go from 0% to 100%.
We have a Qualcomm QCC3021 Chip taking care of the Bluetooth input, and it is only able to work only with the AAC and SBC codecs. The speaker has a dedicated power of 30W RMS, and it has a voice assistant function. Tronsmart made sure that if you and your friends get some of those speakers, you will be able to party, as you can pair over 100 of those speakers for a party. One thing I noticed which is quite inconvenient is that the speaker has all notifications spoken at its maximum volume, and you can't really control this, so when it turns off, or disconnects, it is spoken extremely loud.
Physically, you can find all the buttons on the back of the speaker, with a POwer button, Vol-, Vol+ and a Play/Pause / Bluetooth pairing button. The sides of the speaker have two passive radiators, and the whole speaker has a closed design, to offer the clearest bass with the least boominess possible. Although it only supports SBC and AAC, it has Bluetooth 5.0, which helps with the connection stability and range. I actually have had an excellent overall experience with the Bluetooth signal strength and overall connection reliability.
The speaker is rated to have sound between 60Hz and 20kHz, and has a weight of 627 grams, being slightly heavier and less portable than smaller options, but promising better sonic performance. I initially wanted to make a funny video about how I'm using it, but I realized we don't have the budget for it, so we switched to making a full written review.
Sound Quality
I actually am able to enjoy the speaker in its default state, but I find it much better with some drastic EQ. Happily, it can take some EQ and the headroom is not quite that limited, but in its default state Force 2 sounds quite midrange-forward and is focused sounding, has a strong treble, and good overall detail. The sound has the typical Bluetooth compression applied, but you most probably won't notice it much, as much as the bass roll-off. There's a certain background hissing audible most of the time, especially at loud volumes, but the tiny speaker can actually convey not just a stereo sound, but a soundstage, if you keep it about one meter away from you, and mostly placed in front of you. While this may sound like an unlikely setup, for someone riding a bike, it can be a nice way to add some fun to your ride.
The main problem with a small portable Bluetooth speaker is the bass, and this is generalized for all Bluetooth speakers, except for really large and heavy ones. The bass on Force 2 rolls off audibly around 100 Hz, and there's not much presence downwards of 100 Hz. I tried to EQ it, since it has a very loud maximum volume, and that is a possibility, but it will color the entire sound to be dark and veiled, like most commercial Bluetooth speakers sound. I actually kind of prefer Force 2, because although you don't hear much in terms of lows, you do hear good detail, and a speedy sound.
The midrange is fairly musical, and J-Pop, J-Rock and general Anime-based music sounds really nice. Force 2 does not render male voices very well, but renders female voices really nicely, in a sweet, musical way. It works best with EDM, Pop and softer music, and I would not recommend it with Metal music, rather rock and prog at most. There is a soundstage and a stereo imaging to speak about, if you have the speaker placed about a meter away from you, and mostly in front of you. The overall detail level is pretty good, and in line with most ~100-150 USD Chifi IEMs. This means that you can hear some background elements in music, as well as macro detailing fairly well. I am talking about all of this while listening to Force 2 in my listening room, you can expect some detail and clarity loss, plus much less background information to make it to your ears if you're out and about, and the music is mixed with outdoor noise. At any rate, the sound is fairly engaging and dynamic.
The treble of Force 2 is on the slightly aggressive side of things, with a good amount of impact, and the tiny speaker can totally play some cymbal crashes. Sadly, this means that the louder you push it, the more highs you're going to hear, and this is the main reason I recommend it for any music, except for metal, where the more aggressive sound can be a bit much. The overall tonal balance is bright, and you will hear more treble than bass, and the sound is not overly thick. Somehow, I find perfect comfort with Asia-Based music, including Chinese Pop, Japanese Pop, and other female-led music, including Katy Perry and Lady Gaga.
Overall, Force 2 is really pleasing, as a tiny bluetooth speaker with a sweet sound. There's not a lot of bass, but the midrange is clean, clear, and crisp. It can get hot if the music is too aggressive, and has a slight overexpression of textures, but at around 50 USD, there's literally nothing else I could recommend. Force 2 is much clearer, has an actual stereo sound, and can do macro detail well, compared to any veiled, dark and bloated sounding stereo speaker you typically find in your local supermarkets.
Value and Conclusion
The price of Force2 is the main reason to go for it and purchase it, as you will have an easier time affording it than most similar products. This ain't your audiophile Bluetooth speaker, but it is an awesome speaker for having some background music while on a trip, having background music for an outdoors workout, or a speaker to play some music while you're working in your workshop and assembling furniture. I even use it while cleaning the dishes, as my girlfriend / photo artist of Audiophile-Heaven calls for me sometimes, and using TWS while doing the dishes is a bit out of the question.
The overall package is good, the build quality is good, and Force 2 has IPX rating, so it shouldn't be a problem, even if you splash it with water. The battery life is great, and this tiny Bluetooth speaker can totally deal some damage in terms of maximum loudness.
At the end of the day, if you're looking for a high quality, low-cost Bluetooth speaker to play some music while you're on a trip, or doing work around, or even while you go for a bike ride, Tronsmart Force 2 is an awesome option and fully recommended.
Author's Note: The original review can be found at my blog - Tronsmart Force 2 Review @ JayceOoi.com.
Introduction
Astoundingly powerful 30W RMS output with rich bass in a compact size thanks to SoundPulse technology. Balanced and terrific sound with Qualcomm QCC3021 chip. Heart-pumping sound with strong bass through two well-designed passive radiators. Submersion in the water with IPX7 waterproof rating. 15 hours of non-stop music playback. And it can sync sound across 100+ speakers thanks to the broadcast mode. Yeah... That's all part of Tronsmart Force 2 Portable Wireless Speaker. Sound great? Let's find out now...
Special Thanks
This review is possible thanks to below companies. Be sure to check them out...
Package Content & Design
Force 2 comes well protected. Once taken the speaker out, there are 3.5mm AUX cable, USB-C charging cable, SoundPulse technology info card, warranty card and user manual in multiple languages. As usual, do go through the guide to get started.
