Review: RIVA Turbo X High Performance Premium Mobile Bluetooth Speaker – Plus Headquarters Tour

[moedawg140]

Very impressive detail and pictures on a product I had not heard of before.  I have half a dozen Bluetooth speakers including he UE Boom, UE MiniBoom, Harmon Kardon Onyx and a few off brands that I used for traveling to the lake or beach where I knew they would get wet.  My favorite so far is the HK, however it belongs to my son and he is headed off to college, so I am very interested in your review.  Can you compare the sound to the UE Boom or HK, or at least to the ones you heard them paired with originally?

Thanks DaddyMojo! In my opinion, the Turbo X is in every way on another level compared to the UE Boom. You name it, the Turbo X's audiophile/discernible sound has more depth, clarity, and perception of a surrounded soundstage especially when the Turbo X is placed in the corner of a room. I would say that the Turbo X's sound is fully immersive and has a reference level, music enthusiast quality sound to it, as opposed to something that seems to always be missing from the equation, may it be bass and overall fidelity that starts to deteriorate as the volume is turned up, bass being emphasized too much, or is simply not as coherent and smooth sounding as the Turbo X. I have only heard listeners of the Turbo X at CanJam say great things about the sound that emits from its 7 speakers.

^Wow.  Great review and interview/tour share.  Gotta hear this.  Donald is also one of the nicest guys...  

Thanks CEE TEE! I will make sure to bring the Turbo X for you to hear at the upcoming S.F. Meet. I agree, Donald is a super nice guy - and all of the ADX/RIVA staff are awesome!

How does Turbo X compare to B&W Zeppelin Air and B&W Zeppelin Mini, and any others you heard?

I haven't listened to the Zeppelins, but I did get to listen to a "direct" B&W competitor to the Turbo X, the B&W T7. The B&W, B&O A2, UE Boom, JBLs, Jamboxes (small and large), Sonos', Marshalls, the Bose's and other around-the-same-price speakers that I've listened to just do not sound as immersive and have that crisp sound signature, especially as the Turbo X's Turbo Mode (the sound can fill a house) is activated. The Trillium Surround Mode adds to the perception of the sound filling all areas of the room.

Also have the tiny X3 and the Riva "sounds" like a winner! Definitely interested.


Thanks for the review moe!

No worries, gelocks! There is so much to love about the Turbo X, it will be difficult to find much (if any) fault with the Bluetooth speaker's glorious, yet authoritative sound.


Great review and thanks for the kind words, twister6!

 

[magnium]

Great review. Really interested in the RIVA X from the CanJam impressions, but the price may be just above the WAF.

Hoping the RIVA S fits my price range but can't seem to find any info on it yet.

 

[bobeau]

Is this the same Donald North as in DNA?
 
http://www.dnaudio.com/

 

[twister6]

Great review. Really interested in the RIVA X from the CanJam impressions, but the price may be just above the WAF.

Hoping the RIVA S fits my price range but can't seem to find any info on it yet.

 
RIVA S product page: http://rivaaudio.com/products/riva-s/ - cutdown, yet still very impressive spec:
 

Speakers:	Three 40 mm full range custom ADX™ drivers
Amplifier Power:	25 watts RMS
Remote Control App:	Yes, RIVA S Ground Control
Dimensions:	190 mm (7.5 in) L X 64 mm (2.5 in) W X 65 mm (2.6 in) H
Weight:	1.4 lb (.64 kg)
Speakerphone:	Dual Microphones with Noise & Echo Canceling Technology
Bluetooth Range:	33 ft
Audio Codecs Supported:	SBC, AAC, aptX®
Surround Sound:	ADX Trillium™ Surround
Proximity Sensing:	Yes
Two Turbo Sync:	TrueWireless™
Battery Playing Time:	14+ Hours

 
Includes:
 

1. RIVA S Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
2. External Power Supply
3. 70″ 3.5 mm to RCA Connector
4. 48” 3.5 mm to 3.5 mm Connector
5. Splash-Resistant I/O Cover
6. Carrying Case
7. User Guide

 
 
The only next logical step for RIVA product line is a rugged IPX-rated outdoor speaker.  I hope they are considering it

 

[bluemonkeyflyer]

If there is a tour unit for auditioning, I'm interested.

 

[immtbiker]

Great review Moedawg140.
 
You really have a genuine knack for understanding what the reader needs, to learn about something they have had little or no experience with.
You are a valuable asset to Head-Fi and it's members. 
 
Just maybe next time you can provide a little more detail in your review 

.

 

[twister6]

  Great review Moedawg140.
 
You really have a genuine knack for understanding what the reader needs, to learn about something they have had little or no experience with.
You are a valuable asset to Head-Fi and it's members. 
 
Just maybe next time you can provide a little more detail in your review 

.

