Gadget review: The Sound Blaster Roar 2 is a winner

The quality of the Sound Blaster Roar 2 impresses, but the cost can be a deterrent.

Quick specs:

What: Sound Blaster Roar 2

At a glance: NFC and Bluetooth-enabled speaker with aptX/AAC

Best buy: ₹16,997 on amazon.in

USP: An audio powerhouse with a sleek design

Rating: 4/5

Its predecessor was a critically acclaimed product that garnered rave reviews across the world. So, expectations were rather high when the Sound Blaster Roar 2 was announced in a "smaller, lighter, sexier" avatar. But could it hold its own, at a time, when portable speakers are making waves in terms of sound and competitive pricing? We find out.

Read: Gadget review: The Xiaomi bluetooth speaker is a real steal

What's good:

The speaker has a simple design, and comes in two colours — white and black. It looks attractive and can jazz up your living room or bedroom. The instruction manual was particularly handy with tips and tricks listed to make the most of the speaker. The Bluetooth pairing, with NFC, was also useful as more than two devices could be connected simultaneously.

Read: Lifejacket 2: Speakers so tough, they might survive the apocalypse

We used the speaker to listen to a range of tracks, from the Bollywood chartbuster Ladki Beautiful to Kanye West's Power, and it took it all in its stride, without a dip in music quality. We also liked the option of pressing a button for Tera Bass and Roar. Push it once, and you have low-end sound. Press twice and you get all-round sound that is louder and perfect for parties.

What's not:

Though the company claims that the speaker is 20 per cent slimmer than its predecessor, it is still a bit heavy. We found it a tad difficult to carry around — a must for portable speakers. Though the company claims that the speaker offers eight hours of battery life, it only lasts about six or seven hours if you blast music at full volume. The uneven sound quality at full volume is also a bit of a concern. Lastly, at ₹16,999, the price is on the higher side, especially considering that there are other portable speakers offering somewhat similar sound at much lower costs.

Verdict:

If you are looking for something that offers a balanced sound and are ready to shell out quite a bit, the speaker is perfect.