Build quality is excellent as you can expect from Tronsmart. Solid and sturdy housing. Its matte coated surface gives the rubberize feel when touch. And the fabric-covered speaker grill provides grip when holding it. You can put it both vertically or horizontally. Or hang it with the built-in lanyard. Totally up to your preference.
This is one of the passive radiators. Available on both left and right. Do notice it that there are 3 bumps that act as anti-skid pad when on vertical mode.
All the other buttons are located at the back including the LED light indicator. AUX input and USB-C port are covered as part of the IPX7 waterproof feature.
Performance Result
Yeah! Outstanding Bluetooth 5.0 range is what you get from Tronsmart Force 2. Easily reach up to 10m with obstacles like wall. And virtually in-sync between video and audio. That’s great to watch movie, TV series and play games on mobile devices like smartphone and tablet. As usual, there is AUX-in port for non-Bluetooth devices.
Based on specs, it can play up to 15 hours of music at 50% volume. And requires 3 to 4 hours to fully charge. There is battery life indicator on both iOS and Android devices. Great to know when to charge it. As for speakerphone, it is performing excellent. Others can hear me loud and clear. Sensitive microphone no doubt. Great for conference call in a small group.
Sound Quality
Force 2 has slightly bright sound signature - more treble than bass. And it is able to fill up whole large living room with 30W RMS total output power. Throw a party by connecting to more Force 2 units. More power more fun!
In details, highs are clear and clean. Smooth with no harshness at all. Mids are the stars. It performs great. Both female and male’s vocals sound nice and natural. Bass is decent for a compact body. You can feel the bass bumping here and there when near to it. But don't expect a powerful one. In short, Force 2 is a vocal-focus speaker.
Advantages
Tronsmart has done a great job again. Force 2 is an excellent portable Bluetooth speaker with nice vocal and clean treble. Outstanding Bluetooth range and fast performing too. Perfect for both indoor and outdoor usage thanks to IPX7 waterproof rating.
Introduction
Astoundingly powerful 30W RMS output with rich bass in a compact size thanks to SoundPulse technology. Balanced and terrific sound with Qualcomm QCC3021 chip. Heart-pumping sound with strong bass through two well-designed passive radiators. Submersion in the water with IPX7 waterproof rating. 15 hours of non-stop music playback. And it can sync sound across 100+ speakers thanks to the broadcast mode. Yeah... That's all part of Tronsmart Force 2 Portable Wireless Speaker. Sound great? Let's find out now...
Special Thanks
This review is possible thanks to below companies. Be sure to check them out...
- Tronsmart for this Tronsmart Force 2 Portable Wireless Speaker
Package Content & Design
Force 2 comes well protected. Once taken the speaker out, there are 3.5mm AUX cable, USB-C charging cable, SoundPulse technology info card, warranty card and user manual in multiple languages. As usual, do go through the guide to get started.
Build quality is excellent as you can expect from Tronsmart. Solid and sturdy housing. Its matte coated surface gives the rubberize feel when touch. And the fabric-covered speaker grill provides grip when holding it. You can put it both vertically or horizontally. Or hang it with the built-in lanyard. Totally up to your preference.
This is one of the passive radiators. Available on both left and right. Do notice it that there are 3 bumps that act as anti-skid pad when on vertical mode.
All the other buttons are located at the back including the LED light indicator. AUX input and USB-C port are covered as part of the IPX7 waterproof feature.
Performance Result
Yeah! Outstanding Bluetooth 5.0 range is what you get from Tronsmart Force 2. Easily reach up to 10m with obstacles like wall. And virtually in-sync between video and audio. That’s great to watch movie, TV series and play games on mobile devices like smartphone and tablet. As usual, there is AUX-in port for non-Bluetooth devices.
Based on specs, it can play up to 15 hours of music at 50% volume. And requires 3 to 4 hours to fully charge. There is battery life indicator on both iOS and Android devices. Great to know when to charge it. As for speakerphone, it is performing excellent. Others can hear me loud and clear. Sensitive microphone no doubt. Great for conference call in a small group.
Sound Quality
Force 2 has slightly bright sound signature - more treble than bass. And it is able to fill up whole large living room with 30W RMS total output power. Throw a party by connecting to more Force 2 units. More power more fun!
In details, highs are clear and clean. Smooth with no harshness at all. Mids are the stars. It performs great. Both female and male’s vocals sound nice and natural. Bass is decent for a compact body. You can feel the bass bumping here and there when near to it. But don't expect a powerful one. In short, Force 2 is a vocal-focus speaker.
Advantages
- Nice vocal with clean treble
- Broadcast mode support
- Outstanding Bluetooth range
- Excellent speakerphone
- Long battery life
- Excellent build quality
- IPX7 waterproof
- No harm to have more bass
Tronsmart has done a great job again. Force 2 is an excellent portable Bluetooth speaker with nice vocal and clean treble. Outstanding Bluetooth range and fast performing too. Perfect for both indoor and outdoor usage thanks to IPX7 waterproof rating.
Tronsmart Bluetooth Speaker
I have to be honest up front - when Tronsmart contacted me asking if I would be interested in reviewing their latest bluetooth speaker I was somewhat hesitant. The reason why is that I tend to use headphones for most of my listening and, being a bit of an audio snob, was very doubtful that I would actually like the sound that something like this produces. I'm really glad I did agree in the end though because this little speaker really is surprisingly good.
My first impression was that the speaker is remarkably small - a lot smaller than I expected it to be when looking at pictures on line. It has a good solid feel and there's no denying that this is a very well made unit. Add to this the excellent water resistance, battery life and fast USB C charging and this makes for a very impressive small speaker.
Thanks to its water resistance, I set the speaker up in my bathroom and linked it up to my phone to play some Peter Gabriel whilst taking a shower. I was quite surprised with the sound quality that comes out of this little unit. Bass wasn't overblown and yet showed some real presence - likewise the mids had enough satisfying detail and the top end didn't annoy either. All in all, definitely an improvement over the previous bluetooth speaker I was using in the bathroom.