 
It's always great to have a review from a different perspective.  We (reviewers) often get a product and just talk about the details, while not everybody gets a chance to meet up-close and in-person the actual team behind the product.  That is a unique nature of Moe's review, to get a view from "behind the scene"

  If you want more details with a deeper sound analysis, I posted my review of RIVA Turbo X a few days ago here: http://www.head-fi.org/products/riva-turbox-high-performance-premium-mobile-bluetooth-speaker-black/reviews/12979

 

[SeEnCreaTive]

It's always great to have a review from a different perspective.  We (reviewers) often get a product and just talk about the details, while not everybody gets a chance to meet up-close and in-person the actual team behind the product.  That is a unique nature of Moe's review, to get a view from "behind the scene"   If you want more details with a deeper sound analysis, I posted my review of RIVA Turbo X a few days ago here: http://www.head-fi.org/products/riva-turbox-high-performance-premium-mobile-bluetooth-speaker-black/reviews/12979

I agree, the behind the scenes was actually incredible.

So many reviewers just say "it was really good, sounded great, comfortable" that's the whole review. Don't say *why* it's good, or sounds great, or is comfortable, and we now know nothing about the product. Other reviewers just list the features and specs and call it a review. Heh

This was brilliant review. Perfect balance of opinion, specs, "real world" use, and the behind the scenes.

 

[bobeau]

  Is this the same Donald North as in DNA?
 
http://www.dnaudio.com/

 
Can anyone please confirm?  As a head-fier, I don't think I would be alone in saying this knowledge would make this an insta-buy. 

 

[bobeau]

   
Can anyone please confirm?  As a head-fier, I don't think I would be alone in saying this knowledge would make this an insta-buy. 

 
It is indeed!
 
http://headphone.guru/riva-turbo-x-an-audiophile-portable-bluetooth-speaker-2/
 
"Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, the RIVA Audio Turbo X was engineered by Donald North, who is well known within the headphone and personal audio community as the designer of the popular Stratus and Sonnett tube headphone amplifiers. Donald contacted me just prior to CES and asked me to stop by RIVA’s demo room and I’m so happy I did. The rest as they say, is history."

 

[moedawg140]

Great review. Really interested in the RIVA X from the CanJam impressions, but the price may be just above the WAF.

Hoping the RIVA S fits my price range but can't seem to find any info on it yet.

 
Thanks, magnium!  Specific to your inquiry, the RIVA S will be coming out this summer at a price of $249.99 USD.
 
 

  Great review Moedawg140.
 
You really have a genuine knack for understanding what the reader needs, to learn about something they have had little or no experience with.
You are a valuable asset to Head-Fi and it's members. 
 
Just maybe next time you can provide a little more detail in your review 

.

 
Thanks for the comments, immtbiker! 
 
I'll make sure to add a little more detail for you next time.

 
 

I agree, the behind the scenes was actually incredible.

So many reviewers just say "it was really good, sounded great, comfortable" that's the whole review. Don't say *why* it's good, or sounds great, or is comfortable, and we now know nothing about the product. Other reviewers just list the features and specs and call it a review. Heh

This was brilliant review. Perfect balance of opinion, specs, "real world" use, and the behind the scenes.

 
Thanks for the comments, SeEnCreaTive.  If you ever are in the area, you should definitely tour their headquarters!
 
 

  Is this the same Donald North as in DNA?
 
http://www.dnaudio.com/

 

   
Can anyone please confirm?  As a head-fier, I don't think I would be alone in saying this knowledge would make this an insta-buy. 

 
Not to be insensitive/inconsiderate, but readers got it the first time - your first question was on the same page as well, thank you.  The link for your review was posted on this thread as well, [u][color=rgb(5, 99, 193)]@twister6[/color][/u], as people got it the first time. 

 
Donald North is DNA.  Donald said to me that DNA is his hobby; ADX/RIVA is his full-time position and priority.

 

[414353]

I'd say while the reviews done here and Moedawg's in particular are enough to go on, once you hear this unit, it's an insta-buy if one is in the market. (I wish I was in the market for a bluetooth speaker, I'd save up and lay it down for this thing).

 

[dazzerfong]

The itch for buying something new is coming, but instead of buying headphones, I think I'm going to grab a portable speaker instead. Just from the impressions, these should be in my shortlist. Looking forward to any updates!

 

[moedawg140]

  I'd say while the reviews done here and Moedawg's in particular are enough to go on, once you hear this unit, it's an insta-buy if one is in the market. (I wish I was in the market for a bluetooth speaker, I'd save up and lay it down for this thing).

 
I agree, the Turbo X speaks (or sings, bumps, yodels, rocks and then some) for itself.  Glad to be introduced to the greatness of RIVA at CanJam!
 
 

  The itch for buying something new is coming, but instead of buying headphones, I think I'm going to grab a portable speaker instead. Just from the impressions, these should be in my shortlist. Looking forward to any updates!

 
It will be great to get your impressions of the Turbo X if you decide to purchase it - hope you will enjoy!
 
I'll update the thread/review if there are any updates, such as if there are any improvements and/or added options to the RIVA Turbo X Ground Control app in future downloadable updates.

 

[jrflanne]

Just received mine. It sounds great. I've hooked it up to an iPhone via Bluetooth, iPod by wire, and MBP outputting to a Fulla. Pretty impressive little box. I bought one of those little Bose for travel. The Riva whips it in all respects.