Mivi Roam 2 review

Brand: Mivi

Specs: Built-in Microphone, 5W, waterproof, Bluetooth, weight: 204 grams

Price: ₹1,199

Rating: 3/5

In the world of JBLs and Sonys, there is also a Mivi. The Hyderabad-based audio company has been around for quite some time. It has a small lineup of audio devices but covers top categories such as wireless headphones, over-the-neck, TWS earbuds, and speakers.

I have fond memories of reviewing Mivi’s Saxo in 2017. The wireless headphone was affordable and delivered decent quality audio for its price point. Later, many of my colleagues borrowed Saxo for different purposes, say covering a live event or listening to music. Despite wear and tear, the headphone still gets the job done. My big takeaway is that the device has longevity, something a lot of users constantly look for.

The latest Mivi product for review is Roam 2. It is a conventional wireless speaker, albeit in a compact form factor. It is available online for ₹1,139. So, you know, it is not expensive much.

As you would have seen in the images, Roam 2 is small in size. The compact form factor makes it easy to carry around. Put it in your backpack or purse, or pocket (if you do not mind the bulge). The device measures 10 x 4 x 8.5 cm and weighs roughly 200 grams.

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The front houses an aluminium frame that gives it a bit of retro look. The back has a plastic shell with “Mivi” engraving. The sides, however, come with rubber material that helps give a better grip. The top panel houses buttons for powering on/off, play, and volume up and down. The left panel houses a rubber cap under which are USB port and 3.5mm headphone jack. The right edge houses a hanger for carrying it around. You cannot remove the hanger from the shell.

Mivi Roam 2 does not look quite different from conventional speakers of its class. Take JBL Go or boAt Stone 200 for example. If you are looking for funkier design or premium look and feel, you are in for a disappointment.

That said, there is more to Roam 2 than meets the eye. It comes with IPX7 dust and waterproof resistance. During my usage, the device encountered splashes of water at a couple of occasions but continued to work fine with a wipe. It is a low maintenance device, and that is definitely a positive in my books.

I used Roam 2 for a variety of purposes including taking zoom calls to streaming podcasts, and lots of music. The built-in mic is a welcome addition in this category of speakers. Since I had placed it on my home workstation, Roam came in handy when taking zoom or hangout calls. The recipient, during our experience, did not encounter issues with audio quality.

The device comes with a 5W speaker, which is a new trend in this category. This means it can be loud enough (or more than enough) for its compact size. Users also have the option to pair another Roam 2 to create a stereo-like setup.

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Mivi says the Roam 2 is engineered to deliver a “heavy, deep and powerful bass at highs, mids and lows” – a claim I believe is slightly over the board. Bass-heavy songs such as Vince Staples - "Bagbak" sound little underwhelming and lacking a depth. Tracks such as Kanye West’s No Church in Wild and Stefflon Don - Real Ting Remix also met the same. The device, however, does a good job at delivering quality with tracks such as Kailash Kher’s Teri Deewani. AR Rahman’s Dil Bechara was alright as well. The Roam 2 does a fine job at producing fine quality audio when making audio or video calls. Podcasts are fine as well.

Another thing to like about the Roam 2 is its battery life. The device is said to deliver up to 24 hours of playtime at 70% volume. During our usage, we managed to get the device to stretch it a bit more. It’s reliable that way.

Verdict

Mivi Roam 2 is a fine compact speaker. The conventional design may seem a little uninspiring, but it covers that with its audio quality and reliable battery life. At slightly over ₹1,000, it is not expensive much. If you want an audio device to complement your home work-station, Roam 2 is definitely worth considering.