Pairing with my phone was easy - pretty much like most modern Bluetooth headphones. Simply power up the speaker and it automatically goes into pairing mode. Once you have connected, it will always connect to that device by default. If you wish to pair the speaker to another device, simply hold down the relevant button for a few seconds and the speaker will go back into pairing mode - easy peasy.
All the buttons and sockets on the speaker have rubberised flaps which helps with the water resistance but this does make the buttons slightly hard to find - especially considering the buttons are at the rear of the unit - but that's the price of improved water resistance.
Don't get me wrong, this speaker isn't going to replace your Naim Muso - God how cool would that be? Rather this is a picnic/bbq speaker - small enough to fit in a handbag or coat pocket (easily) and has enough output power to help overcome it's small size - to a certain extent. What I was really surprised (and pleased) to see is that Tronsmart hasn't simply produced a bass monster but rather something that offers a nice balanced sound. The 4.5 Star rating is to reflect the excellent value for money, performance and sound quality.
There's really not much more to say about this remarkable little speaker. It's sound quality is excellent for its size, decent battery life (not yet tested), water resistance, can go loud and nice overall design. What's not to like?
I have to be honest up front - when Tronsmart contacted me asking if I would be interested in reviewing their latest bluetooth speaker I was somewhat hesitant. The reason why is that I tend to use headphones for most of my listening and, being a bit of an audio snob, was very doubtful that I would actually like the sound that something like this produces. I'm really glad I did agree in the end though because this little speaker really is surprisingly good.
My first impression was that the speaker is remarkably small - a lot smaller than I expected it to be when looking at pictures on line. It has a good solid feel and there's no denying that this is a very well made unit. Add to this the excellent water resistance, battery life and fast USB C charging and this makes for a very impressive small speaker.
Thanks to its water resistance, I set the speaker up in my bathroom and linked it up to my phone to play some Peter Gabriel whilst taking a shower. I was quite surprised with the sound quality that comes out of this little unit. Bass wasn't overblown and yet showed some real presence - likewise the mids had enough satisfying detail and the top end didn't annoy either. All in all, definitely an improvement over the previous bluetooth speaker I was using in the bathroom.
Pairing with my phone was easy - pretty much like most modern Bluetooth headphones. Simply power up the speaker and it automatically goes into pairing mode. Once you have connected, it will always connect to that device by default. If you wish to pair the speaker to another device, simply hold down the relevant button for a few seconds and the speaker will go back into pairing mode - easy peasy.
All the buttons and sockets on the speaker have rubberised flaps which helps with the water resistance but this does make the buttons slightly hard to find - especially considering the buttons are at the rear of the unit - but that's the price of improved water resistance.
Don't get me wrong, this speaker isn't going to replace your Naim Muso - God how cool would that be? Rather this is a picnic/bbq speaker - small enough to fit in a handbag or coat pocket (easily) and has enough output power to help overcome it's small size - to a certain extent. What I was really surprised (and pleased) to see is that Tronsmart hasn't simply produced a bass monster but rather something that offers a nice balanced sound. The 4.5 Star rating is to reflect the excellent value for money, performance and sound quality.
There's really not much more to say about this remarkable little speaker. It's sound quality is excellent for its size, decent battery life (not yet tested), water resistance, can go loud and nice overall design. What's not to like?
Tronsmart asked for Headfi members willing to review the brand new bluetooth speaker Force 2 and I was among the qualifying ones.
The sample was kindly provided free of charge and this is my honest and subjective evaluation of it.
Introduction
Tronsmart is a tech brand that designs and manufactures world-class tech accessories.
The core value of Tronsmart is to make your life easier by providing you with high-tech, high-quality and high-performance products.
The founder of Tronsmart, Eric Cheng, being located in Shenzhen - Asia's Silicon Valley of hardware has assembled a team of world-renowned R&D professionals in order to continually create the latest and greatest products.
Tronsmart truly believes that “if you offer the customer quality products at an affordable price, nothing can stop you from expansion”.
This is not the first product of Tronsmart that we reviewed as we were lucky enough to review the Apollo Bold TWS with ANC.
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tronsmart-apollo-bold.24533/review/24545/
Technical and physical specifications
The Force 2 is a portable bluetooth speaker designed mainly for outdoor use thanks to the IPX7 waterproof rating.
Equipped with a bluetooth 5.0 Qualcomm QCC3021 chip together with SoundPulse® and an RMS output of 30W it delivers a terrific sound.
There is only the SBC codec supported.
Also, it can sync sound across 100+ speakers thanks to the broadcast mode.
The two well-designed passive radiators deliver heart-pumping sound with strong bass.
A large 2500mAh battery is compatible with fast USB type C charging and can provide up to 15 hours of use in less than 4 hours of charge time.
There is a microphone to support calls and the one tap voice assistants "Hey Siri" , "Ok Google" and
"Hi Cortana".
An extra AUX input is included so we can use the speaker when bluetooth is not available.
The speaker is a compact barrel type shape with an extra grip edge where the controls are located.
It can be used and placed vertically or horizontally.
There are four buttons available to control the speaker.
Power ON/OFF that is also used to enable the voice assistant with two short taps.
The two volume up/next track , volume down/previous track buttons and the bluetooth - play/pause one.
Next to the buttons we can find the waterproof compartment that houses the USB type C and AUX inputs.
Design and build quality
The Force 2 is beautifully designed with a minimal and very appealing black matte modern appearance.
Build quality is truly excellent and the speaker feels sturdy and tough.
A little care should be taken with the passive radiators that seem to be fragile and prone to tear.
An extra protective mesh could be useful in case of an accident.
The speaker comes with USB and AUX cables plus a useful lanyard that attaches to the upper part.
A manual is included.
The dimensions are 163x72x64mm and the weight is 627gr.
The price is €59.99 and in Europe you can get it from Amazon.de without extra custom fees.
Operation
Switching the speaker on it will automatically enter bluetooth seek mode and pairing is fast and easy.
