Verdict and Conclusion
I was excited when the Jam showed up, as I thought it was an interesting concept when I saw it at CES 2013. Now that I have tested it in person, I’m both excited and impressed.
The looks are unique, whether they’re cool or not is a personal thing. I like ’em.
The functionality is excellent, the combination of Bluetooth and an AUX port means that you can use the Jam with nearly any MP3 player / computer.
The sound quality impressed me. It’s not equal to a decent set of desk speakers, but it does an excellent job for its size. As you raise the volume and get further away from the Jam the sound quality goes up. For a party type situation this is perfect. If you have it right next to you playing quietly it’s not as good, but really at that point you should probably just use headphones.
The MSRP for the Jam is $50, not exactly cheap. At least one major online retailer is selling them for $35, which seems reasonable to me.
To summarize, there are pros:
- Good sound quality at most volume levels and ranges.
- Can get quiet loud while maintaining sound quality.
- Unique looks.
- Connects to almost anything.
- Non-slip base really doesn’t slip.
- Great battery life.
There are a couple cons too:
- My Windows 7 Desktop and El Cheapo BT Dongle didn’t like it. (AUX port worked fine)
- At very low volume and very close range, the sound quality suffers.
Final words. All told I’m quite happy with the HMDX Jam, and give it a 9/10 rating. If you’re in the market for a Bluetooth speaker, give it some consideration!
SCORE
9/10