The remaining battery is displayed and we can control the volume from the phone.
Max phone volume is not the max speaker volume and we can increase it more with the volume up button.
The best way is to set phone and speaker volume to the max and then decrease it from the phone till the desired level is reached.
Bluetooth working distance is good and it can be used up to 10m , even indoors but without very thick walls between the rooms.
Connection is stable and we didn't experience any drop outs or any kind of interference.
Battery life is close to the one being advertised and we managed to squeeze out about ten hours of heavy use.
Listening
The Force 2 is surprisingly powerful for its size and can get loud enough to sufficiently fill a small room as long as we don't max the volume or it will start clipping.
Overall presentation is well balanced with an even and natural tonality far from being overly V shaped as is the case with most portable bluetooth speakers.
The low end aided here by some clever dsp boosting is present and sufficient but it is not very extended as it is more of a low mid bass with harmonics rather than real bass.
Not surprisingly though considering the size of the woofers and strict laws of physics that wouldn't allow for anything more.
Quality is good as it sounds well controlled with proper timing and a tight presentation without masking the rest of the frequencies.
An acceptable performance for such a small speaker but bass heads should seek satisfaction elsewhere.
Mids are present and clear enough in order not to be buried in the depths of the mix.
Voices and mid centric instruments get their fair share of the whole and feel well projected.
Higher frequencies are crisp and clean very slightly lifted in order to stand and balance things out with a touch of extra energy and light.
Sound is on the lean side and everything is under control and fine until we start listening to more complex material and the speaker struggles to keep up and highlight the extra information.
This may sound bad but actually it isn't because we are not talking here a speaker designed for critical listening.
The Force 2 is a little portable companion designed mainly for outdoor use while having some fun at the park or listening to music during outdoor activities.
We also got some great results watching Netflix and gaming from our tablet or during a web meeting without any lag.
So for the intended use the sound performance is very satisfying with an even and well balanced performance supported by enough power to make it loud without distortion.
Compared to Tronsmart Mega Pro
Users who seek for extra and real bass response with added power for larger spaces should consider the Tronsmart Mega Pro.
It is not only about bass and power as the Mega Pro is a more refined listen with greater extension , higher levels of clarity and resolution and a better - real speaker - overall performance.
More suitable for indoor use as it is heavier it is still very sturdy and well built with IPX4 protection.
It is a great bluetooth speaker that should be considered as a bargain for the asking price with the only let down being the absence of the aptX codec.
It is a very good speaker and the plain SBC/AAC is holding it back.
We suggest that the next step for Tronsmart should be a speaker with the same balanced sound and AptX support.
At the end
The Force 2 is a well built , compact and rugged waterproof portable bluetooth speaker that sounds surprisingly well balanced and powerful for the given size worthy the price of admission and should be in your short list.
Copyright - Laskis Petros 2021.
The sample was kindly provided free of charge and this is my honest and subjective evaluation of it.
Introduction
Tronsmart is a tech brand that designs and manufactures world-class tech accessories.
The core value of Tronsmart is to make your life easier by providing you with high-tech, high-quality and high-performance products.
The founder of Tronsmart, Eric Cheng, being located in Shenzhen - Asia's Silicon Valley of hardware has assembled a team of world-renowned R&D professionals in order to continually create the latest and greatest products.
Tronsmart truly believes that “if you offer the customer quality products at an affordable price, nothing can stop you from expansion”.
This is not the first product of Tronsmart that we reviewed as we were lucky enough to review the Apollo Bold TWS with ANC.
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tronsmart-apollo-bold.24533/review/24545/
Technical and physical specifications
The Force 2 is a portable bluetooth speaker designed mainly for outdoor use thanks to the IPX7 waterproof rating.
Equipped with a bluetooth 5.0 Qualcomm QCC3021 chip together with SoundPulse® and an RMS output of 30W it delivers a terrific sound.
There is only the SBC codec supported.
Also, it can sync sound across 100+ speakers thanks to the broadcast mode.
The two well-designed passive radiators deliver heart-pumping sound with strong bass.
A large 2500mAh battery is compatible with fast USB type C charging and can provide up to 15 hours of use in less than 4 hours of charge time.
There is a microphone to support calls and the one tap voice assistants "Hey Siri" , "Ok Google" and
"Hi Cortana".
An extra AUX input is included so we can use the speaker when bluetooth is not available.
The speaker is a compact barrel type shape with an extra grip edge where the controls are located.
It can be used and placed vertically or horizontally.
There are four buttons available to control the speaker.
Power ON/OFF that is also used to enable the voice assistant with two short taps.
The two volume up/next track , volume down/previous track buttons and the bluetooth - play/pause one.
Next to the buttons we can find the waterproof compartment that houses the USB type C and AUX inputs.
Design and build quality
The Force 2 is beautifully designed with a minimal and very appealing black matte modern appearance.
Build quality is truly excellent and the speaker feels sturdy and tough.
A little care should be taken with the passive radiators that seem to be fragile and prone to tear.
An extra protective mesh could be useful in case of an accident.
The speaker comes with USB and AUX cables plus a useful lanyard that attaches to the upper part.
A manual is included.
The dimensions are 163x72x64mm and the weight is 627gr.
The price is €59.99 and in Europe you can get it from Amazon.de without extra custom fees.
Operation
Switching the speaker on it will automatically enter bluetooth seek mode and pairing is fast and easy.
The remaining battery is displayed and we can control the volume from the phone.
Max phone volume is not the max speaker volume and we can increase it more with the volume up button.
The best way is to set phone and speaker volume to the max and then decrease it from the phone till the desired level is reached.
Bluetooth working distance is good and it can be used up to 10m , even indoors but without very thick walls between the rooms.
Connection is stable and we didn't experience any drop outs or any kind of interference.
Battery life is close to the one being advertised and we managed to squeeze out about ten hours of heavy use.
Listening
The Force 2 is surprisingly powerful for its size and can get loud enough to sufficiently fill a small room as long as we don't max the volume or it will start clipping.
Overall presentation is well balanced with an even and natural tonality far from being overly V shaped as is the case with most portable bluetooth speakers.
The low end aided here by some clever dsp boosting is present and sufficient but it is not very extended as it is more of a low mid bass with harmonics rather than real bass.
Not surprisingly though considering the size of the woofers and strict laws of physics that wouldn't allow for anything more.
Quality is good as it sounds well controlled with proper timing and a tight presentation without masking the rest of the frequencies.
An acceptable performance for such a small speaker but bass heads should seek satisfaction elsewhere.
Mids are present and clear enough in order not to be buried in the depths of the mix.
Voices and mid centric instruments get their fair share of the whole and feel well projected.
Higher frequencies are crisp and clean very slightly lifted in order to stand and balance things out with a touch of extra energy and light.
Sound is on the lean side and everything is under control and fine until we start listening to more complex material and the speaker struggles to keep up and highlight the extra information.
This may sound bad but actually it isn't because we are not talking here a speaker designed for critical listening.
The Force 2 is a little portable companion designed mainly for outdoor use while having some fun at the park or listening to music during outdoor activities.
We also got some great results watching Netflix and gaming from our tablet or during a web meeting without any lag.
So for the intended use the sound performance is very satisfying with an even and well balanced performance supported by enough power to make it loud without distortion.
Compared to Tronsmart Mega Pro
Users who seek for extra and real bass response with added power for larger spaces should consider the Tronsmart Mega Pro.
It is not only about bass and power as the Mega Pro is a more refined listen with greater extension , higher levels of clarity and resolution and a better - real speaker - overall performance.
More suitable for indoor use as it is heavier it is still very sturdy and well built with IPX4 protection.
It is a great bluetooth speaker that should be considered as a bargain for the asking price with the only let down being the absence of the aptX codec.
It is a very good speaker and the plain SBC/AAC is holding it back.
We suggest that the next step for Tronsmart should be a speaker with the same balanced sound and AptX support.
At the end
The Force 2 is a well built , compact and rugged waterproof portable bluetooth speaker that sounds surprisingly well balanced and powerful for the given size worthy the price of admission and should be in your short list.
Copyright - Laskis Petros 2021.
Tronsmart Force 2 BT speaker ($69): A BT speaker for the snow...
Tronsmart Force 2
Intro: Through a HeadFi giveaway, I was one of five chosen to review the Force 2. I am thankful for that, and as a result felt obligated to give a review worthy of the unit. Therefore, I did not rush. Others were able to get their reviews out early, which is not bad as it gives the user time to see how the unit functions quickly. Plus, many had cool snow pictures to go along with the write ups.
I have very little experience with BT speakers, but thankfully I now have that experience. All that was asked is an honest review of the good or bad, for ill or will. I would do not other. As such, the unit was absconded with almost immediately by our daughter, who used it for several nights with good results.
The unit will have approximately 50-75hrs on it by the end of this review, giving the user a longer-term look into the functionality of the Force 2. I profusely thank Tronsmart for the review sample, and after the review is done, my daughter has warned me, that the unit will be hers...oh well. That’s the way it goes.
Specs:
Force 2 is a compact speaker with an RMS output of 30W. Equipped with Qualcomm QCC3021 chip together with SoundPulse® and IPX7 waterproof technologies, it delivers a terrific sound. Also, it can sync sound across 100+ speakers thanks to the broadcast mode.
Gear Used:
iPhone XS Max
Shanling M6 Pro
Cayin N6ii mk2
HiBy R3 Pro Saber
Songs used:
Tidal Premium
Alex Fox
twenty one pilots
Jeff Beck
Latin music
Bob Marley
Unboxing:
Coming in a box, which reminds me of the portable iFi products, size-wise; the Force 2 is packaged well. Efficient use of space is appreciated, and the photos/information on the outside of the box are informative and appreciated. Not too garish in presentation, the box should be a keeper for storage when traveling. Not that the Force is not worthy of travel outside the box, but why give it the chance for abuse?
Taking the lid off you are met with the charging cable to one side and the unit set in a cradle. Under that neatly packaged are the thorough instructions. One could (and has, but not me) easily miss that part due to the fine fit of the Tronsmart in the plastic cradle. Well protected. Taking the unit out of the plastic sleeve, I inspected it.
Lighter than I thought it would be, with open ends for the passive radiators, the Force 2 has a solid tactile feel of rubberized material on a solid frame. Quality built from the looks of it.
Build:
With a form fitting plastic sheath over the frame, the Force 2 is solid. Exactly like it should be. A from fitting grill covers the speakers and they are solid as well. I’m sure a drop might slightly dent the grill, but with the feel I say it is as likely to bounce back to the original shape, such is the sturdy nature of the unit.
Taking the sealed rubber cover off reveals all of the necessary controls. But to run the item, you do not need to remove the cover. The “+” and “-“ are large enough, but since the unit is all black, it may be hard to see in dim light. Not bother, simply set the volume at an acceptable level and run the volume from your source. That side also houses the on/off button, which you long press to turn on and off. That sleeve does not come off, only the opposite end, which hides the USB-C charging port and an aux jack for connecting to a source.
I found the controls easy to use and changing the volume was only a tactile feeling away if needed. Build quality is excellent as a result of all the above, and I fully believe the claim of 30 minutes at 1 meter under water.
Functionality:
I used the Force 2 for four main purposes:
1. Shower-I even took it into the shower to judge waterproofness and sound.
2. Garage-cleaning my garage is a necessary chore every year, so why not enjoy it?
3. Classroom-One of my classes is doing a culminating project before their EOC (End of Course) exam, due to shifting schedules and the pandemic. I asked the class if they minded me using it as they know I test audio gear. They agreed, and even let me play Bob Marley as a result.
4. Around the house when cleaning, errands, laundry, etc... this was a good test of distance since I always keep my iPhone on me.
Using the Qualcomm QCC3021 chip, the sound was evenly balanced, if a bit light on bass. That is until I raised the volume at the suggestion of one of my students. That helped.
Sound:
*I had to charge the unit out of the box, which could be down to the bone chilling cold we were having as it was -13F when I took the Force out of my mailbox. As such, I charged the unit and allowed it to warm up. That cold was also a good test of weatherability. I did end up using it in my unheated garage for about an hour in -5F weather. The unit functioned perfectly.
Out of the box, I lit the Force 2 up when I took a shower. The sound was clear and crisp right from the off. Bass was not the best, but it was competent. What hit me most was the clarity of the presentation. I have heard plenty of my student’s BT speakers, and they play loud with good bass, but most sound muddy to boomy. The Force 2 was not that way for the get go. Instead, the focus seemed to be on clarity and a musical presentation that was more in tune with an “audiophile experience.” I liked it so far. It was then that my daughter took the unit for the next several nights.
She now knows that part of the deal with using my gear is that she must give me a more thorough impression than “it sounded good.” She said she enjoyed the sound, and it was clear in presenting her music. I appreciated her help and I understood as I had the same experience.
After about 25hrs, the bass was still shy for my tastes compared to the student-hit JBL’s. Turing the volume up did help the passive radiators move, but I would not be able to enjoy that volume level for long indoors. Outside, that would be perfectly acceptable, and was in my garage. From the start, and confirmed here, I feel that the Force 2 would be better served as a pair of speakers at minimum. While the soundstage provided by the single Force 2 was adequate, I have always believed in a pair of speakers to widen the stage. This also corresponds to layering and separation as well. I will call this the effect of having reviewed headphones and earphones. Those are easier to delve into than this, but I feel some of the same aspects hold true here as well.
Since I have to judge this BT speaker on parameters of which I have not done so before, this can provide me a new, fresh outlook on how the industry has moved along as well. I can distinctly remember when BT speakers came about as out middle school kids would carry them down the hall blaring horrible music at distorted levels. Not so today as the sound emanating from these little wonders has caught up much the way lower-end low-fi ChiFi IEM’s have done so in the last 2-3 years. I knew it would, but that is still nice to see when companies enhance the overall quality of sound, benefiting the listener. We win, they sell products, and we are all happy in the end.
To me, the highlight of the Tronsmart is the mids. I was pleasantly surprised upon my first listen and that continues today. Coming across as clear, concise and with the right amount of crispiness, the Force 2 tries to meld the best of both worlds, with regard to a solid portable sound and that audiophile sound of which we all strive to own. I would say that vocals are a bit withdrawn, but not to the detriment of the overall character of the mids. Playing the Afro Cuban Allstars, or the Buena Vista Social Club, the male vocals came across as present but not as forward as other from other devices. I call this the tuning of the Force 2, and not really a fault. When the chorus from the group spins up though, the vocal presentation takes its place right center and where it should be: the highlight, but not a profound “in your face” highlight.
What is nearly “in your face” to me would be the musical aspect of the mids. Guitar work can come across as almost too sharp in detail, and the percussives from the lower mids seem to boom on a bit too long. Mind you we are talking about a sub-$75 BT speaker, and these would be minor quibbles. Call it the reviewer-take here. To me, the mids take up where the bass should be strutting their stuff. Especially with Cuban music, there is that near-sensual bassline that lays the foundation of the whole song. That at lower listening levels in the Force 2 is absent. But, at higher volumes, such as in outside listening situations, that bassline comes back in support. Unfortunately, that is at volumes levels I could not use in our house unless cleaning, choring and doing so alone. Call this again the limitation of the BT speaker set up.
Up top, the treble again comes across clean and clear, highlighting that overall crisp nature of the Force 2. This crispiness seems to be the highlight and the Force 2 isn’t afraid to flaunt it. This can work towards a very good sound in lower listening levels such as your office when you are alone, but when drawn to higher volumes, unless you are outside that tendency can become a bit grating. But to me these are minor quibbles as this speaker is oriented more towards outside use due to its wonderful waterproof tendencies. For that, the speaker functions adequately.
If I had to characterize the Force 2 it would be as a thoroughly competent BT speaker, with very good mids, clarity that is quite fitting at this price, but with an overall slightly thin sound to me. It lacks that “girth” or weight that fits with a fuller sound. While the Force 2 is good, I do which for greater depth of sound, a meatier voice and a more bass. But this isn’t all as bad as it seems, for what you do get in return is very good treble response without being too sparkly or grating up top and mids, which to me steal the show.
Battery:
In my listening (and said daughter’s...) I have charged the Force 2 to full, three times. Considering the rating is “up to” 15hrs, that means I am approaching 60hrs on the clock. This last charge, I will run completely dry to determine an approximate total listening term.
Pairing:
I only hooked the Force 2 to BT sources such as those listed above, and mainly my iPhone XS Max. Painless in the ability to quickly hook up, BT technology continues to move forward in progress.
Since I only had one, I was unable to test the “multi-speaker” hook up aspect, but I believe another reviewer did.
Finale:
This is a somewhat shorter review for me. Plus, time-wise, a bit shorter as well. To say that I am “methodical” would be to politely say that I am slow. I am. I really do want the users to get an idea of what the critter sounds like 6 months to a year down the road, hence the extended listening times. Some manufacturers prefer a “quick as you can” aspect, and while I do not blame them, I think it A) draws too much pressure on the reviewers, and B) sells short the long-term investment many of us make in our gear.
For some the item in question may be the only item they can afford or may be an item, which will last them a long time. Too often in our “hobby” we bounce from item to item, thinking that “this is better” or “that is better.” We as reviewers feed into this by flying through reviews as record pace. Or when we have the “updated” version or new model, or competitor. I get it. There will always be something at the same price, which you think may be better. Or newer. Or move up to the higher bracket. I am just as guilty but have found my nirvanic sounds thankfully. As such, I think I can objectively judge products and give the manufacturer what they are looking for long term (not that others can’t). And something such as the Force 2 should be looked at long term. Especially since it has the ability to pair and chain with many (up to 100+) of the same speakers.
In this regard, there lies one of the true values in the Tronsmart. You could happily have these around your house or garage or yard or pool and play some pretty good music. While your neighbors might not approve of your music choices, all you need is to invite them over and that should make them happy. Socially distanced, of course.
Looking at the Force 2 in that vein, it is a quite good speaker. One that provides decent clarity and very good mids, which to me are the highlight. Vocals come across as presentable, if a bit behind unless the volume is turned up. If you want more bass but like the looks and quality build of the Tronsmart you may be wise to look at the Mega Pro, which adds in a level of clarity besides that bass.
I thank Tronsmart for choosing me, I do not regret getting my first full taste of a BT speaker, and if you are looking for a competent clear sounding BT speaker, then you should indeed audition the Force 2. Just be prepared for a lack of bass presence.
Cheers.
Tronsmart Force 2
Intro: Through a HeadFi giveaway, I was one of five chosen to review the Force 2. I am thankful for that, and as a result felt obligated to give a review worthy of the unit. Therefore, I did not rush. Others were able to get their reviews out early, which is not bad as it gives the user time to see how the unit functions quickly. Plus, many had cool snow pictures to go along with the write ups.
I have very little experience with BT speakers, but thankfully I now have that experience. All that was asked is an honest review of the good or bad, for ill or will. I would do not other. As such, the unit was absconded with almost immediately by our daughter, who used it for several nights with good results.
The unit will have approximately 50-75hrs on it by the end of this review, giving the user a longer-term look into the functionality of the Force 2. I profusely thank Tronsmart for the review sample, and after the review is done, my daughter has warned me, that the unit will be hers...oh well. That’s the way it goes.
Specs:
| Model | Tronsmart Force 2 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Output (watt) | 30W RMS |
| Transmission Distance | Up to 10m/32.8ft (open area) |
| Water Resistant | IPX7 |
| Battery Capacity | 2500mAh |
| Play Time | Up to 15 hours |
| Charging Time | About 3 - 4 hours |
| Frequency Range | 60Hz – 20KHz |
| Connector | Type-C charging port, 3.5mm aux-in port, Micro SD card slot |
| Dimension | 6.42 x 2.83 x 2.52 inches / 163 x 72 x 64 mm |
| Net Weight | 627 g / 22.08 oz |
| Package Contents | 1 x Force 2, 1 x Type-C charging cable, 1 x User manual, 1 x Warranty card, 1 x Aux-in cable ,1 x Lanyard |
Force 2 is a compact speaker with an RMS output of 30W. Equipped with Qualcomm QCC3021 chip together with SoundPulse® and IPX7 waterproof technologies, it delivers a terrific sound. Also, it can sync sound across 100+ speakers thanks to the broadcast mode.
Gear Used:
iPhone XS Max
Shanling M6 Pro
Cayin N6ii mk2
HiBy R3 Pro Saber
Songs used:
Tidal Premium
Alex Fox
twenty one pilots
Jeff Beck
Latin music
Bob Marley
Unboxing:
Coming in a box, which reminds me of the portable iFi products, size-wise; the Force 2 is packaged well. Efficient use of space is appreciated, and the photos/information on the outside of the box are informative and appreciated. Not too garish in presentation, the box should be a keeper for storage when traveling. Not that the Force is not worthy of travel outside the box, but why give it the chance for abuse?
Taking the lid off you are met with the charging cable to one side and the unit set in a cradle. Under that neatly packaged are the thorough instructions. One could (and has, but not me) easily miss that part due to the fine fit of the Tronsmart in the plastic cradle. Well protected. Taking the unit out of the plastic sleeve, I inspected it.
Lighter than I thought it would be, with open ends for the passive radiators, the Force 2 has a solid tactile feel of rubberized material on a solid frame. Quality built from the looks of it.
Build:
With a form fitting plastic sheath over the frame, the Force 2 is solid. Exactly like it should be. A from fitting grill covers the speakers and they are solid as well. I’m sure a drop might slightly dent the grill, but with the feel I say it is as likely to bounce back to the original shape, such is the sturdy nature of the unit.
Taking the sealed rubber cover off reveals all of the necessary controls. But to run the item, you do not need to remove the cover. The “+” and “-“ are large enough, but since the unit is all black, it may be hard to see in dim light. Not bother, simply set the volume at an acceptable level and run the volume from your source. That side also houses the on/off button, which you long press to turn on and off. That sleeve does not come off, only the opposite end, which hides the USB-C charging port and an aux jack for connecting to a source.
I found the controls easy to use and changing the volume was only a tactile feeling away if needed. Build quality is excellent as a result of all the above, and I fully believe the claim of 30 minutes at 1 meter under water.
Functionality:
I used the Force 2 for four main purposes:
1. Shower-I even took it into the shower to judge waterproofness and sound.
2. Garage-cleaning my garage is a necessary chore every year, so why not enjoy it?
3. Classroom-One of my classes is doing a culminating project before their EOC (End of Course) exam, due to shifting schedules and the pandemic. I asked the class if they minded me using it as they know I test audio gear. They agreed, and even let me play Bob Marley as a result.
4. Around the house when cleaning, errands, laundry, etc... this was a good test of distance since I always keep my iPhone on me.
Using the Qualcomm QCC3021 chip, the sound was evenly balanced, if a bit light on bass. That is until I raised the volume at the suggestion of one of my students. That helped.
Sound:
*I had to charge the unit out of the box, which could be down to the bone chilling cold we were having as it was -13F when I took the Force out of my mailbox. As such, I charged the unit and allowed it to warm up. That cold was also a good test of weatherability. I did end up using it in my unheated garage for about an hour in -5F weather. The unit functioned perfectly.
Out of the box, I lit the Force 2 up when I took a shower. The sound was clear and crisp right from the off. Bass was not the best, but it was competent. What hit me most was the clarity of the presentation. I have heard plenty of my student’s BT speakers, and they play loud with good bass, but most sound muddy to boomy. The Force 2 was not that way for the get go. Instead, the focus seemed to be on clarity and a musical presentation that was more in tune with an “audiophile experience.” I liked it so far. It was then that my daughter took the unit for the next several nights.
She now knows that part of the deal with using my gear is that she must give me a more thorough impression than “it sounded good.” She said she enjoyed the sound, and it was clear in presenting her music. I appreciated her help and I understood as I had the same experience.
After about 25hrs, the bass was still shy for my tastes compared to the student-hit JBL’s. Turing the volume up did help the passive radiators move, but I would not be able to enjoy that volume level for long indoors. Outside, that would be perfectly acceptable, and was in my garage. From the start, and confirmed here, I feel that the Force 2 would be better served as a pair of speakers at minimum. While the soundstage provided by the single Force 2 was adequate, I have always believed in a pair of speakers to widen the stage. This also corresponds to layering and separation as well. I will call this the effect of having reviewed headphones and earphones. Those are easier to delve into than this, but I feel some of the same aspects hold true here as well.
Since I have to judge this BT speaker on parameters of which I have not done so before, this can provide me a new, fresh outlook on how the industry has moved along as well. I can distinctly remember when BT speakers came about as out middle school kids would carry them down the hall blaring horrible music at distorted levels. Not so today as the sound emanating from these little wonders has caught up much the way lower-end low-fi ChiFi IEM’s have done so in the last 2-3 years. I knew it would, but that is still nice to see when companies enhance the overall quality of sound, benefiting the listener. We win, they sell products, and we are all happy in the end.
To me, the highlight of the Tronsmart is the mids. I was pleasantly surprised upon my first listen and that continues today. Coming across as clear, concise and with the right amount of crispiness, the Force 2 tries to meld the best of both worlds, with regard to a solid portable sound and that audiophile sound of which we all strive to own. I would say that vocals are a bit withdrawn, but not to the detriment of the overall character of the mids. Playing the Afro Cuban Allstars, or the Buena Vista Social Club, the male vocals came across as present but not as forward as other from other devices. I call this the tuning of the Force 2, and not really a fault. When the chorus from the group spins up though, the vocal presentation takes its place right center and where it should be: the highlight, but not a profound “in your face” highlight.
What is nearly “in your face” to me would be the musical aspect of the mids. Guitar work can come across as almost too sharp in detail, and the percussives from the lower mids seem to boom on a bit too long. Mind you we are talking about a sub-$75 BT speaker, and these would be minor quibbles. Call it the reviewer-take here. To me, the mids take up where the bass should be strutting their stuff. Especially with Cuban music, there is that near-sensual bassline that lays the foundation of the whole song. That at lower listening levels in the Force 2 is absent. But, at higher volumes, such as in outside listening situations, that bassline comes back in support. Unfortunately, that is at volumes levels I could not use in our house unless cleaning, choring and doing so alone. Call this again the limitation of the BT speaker set up.
Up top, the treble again comes across clean and clear, highlighting that overall crisp nature of the Force 2. This crispiness seems to be the highlight and the Force 2 isn’t afraid to flaunt it. This can work towards a very good sound in lower listening levels such as your office when you are alone, but when drawn to higher volumes, unless you are outside that tendency can become a bit grating. But to me these are minor quibbles as this speaker is oriented more towards outside use due to its wonderful waterproof tendencies. For that, the speaker functions adequately.
If I had to characterize the Force 2 it would be as a thoroughly competent BT speaker, with very good mids, clarity that is quite fitting at this price, but with an overall slightly thin sound to me. It lacks that “girth” or weight that fits with a fuller sound. While the Force 2 is good, I do which for greater depth of sound, a meatier voice and a more bass. But this isn’t all as bad as it seems, for what you do get in return is very good treble response without being too sparkly or grating up top and mids, which to me steal the show.
Battery:
In my listening (and said daughter’s...) I have charged the Force 2 to full, three times. Considering the rating is “up to” 15hrs, that means I am approaching 60hrs on the clock. This last charge, I will run completely dry to determine an approximate total listening term.
Pairing:
I only hooked the Force 2 to BT sources such as those listed above, and mainly my iPhone XS Max. Painless in the ability to quickly hook up, BT technology continues to move forward in progress.
Since I only had one, I was unable to test the “multi-speaker” hook up aspect, but I believe another reviewer did.
Finale:
This is a somewhat shorter review for me. Plus, time-wise, a bit shorter as well. To say that I am “methodical” would be to politely say that I am slow. I am. I really do want the users to get an idea of what the critter sounds like 6 months to a year down the road, hence the extended listening times. Some manufacturers prefer a “quick as you can” aspect, and while I do not blame them, I think it A) draws too much pressure on the reviewers, and B) sells short the long-term investment many of us make in our gear.
For some the item in question may be the only item they can afford or may be an item, which will last them a long time. Too often in our “hobby” we bounce from item to item, thinking that “this is better” or “that is better.” We as reviewers feed into this by flying through reviews as record pace. Or when we have the “updated” version or new model, or competitor. I get it. There will always be something at the same price, which you think may be better. Or newer. Or move up to the higher bracket. I am just as guilty but have found my nirvanic sounds thankfully. As such, I think I can objectively judge products and give the manufacturer what they are looking for long term (not that others can’t). And something such as the Force 2 should be looked at long term. Especially since it has the ability to pair and chain with many (up to 100+) of the same speakers.
In this regard, there lies one of the true values in the Tronsmart. You could happily have these around your house or garage or yard or pool and play some pretty good music. While your neighbors might not approve of your music choices, all you need is to invite them over and that should make them happy. Socially distanced, of course.
Looking at the Force 2 in that vein, it is a quite good speaker. One that provides decent clarity and very good mids, which to me are the highlight. Vocals come across as presentable, if a bit behind unless the volume is turned up. If you want more bass but like the looks and quality build of the Tronsmart you may be wise to look at the Mega Pro, which adds in a level of clarity besides that bass.
I thank Tronsmart for choosing me, I do not regret getting my first full taste of a BT speaker, and if you are looking for a competent clear sounding BT speaker, then you should indeed audition the Force 2. Just be prepared for a lack of bass presence.
Cheers.
